Hello! My name is Tanya Blackall, and I am a proud married mother of two teenage boys, Caiden (16) and Liam (15). I live in Kamloops, British Columbia with my boys and husband, Jason, of 19 years. I have lived in Kamloops now for 21 years, but I was born and raised in Salmon Arm, British Columbia. My mother and my grandparents were huge influences on my life, and I count my blessings that I had them growing up. The women in my family were resilient and strong so that is what has shaped me throughout my life. I have never stopped educating myself and I never will. Now, as I am getting older and as my sons get older, I want to concentrate on my own career so that I can utilize my extensive education to help others and pass guidance onto students so that they can become the best people that they can.
My hobbies have included running, swimming, hiking, reading, watching movies, kayaking, and going to the beach. Since my sons have been in the picture, my hobbies have generally included them. They’ve been active in soccer, competitive swimming, Scouts, and other sports but as they’ve gotten older like other teenagers, they’re hobbies have now changed. My oldest son loves to ride his dirt bike and my youngest loves to ride his ATV. Our summers now look very different and it has been a big adjustment for me! I’m used to being on a pool deck all summer watching my boys swim in races, and officiating at swim meets but they both decided to retire for the 2025 season. I love to paint in watercolours and acrylic. I recently wrote and illustrated in watercolours, my first children’s book titled “The Resilient Little Pine”. I hope to have this grace bookshelves someday in many classrooms.
I’ve had many volunteer opportunities throughout my life and many of them have been with children. I was a Scout Leader with Scouts Canada for four years within the Beaver and Cub Scouts in 1st Valleyview. We went on many adventures in those years including camping, canoeing, hiking, skating, fishing, learning about nature such as bats, geocaching, and much more.
I was the board elected President of the Kamloops Summer Swim Club (Tsunami) for the past six years. Tsunami is a youth competitive swim team that travels around the Okanagan for competitions. With this endeavor, I was responsible for everything within the Club including hiring coaches, booking lanes and space with the City of Kamloops, fundraising, swim meet organization, finances, board meetings, making sure the swimmers and coaches were being taken care of, and much, much more. Our coaches ranged from teenagers to young adults that needed guidance and leadership which was my responsibility. With both of my sons retiring from competitive swimming in the 2025 season, I have stepped down from my Presidency so I will be enjoying the summers off from now on.
I have a love of animals both big and small. I’ve always enjoyed having pets and being around animals. I especially love cats both big and small. We currently have three cats and one chinchilla in our house. If it were up to me, I’d have many more! My love of animals extended into why I wanted to go into forestry in the first place and why I obtained my degree. Growing up in Salmon Arm, we were always hiking, swimming in the lake, playing golf, and having a great time on many adventures. With the forested areas that were plentiful, it was always amazing to see the wildlife that was around us and I have an immense appreciation for all living creatures. I’m truly a soft-hearted person so I know that I will be an amazing teacher that kids can rely on to be there for them and support them in their learning.
