Photo by Whitehorse Star

PIctured above: NICOLE MORGAN

DM named to Department of Education

Nicole Morgan has been appointed to the position of deputy minister (DM) for the Department of Education.

By Palak Mangat on April 30, 2018

Nicole Morgan has been appointed to the position of deputy minister (DM) for the Department of Education.

She will act in the position for 12 months, the Yukon government said Friday.

Morgan recently held the position of assistant deputy minister for the Public Schools Division.

She began her career as an educator in secondary schools and has also worked as a school counsellor.

Morgan, who was unavailable for an interview, has held successive senior positions with the department.

Since 2014, she has led the implementation and development of both French and English Kindergarten to Grade 12 curricula and educational resources.

Morgan has a master of education from the University of Calgary and a bachelor of education from the University of British Columbia.

Previous DM Rob Wood is leaving the government.

“Nicole Morgan has a long and distinguished career in the education sector,” said Premier Sandy Silver.

“Her leadership and experience will be a valuable asset for the government as we move forward on developing a strong education system for all Yukoners.”

Deputy ministers are the most senior public servants in government departments. They are responsible for the departments’ budgets, day-to-day operations and program development, and serve at pleasure.

They take direction from the minister responsible for their department, but are ultimately accountable to the premier.

Tom Ullyett, the territory’s Public Service Commissioner, spoke with the Star briefly this morning about Morgan’s appointment.

“There are a number of important matters on the education front,” Ullyett said.

“Whether it’s the collective agreement negotiations with the YTA (Yukon Teachers Association), the changing of the (Yukon) college to a university, and the building and creation of a francophone high school (in Riverdale), these are all big items,” Ullyett added.

“It’s safe to assume she’ll be involved in all of those.”

Ullyett did not specifically speak to what her agenda will be comprised of in the coming months.

However, he added that Morgan would be responsible for ensuring the department meets the “overall direction” as set forth by Silver and Education Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee.

Comments (27)

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Wilf Carter on May 6, 2018 at 8:03 pm

As I have stated check me out on linkedin and email me so I can show you my background. Wow, why are some people so not wanting to be in the loop.
Did you know that Ford is not making any more cars and the same for other car companies. Check it out know it all.

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north_of_60 on May 6, 2018 at 2:36 pm

@Just Sayin' is correct. Hiring qualified Yukoners who went Outside to further their education and experience should be a high priority for our government.
Instead they hire Outsiders with dubious qualifications, who don't understand the Yukon and try to change our home into something they left, then move on in a few years with generous severance packages lining their pockets.

Enough is Enough -- Yukoners First !!!

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Just Sayin' on May 5, 2018 at 7:27 pm

One dog barks at nothing and a hundred dogs bark at the first dog. When it became apparent how wrong the comments are about Nicole’s Yukon roots and professional qualifications, it still wasn’t good enough and now her being the Yukoner called out for is not good enough either. If one came to know the character of the person being discredited, I would hope they would be ashamed. I know not only her deep Yukon roots and her undoubted qualifications but also her character. Yes, she was a gym teacher (not sure what is wrong with that). By the way, she taught language arts and sciences in her career as well. In her father’s memory she co-founded the Chuck Morgan Scholarship for students pursing post-secondary trades and hand-selected the many recipients. When the scholarship ran dry, in her father’s footsteps, she paid the bursaries out of her own pocket for many years. She finds the Scholarship winners in their jobs and congratulates them. After achieving a Post-Master’s Counseling designation, she worked as a school counselor, injecting her positive influence into many young lives. But the true testament is in the reams of students that still stop her on the street to thank her because she cared. Her Masters in Education thesis focused on rural education issues in Canada, so it would be fair to say she is “in tune” with all Yukon students education needs. In her years as Education Consultant she worked obsessively to get REM in place that allows Yukon students in all communities to access courses not otherwise available to them. She was so committed that she worked at the first REM in Dawson City and gave up her cot so a student could participate. She slept on the floor of the school for duration; when she slept that is.

Not Surprised But Disappointed, in the early 1980’s I wrote BC provincial exams to get my diploma from FH Collins. YT has been relying on the BC school curriculum for many decades. I can’t believe that BC is implementing a curriculum that produces transcripts that will exclude all their students from post secondary education. The world is changing out there. YT students have to pass provincial exams to get diplomas, read up on it.

I hear you on FN education; there is work to do. FN education is one that all stakeholders need to work on together respectfully and I believe Nicole has the heart and the desire. Many may not know that Nicole participated in the Receiver General of Canada (RG) Leadership conference last year. She co-led a team assigned by the RG to focus on FN relationships. She met with FN’s and FN students in northern Canada, was moved and personally promised them she would send their message. So for the first time, when her team presented to the RG in Ottawa, they skyped in the FN students to watch their presentation in the style of FN story telling around a ceremonial fire. Her team received a standing ovation from not only the RG audience, but also the skyped-in students with their teachers and families in tears. Her team co-leader presented her with an heirloom ulu, which in his FN culture represents the achievement of wisdom in their women. I feel this thinking and collaboration shows commitment to improvement.

Another Yukoner, you might consider not disrespecting our legends, especially as you say don’t know them and don’t care. Chuck was an exceptional person on all accounts, known for so much more than the sensational move of the Klondike. Being a Yukoner may not be about how long you have lived in The Yukon, but about how much of The Yukon lives in you. Which is why Chuck is still so respected and so is Nicole in her own right. I encourage everyone to try it for yourself; work to make things better, look for the positive, respect each other, endeavour to resist negativity. Otherwise, go ahead…craft your next narcissistic response, pick any word out of mind and twist it around to nay say…….just remember…YOUR roots are showing.

So why don’t we all consider, before trying to cut Nicole’s feet out from under her before she even makes her first statement, that she might be the best option we have seen for Yukon Education in a very long time. Nicole, thank-you for accepting the demanding job as DM for the time being. For the benefit of all Yukon educators, students and families I hope you survive such thanklessness and come to be recognized by all as the outstanding leader you truly are.

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Yukon Watchdog on May 5, 2018 at 7:50 am

@ Wilf. Could you please take your own advice and not comment until you have something to say? So tired of your having done everything; so tired of your being an expert on everything.

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Stan Winter on May 4, 2018 at 9:43 pm

Lots of negative small town comments.
I was advised Nicole Morgan is capable and accomplished which in my mind says stand back and watch her do an excellent job.

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Wilf Carter on May 4, 2018 at 4:00 pm

Wow look at the negative people to point out negatives

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Susan Whalen-Bunkis on May 4, 2018 at 1:02 pm

Congratulations Nicole. You will serve Yukon Education well. Like always,you will put your heart and soul into doing your best. So proud of you.

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Yukon Justice on May 3, 2018 at 8:33 pm

Let's face PSC needs to be careful who they hire.
All new hires for any government position should be given a two week orientation course.
The first thing on the agenda should be, "don't change a damn thing until you live here for twelve months. We don't care how important you think your ideas are or how you did it back home, just simmer.
The second thing on the agenda should be; it's spelt YUKON not Vancouver, Edmonton, Moose Jaw etc. etc.
There are somethings all new hires should be told. If you're not invited to any Rendezvous parties then you are possibly on the way out. If someone asks you what you are going to do with the Malamute you bought the first week you were here then you are possibly on the way out. And if someone advise you to,"see the Yukon while you can," you might possibly be on the way out.
Good luck!

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Wilf Carter on May 2, 2018 at 4:49 pm

If one can't make a reasonable knowledgeable comment or say something positive, maybe reconsider what to say.

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Wilf Carter on May 2, 2018 at 4:48 pm

Every person has the right to their own opinion but any who votes against her with out knowing her is misguided in their opinion.
I know her and she great educator.

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ProScience Greenie on May 2, 2018 at 12:30 pm

Born and raised here, coming back to live and work and being Chucks daughter are all big thumbs up. Nice to see an example of the standard being raised for the quality of those being hired for high level YG position. Let's hope this isn't a one off and is a trend that continues. Long overdue.

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another yukoner on May 2, 2018 at 12:10 pm

Don't know her, don't care as my kids are grown up.
To all of those rooting for her though:
How does it qualify you to be a DM simply because you grew up here, your dad moved the SS Klondike or your family lives here for a long time? Only in the Yukon.

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Yukoner on May 2, 2018 at 6:41 am

Further to my previous comment re. outside MG level hires, I am having a tough time recalling one that was a success. Without naming names, they have all been let go (hah!) or they have retired, using their YG position as a mere parenthesis in their career.
They have nothing invested in our territory, don't understand that things are done differently here, and are usually happy to leave.
Yukon government HR; whatever you're thinking, re-think it.

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Yukoner on May 2, 2018 at 6:35 am

Nile, your comments would carry more weight if you learned to spell.....
Anyhow, you'd think the Powers that Be at YG would have figured out by now that bring upper management from "outside" just isn't working. Nicole is a great choice, but she is only acting at this point.
At the MG level, knowing how the Yukon works, who to talk to and local relationships (it's not WHAT you know but WHO you know) are critical, and bringing in talent(!) from "outside" is just costing us money.
We have the talent, let's use it.

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Shelly on May 2, 2018 at 6:24 am

Drum on you need to learn some Yukon history. The SS Klondike was moved to its present position in 1966 by none other than Chuck Morgan, the father of Nicole. Sounds to me like she has been here longer than you.

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Not surprised but disappointed on May 2, 2018 at 12:09 am

To me, when firing Mr. Wood they could have put somebody else in the position, perhaps somebody more in tune in particular with First Nations education needs and all Yukon students' education needs. The sweeping education changes/assessments supported by Ms. Morgan are totally detrimental to our youth. This government is going to push and ram the new B.C. curriculum down everybody's throat as well as eliminating percentages, grades and marks. Parents, you better watch carefully. These changes affect our children big time and with talk of 'no marks in high school', just 'meeting expectations' and all of this nonsense, you'd better be ready for a big fight. Imagine post secondary institutes accepting students based on 'vague comments', and not marks, percentages and actual solid assessment.
Do you want a lawyer or brain surgeon who was simply 'meeting expectations' in high school or somebody who got a 95% in Biology and Law? How about a heavy duty mechanic who was 'approaching expectations' in Mechanics class? And as for Rob Wood, he caused all of the BC teachers to go on strike in 2014 or 15, a few years back--you can read all about it online.
Let's put a strong advocate for quality, high education in Yukon in this power position. This government needs to get it together, in Health and Social, and Education! And First Nations education shouldn't be an after thought--it should be the goal of this government to improve FN education, not just build a running track at FH (FH already has every good resource in Whs, ) and build the French School. What about FN issues in education? How will Ms. Morgan deal with that?

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Do your research on May 1, 2018 at 9:54 pm

Nicole Morgan- born and raised Yukoner, went to school here, left for university. Yup- returned as a gym teacher, earned her masters, became a counsellor, moved into positions with Dept, climbed the ladder the old fashion way with perseverance, education and commitment.

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Knows her well on May 1, 2018 at 6:44 pm

Even if you are not a Liberal, you can thank the Liberals for this appointment. I have heard Nicole speak on many many occasions and have always gone away thinking "she knows what she is talking about".
She was raised in the Yukon and did all her schooling here. Big plus for Yukoners is SHE CAME BACK! Yukon students and educators will all benefit here, this is a win for ALL Yukoners. Good call Sandy Silver and good on you Nicole for saying 'yes'.

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drum on May 1, 2018 at 4:10 pm

This has got to stop. Moving families from Australia!!!!!!!!! We are not made of money - as a taxpayer in this Territory since 1972 I object strongly to these musical chairs. Hire steady reliable people who have a grounding in the Yukon. They hired the Commissioner of PSC from Vancouver, (Fentie) signed her up for 5 years. She kept her house in Vanc., had no interest in the Yukon - made terrible changes and destroyed many lives of good loyal workers, moved to ECO just long enough to get her severance and went home to Vancouver. This has got to stop. Check what these people get for a salary - they are not worth it believe me!!!!!!!

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BnR on May 1, 2018 at 2:37 pm

Drum-re. your comments, you're not from here are you, otherwise you'd know her and her family.
What-re. a gym teacher. Where did you come up with that?
Nicole is intelligent, well qualified, and will do a great job in her acting position. My wife and I both went to school with her here in Whitehorse.

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Nile on May 1, 2018 at 8:34 am

So the Liberals hired the last DM. Payed to move he and his family here from Australia. Then fired him six months later. How much did all this cost. You can bet that his severance was huge.

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What happened to the last guy? on May 1, 2018 at 6:10 am

Big announcement last August about him being named DM, after a competition. Now, one line 'Previous DM Rob Wood is leaving the government'

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Saleena on Apr 30, 2018 at 9:52 pm

Congratulations Nicole

Up 12 Down 0

Thomas Brewer on Apr 30, 2018 at 8:07 pm

Wow, the previous DM was here for less than a year, and was recruited from Australia. Guess Premier Silver and Minister McPhee don't really care about the cost to the public with this revolving hiring/dismissal door. I can only imagine what the relocation costs and severance are on this. A minimum of a quarter million just off the cuff.

Well done Liberals... not

Up 7 Down 0

What? on Apr 30, 2018 at 6:02 pm

A gym teacher as DM? Sounds legit.

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drum on Apr 30, 2018 at 5:23 pm

How long has she been in the Yukon - was she the one that said she had to bring Education Initiatives from the south and change all the ways of doing things to meet up with the fancier ways of the south?
Do we really need this?

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Jack M. on Apr 30, 2018 at 2:55 pm

Well, Rob Wood got canned quickly. Back to BC for him. I wonder how much that cost YG. Perhaps next time, do a bit of due diligence before hiring.