Colchester Adult Learning Association (CALA) is a not-for-profit Community Learning Organization (CLO) dedicated to providing opportunities for all adults to pursue their learning goals. Our programs are offered at no cost to adults in Truro and communities in Colchester County, Nova Scotia.
CALA was incorporated in 1993, after a dedicated group of volunteers developed the Colchester Literacy Coalition. This group recognized the need for adult learning opportunities to help improve literacy and numeracy skills in Colchester County, Nova Scotia. CALA responds to the ever-changing needs of our communities and its members by developing programs to help individuals stay engaged at home, at work, and in their community.
CALA is part of the Nova Scotia School of Adult Learning's (NSSAL) network of CLOs throughout Nova Scotia, offering various non-credit programs to Nova Scotians that aim to improve literacy, essential and academic skills for work and everyday life. NSSAL programs are administered by the Adult Education Division, Skills and Learning Branch of the Department of Labour and Advanced Education. Our dedicated staff are Adult Literacy Practitioners, certified by the Province of Nova Scotia, certified Communications And Math Employment Readiness Assessment (CAMERA) assessors, and Northstar Digital Literacy assessors. CALA is a registered Northstar Digital Literacy Assessment location.
CALA was incorporated in 1993, after a dedicated group of volunteers developed the Colchester Literacy Coalition. This group recognized the need for adult learning opportunities to help improve literacy and numeracy skills in Colchester County, Nova Scotia. CALA responds to the ever-changing needs of our communities and its members by developing programs to help individuals stay engaged at home, at work, and in their community.
CALA is part of the Nova Scotia School of Adult Learning's (NSSAL) network of CLOs throughout Nova Scotia, offering various non-credit programs to Nova Scotians that aim to improve literacy, essential and academic skills for work and everyday life. NSSAL programs are administered by the Adult Education Division, Skills and Learning Branch of the Department of Labour and Advanced Education. Our dedicated staff are Adult Literacy Practitioners, certified by the Province of Nova Scotia, certified Communications And Math Employment Readiness Assessment (CAMERA) assessors, and Northstar Digital Literacy assessors. CALA is a registered Northstar Digital Literacy Assessment location.
Meet Our Staff
CALA staff are dedicated to achieving life long learning goals to stay up to date with the needs of today. Responding to the the global pandemic, our staff completed professional development in Universal Design for Learning, D2L Brightspace, Northstar Assessments, Teaching and Learning Online, 21st Century Skills, E3 Curriculum, and other specialized training.
CALA staff are dedicated to achieving life long learning goals to stay up to date with the needs of today. Responding to the the global pandemic, our staff completed professional development in Universal Design for Learning, D2L Brightspace, Northstar Assessments, Teaching and Learning Online, 21st Century Skills, E3 Curriculum, and other specialized training.
Mary Teed - Executive Director
Mary is the Executive Director with CALA. Since 2014 she has been helping CALA improve literacy and essential skills programming from a local, regional, and provincial level. Mary previously worked with adult learners in a variety of settings in corporate and non-profit sectors. These experiences, combined with her desire to help the organization stay current, has allowed Mary and the CALA team to grow in innovative ways that truly respond to the learning needs of our communities. Mary is an active member with the Nova Scotia School of Adult Learning sitting on many committees including the Provincial Advisory committee, Curriculum Development committee, Essential Skill Framework committee, and Learner Plan Development committee. Mary is also an executive member of the Association of Nova Scotia Community Learning Organization and acting as an Advent Professor for the University of Calgary. A lifelong learner herself, Mary continued her education while working full time and raising a family obtaining a Bachelor of Social Work degree in 2011.
Mary is the Executive Director with CALA. Since 2014 she has been helping CALA improve literacy and essential skills programming from a local, regional, and provincial level. Mary previously worked with adult learners in a variety of settings in corporate and non-profit sectors. These experiences, combined with her desire to help the organization stay current, has allowed Mary and the CALA team to grow in innovative ways that truly respond to the learning needs of our communities. Mary is an active member with the Nova Scotia School of Adult Learning sitting on many committees including the Provincial Advisory committee, Curriculum Development committee, Essential Skill Framework committee, and Learner Plan Development committee. Mary is also an executive member of the Association of Nova Scotia Community Learning Organization and acting as an Advent Professor for the University of Calgary. A lifelong learner herself, Mary continued her education while working full time and raising a family obtaining a Bachelor of Social Work degree in 2011.
David Boehm, BA, BEd - Instructor
David started with CALA as a volunteer and has been teaching the GED Prep and Academic Upgrading classes at CALA since 2013. David is actively involved in the community with topics about housing and the environment. He loves cycling, canoeing and tinkering.
David started with CALA as a volunteer and has been teaching the GED Prep and Academic Upgrading classes at CALA since 2013. David is actively involved in the community with topics about housing and the environment. He loves cycling, canoeing and tinkering.
Sarah Thornham - Instructor
Sarah has been an instructor at CALA since 2016, primarily with the Community Essentials and Essential Skills programs. She provides assessments, placement information and student supports in her role as Intake Coordinator. Sarah is involved with the community as a board member at the Colchester Historeum.
Sarah has been an instructor at CALA since 2016, primarily with the Community Essentials and Essential Skills programs. She provides assessments, placement information and student supports in her role as Intake Coordinator. Sarah is involved with the community as a board member at the Colchester Historeum.
Vangie Beal - Instructor
Vangie is an award-winning business and technology writer, bringing 20 years of experience in the technology and web publishing industry to CALA. She started with CALA as a volunteer in 2017, and joined our staff in her role as a Digital Literacy instructor in 2020. She has a passion for good coffee, teaching, and all things tech-related.
Vangie is an award-winning business and technology writer, bringing 20 years of experience in the technology and web publishing industry to CALA. She started with CALA as a volunteer in 2017, and joined our staff in her role as a Digital Literacy instructor in 2020. She has a passion for good coffee, teaching, and all things tech-related.
Josie Lake - Administrative Assistant / Instructor
Josie joined the CALA team in 2021 and provides administrative support and digital skills instruction/support. Prior to CALA, she worked in various roles in IT and business administration. Josie attended the Computer Information Systems and Technology program at NSCC. She has a passion for education and helping others and also volunteers as Chair on the board of directors for the Lotus Center.
Josie joined the CALA team in 2021 and provides administrative support and digital skills instruction/support. Prior to CALA, she worked in various roles in IT and business administration. Josie attended the Computer Information Systems and Technology program at NSCC. She has a passion for education and helping others and also volunteers as Chair on the board of directors for the Lotus Center.
Meet Our Board
CALA's Board of Directors consist of several community members who are dedicated to provide advice and direction regarding organization goals, interests and strategic directions.
CALA's Board of Directors consist of several community members who are dedicated to provide advice and direction regarding organization goals, interests and strategic directions.
Ellen Marshall - Chairperson
Ellen has been a member of the CALA board since 2014. She has over 20 years experience in event planning and management. Ellen is the Event Manager/Public Relations Officer for the NSNWA where she developed and launched the first website for the NSNWA. Ellen is a member of the Millbrook First Nation and lives in Truro. She is the chair of the Colchester Adult Learning Association Board of Directors and is also a board member of the Rath Eastlink Community Centre.
Darlene Redmond - Vice-Chair
Darlene joined as a member of the CALA board in 2014. She is committed to lifelong learning. Darlene holds a Bachelor Degree in Technology and a Master’s Degree in Education. For 22 years she has been a faculty member at the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) where she teaches Computer Networking and Security. She has been an editor for the Cisco Networking Academy's global curriculum and a Subject Matter Expert for the Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA). Darlene has presented talks and workshops on 21st Century Literacies at conferences in Canada, United States, Africa, and Vietnam.
Darlene joined as a member of the CALA board in 2014. She is committed to lifelong learning. Darlene holds a Bachelor Degree in Technology and a Master’s Degree in Education. For 22 years she has been a faculty member at the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) where she teaches Computer Networking and Security. She has been an editor for the Cisco Networking Academy's global curriculum and a Subject Matter Expert for the Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA). Darlene has presented talks and workshops on 21st Century Literacies at conferences in Canada, United States, Africa, and Vietnam.
Joe Nicholson - Treasurer
Joe has been on the CALA Board since 2014. He is currently on the management team of a prominent Truro area business and operates his own successful business. Joe is a strong believer in CALA’s significant and growing impact on the community.
Joe has been on the CALA Board since 2014. He is currently on the management team of a prominent Truro area business and operates his own successful business. Joe is a strong believer in CALA’s significant and growing impact on the community.
Mark Mason - Secretary
Mark was the Executive Director for CALA from 2000 to 2006 and returned to the board as a member in 2013. Truro is Mark's hometown and education has always been a passion for him as he sees it as a tool to move forward in life. The phrase “life long learning” has real meaning and CALA is one of the resources on this trail of learning. With a long career in education from the primary to university levels, he brings his vast experience to CALA.
Mark was the Executive Director for CALA from 2000 to 2006 and returned to the board as a member in 2013. Truro is Mark's hometown and education has always been a passion for him as he sees it as a tool to move forward in life. The phrase “life long learning” has real meaning and CALA is one of the resources on this trail of learning. With a long career in education from the primary to university levels, he brings his vast experience to CALA.
Richard MacKenzie - Member
Richard attended St. Mary’s University from 1986-93, graduating with a BA – major in English, minor in Political Science. After managing a retail and a service business, then a Dooly’s franchise in Sudbury, Ontario in 2004, he returned to school (Cambrian College) and earned, with honours, a diploma in journalism and began working in the newspaper field, which eventually brought him back to his home province with the Saltwire Network – first in Antigonish and, currently, Truro. Richard joined the CALA board of directors in 2020.
Richard attended St. Mary’s University from 1986-93, graduating with a BA – major in English, minor in Political Science. After managing a retail and a service business, then a Dooly’s franchise in Sudbury, Ontario in 2004, he returned to school (Cambrian College) and earned, with honours, a diploma in journalism and began working in the newspaper field, which eventually brought him back to his home province with the Saltwire Network – first in Antigonish and, currently, Truro. Richard joined the CALA board of directors in 2020.
Xujie (‘she-jay’) Li, Ph.D. candidate - Member
Xujie joined as a member of the CALA board in 2021 and is originally from China. He completed his Bachelor and Master of Science in Animal Science at Dalhousie University, Faculty of Agriculture. He is working as a part-time library and IT student assistant in DAL-AC Campus. Xujie started volunteering with Teen Soccer League program as a referee since 2011. Xujie is actively serving as the university ambassadors in Poultry Science Association, student representative on the Dalhousie Animal Care and Use Committee, former coordinator for DAL-AC community garden. Xujie has a love of volunteering and takes every opportunity to assist his community.
Xujie joined as a member of the CALA board in 2021 and is originally from China. He completed his Bachelor and Master of Science in Animal Science at Dalhousie University, Faculty of Agriculture. He is working as a part-time library and IT student assistant in DAL-AC Campus. Xujie started volunteering with Teen Soccer League program as a referee since 2011. Xujie is actively serving as the university ambassadors in Poultry Science Association, student representative on the Dalhousie Animal Care and Use Committee, former coordinator for DAL-AC community garden. Xujie has a love of volunteering and takes every opportunity to assist his community.
Preethi Rajan - Member
Preethi joined as a member of the CALA board in 2021 and is an international graduate student from India who is attending Dalhousie University, Agricultural Campus, Truro. Preethi came to Canada in 2018 as an undergraduate student through the dual degree program collaborated with Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Tamil Nadu, India. She brings a fresh outlook to our CALA Board with her skills as a volunteer with the Rotaract club of Truro in 2019 and as a Student Coordinator at Dalhousie University, Agricultural Campus.
Preethi joined as a member of the CALA board in 2021 and is an international graduate student from India who is attending Dalhousie University, Agricultural Campus, Truro. Preethi came to Canada in 2018 as an undergraduate student through the dual degree program collaborated with Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Tamil Nadu, India. She brings a fresh outlook to our CALA Board with her skills as a volunteer with the Rotaract club of Truro in 2019 and as a Student Coordinator at Dalhousie University, Agricultural Campus.