Igniting Relational Leadership

Mandy Wong (she/her)

I acknowledge that I live, work and learn on the unceded traditional territory of the Katzie, Kwantlen, Semiahmoo and other Coast Salish Peoples.

My name is Mandy Wong, and I am proud to call North Surrey home. I am a mother and partner, raising two daughters, one of whom is neurodiverse. I identify as mixed-race with roots in China, India, Austria, and Germany.

This is my 22nd year as an educator. I hold a Diploma in Maker Pedagogy and a Master’s Degree in Educational Practices from Simon Fraser University. My career includes roles as a Teacher in the Provincial Resource Program for Autism and Related Disorders, Education and Behaviour Consultant with the Provincial Outreach Program for Autism and Related Disorders, and now the proud Principal of Prince Charles Elementary in the Surrey School District. In 2021, I co-founded a network of BIPOC Women in Leadership, which has grown to over 40 female leaders across Surrey and beyond.

I have been deeply committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion over the course of my career.  As a school leader, I strive to create a school community where everyone feels seen, empowered and welcome.

Kristy Crnkovich (she/her)

I acknowledge that I live, work, and learn on the unceded traditional territory of the Katzie, Kwantlen, Semiahmoo, and other Coast Salish Peoples.

My name is Kristy Crnkovich, and I am a mother, wife, daughter, and sister. I come from settler ancestry and am deeply committed to reconciliation and to the ongoing work of decolonizing education.

I am privileged to serve as the principal of Xw'epiteng Elementary. Xw'epiteng means “place of many rabbits” in the SENĆOŦEN language spoken by the Semiahmoo People. Chief Harley Chappell’s vision for the school is to “bring out the gift of every child.” As educators, our responsibility is to create a learning environment where Semiahmoo Traditional Knowledge and community priorities are meaningfully woven through B.C.’s curriculum.

As a non-Indigenous educator, I understand the importance of not extracting or appropriating culture. Instead, my role is to listen deeply—to story, to ceremony, and to the relationships that guide us in honouring and understanding the local traditional territory. This approach is central to our land-based learning model, where the land is not simply a backdrop for education, but a teacher in its own right.

At Xw'epiteng, our team is committed to removing as many colonial barriers as possible. We examine everything—from daily operations to curriculum design and reporting practices—through an anti-colonial lens. This work requires humility, reflection, and a willingness to shift long-standing educational practices.

I have been working in education for 18 years, and it has long been my dream to help create a school where children are excited to come each day—because they see themselves reflected, their gifts celebrated, and the land recognized as a source of knowledge and belonging.

Dr. Dustin Louie (he/him)

Dr. Dustin Louie is a First Nations scholar from Nee Tahi Buhn and Nadleh Whut’en of the Dakelh Nation of central British Columbia. He is a member of the Beaver Clan. Dustin’s education background includes a degree in Canadian history, a master’s degree in international relations, and a PhD in educational research. The topic of Dr. Louie’s doctoral dissertation was Sexual Exploitation Prevention Education for Indigenous Girls. He has worked as an historian in a land claims law firm, studied Indigenous homelessness in Western Canada, worked internationally for non-governmental organizations in Uganda and Australia, and began his academic career as an Assistant Professor and then Associate Professor at the Werklund School of Education in the University of Calgary.

Dr. Louie is also the Director of NITEP and an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia. He teaches courses related to Indigenous education, social justice, and educational philosophy; works closely with four school districts on decolonizing at the provincial and local level with government and private organizations, researches practical approaches to Indigenizing education, decolonizing education, Indigenous pedagogies, and critical theory. Dr. Louie has published in the top educational journals in Canada on diverse topics in Indigenous education.

Dr. Sabre Cherkowski (she/her)
Dr. Sabre Cherkowski is Professor of Education and UBCO Tier 1 Principal’s Research Chair in Leadership, Learning, and Wellbeing at the UBC Okanagan campus. Her research explores how educational leaders can cultivate cultures of flourishing in schools and organizations by prioritizing wellbeing, positive leadership, and collaborative learning. Dr. Cherkowski’s work integrates insights from positive psychology and organizational studies to develop sustainable approaches to leader wellness and professional growth. She has led national and international projects on educator wellbeing and leadership development, offering practical strategies in cultivating positive workspaces, professional learning environments, and thriving work cultures. Recognized as UBC Okanagan’s 2020 Researcher of the Year in Social Sciences and Humanities, Sabre is passionate about supporting leaders in creating environments where both educators and students can flourish. To learn more about her work, please visit leadwell.ok.ubc.ca.