Ian Tyson, Atif Hirjee, Brent Dickson, Catherine Hogan and Marc England
Ian Tyson (Moderator): For 30+ years, Ian Tyson has been entertaining and inspiring audiences across North America to realize their potential, and seek happiness in life. Ian’s high-octane presentations are sure to keep any audience in stitches and leave them with words and thoughts to live by. Combining hilarious and heart warming story telling, observational humour and meaningful life lessons; his assembly programs are always on point. He is one of North America's top inspirational speakers, and has spoken at hundreds of schools, TEDx, and dozens of conferences about teaching optimism, resilience and kindness. He’s a student leadership pro who has attended or spoken at more than a dozen CSLC’s and conferences in every province! Ian's book, "Hooray For Everything! The Optimist Manifesto" is an insightful collection of stories, and ideas about finding and keeping positivity. Also an avid home cook, who brings his positivity to the kitchen and was featured on the Food Network Canada show “Wall of Chefs” in 2020, and created an online cooking show of his own during lockdown called "The Confined Kitchen".
Panel Members:
Atif Hirjee - As an Assistant Principal at W.P. Wagner High School, Atif gets to work with dynamic young changemakers every day. Originally born in Calgary, Atif cares deeply about student empowerment and anti-racism, and thinks the world would be a better place if everyone talked to a therapist. Atif is passionate about serving his community and currently serves as the National Member for Mental Wellness and Coordinated Programming on the Aga Khan Youth and Sports Board for Canada and is a partner on student-centred anti-racism and inclusion projects with the John Humphrey Centre for Human Rights and REACH Edmonton. He also sponsors a Jack.org Mental Health Chapter for high school and university-aged youth and was the campaign manager for a successful Edmonton Public School Board of Trustees candidate. Recently named one of Edify Edmonton’s Top 40 Under 40 and an Inspiring Edmontonian by CTV Edmonton, Atif is grateful to live and work on Treaty 6 territory.
Brent Dickson - Brent has been a Student Leadership advisor for over 20 years working with Gr. 7-12 students in B.C. and Alberta. His schools have hosted provincial conferences for Jr. Highs, Sr. Highs, and Leadership advisors. Brent teaches P.E. and Leadership and coaches Rugby at Centennial High School in Calgary. He is a Communications Director for the Canadian Student Leadership Association (CSLA). Brent is the proud father of four boys and is married to the amazing Krista.
Catherine Hogan - Catherine has been teaching for 23 years and has spent the last 5 years as a Wildcat at Westwood Senior High School in Hudson, Quebec. This is her 12th year running leadership and student life and her first as the Quebec representative to CSLA. Known for being a talker, Catherine also hits the airwaves of Montreal's CJAD as their educational consultant and a panelist on the Big 5 political panel.
Marc England-Marc is a Leadership Teacher and Student Activities advisor at Fleetwood Park Secondary School in Surrey BC. He works with SD 36 District Student Leaders and also is a member of the Board for the Canadian Student Leadership Association. Currently in his 25th year of teaching, Marc is very interested in the rapid change in education structures and how they impact educators and students alike.