Grande Prairie, AB – Peace Wapiti Public School Division (PWPSD) is pleased to announce the following changes in school leadership for the 2020-21 school year.
Principals appointed at four PWPSD schools
| Sarah Koning has been appointed Principal of Eaglesham School after serving as Acting Principal during the past school year. Ms. Koning initially joined PWPSD in 2007 as a junior and senior high science and math teacher at Eaglesham School. During the 2013-14 school year, she was an instructor in the Academic Upgrading Department at Grande Prairie Regional College, offering Biology 20 and 30-level courses to students seeking prerequisites for post-secondary studies. In 2014, she resumed her former role at Eaglesham School with an expanded science and math teaching assignment, in addition to offering a junior high wildlife course. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Concordia University of Edmonton and a Bachelor of Education in Secondary Education from the University of Alberta. She is a member of the ATA Science Council and continues to broaden her knowledge by participating in ATA science, math and leadership conferences. She served on the province's 2009 Chemistry Diploma Exam Assessment Team and was a member of the PWPSD Professional Learning Community to improve math and science instruction. Ms. Koning's successful grant applications have enhanced learning opportunities for Eaglesham students, including new cameras supplied by a grant from the Petroleum Services Association of Canada (PSAC) and a scanning electron microscope on a weeklong loan from the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (CMASTE). She regularly seeks opportunities to provide further development for youth through her involvement in the school's science fair, students' union, and yearbook and graduation committees; and as a judge for 4-H public speaking competitions. |
 
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| Andrew Lojczyc has been appointed Principal of Beaverlodge Elementary School, bringing nearly 20 years of school administration experience to the role. Mr. Lojczyc initially joined PWPSD in 1992 as a Social Studies and Physical Education Teacher at Hythe Regional School, where he also coached volleyball, badminton, and track and field. In 2001, he became Principal of Elmworth School, followed by a move to Beaverlodge Elementary School in 2013 to serve as Assistant Principal, School Counsellor, and Grade 4 teacher. He holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta and completed courses toward a Master of Leadership Studies degree. He is a member of the PWPSD Admin Finance Committee and is trained in Violence Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA). A sports enthusiast, he coaches the Beaverlodge Regional High School Badminton Team, has coached local minor hockey, and enjoys being active with family and friends. |  
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| Scott Bowen has been appointed Principal of Clairmont Community School, where he has served as Assistant Principal since 2017. His career in education began in 2005 with a semester of substitute teaching in London, England, followed by a mid-year placement at Beaverlodge Regional High School (BRHS) where he focused primarily on Grades 10-12 Social Studies and served two years as the school's High School Redesign Coordinator. In 2013, he was among 70 teachers from across Canada who came together in Ottawa for the annual Teachers Institute on Canadian Parliamentary Democracy. During his time at BRHS, he coached a variety of sports, including 10 years of badminton and two years as Assistant Coach of the Boys Volleyball team, and helped coordinate the annual BRHS Ten Thousand Villages and famers' market sale. He holds a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Alberta and a Master in Educational Leadership degree from Acadia University. |  
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| Peter Bailey has been appointed Principal of Wembley Elementary School. Mr. Bailey's career in education began in 2009 at Northland School Division where he taught Grades 2 and 3 and also served as Acting Vice-Principal. He joined Peace Wapiti Public School Division in 2014 as a Grades 1 and 2 Teacher at Rycroft School, followed by a move in 2015 to Robert W. Zahara (R.W.Z.) Public School where he taught Grades 4 and 6. He holds a Bachelor of Elementary Education Degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland and is working toward a Master of Education Degree in Pedagogy and Curriculum from the University of Alberta. During 2015-2019, he participated in the Alberta Education Curriculum Redesign for Science. He was a member of the Collaborative Response Model Implementation Team at R.W.Z. and completed the PWPSD Leadership Explorations Program. | 
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Assistant Principals appointed at three PWPSD schools
| Stacey Rey has been appointed Assistant Principal of Beaverlodge Elementary School. Ms. Rey has taught at the school since 2007 in the areas of Early Childhood Services (ECS), Grades 1-6 Music, Grade 2, Math, and English as a Second Language. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she has held leadership positions as the school's Inclusive Education Coordinator, ECS Resource Teacher, and Leveled Literacy Intervention Teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta, certifications in Level B Assessment and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, along with training in trauma management, inclusive education, Indigenous students, and autism. In 2015, Ms. Rey played a key role in introducing and developing Junior Kindergarten programming at Beaverlodge Elementary School. She also participated in the PWPSD Project Independence for Teachers and Educational Assistants, and implemented strategies at the school. |  
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| Erika Walsh has been appointed Assistant Principal of Clairmont Community School following a year as Principal at Wembley Elementary School. Ms. Walsh joined PWPSD in 2017 as an Inclusive Education Coach. Her career in education began with Fort Vermillion School Division (FVSD) in 2007 where she served in Rainbow Lake as Vice Principal, Literacy Lead, and taught Grades 1, 3 and 6. During her 10 years with FVSD, she was also the Lead Teacher in the initiation and implementation of Literacy and Math Committees. She holds a Masters of Education in Curriculum Studies from the University of New Brunswick, and Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Arts degrees from Memorial University. She is a member of the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) Council of Inclusive Education. In addition to her certifications in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, Violent Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA) and Level B Assessment, she completed the Start Right Program for Beginning School Leaders in 2019 through the College of Alberta School Superintendents (CASS), and is currently completing Inclusive Education certification through Athabasca University. She regularly seeks professional development in the areas of instructional coaching and complex needs. |
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| Katelan McBrearty has been appointed Assistant Principal of Whispering Ridge Community School (WRCS). She holds a Master of Education degree from Queen's University and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta, earning numerous academic accolades during her studies at both institutions. Ms. McBrearty's career in education spans the breadth of primary to post-secondary capacities. As a university student, she served as a Substitute Teacher with the Peace River South School Division; Teaching Assistant for the Queen's University Bachelor of Education program; and Research Assistant at Queen's where she examined Canadian children's health behaviours and contributed to a report published by the Public Health Agency of Canada. In 2013, Ms. McBrearty joined PWPSD as a Primary Teacher and Acting Principal at Penson School. In 2015, her career took her to New Zealand where she served as Primary Teacher, Acting Principal, Junior Division Leader, and School Physical Activity Coordinator. She returned to PWPSD in 2018 as a Primary Teacher and Acting Principal at WRCS, along with membership on three teacher-led committees focusing on Comprehensive School Health, the Collaborative Response Model, and Data-Informed Practice. In 2020, she completed the PWPSD Leadership Explorations Program and was a member of the Remote Learning Committee that facilitated the move to at-home learning in March. She has been invited to present at the 2020 Grande Prairie Regional College annual professional development day for education students where she will discuss equity, behaviour management, parent communication, assessment, graduate studies and teaching abroad. |
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Photos: Four Principals have been appointed at PWPSD schools, effective the 2020-21 school year: Sarah Koning, Eaglesham School; Andrew Lojczyc, Beaverlodge Elementary School; Scott Bowen, Clairmont Community School; and Peter Bailey, Wembley Elementary School. New Assistant Principals have been appointed at three schools: Stacey Rey, Beaverlodge Elementary; Erika Walsh, Clairmont Community School; and Katelan McBrearty, Whispering Ridge Community School.