Billy-Joe Lafortune

Sithara's Bio

Sithara Fernando is a teacher, enjoys working outside and loves to engage with indigenous communities. Sithara enjoys travelling to new places, likes to take pictures, be outside and have fun with her dog. She is a passionate advocate for marginalized groups and volunteers extensively. She often blogs, enjoys writing, and one day hopes to write a book about all of her experiences. She is an avid reader, an engaged employee, and likes working as part of a team. She is a very kind and attentive individual who cares about all of the folks around her.

Sithara is currently a Natural Resources Manager for the Akisqnuk First Nation.

Jason's Bio

Jason has a long history with Inside Education. Drawing from his science and education background, Jason worked as an Educator with Inside Education for many years in the 2000s.

Later, he grew to fill the role of Inside Education’s Program Director from 2008 to late 2011. Today, Jason’s day job has him busy as Director of Regulatory Systems with Alberta Energy and Minerals. He is thrilled to again be a part of the Inside Education family, now as a Board member.

Away from work, Jason enjoys all kinds of water and snow sports with his family, playing a variety of musical instruments, and spending time under his vintage Volkswagen buses.

Amanda's Bio

Amanda’s spark for science ignited at an early age exploring nature with her family and grew into a flame for space as she followed Canada’s journey skyward. She teaches Junior High Science, Math, Coding, and STEAM classes in both English and French in Beaumont, Alberta.

She believes in creating authentic cross-curricular learning opportunities for her students to apply to real-world problems, fostering a generation of young people armed to build a better future.

Amanda has received numerous A+ for Energy grants, has been recognized provincially by the Alberta Teacher’s Association Science Council and nationally with a Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence in STEM.

Billy-Joe's Bio

Billy-Joe has over 20 years of IT experience in the energy, municipal government, and retail industries. Currently, as General Manager, L48 Digital Technologies & Global Strategy, Billy-Joe is accountable for all Digital and IT services for ConocoPhillips.

With her passion for technology, she is also passionate about education and STEM. The opportunity to work with Inside Education to bring tangible experiences to the students aligns with her goals. She leads a volunteer-based organization called Girls Talk Tech, which aims to educate and empower young women to embrace technology for the future.

When she isn’t behind a computer, you can find her climbing mountains and cycling open roads.