WTA Executive
The Executive of the Winnipeg Teachers’ Association (WTA) consists of the:
- President
- Vice-President
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Immediate Past-President of the Association and
- Up to nine additional members
The Association’s Business Agent also may attend Executive meetings and may participate in debate.
The Executive is responsible for:
- Conducting day-to-day business;
- Carrying out the instructions provided by Council; and
- Delegating responsibilities not defined by the Constitution or bylaws to any one or more of the WTA members.
Every year on June 15, the new Executive takes office after being elected by membership. At their first meeting, which must be scheduled before June 30, they select Chairpersons for the standing committees and bring everyone up to speed on constitutional information, committee functions and any past or current problems.
Eight additional Executive meetings are held over the course of the year, which the President can call at any time. Additionally, a collection of any five members of the Executive can request a meeting.
A minimum of eight Executive members must be present at the Executive meeting to have quorum. Being absent from two or more consecutive meetings without satisfactory reasons will result in a member losing their seat on the Executive.
WTA Executive Members
Kristen Fallis
President
Kristen is a long serving member of the WTA Executive and was acclaimed to the role of President in 2025. She was elected to the position of Vice President in 2022. In her many roles in WTA, she has served as the chair of the Bargaining and Public relations committees as VP, chaired the AGM, Reception, and 5oth Anniversary celebration committees. She was also on the MTS Provincial Executive from 2020-2025, chairing the Group Benefits Standing Committee and MPSE Trust, Disability Benefits Plan Committee, Collective Bargaining Committee, as well as being a member of the first Provincial Bargaining Committee.
Kristen has been a teacher for over 20 years. Throughout that time, she was a Council representative for WTA and a member of the Executive since 2015. She strives to empower members with understanding of their collective agreement and when to utilize supports from the WTA and MTS.
Prior to being in the WTA office full time, Kristen taught Music and Performing Arts for K-9 students. She enjoyed showing students that music can be fun while understanding complexities of beat, rhythm, form, and enjoying performing for others. When she’s not in the office, you can find her on a running path with her dog, Jazz, or in the Exchange District taking in an arts performance.
Email: [email protected]
Sam Zurzolo
Vice President
Sam is a long serving member of the WTA Executive and was elected Vice President in 2025. Prior to becoming the VP, Sam served as the Treasurer for five years. He has been as chair of the Finance and Teacher Wellness committees. He was a member of the Bargaining, Group Benefits, Workplace Safety and Health, and Substitutes committees. He was a member of the Education Finance Standing Committee of the MTS. Sam also was a member of the Bargaining team in past negotiations with the school division.
In 2026, Sam was elected to the MTS Provincial Executive, where he serves as the DBPIC chair, and is a member of the Audit, GB ad-hoc, Investment ad-hoc, and staff negotiations committees.
Sam has been an advocate for teacher welfare, safety and fiduciary responsibility at both the local and provincial level. Sam strives to educate and empower members to stand up for their safety and know their rights.
Sam has been with the Division for over 14 years, teaching at Tec Voc, Gordon Bell and Elmwood. He has taught Junior and Senior high Math, Science, Physics, Computer Science, Drama and Theatre. Sam worked as an English teacher in South Korea.
Sam enjoys making coffee, planting trees and enjoys the labours of gardening, to a small degree.
Email: [email protected]
Kristy Frohwerk
Secretary
Kristy currently teaches full day Kindergarten at Lord Nelson School. She has been an elementary classroom teacher for the past 17 years with experience teaching in almost every grade from Nursery to Grade 6. At home, Kristy spends time with her dog Ella and partner Colin who is very supportive of everything she does.
Kristy has been the WTA Secretary for the past 6 years, a WTA Executive member for the past 8 years, and a WTA Council Representative for 6 years. She has attended 13 MTS AGMs, served as the chair of the AGM committee, monitoring committee, Indigenous Voices and Action committee, Workplace Safety and Health committee and co-chair of the DSA committee, 50th and 60th Anniversary Committee and as a Member-at-Large of Executive.
Kristy has enjoyed her time on Executive, learning alongside colleagues and doing work on behalf of members. She looks forward to the opportunity to serve as a Table Officer and the Secretary of the WTA.
Email: [email protected]
Jon Romu
Treasurer
I am currently starting my 23rd year of teaching in the division at Kelvin High School. I am a Biology, Physics, and Science teacher and the Head Baseball Coach. This is my second year on the WTA Executive where I am currently the Reception Committee Chair. I was the Head Football Coach at Kelvin High School from the 2001-2019 seasons when I stepped down to do other leadership opportunities inside the school; Valedictorian Committee Chair, Student Athlete Code of Conduct Committee. My teaching philosophy is like a Whitney Houston song, “I believe the children are our future, Teach them well and let them lead the way, Show them all the beauty they possess inside, Give them a sense of pride to make it easier, Let the children’s laughter remind us how we used to be.” This is reflected in my classroom and my way of teaching. Students should be able to have fun, express their thoughts and opinions, and be given an opportunity to show their strengths and succeed.
As an Executive, I have the opportunity to make a difference in the classrooms of educators who often feel bogged down by bureaucracy and the politics of the day. Teachers should be freed to spend their time teaching curriculum and enhancing and shaping the futures of their students.
In my spare time, I enjoy driving my kids to their various sporting events, fishing, painting miniatures, and sipping scotch.
Email: [email protected]
Jeff Kirkpatrick
Member-at-Large
Hello there, I’m Jeff Kirkpatrick, I have been with the Winnipeg School Division for 14 years as a teacher and was an EA for 7 years prior to that. I have had the honor to be a WTA Executive member for 5 few years and am passionate about union affairs wanting to make real substantial change happen for our members. I have been teaching grades 5/6 at Carpathia School for the last 8 years.
I have been the Annual General Meeting chair for the past 2 years and look forward to repeating our successes in 2026/2027 at Provincial Council. I learned about Union leadership and relations through MTS Labour School and have built an understanding of WTA with my work on other committees, such as, finance, political action, group benefits, and the bargaining committee.
I am committed to building a better awareness of how the WTA is helping our membership and building more engagement with our members. I want to advocate for our members at higher levels and push our government to fund education adequately, address the violence we are facing, and push for a better set of classroom composition. So there is less burnout and more smiles at our jobs.
When I’m not in the classroom, I can be found doing all sorts of things. I enjoy making pottery, playing board, tabletop, and video games, as well as engaging in discussions at the local watering hole along with yard work or volunteering my time with many different community organizations.
Email: [email protected]
Dan Waldron
Member-at-Large
Dan is a high school English teacher at St. John’s High School and has been there in various roles for 10 years. He brings his passion for critical thinking and a love of learning to the classroom every day, encouraging students to engage deeply with literature and language.
As an active member of the WTA for six years, Dan is committed to supporting educators and advocating for teacher welfare. He believes that prioritizing the well-being of teachers is more important now than ever.
Outside the classroom, Dan enjoys playing and coaching basketball, as well as gathering with friends and family for board game nights.
Email: [email protected]
Sarah Ducharme
Member-at-Large
Spending time with my husband and 9-year-old daughter is my happy place. Whether we’re at Festival, camping, walking the trails at Fort Whyte, or having a fire in the backyard I love to be outside.
I grew up in Toronto and moved to Winnipeg in 2003 only to go back to Ontario to get my BEd 4 years later when I realized my heart was in education. After teaching for 4 years I found my passion, inclusion. I have always been an advocate in my own life, for my students, and for my colleagues. I received my PBDE at the University of Winnipeg in 2007.
Email: [email protected]
Kelly Friesen
Member-at-Large
Kelly has taught grades 7 – 12 in three different WSD schools over the past 22 years, mostly teaching grade 7-12 English and social studies, but with occasional forays into science, math, and EAL. Kelly cares deeply about engaging learners to think critically about the world, helping students make their voices heard, teacher welfare, reconciliation, social justice, and the health of the education system in general.
Kelly is entering her second year on as a member-at-large on the executive. She is looking forward to learning more about new aspects of union work and continuing to advocate for members.
When not teaching or advocating for public education, Kelly likes reading, gardening, nature walks, and bike rides.
Email: [email protected]
Katie Hurst
Member-at-Large
Katie Hurst is a returning WTA Executive member. She previously chaired the Workplace Safety and Health and Equity and Social Justice Committees. She has been actively involved in WTA committees since 2020 and currently teaches senior high Geography and English. She is passionate about social, economic, and ecological justice, and cares deeply about workers’ rights and public education. Katie is also a musician and artist, playing music with others fills her heart with joy. This year she is chairing the Reception Committee. Katie loves facilitating opportunities for others to have fun; she looks forward to helping put on some events that strengthen the WTA community and hopes that members will find belonging there.
Email: [email protected]
Peter Espinola
Member-at-Large
My name is Peter Espinola, and I teach a Grade 5/6 class in Winnipeg’s inner city. Teaching here keeps me grounded in what really matters: connection, purpose, and community. Every day brings new challenges and small moments that remind me why I chose this work. The creativity and resilience of my students and colleagues continue to inspire me to show up with my best.
I’ve served as a WTA representative for three years and am now in my first year on the executive team as a member at large. I also chair the Workplace Safety and Health Committee and sit on the Equity and Social Justice Committee. Through these roles, I’ve had the privilege of hearing teachers’ stories, understanding their realities, and advocating for safer, fairer, and more supportive working conditions.
I believe strong schools start with supported teachers. My goal is to keep pushing for practical improvements that make our profession sustainable and our classrooms thrive. When I’m not teaching, I recharge by adding to my eclectic list of hobbies. You can often find me backcountry camping, introducing friends to new board games, or getting humbled during sparring at my Muay Thai gym. I look forward to collaborating and making meaningful changes together.
Email: [email protected]
Melissa Livingstone
Member-at-Large
Melissa is an elementary school teacher and has spent her career working in WSD. It is her first year on the WTA Executive and she is excited to learn more about the union process and be able to advocate for our members. She has been a WTA Rep for many years and is passionate about supporting teachers through the challenges of this profession. My time at council meetings has equipped me with the knowledge and experience to effectively represent our collective interests. Melissa is passionate about the political landscape and its impact on education, and strives to stay informed and engaged in these matters.
In the evenings, Melissa can be found cheering on her kids at sporting events, reading, playing soccer and appreciating time in nature.
Email: [email protected]
Dean Arrigo
Member-at-Large
My name is Dean Arrigo, with 24 years of dedicated educational experience. I am a passionate Middle Years educator specializing in French language and culture, and Canadian history and geography.
Proudly serving the Winnipeg School Division. I bring a wealth of expertise to the classroom, focusing on engaging, inclusive, and student-centered learning environments.
Throughout my career, I believe I have successfully championed bilingual education, helping young adolescents build strong linguistic foundations while fostering a deep appreciation for the Francophone community.
My pedagogical approach blends rigorous academic standards with innovative, interactive methodologies tailored specifically to the developmental needs of middle school students. Deeply committed to the local community, I strive to empower students to become confident, global-minded citizens.
Email: [email protected]