Administration & Governance

Our elementary school principal, Alisha Thiessen, and collegiate principal, Shannon Smith, would like to welcome you.

Alisha Thiessen

Elementary Principal

I am a graduate of Calvin Christian School and Dordt University, where I obtained my undergrad degree and then my Masters in Education (2012). I will graduate from the U of M with my post-baccalaureate in Special Education in the fall of 2023. I taught at a Christian school in northern BC for 5 years before coming to Calvin in 2009. Throughout my years as an educator, I have had the privilege of either being a classroom teacher or teaching various subjects from kindergarten through grade 12. I was the high school resource teacher prior to this role as principal. I enjoy participating in sports and have coached high school volleyball and speed skating. My husband and I love being part of the Calvin community as our children also attend Calvin. I am excited to work with the staff and join with parents in guiding students to explore, experience, and evaluate God’s amazing creation and discover our place in His kingdom. 

Shannon Smith

Collegiate Principal

I am a graduate of Calvin Christian and have served Calvin Christian for 25 years as an educator. I have had a wide range of experiences that include teaching middle years math, science, PE and Bible. I pioneered the start of our resource department when we expanded and developed a high school. I then filled the roles of athletic director, assistant principal and now principal. My side hustle was coaching and playing sports. In the mid 90s to early 2000’s, I represented Canada in the sport of rugby, scored a few points in international play and was inducted into the Manitoba Rugby Hall of Fame in 2019. I am also the proud mother of 2 teenage girls. My oldest daughter graduated from Calvin. I love that in my every day, I get to interact with wonderful people – staff and students. My job allows me to be a part of and witness student growth in all areas. I get to do kingdom work for kingdom students. 

2023/2024 School Board

  • Rick Hordijk
  • Ron Pluchinski
  • Chris Jansen
  • Kier Wiens
  • Tyler Bekkering
  • Brenda Olfert
  • Ken Vaags
  • Trevor Siepman
  • David Proteau
  • Tania Neufeld
  • Joel Giesbrecht

Greater Winnipeg Society for Christian Education

Calvin Christian School is owned and operated by a parental society incorporated as the Greater Winnipeg Society for Christian Education. It is not directed or financed by a church or denomination. Members of the school society elect a board of directors that is entrusted with policy-making and governance of the schools. The board delegates the responsibility for day to day operations to the principals of each campus, who are responsible to the board for the educational administration of the school. In our educational tradition there is a well-developed construct regarding the relationship between the church, the home and the school – three critical institutions in the life of the child.

Affiliations