About Mr. Woolley (I1)

Mr. Woolley is in temporarily while Mr. Dumas is on paternity leave. However, Mr. Woolley was one of the original teachers at Howe Middle until he retired in 2021. Ms. Gallagher and Mr. Woolley were teaching partners for 10 years and were a dynamic team with their high expectations. It is exciting to be working together again. Mr. Woolley is a fitness buff - he hikes, mountain bikes, and works out regularly. His latest interest is completing 100 chest to ground push ups every day.

About Mr. Dumas (I1)

Hello everyone. Welcome to Grade 8 at Howe Middle!
I was born and raised in the Fraser Valley. I grew up on a farm with wild animals that were used in movies and T.V. shows. This included bear, wolves, cougars, lions, tigers, eagles, owls, and many more. I graduated from Rick Hansen High School. I played football all through high school including winning two provincial championships. Football took me down to New Mexico where I played two seasons for the University of Mexico. An momentous victory was beating Colin Kapernick's (who late went on and played for the San Fransisco 49's in the NFL) team in the New Mexico Bowl. I returned home and played football for the Chilliwack Huskers. Academically, I obtained a Degree in Kinesiology in 2014 and started teaching that year. My interests include gardening, sports, and travelling. I look forward to a great year teaching grade 8.

About Ms. Gallagher (H2)

Welcome!
This year marks my 17th year as a teacher. I’m thrilled to be teaching grade eight which I have taught most of my career. The middle school age group is my favourite age of students. They are high energy and lots of fun. My strength teaching grade eight is pushing them to make sure they will be ready for the demands of high school and ensuring my high expectations of behaviour and character benefits the school community as the grade eights lead the school.

Before I was a teacher I spent many years working in recreation as a youth worker or as a program manager. On a lucky break, I was hired to work in a youth recreation centre for a cruise line. For five glorious years, I travelled the world for free and led fun activities for the children or youth on board. I often found myself in a mesmerizing setting that left me in disbelief that I was being paid to be there. I had the privilege to visit many historical sites that I now have the pleasure to teach about in my classes. Through my travels I have had some very unique experiences such as zip lining in the jungles of Costa Rica, swimming with sting rays in Grand Cayman, riding a gondola through the canals of Venice, Italy, and sailing through the Panama Canal in Central America. Some of my favourite places were Venice (Italy), Paris (France), New York (USA) , and St. Maarten (Caribbean). My next dream trip is to the United Kingdom.

My interests include being active as much as I can. I enjoy running, working out, and hiking. I’m so glad to be back to school, so I can instill my love of running in the students by coaching cross country. Plus, I work with a great group of teachers who all train and hike together. Mr. Dumas and I hope to encourage students to have healthy lifestyles.

Teaching is the most rewarding and hardest job I’ve ever had. Long hours to develop an engaging lesson are rewarded by enthusiasm from the students. Plus, it is rewarding to see confidence develop in a student that wasn’t there before. By the end of the year, I’m most proud of the relationships I build with these students. I can only hope I have provided them with the skills to make them successful in the years to come.

I hope to make this grade eight year a memorable one for the students.