About Us - Our Staff
International Education Office
Welcome to the New Westminster School District Education Program. We are a multilingual, experienced team located on-site in New Westminster Secondary School. We are here to assist you! Each one of us has lived outside of Canada and understands the joys and challenges students encounter in a new environment. Students are welcome to drop by even just to say hello. Our door is always open. Together we say, “Welcome to New Westminster!”
International Education Program Office Members
Karen Klein
Director
Karen has worked in international education her entire career and is passionate about public education, language learning and global citizenship. She grew up in New Westminster and spent 10 years learning at McBride Elementary and New Westminster Secondary. She attended UBC, lived and worked abroad, has travelled extensively throughout 6 of 7 continents and returned to her Alma Mater in 2011 to lead the International Program.
Trevor Gee
Assistant General Manager
Trevor lived in Japan for seven years where he worked as a high school English teacher in Aichi Prefecture. Trevor can assist students in Japanese and is the lead team member for helping our Japanese students, visiting Japan to meet with parents and to attend marketing events. Besides Japan, Trevor visits other countries such as Vietnam, China and Mexico. Trevor grew up in Saskatchewan but has called British Columbia home since 1998.
Elliott Kwon
Marketing Manager
Elliott is Marketing Manager at New Westminster School District and is responsible for promotions and recruitment to the International Education Program. He is a marketing professional with over 15 years of experience, and has worked in public education since 2003. He enjoys traveling and playing golf and tennis. He speaks fluent Korean and basic Japanese.
Sara Dick
Homestay Manager – After Hours Emergency 604-356-4980
Sara Dick is the Homestay Manager for long and short-term programs. Sara’s has first-hand experience in international education. At age 15, she lived with host families while attending high school in Japan. Upon return to Canada she completed a degree in Pacific and Asian Studies from the University of Victoria. Sara has seen and lived the rewards and challenges of living in another culture and can relate to students wanting to make the best memories possible here in New Westminster.
Yiwen Zhang
Finance and Student Support Manager
Yiwen grew up in China and studied in Beijing and Vancouver. Once an international student himself, he understands the joys and challenges that students face in a new environment. He earned his CMA/MBA at the Sauder School of Business, is a professional accountant, and has made Greater Vancouver his home since 2002. Yiwen welcomes all students to New Westminster and is available to answer any concerns from Mandarin and Cantonese students and parents.
Somi Park
Secretary – Interpreter
Somi is from Korea and proudly calls herself Korean Canadian. She loves working in the International Education Program and meeting students and parents from all over the world. Somi is usually the first contact person at the international office since she is a secretary and she also acts as an interpreter for Korean students and parents when needed. Somi’s advice to students is, “Speak and read English. Have fun! Join a club!”
