Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools is excited to welcome Nicki Yakoweshen to our Division as Director of Student Support Services beginning on May 5, 2025. Nicki is a dynamic and faith-filled leader who has been instrumental in providing services to diverse learners throughout Edmonton Catholic Schools. Nicki currently serves as the principal of St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary/Junior/Senior High School: Centre for Diverse Learning (CFDL), a unique education site within Edmonton Catholic Schools. She leads her school in serving students from grades 1-12 across Edmonton, who require higher levels of holistic support through a multidisciplinary approach.
Nicki has completed her Master of Education specializing in Curriculum and Pedagogy with a capstone project centered on research-based trauma-informed practices. Nicki has gained expertise in supporting neurodivergent learners and students who are diagnosed with autism, leveraging the Collaborative Response framework to respond to students with diverse needs, enhancing and developing systems support, as well as building professional learning opportunities for Division staff focused on supporting diverse learners. She is also completing training relative to Bruce Perry’s Neurosequential Model of Education.
Nicki has worked closely with her division’s Indigenous Learning Services consultants to support her school’s path toward Truth and Reconciliation. Through various professional development opportunities, her school is working to enhance their understanding and take meaningful steps forward in supporting their Indigenous community by ensuring knowledge and understanding is built for all learners. She has been described as innovative, strategic, and thoughtful in her planning, an excellent instructional leader and a highly effective communicator.
Nicki is extremely passionate about collaborating with staff and effectively supporting teams to serve students, their families, and their communities. She is excited to join the Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools family and build relationships with staff and families in each school community. Nicki and her family reside in Sturgeon County and their two daughters attend Richard S. Fowler Catholic Junior High School. She is grateful for the opportunities and experiences that their family has had as parents and students in the Division and is excited to join the Division Services Centre team. Please join us in welcoming Nicki Yakoweshen to Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools.