Fernie Secondary School and Elkford Secondary School both have new administrators for the brand new school year.
Ottawa’s Ian Jarrell is the new Vice-Principal in Elkford, while Cranbrook’s Erin Hay has been promoted to Principal of Fernie Secondary and the Kootenay Discovery School, after previously serving as Vice-Principal. Sparwood’s Rachel Romero will fill the Vice-Principal position in Fernie, now left vacant by Hay.
Graduating from Cranbrook’s Mount Baker Secondary School in 1990, Hay has been an educator for 22 years, 15 of which have been with School District 5, as she now steps into a brand new role as the Principal of Fernie Secondary School and Kootenay Discovery School.
“I’m looking forward to the start of the school year; to greet new and returning students and to assist staff as they provide our students with a welcoming learning environment both in the classroom and outside in our community and our natural environment,” said Hay. “I’m also very excited about the new opportunities for Kootenay Discovery School as it moves to its new home in the Kootenay Learning Campus.”
The Kootenay Learning Campus is a new facility that is opening in Fernie this September, providing learning opportunities for adults wanting to complete their high school diploma, and for school-aged students participating in the Distance Learning Program.
Rachel Romero joins Fernie Secondary School after previously serving as a resource-based, resource-room teacher with School District 22 in Vernon. Romero says she was drawn to the position because of the Kootenay Learning Campus in School District 5.
“I get to be involved in the development of a program that supports both school-aged and adult-learners using a self-paced, distance learning approach,” said Romero. “To be able to teach in such a flexible and personalized learning environment is so exciting.”
Lastly, Jarell steps in as Elkford’s Vice-Principal after already being a teacher for 11 years in School District 5.
“It’s been so enjoyable teaching students and watching them grow and learn as individuals,” said Jarrell. “As Vice-Principal, I’m excited to work with teachers and support staff as we continue to embrace the newly revised curriculum, with its focus on individualized student learning.”
Frank Lento, Board Chair of School District 5 said Hay has “naturally proven herself an excellent choice for Principal,” while Jarrell and Romero will be good fits at their new respective schools.
“Each school has its own unique culture. This culture is taken into consideration whenever the Board appoints a new administrator to a school,” said Lento.
A full list of Principals and school information across School District 5 can be found here.