Peggy Revell
Trustees were unanimous last night in voting to appoint Heather Campbell as the new director of education for the Rainy River District School Board.
“I’m so excited and so honoured to be chosen to lead the board, and I endeavour to do my very best to make a difference for all students,” said Campbell, who had been the board’s superintendent of education.
She also had been acting as interim director following the resignation of former Education Director Jack McMaster earlier this year to become director of education at the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board.
“I love a challenge, and I certainly wanted to step in and continue the work of the board—I believe in its direction,” Campbell added.
“And I just want to continue that focus on the north. I’m a northern born girl and it’s really important to continue the understanding of the uniqueness of the north when you plan and in your programs.
“So it’s really important to have that background,” she stressed.
Campbell has his “full support,” board chairman Dan Belluz said following last night’s meeting, citing her “strong background” in educational leadership, board experience, and familiarity with the north.
“I think it’s just continuing on our successes and looking to the future again, and trying to work collaboratively with the entire board,” Campbell said about what’s next, pointing to the current relationships with board partners, parents, staff, and federations, and how she’s looking forward to the “continued success working together.”
“Big things on the horizon” include the implementation of the Early Learning program in the fall, system planning, the budget, and staffing, Campbell noted, as well as fully implementing the board’s reinvestment of its surplus.
“So there’s a lot on the agenda,” she admitted.
Campbell has more than 14 years of experience in public education, having held positions at both the elementary and secondary levels as a high school English teacher, as the Secondary Curriculum Co-ordinator, and as an elementary vice-principal and elementary principal.
She holds a Master’s of Arts degree, Bachelor of Education degree, and the Supervisory Officer’s Qualification Program designation.
Also at last evening’s meeting, the board:
•approved a motion that would authorize the use of Vote-By-Mail for the 2010 municipal election, and the coinciding bylaw that outlines the vote-by-mail procedure;
•presented a Recognition of Excellence award to Mine Centre School for its “Extended Ojibway Language Program,” which it has been piloting this school year;
•heard a presentation on “Intentional Teaching in a Play-based Environment”; and
•heard a presentation, “Transitions,” on how Rainy River High School has been working to make its school feel more welcoming and inclusive to incoming Grade 9 students.
