The ASCEND Team

The Staff at ASCEND Online

Our vision at ASCEND is to build a community, both on-line and in person, of families and individuals dedicated to promoting a life in Christ through faith, family, and education. Raised in the power of the Holy Spirit’s sacramental presence, we prepare our families to be “lights onto the world” by our example of Love.

ASCEND Online is the only Catholic online school option in British Columbia.

Lynn Hale

Principal

Lynn Hale

Principal

I am the principal of ASCEND Online School, a mother and step-mother of 11, and a grandmother of 11, so far! My husband is a Deacon in the Catholic Diocese of Nelson and we live and work on the land of the traditional and ancestral people of the Okanagan. I have been involved in Catholic education in BC for over 20 years. I am passionate about creating space in schools for students to grow and learn in a supportive, faith-filled atmosphere. Through meaningful relationships and respect for diverse learning styles and interests, ASCEND Online strives to create success for all students.

Email:principal@ascendonline.ca

Msgr. Jerry Desmond

Pastor

Msgr. Jerry Desmond

Pastor

I am an ordained priest in the Diocese of Kamloops. Ordained in 1966 and served in many parishes in the Diocese, many of them with Catholic schools. Retired in 2019 but continue to serve many parishes in the Diocese and continue to be appointed by the Bishop as the chaplain of ASCEND Online.

Dina Fiset-Kinzel

Vice Principal

Dina Fiset-Kinzel

Vice Principal

I have been teaching for over 30 years and have been with ASCEND since 2017. I am the Vice Principal and I teach several high school courses and also support families in Inclusive Education. I live in Kelowna with my family and I love how home learning allows families to embrace their Catholicity, learning styles, strengths, and interests.

Email:vp@ascendonline.ca

Merryn Denholm

Inclusive Education Administrator ‎‎‎‎‎

Merryn Denholm

Inclusive Education Administrator ‎‎‎‎‎

As an educator, I love the work we all do here, because there is always more to learn. I believe that effective learning happens within relationships of trust and acceptance. Communication - in all its beautiful, rich variety of forms - is a vital key. As a parent, learning at home with my children was a wonderful experience. My family, friends and community of faith bring me joy and sustain me every day.

Email:mdenholm@ascendonline.ca

Mary Gallagher

K-9 Contact Teacher

Mary Gallagher

K-9 Contact Teacher

I came to Ascend as both a parent and teacher in the fall of 2012, and haven’t looked back. For our family, the home learning journey has brought such blessings. Lots of work, yes! But a beautiful way of life. My great joy is to see that same richness in other families, and through them, in our communities.

Email:mgallagher@ascendonline.ca

DeeDee Harder

Office Manager

DeeDee Harder

Office Manager

I have worked in office administration with DL schools for the passed 15 years, in many different roles and facets. I see the value that at home learning provides for families to grow in their faith & relationship together. I live in the beautiful Shuswap area with my husband of 32 yrs. We have 3 grown sons and 4 adorable grandchildren. I love the outdoors, hiking, gardening and building projects. I feel blessed to be apart of a wonderful Godly team at Ascend.

Email:admin@ascendonline.ca

Stephanie Howie

K-9 Academic Advisor

Stephanie Howie

K-9 Academic Advisor

Email:showie@ascendonline.ca

Lauraine Wakely

Learning Services Coordinator

Lauraine Wakely

Learning Services Coordinator

Hi, my name is Lauraine. I live in Kamloops. I believe that all children have gifts to share. My hope as a teacher is to help my students in discovering and sharing their love of learning. I love my vocation with Ascend, focusing on Faith, Family and Flexibility.

Email:lwakely@ascendonline.ca

Kristy & Rebecca

Library Resources

Kristy & Rebecca

Library Resources

Email:library@ascendonline.ca

Rebecca DeMonte

Records

Rebecca DeMonte

Records

I have lived in Kamloops since 1998, attending Catholic brick and mortar schools for my elementary and high school years. It was at one of these schools, in grade four, where I met my future husband. We have been married since July 2012. We have had our children attending Ascend Online since September 2020. I am so grateful to be a part of such a vibrant, caring, learning community. Our daughters are thriving learning from home with the support of our contact teacher. We love being a part of their learning and growth on a daily basis. It is truly a blessing in my life to work from home and educate our children at the same time.

Email:records@ascendonline.ca

Eben van Renen

Pilgrim’s Quest and Saint’s Quest

Eben van Renen

Pilgrim’s Quest and Saint’s Quest

I qualified as a teacher in South Africa and recieved my Masters in Canada. I am the creator of our online role-playing games Saint's Quest and Pilgrim's Quest. My key focus is on helping young Catholics become saints by creating fun, practical and interactive games that will challenge them to develop good Catholic habits and a solid grip on true Catholic teaching. In the process of bringing these kids together I have seen their faith grow and friendships form. Most of the week I work in a public school, so I really enjoy my Tuesdays because I can speak openly about matters that are truly important. I have taught in three different countries and for over 20 years, but I still enjoy the job tremendously! I hope to shift more and more into Catholic education as time goes on.

Email:bvanrenen@ascendonline.ca

Lorna Hessels

Home Support Teacher

Lorna Hessels

Home Support Teacher

I am a homeschooling mom of six. Before my homeschooling years, I enjoyed teaching at St. Michael's Elementary in Burnaby, for five years, where I taught Kindergarten and Grade Two, and coached track and basketball. I have been blessed to be with ASCEND since 2011.

Email:lhessels@ascendonline.ca

David Ziebart

Religion Coordinator and High School Teacher

David Ziebart

Religion Coordinator and High School Teacher

I have spent the past twenty-three years in Catholic education in different roles. I am currently a pastoral assistant at Immaculate Conception Church in Kelowna. Prior to this, I spent twelve wonderful years at St. Joseph Catholic Elementary teaching grade 6 and grade 7. I am very excited to be working in a part-time role with ASCEND having been blessed by this model of learning. My wife and I homeschooled our sons during their primary years, and it was a wonderful time of exploring the world together through the eyes of two very inquisitive boys! We recently ventured back into the homeschooling world with our daughter as she completed her high school courses. In my free time, I enjoy playing ice hockey, hiking the hills, puttering in our garden, playing board games with my family and hanging out with friends from our parish!

Email:dziebart@ascendonline.ca

Erika Salas

Subscription Coordinator and Inclusive Education Teacher

Erika Salas

Subscription Coordinator and Inclusive Education Teacher

I have been blessed to work with ASCEND families for the last ten years. In this time, I have helped families create plans to support goals they envision for their children, especially in Inclusive Education. My experience with ASCEND has been one of support in faith and flexibility to grow in my own education and family life as, over the last several years, I have earned a Master’s in Education from the University of British Columbia while raising and teaching my 4 young children, at home. I am passionate about serving parents in providing their children with an educational experience from a Christian perspective that is unique and flexible. I strive in my own faith journey through the examples of the saints and eagerly share this with my families through prayer and support.

Email:esalas@ascendonline.ca

Gord Higginson

Home Support and Inclusive Education Teacher

Gord Higginson

Home Support and Inclusive Education Teacher

I was part of the formation team that created Ascend Online back in 2011 and was with the school for its first two years as vice-principal and a learning resource coordinator. I've been a Catholic school teacher and administrator for the past twenty-three years, which has taken me all over the province: Abbotsford, Smithers, Vernon, Port Alberni, and most recently Duncan, where I now reside. I’ve been married to my lovely wife Cathy for over 30 years, and have five young adult children who are all at various stages of launching out into the world on their own. I love music (playing guitar and singing) and I like to tinker with things, as I am a bit of a jack-of-all-trades. I enjoy learning new things, and I love to collaborate in the learning of others through the blessing of Catholic education!

Email:ghigginson@ascendonline.ca

Barb MacLeod

Inclusive Education Teacher

Barb MacLeod

Inclusive Education Teacher

Rossland B.C. is my new home after 20 years in the Bulkley Valley and 53 years in the Cariboo. I am blessed with an amazing family. My teaching path has been a life long learning journey of being educatd and educating. Curriculum building to excite children about learning and to fit their style and interests is my forte.. Ascend makes this so very possible for every child. Faith and family.

Email:bmacleod@ascendonline.ca

Viveca Calvert

Inclusive Education Teacher

Viveca Calvert

Inclusive Education Teacher

Hi. My husband and I are semi-retired teachers. I have 28 years experience (mostly with IE), in the brick and mortar world. I am Catholic and new to ASCEND; however, I am already in AWE of everything I have learned from this wonderful family and all the amazing families I have been in contact with. My philosophy is to take children where they are at, learn how they learn best and with God's help, show them that everyday is filled with learning. I have 5 children (all gone from the home), and 3 grandchildren. My interests include: sewing, quilting and building with my husband.

Email:vcalvert@ascendonline.ca

Shelley Steele-Gittel

Inclusive Education Teacher

Shelley Steele-Gittel

Inclusive Education Teacher

By choosing a "positive and possible" approach to education, I believe we can all be successful. I completed my B. Music at Western and continued on to complete a Masters in Education. I enjoy hanging out with my family of two girls and my husband of over 20 years. In my spare time I instruct teachers across the province to be certified as Special Education teachers. I feel blessed to be part of the Ascend team

Email:ssteelegittel@ascendonline.ca

Esther Cowper

Home Support Teacher

Esther Cowper

Home Support Teacher

I grew up on Vancouver Island, where I was homeschooled from grade six onwards. After graduating I first completed my diploma in piano performance, and then went on to study Catholic theology, philosophy and education at Trinity Western University. My first job was teaching a rambunctious grade 5 class in Vancouver. I am happily married with two young boys, and now live in Mill Bay on Vancouver Island. I am also the co-founder of Veritas Current Events with my husband.

Email:ecowper@ascendonline.ca

Shailah Gulyas

Inclusive Education Teacher

Shailah Gulyas

Inclusive Education Teacher

Hello, I am Shailah and I am from the beautiful East Kootenays. I am a homeschool mom to three girls and have worked with ASCEND for almost 7 years as an Inclusive Education and Home support teacher. I love and am blessed with the opporunity to connect with families and help them navigate the world of educating their children. I believe that learning happens everywhere and that each experience is unique to the student.

Email:shailah@ascendonline.ca

Natalie van Renen

Inclusive Education Teacher and Coordinator

Natalie van Renen

Inclusive Education Teacher and Coordinator

I'm a Catholic Inclusive Education Teacher. My educational philosophy is "“If a child can't learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn."

Email:nvanrenen@ascendonline.ca

Melanie Bartusek

Home Support Teacher

Melanie Bartusek

Home Support Teacher

Hello, I have been in education for over 35 years working with students. I am passionate about home learning and I see so many wonderful benefits for both the children and the families. I work with grades Kindergarten through to nine. My husband and I have three amazing children and 4 incredible grandchildren. I have many interests but quilting, kayaking, camping and biking are my favourite.

Email:mbartusek@ascendonline.ca

Kristy Smyth

Inclusive Education Teacher

Kristy Smyth

Inclusive Education Teacher

Email:ksmyth@ascendonline.ca

Lee Ann Cote

Home Support Teacher

Lee Ann Cote

Home Support Teacher

Hi, I'm Lee Ann Cote, a graduate of Trinity Western University and Redeemer Pacific College. I teach my own five children at our home in Terrace, BC and have worked part-time for ASCEND since 2014. As a former home learner, I have a great passion for helping families find educational resources and methods that work for them them. I love working with a school that shares my values of faith, family, and flexibility.

Email:lcote@ascendonline.ca

Tony Howie

High School Teacher

Tony Howie

High School Teacher

I began work as a classroom teacher in Catholic schools in 1989. I am originally from Ontario, and began my career there, before moving to BC in 1992. I met my wife in Vancouver, and we began our family here, happily educating our six children, at home. I continue to work in a brick and mortar school while also working with Ascend Online in various high school courses. I graduated from Queen's University and graduated from Graduate School at the University of Notre Dame. I am passionate about Catholic education. I have also spent time working with Campus Ministry, PREP programs, and coaching a variety of sports.

Email:thowie@ascendonline.ca

Krista Brautigam

Inclusive Education and High School Teacher

Krista Brautigam

Inclusive Education and High School Teacher

I am a High School Math, Physics and Chemistry teacher. I have a Master Degree in Civil Engineering from U of A and worked as an engineer for four years before finding my passion as a teacher. I love seeing a student's excitement when they solve the ‘hard’ questions. My experiences working with students with learning disabilities has also led me to Inclusive Education where I have the honor of working with exceptional students and families to create learning plans that fit their individual needs. I live in Salmon Arm with my wonderful husband of 12 years, and my three beautiful daughters.

Email:kbrautigam@ascendonline.ca

Leeanne Williams

Home Support Teacher

‏‏‎ ‎

Leeanne Williams

Home Support Teacher

Hi, my name is Leeanne. I have been a teacher for 23 years, and I have been homeschooling my own three children for the past 8 years. I believe all children deserve the right to have a safe and encouraging learning environment which best suits their learning needs, and I have been blessed to find that at Ascend. I rely on my faith in all aspects of my life and look to Jesus, the teacher, to guide me in my teaching. I believe, "A child is not a vessel to be filled, but a lamp to be lit."

Email:lwilliams@ascendonline.ca

Lidia Wasylinko

K-9 Home Support Teacher

Lidia Wasylinko

K-9 Home Support Teacher

Hello, my name is Lidia and I reside with my husband and 4 school aged children in Kamloops. Two older children are in university. I was born and educated in England, where I also did a stint of teaching before emigrating to Canada and geting married. I spent the next 20+ years raising and homeschooling our children in 3 provinces, using various homeschooling methods and curricula. Last year I became part of the Ascend staff family and am very excited to be not only a parent with Ascend, but also have the privilige to accompany and support families on their sometimes challenging, but awesome and fulfilling journey of school at home!

Email:lwasylinko@ascendonline.ca

The ASCEND Team

Lynn Hale

Msgr. Jerry Desmond

Dina Fiset-Kinzel

Merryn Denholm

Mary Gallagher

DeeDee Harder

Stephanie Howie

Lauraine Wakely

Kristy & Rebecca

Rebecca DeMonte

Eben van Renen

Lorna Hessels

David Ziebart

Erika Salas

Gord Higginson

Barb MacLeod

Viveca Calvert

Shelley Steele-Gittel

Esther Cowper

Shailah Gulyas

Natalie van Renen

Melanie Bartusek

Kristy Smyth

Lee Ann Cote

Tony Howie

Krista Brautigam

Leeanne Williams

Lidia Wasylinko

Contact Information

© 2025 ASCEND Online