Meet Our Team

Taryn McPherson

SSC Coordinator-Literacy/Executive Functioning EA 

Carlee Bouillion 

Literacy, Numeracy and Executive Functioning EA

Gohar Zakaryan

Math and Science EA

Calise Stankoven

Literacy/Executive Functioning EA 

Allison Miles

IE GA and SSC Manager

Chelsea Bitgood

Director of Grad Program

Zoom 1-1 pre-booked appointments.

Calise Stankoven UBCO Student May 1-22nd

Literacy and Executive Functioning EA

Support in learning such as:

Calise's strengths: creative writing (poetry, short stories, nonfiction, songwriting), essay writing (structuring, editing, proofreading, citing sources), digital literacy (using Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, digital file sharing and communication). Can also support a variety of subjects from 5-7, math 5-10 and life sciences.


Get to know Calise:

Calise graduated from the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus with a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Creative Writing in 2023. She is completing her Bachelor of Education in Kelowna with plans to become a certified teacher this coming December. In her spare time, Calise loves writing, trying new recipes, and getting outdoors. She is a big fan of storytelling and uses her creativity to spread light through songs and poems.

Zoom 1-1 pre-booked appointments.

Carlee Bouillion

Literacy, Numeracy and Executive Functioning EA

Support in learning such as:

Carlee's strengths: essay writing (planning, structuring, drafting), poetry writing and analysis, story writing and analysis, reading comprehension, citing sources, editing, proofing and polishing, pre-calculus 10 &11.


Get to know Carlee:

Carlee Bouillon graduated from HCOS in 2015 and from the University of Victoria in 2021. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Creative Writing, with a minor in Mathematics. In addition to her role at HCOS, she also works at Victoria’s local wildlife hospital as a wildlife rehabilitator. She edits a national cave exploration magazine, and in her spare time likes to sit on the beach in the rain and hunt for sea glass. She often argues with other poets that the most beautiful five sentences in literature are John 1:1-5.

Zoom 1-1 pre-booked appointments.

https://calendly.com/gohar-zakaryan/30min?month=2024-02


Gohar Zakaryan

Math and Science EA

Support in learning such as:


Gohar's Strengths: Coursework support, tech and mathematical device support (eg. graphing calculators), note taking, study skills, test and exam preparation, feedback and score review (how to learn from mistakes and teacher feedback), communication with teachers


Get to know Gohar: 

Gohar Zakaryan is from Aurora, Ontario and is currently in her final year at McMaster University. She is graduating with a Bachelor of Health Sciences and working towards a career in dentistry. In her spare time, Gohar loves to stay physically active by rock climbing and going on hikes. As a student herself, she is passionate about learning and helping others reach their full educational potential. She is eager to support HCOS students in achieving academic success.

Zoom 1-1 pre-booked appointments 

Taryn McPherson 

SSC Coordinator - Literacy/Executive Functioning EA

Support in learning such as:


Taryn's strengths: goal setting, planning and organizing, scheduling (time management); test preparation; research skills; writing skills and proofing; middle school maths and sciences; upper-level sciences (biology and some chemistry).


Get to know Taryn: 

Taryn McPherson moved from Ontario to BC in 2009, and for 13 years, she called BC home; family brought her back to Ontario in 2022. When the weather cooperates, she loves gardening, hiking, camping and road-tripping; otherwise, she enjoys a good book, puzzle, or cup of tea with a friend. She is passionate about sharing her love of learning with others and helping her students reach their greatest potential. She is encouraged, knowing that no matter what life throws at her, she never has to tackle life alone (Philippians 4:12-13).

Allison Miles 

IE GA and SSC Manager

Get to Know Allison: 

Allison is married and has two adult children. She is a host mum to many international students, as well as a fur mum to golden retrievers and Bengal cats.


Having raised kids with neurodiversity, she has a passion to help her students transition into post-graduate world with tools and strategies to navigate challenges and succeed in their unique journey. Drawing from her own experience as a parent, she understands the importance of fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment that embraces the diverse strengths and gifts of each student.


Outside of work, Allison is an avid explorer of the world, finds solace in the simplicity of camping, and channels her creativity into interior décor and gardening. Her story is one of love, learning, support and a perpetual quest for the beauty that can be found in every corner of the world, both near and far.

Chelsea Bitgood

Director of Grad Program

Get to know Chelsea: 

Chelsea is marred to Richard (Director of StudyForge) and has 5 children ranging in ages from 9 to 15. She loves to spend time in the outdoors, whether that is watching her boys play for their high performance baseball teams, or relaxing by the pool on a hot summer day.

Chelsea homeschooled her children through COVID, has worked to develop curriculum of online schools and has taught many courses at HCOS over the years. Her wide variety of experiences has given her the knowledge and ability to contribute to different areas of the school including the Student Support Centre. Did you know that before the SSC existed, Chelsea oversaw the EAs that support students for extra help?

She enjoys live music - her favourite band is NeedtoBreath. Loves to travel and explore new locations. Cruising is her favourite - throw your stuff into a room and arrive at new location each day! 

Her heart is with HCOS and wants nothing more for students to see success - whatever that goal is for them.