Two new faces will join Jasper Elementary School’s administration team in September.
Jodi Campbell, a long-time teacher at the school, will become the school’s principal, taking over from Raymond Blanchette-Dubé.
“I really want the school to be a welcoming place,” said Campbell, adding she would like to strengthen the school’s ties with the community.
“Relationship building not only with our kids, but with the community, and the parents is a real priority for us. Everyone wins when we work together.”
She said one of her goals is to build a relationship with the Palisades Centre and to strengthen the school’s relationship with Parks Canada to create even more opportunities for students.
“When you live in Jasper it’s about creating opportunities for kids to appreciate everything that’s here, to understand the history of the park and have an appreciation for nature,” explained Campbell.
She first started teaching in 1993 in Fairview, Alta., before landing a position at Jasper Elementary School in 1996.
Over the past 20 years she has held a variety of roles at JES, including working as a kindergarten teacher, literacy advisor, classroom support teacher and this year she was the school’s assistant principal. In 2004, she completed her master of elementary education at the University of Alberta.
Shawn Arseneault, a teacher at JES since 2012, will join Campbell in September as the school’s new vice-principal.
“I have always been interested in admin and I knew that step would come at some point, I just never thought it would come this early,” said Arseneault, who taught both grades 5 and 6 over the past four years.
“We have a great team of teachers here and I really feel we have their support as well, because I wouldn’t have stepped into this position this early into my career if I didn’t feel that I had our staff’s support,” said Arsenault.
To compliment his new position he is currently completing his masters in administration through the University of Alberta.
He said he is looking forward to working with Campbell in September and making the school even better than it already is.
“I think that we will make a good team and we compliment each other well,” said Arseneault.
Paul Clarke
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