Peter Giangrande, Principal
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Peter Giangrande has been part of Porter Creek Secondary School since 2004, serving as a Teacher, Guidance Counsellor, and Department Head for Special Education before stepping into leadership. In 2014, he became Vice Principal. Since 2017, he has proudly served as Principal of PCSS, a vibrant and growing Grade 8–12 school community. Peter holds two undergraduate degrees and a Master of Arts in Child Study and Education. He is currently working on a Master of Education in School and Applied Child Psychology.
Throughout his career, Peter has guided the school through periods of change, including the recent significant increases in student enrolment that required innovative adjustments to programs and staffing. He has worked with the staff team to build PCSS into a place that reflects and fully integrates Yukon First Nations’ ways of knowing, doing, and being. Grounded in a philosophy of breaking down barriers to learning, Peter works to ensure that all students, staff, and families feel supported. Recognized for championing both curricular and extracurricular programming, he continues to foster a school culture built on access, opportunity, and community. |
Nicole Cross, Vice Principal
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Nicole Cross is the Vice Principal of Porter Creek Secondary, where she has served in teaching and leadership roles for over fifteen years. She holds two undergraduate degrees and a Master of Education in Inclusive Education. Nicole is passionate about fostering inclusive, caring school communities where every student feels supported and able to thrive.
She has worked closely with local First Nations, staff, students, and community members to create Ǹtsǟw Chù Kets’edän Kų̀, a traditional camp at PCSS. Her leadership was key in the school’s 2022 Arctic Inspiration Prize win, which funded the outdoor classroom and fire pit, followed by the construction of a traditional N’jel in 2025. Nicole brings warmth, enthusiasm, and a collaborative spirit to her role, helping build a positive and supportive culture at Porter Creek Secondary. |
Vice Principal, Marie-Eve Owen
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Marie-Eve Owen's first career was doing field research on intertidal marine zones in California and Mexico after getting a Bachelor of Science. It was through presenting her research that she developed a passion for teaching leading to a second Bachelor of Education in secondary sciences. She then pursued a Masters in the Science of Education focusing on experiential ways of teaching science and math in secondary schools. She started her Yukon adventure at Robert Service School in Dawson City in 2007 and moved to Whitehorse in 2016. She has taught primary, secondary and university-level courses and recently joined the administration team at Porter Creek Secondary. She enjoys theatre, art and outdoor adventures.
Brad Gustafson is the Vice Principal at Porter Creek Secondary School, where he has taught and served in a variety of leadership roles over the past seven years. He previously taught briefly in Haines Junction before returning to PCSS. Brad holds two undergraduate degrees as well as a Master of Education. He has served as Athletic Director and has been actively involved in the school sports community, including teaching the LEAD program. He is also passionate about outdoor and land-based education, having co-led the school bison hunt for years, supported land-based learning initiatives, and founded a student fishing club to expand experiential learning opportunities. |
Vice Principal, Brad Gustafson