PURCELL COLLEGIATE SCHOOL
SCHOOL FACULTY
Meet our amazing team of educators! These individuals are the heart and soul of Purcell Collegiate School (PCS). They lead and inspire us a learning community dedicated to making PCS a lighthouse opportunity for students to pursue their passions, achieve their goals, and find their way. These are the people at the core of the hashtag, #ThisIsPCS.
BA English/Spanish UBC, B.Ed UBC, M.Ed UBC
Michael Bishop
Principal
With 20 years of teaching experience spanning the globe, Michael Bishop brings a rich, internationally-minded perspective to PCS. His career has taken him to classrooms in South Korea, China, Brunei Darussalam, and Singapore. Here in BC, Mike has also worked as a teacher in School District 20 and for the past 3.5 years as Principal of ʔaq̓amnik̓ School.
Throughout his career, he has cultivated a deep interest in international education, learning from the cultures, experiences, and perspectives that students and travel have to offer. He is equally passionate about outdoor and on-the-land learning, having led service trips and Duke of Edinburgh Bronze, Silver and Gold journeys to New Zealand, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the jungles of Brunei’s Borneo.
When he’s not at school, Michael can be found spending time with his wife and their two daughters who are both creative and musical, and passionate soccer players. He loves skiing, hiking, camping, and pretty much anything outdoors. Rugby and soccer were long-time interests, and these days you’ll often find him on the disc golf course. He also loves to cook and explore foods from around the world.
He is excited to be a positive presence in students’ lives, encouraging them to discover their educational interests and pursue paths that align with their future ambitions!
B.Sc., University of British Columbia
Teaching Certification, UVic
Dave Quinn
Teacher (Sr. Science, Outdoor Education)
Dave Quinn loves the natural world. In addition to being an amazing teachers, he’s also a wildlife biologist, ACMG-certified wilderness guide, and an award-winning natural history author and photographer.
A love of big wilderness led him to mix his wildlife passions with guiding resulting in him leading sea kayak and hiking expeditions across the Canadian High Arctic and Greenland, the west coast of BC, and Patagonia.
For nearly 20 years Dave has designed and delivered experiential education programs for Avalanche Canada, the Calgary Zoo, Mainstreams Environmental, Wildsight, and is an active educator for CBEEN’s Wild Voices for Kids program.
Dave strives to make learning meaningful and connected–to the land, the water, and the future. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of British Columbia (UBC) and his teaching certificate is from the University of Victoria. Dave is a sought-after speaker across a broad spectrum of sustainability topics and has worked with other elite schools like Shawnigan Lake and Aberdeen Hall to deliver outdoor programming.
B.Ed Mathematics/Science Queens University, B.Ed Queens University
Kayla Wright
Teacher (Math/Science 9 & 10)
Kayla Wright is joining the Purcell Collegiate School community as a Math and Science teacher. She grew up in Brockville, Ontario. Kayla attended Queen’s University, where she earned both her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and her Bachelor of Education. Kayla has experience teaching in both public and private schools in Ontario, and worked with the Blue Jays Care Foundation, where she combined her passion for education and athletics to support youth across Canada. She has a passion for Math and Physics as well as fostering an inclusive and engaging classroom enviroment for her students.
Growing up Kayla played 7 years of competitive basketball with a highlight being winning a provincial championship. Outside of school she can be found going for walks, skiing, reading, or playing sports. She looks forward to becoming a part of the Purcell community and helping students grow both academically and personally.
BA, McGill University
B.Ed, University of Victoria
Amanda Steadman
Teacher (Social Studies 12/English 11/Leadership)
Amanda Steadman grew up in Boston, USA. She attained a Bachelor of Arts from McGill University before heading to the Kootenays in 2017 to spend more time in the mountains and work in forestry. After getting her B.Ed from the University of Victoria, she became a full-time teacher in 2024. She loves teaching secondary humanities and is passionate about helping students find meaning in everyday learning. Outside of school, she spends her time skiing, gardening, playing rec hockey, and hiking with her puppy.
B.Ed, University of Victoria
Jacob Allison
Teacher (Math 11 & 12, Social Studies 10)
Jake has a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Victoria and loves to use his education to help students explore challenging concepts, build confidence, and show students intuitive approaches to daunting problems. He has several years of experience tutoring students in mathematics, science, and academic writing.
Jake believes students learn best when they understand the why, not just the what. He encourages students to ask questions, think critically, and consider the reasoning behind what they are learning. In a world of information excess, Jake seeks to arm his students with the ability to teach themselves.
Jake has a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Victoria. Outside of the classroom, Jake enjoys photography, archery, strategy games, and learning new musical instruments. He also has interests in fitness, technology, classic cars, and is always looking for opportunities to learn something new. He is excited to start a school chess club and looks forward to becoming part of the Purcell Collegiate community!
BA (Hons.)/B.Ed, Queen’s University
M.Ed, University of Calgary
Julie Murray
Deputy Head of School
Julie’s journey as an educator has been both varied and rich, from teaching English in South Korea to working as an outdoor educator in Cape Cod, and teaching across three different Canadian provinces. She has worked at Lakefield College School in Ontario, Strathcona-Tweedsmuir and Edge Schools in Alberta, and Brentwood College School on Vancouver Island.
Over the course of her career, Julie has taught a broad spectrum of subjects, including Social Studies, English, History, Law, Geography, Health, and Outdoor Education. Beyond the classroom, she has also supported faculty development and led school-wide initiatives aimed at fostering student well-being.
Julie’s passion for education also extends beyond traditional teaching. She is a Professional Integral Coach, a certified yoga teacher and an artist. She has also shared her expertise as an educational advisor for CAWST, a Canadian non-profit with worldwide impact.
Julie’s commitment to student well-being and personal development is at the heart of everything she does, and she’s thrilled to bring her energy, insights, and experience to the Purcell Collegiate community. Outside of her professional life, Julie finds balance and inspiration in nature and creativity and she enjoys exploring the mountains, oceans, and forests with her partner, Ken, and their dog, Rumi. Julie also loves gardening, practicing yoga, and creating art.