Welcome to Johnston Heights Social Studies

 Mr. Aikenhead -  aikenhead_a@surreyschools.ca

Website: aikenhead.ca 

I have been teaching at JH for 5 years now, and it’s amazing to see students I taught in grade 8 walk across the stage in grade 12 to receive their diploma. Before Johnston Heights I taught at various elementary schools in Surrey, including Old Yale Road, Bonaccord, James Ardiel, and Lena Shaw.

I got my degree in Middle Eastern History, and have several family members and friends who are lawyers, so it is great to be teaching History 12 and Law 12 here at JH. 

If you are thinking of taking either History 12 or Law 12 with me, please visit aikenhead.ca above to get a better understanding of what these courses entail. Both courses can now be used towards your GPA for university acceptance and thus will require much study and hard work, but I promise both are also extremely interesting and will help you better understand the world around you.

Mr. Bailey - bailey_m@surreyschools.ca

I have taught at Johnston Heights for the past 5 years. I currently teach Junior Socials. 

Mr. Beaton - beaton_b@surreyschools.ca

I have been teaching at Johnston Heights since 2008 and in Surrey since 2004.  I love the students, staff and families that make up the JH community.  In addition to teaching Social Studies I also teach computer classes and serve as one of the JHSS Technology Facilitators along with Ms. O’Malley.  I have two school aged children and am involved in community sports at several levels. 

Mr. Eckert - eckert_j@surreyschools.ca

Website: www.mistereckert.com

I have been teaching Social Studies and French here at at Johnston Heights Secondary for 5 years. During that time I was fortunate to have the opportunity to teach in Northern Ireland for a year while living in Belfast and spend 6 months in Montreal to begin my masters degree. I am currently midway through my M.A. in Learning and Technology at Royal Roads University.

I love skiing and hiking and other wilderness pursuits, photography, reading (especially history and biographies), playing guitar and listening to music, spending time with my wife and two young kids, travelling, working with web 2.0 technologies, good food, building things, and anything to do with bikes.

If you have a class with me, look forward to interesting discussions, lots of critical thinking activities, geography and more geography, 'Top 10' quizzes, building your own website, being a 'class leader', fun projects, and watching some great films.

Carpe Diem!

 Ms. Grover - grover_c@surreyschools.ca

Website: msgrover.wordpress.com

This is my 6th year at Johnston Heights and I feel fortunate to teach at a school with such great staff and amazing students.  I have taught in various Departments in the school including Careers, English and Social Studies.  In the Social Studies Department I took on the Integrated Studies District Program for three years and enjoyed further developing the Curriculum and really getting to know the students.  My most recent subject in the Department is History 12, which is a pleasure to  teach having completed my degree in 20th Century history.  I was off most of last year on maternity leave with the birth of our first son, Noah.  When I'm not at school I keep busy spending time with my family, running, playing/writing music and relaxing.  I have always been highly active and with my time off from work last year got into trail running, completing all 5 Peaks in a trail race series, and also ran my first half marathon.  I love to travel and did a semester abroad in University, visiting many of the places I now get to teach about in Socials and History 12.  I attended UBC for both my BA in History and BEd in Social Studies.  I feel priveleged to not only teach the subjects I love, but to teach such motivated and respectful students that we have here at JH.  I look forward to the year ahead and many more to come!

Ms. Keller - keller_k@surreyschools.ca

Website: mskeller.com

I have been teaching at Johnston Heights since 2009, and I love it! There is no place I would rather be. In addition to Social Studies, I teach English and (sometimes) French. I’m also a sponsor teacher for the JH Kiva club. Outside of school, I spend my time reading, writing, watching movies, making music, and eating good food. 

One of the highlights of my time at Johnston Heights has been the opportunity to teach Integrated Studies 8/9. Integrated Studies is a unique two-year program that combines the subject areas of English and Social Studies. Teaching the course is exciting because it allows the freedom to critically explore the relationships between literature, culture, history, and media. I also love working and learning with grade 8 and 9 students: they are always full of ideas and make every day interesting! 

 Mr. Lam - lam_p@surreyschools.ca

website: mrlamteacher.wordpress.com

Bonjour!

This is my first year at Johnston Heights Secondary and so far, I can say that it has been a great school with fantastic students.  I currently teach both Social Studies and French and usually find my days running back and forth between two classrooms.

It was during my high school years that I developed a passion for Social Studies and encouraging people around me to continually ask questions about everything we read in the newspapers and come across in our daily lives!  I completed a double major in International Relations and History at UBC and love to share my passion about history and the world to all of my students.  

If you're in my class this year, be prepared to learn and laugh together as students of history.

Mr. Lavoie - lavoie_p@surreyschools.ca

Website: pjlavoie.com

Twitter: @pj_lavoie

PJ Lavoie joined the JH Social Studies department this year after a successful decade spent teaching Theatre with the Performing Arts Department.  In addition to his ongoing interest in theatre and the Arts, he is committed to developing student leadership and improving JH’s environment and sustainability profile. Over the years he has been the recipient of several honours, including the Premier’s Award for Teaching Excellence in 2009 for his work in fostering student leadership. This year, PJ teaches Social Studies 9, Social Studies 11, and Comparative Civilizations 12. He is also the coordinator for the Multidisciplinary Learning Program at JH where he teaches Interdisciplinary Studies 11. He invites you to visit his website, pjlavoie.com, or to follow him on Twitter, @pj_lavoie.

Mr. Moloney - moloney_m@surreyschools.ca

Website: mrmoloney.com

I was welcomed to the Johnston Heights community in 2005. In addition of being the Socials Studies Department Head I have had the privilege of teaching Integrated Studies 8 & 9, Socials 9-11, and Geography 12. This year I am also very excited to be part of the Multidisciplinary Learning Project. 

My passion in education is exploring practical applications of 21st Century learning and teaching which focuses on collaboration, critical thinking and problem solving though the integration of technology. In other words... how can can students use technology for school and not just Facebook:) 

Ms. Perdue - Perdue_d@surreyschools.ca

This is my second year teaching at Johnston Heights, although you may have seen me here in 2007/2008 doing my teaching practicum.  My background is in English literature and drama.  This year I am teaching English 10, Integrated Studies 8/9, Drama 8, and Sociology 11/12.

I have been teaching at Johnston Heights since 2009. In addition to teaching Social Studies 8, I also teach Planning 10.

 Mr. Smith - smith_gary@surreyschools.ca

This year marks my 3rd year teaching at J.H. I teach socials, art,  and this year added Theatre Production to list! It is nice to be able to engage with students on artistic and academic levels- a great balance of both worlds. I am still, and continue to be,  impressed by the strong sense of community found and fostered at Johnston Heights.

Mr. Zanatta - zanatta_t@surreyschools.ca

Website:mrzanatta.wordpress.com

It has been my pleasure to be a part of the Johnston Heights community since 1997.Currently, I teach English 8 and 9 and SS 8. I believe ALL learners can succeed by working to the best of their ability while respecting themselves and others. JH is a great place; I look forward to meeting you.