Learning Opportunities

Tina was born in Durango, Mexico and spent many years in an LGM community where there was no indoor plumbing, electricity or motorized vehicles. Her family attended the Old Colony Church until she was 16 years old. Tina is the oldest girl of 12 children and moved to Ontario, Canada, in 1987 when she was 4 years old. Her family went back to Mexico for 2 1/2 years when she was 11 after having been in Canada for 7 straight years. This was a real culture shock to return to such a simple lifestyle. Tina and her family moved to Alberta in 2001 and she has a 15 year old son and 2 adult step children. Tina worked as a Community Health Representative for 10 years working specifically with the Low German Speaking Mennonite community to bridge the gaps between client and service provider. Currently Tina is working with the Healthier Together Initiative and using the past 12 years of working with the LGM community to piece together preventative resources for this community.

Dan was born in Steinbach, in southeastern Manitoba in the area where Mennonites of his background first began arriving in 1874, coming from current day Ukraine. Dan is the second oldest child and the oldest son in a family of 9 children. He received his elementary and high school education in Manitoba, and then after working for two years, attended Prairie Bible College in Alberta and received a Bachelor of Religious Education degree. Over the years he also completed a certificate of the seminary from Briercrest Biblical Seminary. He met the young lady who became his wife while at Prairie College. Dan and Cindy have 4 children, and 10 grandchildren and currently live in Lethbridge, Alberta. Dan was a pastor for almost 22 years, a school bus driver for many years, and involved in his communities in various ways such as being a volunteer firefighter. In 2005 Dan joined Palliser School Division as their Low German Mennonite liaison to help and support Mennonite families with the education of their children, and is currently still working part-time as Palliser’s LGM liaison.

My name is Helena Goertzen, and I serve as the Low German Mennonite (LGM) Liaison for the Horizon School Division. I’m now in my third year in this role, and I feel privileged to be able to support my community in this way. I was born in Mexico and raised in Canada, with a background in the Old Colony Church and community. My education was a mix of public school, homeschooling, and later, college. Having experienced cultural barriers in my own schooling, I understand how easily children can “fall through the cracks.” That experience is what fuels my passion today. I want LGM children to feel supported and to know that their voices and futures matter. In my role, I get to be a bridge between schools and families, helping parents and children feel more comfortable and confident within the public school system. I live in Taber with my husband and our spoiled Siamese cat, Missy, who keeps us entertained and very well-trained.