School Info

Grades Taught

Kdn. to Gr. 5

About

Excellence! Every child…Every day!

Principal's Message

Welcome to PJ Gillen School – Home of the Pandas!

Hello everyone,

Welcome to PJ Gillen School – the vibrant world of Pandas! I am proud to be part of the PJ Gillen team, working alongside a passionate and dedicated group of staff. Together, we are committed to creating a caring, supportive environment where every child thrives.

We value the strong connections we share with our families, community members, and local businesses. The saying “It takes a village to raise a child” truly rings true here in Esterhazy, and we are grateful for the partnerships that enrich the lives of our students each day.

At PJ Gillen, our motto is Excellence! Every Child…Every Day! We take this to heart. Our goal is to provide the best possible educational experience for every student, making our school a PAWSitive place to learn and grow. We model and encourage the core values of being positive, responsible, respectful, and safe—the foundation of our school culture.

As I enter my 23rd year in education, I’m filled with gratitude for the experiences that have shaped my journey as both a teacher and administrator. I’ve spent 22 years with the Good Spirit School Division, following my first year of teaching in Oklahoma City Public Schools. My family—my husband Dave, son Ashtyn, and daughter Kiah—are proud to call Esterhazy home. We enjoy staying active through sports, traveling, and spending time together. I’m also a lifelong learner and recently completed my Doctor of Education at Athabasca University.

Each day at PJ Gillen brings new opportunities to learn and grow, and I am energized by the excitement our students bring to school. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or just want to say hello. My door is always open!

Warm regards,
Dr. Kelsey Shields
Principal, PJ Gillen School