Jack Smyka
Program Manager
Jack is a retired Durham District School Board Principal who after 30 years in education, briefly mediated in Family and Small Claims Courts in the St. Catharines area. Then for the next seven years he held the position of Director of Programs for McMan Youth and Family Services in Edmonton Alberta. These various careers gave him experience working with the children, the Indigenous community, foster care, homeless persons, seniors, group home residents and now with the Literacy Society. Jack has always had a passion for community work, feeling that everyone at some point needs assistance in their walk through life.
Karen Samson
Student/Tutor Coordinator
Karen joined the Literacy Society of South Muskoka in September, 2017. Karen facilitates a Preparation for Writing the G1 Written Test workshop, co-facilitates Computer Basics, one-on-one tutoring and small group lessons. She is retired from a 35 year career in Public Service in Winnipeg prior to moving to Muskoka in 2016. She has a Certificate in Adult and Continuing Education (CACE) from the University of Manitoba. Karen enjoys photography, travelling, quilting, knitting, gardening and her two ‘lil pugs!
Dave Steeves
Student/Tutor Coordinator
Dave has been a member of the Literacy Society of South Muskoka since 2009. Dave has conducted a variety of workshops – Ready for Work, Computer Basics and Public Speaking. He also has over 400 hours of one-to-one tutor experience. Dave has a BA from York University and graduated from Toronto Teachers’ College. Following an Administrative Management career in the insurance industry, he began tutoring at Literacy Society of South Muskoka.