Our Team

m̓eexm̓is is from yuułuʔiłʔatḥ First Nation. She is currently working for her nation in the Language Learner Intensive program using the WAYK Method. She began her language journey in 2020 because she was motivated to introduce herself in her own dialect while going to VIU in the Indigenous Studies program where they teach you to introduce yourself in hulquminum. Language has reconnected m̓eexm̓is to her identity, and culture and has lit a fire that will last a lifetime to revitalize her language.

m̓eexm̓is serves on the Board of Directors for Language Teacher Toolbox.

Susanna has a background in education and facilitation. In her work as a middle and high school Latin teacher in Brooklyn, NY, she focused on bringing communicative teaching strategies into her classroom. She was also an active leader of the local peer-facilitated professional development community for educators. Susanna has been working with Where Are Your Keys since 2014. In this role, she has been involved full-time with language revitalization projects in the US and Canada. She currently works with learners and teachers of Indigenous languages to build language immersion skills, lessons and curricula.

Susanna serves on the Board of Directors for Language Teacher Toolbox.

Bio coming soon.

Robyn serves on the Board of Directors for Language Teacher Toolbox.

Michayla King comes from the Musgamagw Dzawada’enuwx, Namg̱is and Metis peoples. She is currently working as an instructor and learner at the Adult Immersion Bak̓wa̱mk̓ala Language program, also known as the Treehouse. 

In 2017, Michayla was a student at the University of British Columbia where she attended her first kwak̓wala language class with the intention to fulfill a language credit requirement, not realizing it was the start of her language journey and reconnection back to her community and culture. She is very grateful to work alongside other passionate language learners and fluent speakers, who collectively and continuously thrive for the same goal of conversing in their language more everyday.

Michayla serves on the Board of Directors for Language Teacher Toolbox.

Nicholas is a member of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and currently works as an Indigenous Support Worker with the North Vancouver School District. He first became involved with WAYK through an internship with the Tsleil-Waututh Nation Language Department, where he continued to work for eight years.

Language is deeply important to him, as it connects him to his culture, identity, and community. Through his work, he is committed to supporting Indigenous students and strengthening cultural knowledge and belonging.

Nick serves on the Board of Directors for Language Teacher Toolbox.

Brent comes from the Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. In 2019, Brent was looking for a new career path, and enrolled in the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh language Certificate Program offered in partnership with Simon Fraser University.

Brent has worked for the department of Language and Cultural Affairs for Squamish Nation since 2022. He previously taught Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Snichim at Carson Graham Secondary for three years, and currently teaches at the Eslha7án̓ Learning Centre.

Brent serves on the Board of Directors for Language Teacher Toolbox.

Evan Gardner grew up in and around the Clackamas, Molalla, and Willamette rivers outside of Portland, OR. Evan has worked extensively in education from early childhood to university, and has been teaching languages, including English, Spanish, American Sign Language (ASL), and Chinuk Wawa, for over 25 years. Since 2001, Evan has been facilitating Where Are Your Keys? workshops throughout North America, teaching language and community revitalization techniques to teachers and students, and working with Indigenous and endangered languages.

Evan serves as the Executive Director of Language Teacher Toolbox.