By David F. Rooney
The Trustees of School District 19 have announced some major new appointments within the school system.
At their Wednesday, June 15, they confirmed James Richards of Chilliwack has accepted the position of Secretary Treasurer effective July 3. He replaces Bruce Tisdale who is retiring.
Richards was Director of Finance for Palliser Regional Schools in Alberta for six years, and most recently served for three years as Director of Finance in Chilliwack School District No. 33. He holds a degree in Management and a Chartered Accountant Designation.
The Board said it “is appreciative of the work that Mr. Bruce Tisdale has done for the district during the past 2 and 1/2 years and wishes him all the best in his retirement.”
There are also a number of changes at senior levels administrative levels within Revelstoke’s schools.
Columbia Park Elementary
Ariel McDowell, currently the Principal of Columbia Park Elementary School has been appointed to the position of District Principal, Support Services due to the retirement of Nian Zhu. McDowell has been the Principal of Columbia Park Elementary School since March of 2011 and District Principal, Aboriginal Education since 2014. A committed advocate for student services and special education programs, she holds a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and “will bring to her new role her knowledge, passion, energy and enthusiasm,” the board said.
Ariel is being replaced by Andy Pfeiffer, currently the Vice-Principal of Revelstoke Secondary School. He began his teaching career at Revelstoke Secondary School in 1991 and for the past 8 years has served as Vice-Principal.
He recently completed a Masters in Education Degree and has provided outstanding leadership in the English Department, Athletics and to Revelstoke Secondary School as a whole for 25 years. Although, the staff, students and parent community at Revelstoke Secondary School will miss him, the Columbia Park Elementary School community will benefit from his energy and enthusiasm.
Revelstoke Secondary School
Jodi Wallach, currently a counselor at Revelstoke Secondary School, has been appointed to the position of Vice Principal at RSS. She began her career at Revelstoke Secondary in 1995 as a Math 8 – 12 teacher and in 1998 began working as a School Counsellor receiving her Masters of Education in Counselling from UVic in 2002. Wallach, in her role in the counseling department and as the team leader for support services, has been a large part of creating such an outstanding school environment at Revelstoke Secondary School.
Arrow Heights Elementary School
Rita Tedesco is returning to Revelstoke to accept an appointment as the Principal of Arrow Heights Elementary School. She began her teaching career in Revelstoke in 1997 and is moving back to Revelstoke from Vernon where she has been working for the past 10 years as both an elementary teacher and vice-principal. Tedesco completed her Master’s Degree in Education Leadership in 2004 and brings with her “an enthusiasm for education, a passion for the pursuit of student health and happiness, and a love of teaching,” the board said.
Begbie View Elementary School
Todd Hicks has been appointed Principal of Begbie View Elementary School due to the retirement of current Principal Yanping Wang. He began his teaching career in Revelstoke in 1985, was Vice-Principal at Revelstoke Secondary School for 7 years, and completed a Masters of Education in 1996. During the past 8 years as Principal at Arrow Heights Elementary School, Hicks has, the board noted, provided “leadership to the district in the areas of technology, and district-wide elementary programs. Mr. Hicks’ experience and skills are well aligned with the direction of Begbie View Elementary School staff, students and parent community.”
During their regular board meeting on Wednesday, June 15, Trustees heard Todd Hicks’ last annual report about progress at the school. Please click here to read a print version of his presentation in PDF format.
Please activate the YouTube player below to watch the 43-minute Board of Trustees meeting held at Arrow Heights Elementary School on Wednesday, June 15. Todd Hicks 15-minute presentation begins at the 1:20 mark.
