Laura Schwertfeger
District Principal
lschwertfeger@sd62.bc.ca

Laura has worked in the Sooke School District since 2009, as a teacher of English Language Arts and French Immersion, and then as an administrator in the International Student Program since 2010. She has a passion for bringing together people from different cultures to increase intercultural understanding. Laura has lived, worked, and studied in five different countries, and is conversationally fluent in German, Spanish, and French. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and American Literature and Language, a Bachelor of Education degree in Secondary Education, and a Master’s of Business Administration. In her spare time, she enjoys running and spending time in the outdoors with her family.

Amber O’Quinn
District Vice Principal
aoquinn@sd62.bc.ca

Amber has worked in the Sooke School District for 15 years, and has been working with the International Student Program since 2015. Born and raised in BC, Amber studied History and Spanish at the University of Victoria, and completed a Post-Graduate Certificate in Teaching ESL at Queen’s University. She has taught a variety of subjects including Spanish, ESL, First Nations Studies and Social Justice and has completed her Master’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies at Royal Roads University. Amber has personal experience studying abroad in Argentina, and enjoys working with international students as they experience a new culture and improve their language skills.

April Flannagan
Administrative Assistant
aflannagan@sd62.bc.ca

April was born and raised in Victoria, BC, and has been working in the Sooke School District for the past three years in a variety of clerical settings, including Belmont Secondary and most recently Savory Elementary School. April has two children, and takes advantage of our incredible outdoor spaces on Vancouver Island. She can be seen on her Stand-Up Paddleboard in the summer, and doing weekly ocean cold plunges year-round.

Robin Warren-Bayne
Homestay Coordinator
rbayne@sd62.bc.ca

Robin is originally from Regina, Saskatchewan, where she completed her Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University of Regina. She has been living in Victoria since 2015 and has worked in the Sooke School District since 2019, serving as a member of the office team at several of our schools and departments. Robin has held a few different positions in the International Department during that time, including several years as the Administrative Assistant. In her role as Homestay Coordinator, she enjoys supporting the best possible experience for our international students and their Homestay families. In her spare time, Robin enjoys spending time outdoors and on the water with her family and her dogs.

Diana Pauze
Homestay Coordinator
dpauze@sd62.bc.ca

Diana recently joined the Sooke School District as Homestay Coordinator, based at Edward Milne Community School. Her diverse professional background includes work as a Licensed Practical Nurse and as the owner-operator of a gardening business. Together with her family, Diana has hosted more than ten international students, experiences that have deepened her appreciation for cultural exchange and student support. She is passionate about helping students and homestay families build meaningful connections and thrive throughout their international education journey.

Marnie Snobelen
Homestay Coordinator
msnobelen@sd62.bc.ca

Marnie originally comes from Ontario, Canada, where she completed her Bachelor of Applied Science at the University of Guelph. She has many years of experience working with children and their families, and her passion is helping people make positive and meaningful connections as well as promoting personal and academic growth. She is an experienced Homestay Coordinator, having served multiple school districts in this role, and currently appreciates being able to support the homestay families and international students in her own local community. Marnie lives with her family in the Westshore area, and enjoys local outdoor recreational activities like hiking, paddleboarding, and biking, as well as travelling and experiencing new cultures.

Kaia Gyorfi
Health and Wellness Coordinator
kgyorfi@sd62.bc.ca

Born and raised in Victoria, Kaia earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Business from the University of Victoria and is currently finishing a Master of Business Administration. Prior to joining the school district, Kaia has served as a mental health and wellness mentor for high school students in the Northwest Territories. Moving into the role of Health and Wellness Coordinator in the Sooke School District, she has enjoyed assisting international students in overcoming challenges to their health and wellness and to enhance their experience. Outside of work, Kaia enjoys hiking, skiing, and spending time with her family and friends.

Tracy Brown
Accounts and Records Clerk
trbrown@sd62.bc.ca

Tracy is originally from Calgary, Alberta and has called Victoria home for 20 years now. She has been working with the Sooke School district since October 2019 in a variety of positions. In her spare time she loves to garden, spend time on the boat and travel.