The Yukon government has appointed a four-member Independent Panel to lead a comprehensive review of the Department of Education.
The aim of the review is to support the long-term wellbeing of Yukoners by continuing to put learners at the centre of the education system.
The review, a part of the government’s mandate, will look at how the department supports learners, families and educators across the Yukon’s three school authorities, as well as those accessing post-secondary and adult learning supports.
By examining these core services, the panel will identify what is working well and where improvements can be made. The goal of the review is to ensure the Yukon’s education system from kindergarten to Grade 12 and beyond is fair, responsive and that it meets the territory’s needs.
Panel members have been selected for the breadth of experience and perspectives they bring from across the education system and Yukon communities. The members are:
- Judith Arnold;
- Gillian Staveley;
- Greg Storey; and
- Lorraine Taillefer.
The panel will begin work immediately and will gather feedback to help shape its recommendations. The review is expected to take approximately 12 months, with public engagement taking place from April to November 2026.
The panel will submit its final report in 2027 and provide recommendations for how the Department of Education can improve its support for learners. The department will develop and deliver an implementation plan in response, with the aim of making concrete improvements in the following years.
The Yukon’s education system plays a vital role in learner success, strong communities and preparing students of all ages for their future. This independent review is an opportunity to listen to Yukoners and take a clear, honest look at how well the Department of Education is meeting the needs of learners, families and educators. An independent panel with diverse expertise will lead this work, helping to identify what is working well, where improvements are needed and how we can better support learners across all stages of learning – from early years through to adult education and future skills training.
-
Previous reports from the Office of the Auditor General of Canada (in 2009 and 2019) identified challenges in the Yukon’s kindergarten to Grade 12 education system. This review builds on that work and will focus on:
- improving outcomes for First Nations students, rural students and students with inclusive education needs; and
- strengthening the inclusion of Yukon First Nations histories, languages and cultures in the education system.
-
The review will not examine or make recommendations related to school or Yukon University capital planning, Yukon University governance or Early Learning and Child Care.
-
The review is a priority identified in the Premier’s mandate letter to the Minister of Education.
Greg Storey
Greg Storey has worked in education for more than 40 years, including 36 years in northern Canada. He has held a range of roles, including teacher, principal, guidance counsellor, consultant, district supervisor and superintendent.
His work has focused on improving student learning and supporting educators. He contributed to the Nunavut High School Project, which brought together Elders and teachers to include Traditional Knowledge in the curriculum. In the Yukon, he helped develop the Rural Experiential Model, supporting hands-on learning opportunities for students.
More recently, Mr. Storey worked with the Yukon First Nation Education Directorate to examine the root causes of learning gaps for Indigenous students and support approaches to improve outcomes.
Gillian Staveley
Gillian Staveley is a Kaska Dena Citizen and a leader in Indigenous education and land stewardship. She was an inaugural trustee of the First Nation School Board and continues to advocate for education systems that reflect Indigenous Knowledge and support language revitalization.
She holds a Master of Arts in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia. Her work highlights the importance of multi-generational knowledge and community-based learning.
Ms. Staveley is currently the Director of Culture and Land Stewardship at the Dena Kayeh Institute.
Judith Arnold
Judith Arnold has worked in education across Ontario, British Columbia and the Yukon. She has held roles as a teacher, vice-principal and system leader, with a focus on improving student achievement and literacy.
In British Columbia, she worked with the Ministry of Education to review school districts and support improvements, with a focus on outcomes for First Nations learners. Her doctoral research examined how education policy connects to classroom practice and the importance of building capacity in schools.
In the Yukon, Ms. Arnold led the development of a school review process and worked with schools, families and First Nations to support better outcomes for all learners.
Lorraine Taillefer
Lorraine Taillefer has more than 30 years of experience in education in the North, including in the Northwest Territories and the Yukon. She worked in roles ranging from classroom teaching to senior leadership, including assistant deputy minister of education.
Her work has included supporting French first-language and French immersion education, as well as working with First Nations governments and school communities.
Ms. Taillefer is known for her collaborative approach and her commitment to strengthening education systems in ways that respect language, culture and community priorities.
Tim Kucharuk
Press secretary, Cabinet Communications
867-335-2419
[email protected]
Julie Ménard
Communications, Education
867-336-0653
[email protected]