Grassland School, Rochester School and Smith School are all getting new principals for the 2018-19 school year.
Aspen View Public Schools announced May 31 the three schools will have new principals coming into place. Edwin Parr Composite School (EPC) vice principal Dianne Jewell will become principal of Grassland School. Thorhild Central School vice principal Joe Shelast will become principal of Rochester School and Smith School teacher Caitlynn Chernish will become principal of Smith School.
Chernish said in an interview she is incredibly excited to be stepping into the Smith School principal position.
"I'm ready for a new challenge and I think it's an excellent opportunity," Chernish said. "We have a staff that works together incredibly well so I knew that it will be a seamless transition."
Current Smith School principal Brenna Liddell will be moving to a vice-principal role at EPC, according to the May 31 press release. Information on the future of current Grassland School principal Robert Kerr and Rochester School principal Connie Stasiuk was not available before publish time.
Jewell is an Athabasca local who has been working at EPC, the school from which she graduated, since 2007 and a vice-principal at the school since 2016, the May 31 press release said.
"Dianne is an energetic, passionate educator and brings many strengths to her new role at Grassland School," the May 31 press release said.
Shelast has been with Aspen View Public Schools since 2000 and has previously worked in Alberta Education, served as a principal at Radway School and most recently worked as a co-ordinator of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education for Aspen View.
"Joe’s wide range of experience will serve him well in his new role and enrich the Rochester School community," the May 31 press release said.
Chernish, another EPC graduate, has spent her entire teaching career at Smith School and was a 2013 nominee for the Edwin Parr Teacher Award for outstanding first-year teachers, the press release said.
"I hope to support my staff in any way that I can, care for my students when they need me and continue to maintain strong relationships with the community," Chernish said in an interview.
The press release also announced Justin Gross will continue as vice principal at Thorhild Central School after being appointed to the role of acting vice-principal at the school in September 2017.
Andre Samson was also announced at a new vice-principal for Vilna School, sharing the role with Brenda Mykytiuk.
