My name is Russell Nielsen. I am a physical education teacher at Archbishop M.C. O’Neill. I am married and am the father to two amazing daughters.

Background

I grew up in the small town of Wilkie Saskatchewan. Wilkie is a small rural farming community in western Saskatchewan. I am the second of 5 children in my family and the oldest male sibling. Growing up in a small town, sports were life. I developed a love for hockey and baseball at a young age. This love for sports would eventually carve the path to where I am today. At the age of 15 years old I left home to move in with my Aunt in North Battleford to play AAA hockey. During this time I attended John Paul 2 Collegiate for the first semester in my grade 10 and 11 years. Our hockey team wasn’t very good so I spent most of the second semesters back in Wilkie attending McLurg High School. Hockey then took me to Humboldt Saskatchewan for my grade 12 year where I eventually graduated. I think attending three different high schools was a very positive experience for me because each of the schools were different and I met a lot of people along the way. I think as a teacher I have taken aspects from teachers in each school and molded it into what has become my teaching philosophy.

The love of sports came naturally. My dad and my mom’s dad have both been intudcted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame.

Hockey

I spent 4 great seasons playing for the Humboldt Broncos of the SJHL, capping off my time with a National Championship. While in Humboldt I became part of the community, playing baseball, helping coach youth teams, working a part time job, and taking University classes at St. Peter’s College in Muenster Saskatchewan. The most influential thing to happen to me while in Humboldt was meeting my wife. During this time I grew a lot as an individual and really started to develop my leadership skills. The success in Humboldt led to my next stop, Regina Saskatchewan to play hockey and attend school at the University of Regina. This is the first time that I really had to make a decision about what I wanted to do for a career, the door to the NHL had officially closed. I decided that because of my love of sports and coaching that teaching PE would be a fitting career path. After 5 years of hockey and school I walked away with Bachelor degrees in Education and Kinesiology.

Teaching Career and Philosophy

I began my teaching career at the same school that I interned at; Thom Collegiate in Regina. I took over a leave from Easter that year to the end of the school year. In June I was then offered a teaching position with Regina Catholic Schools at Archbishop M.C. O’Neill where I have been for the past 10 years. During my time at O’Neill I have taught all PE courses, and 1 Catholic Studies course. Two years ago I decided to take on the role of Athletic Director which has been an exciting challenge which I really enjoy.

My educational philosophy is rooted in the belief that effective leadership is built on teamwork, inclusivity, and a commitment to continuous growth. I believe that collaboration is essential in the learning environment, as it fosters innovation and empowers both educators and students to thrive. As a leader, I strive to create a space where diverse perspectives are welcomed, allowing for a richer understanding of the world and more dynamic learning experiences. I am deeply committed to lifelong learning and the professional development of all involved in education, recognizing that the landscape of education is constantly evolving. I also believe that Catholic values, faith, love, service, justice, and compassion—should guide leadership practices, helping to build trust and meaningful connections with both colleagues and students.