School District 73 has named a new superintendent who will take over the job starting on July 1.
Dr. Rhonda Nixon is currently the Deputy Superintendent at the Greater St. Albert Catholic School Division in Alberta and says she says she is looking forward to moving to the Kamloops area.
“I’ve had a 30 year career in which I have been in small centres, where I’ve been a teacher and an administrator in schools that are under a 100 students and in schools in urban centres that are over a 1,000 students, and I truly loved every experience I’ve had,” she said.
“They’re different. I value them for their difference and I saw that Kamloops offered that.”
In her current role, she oversees Inclusive and Early Education, English as Second Language, Indigenous Education, K-12 Curriculum, Distance and Outreach Education, Alternative Education Programs, Educational Technologies, and Data Management.
“When I engaged in the interview process, I was so fortunate to meet representatives of stakeholders who shared that they most valued collaboration as the basis of excellence and innovation in the district,” Nixon added.
“I look forward to learning first hand about all of the examples and I know there are many. I am truly privileged to join such a high performing division provincially.”
Dr. Nixon holds a Bachelor of Education Degree, a Master of Education Degree and a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta. She expects to move to the Kamloops area by end April or early May.
Her hiring comes after a nationwide search for a new superintendent after Alison Sidow retired as Superintendent last summer. With no one in place to start to 2020-21 school year, the board hired former superintendent Dr. Terry Sullivan for a one year term.
“The Board is confident that Dr. Nixon has the experience, credentials and dedication to excellence in education to continue the tradition of strong leadership within the District,” said SD73 Board Chair Rhonda Kershaw.
“When we brought in our stakeholder and our partner groups it seemed that her personality and her style of leadership really fit within our District and that she would really ensure that the good work that we’ve already begun would continue on without even a bump in the road.”
