ST. PAUL - While they may be filling new roles within St. Paul Education, the division's two newest principals are certainly not new faces to the schools they serve.
New to their principal roles starting for the 2021/22 school year are Corina Idzan at Ashmont School and Adrienne Dallaire at St. Paul Elementary.
Idzan has been working at Ashmont school since 2006, and her previous title was assistant principal and coordinate of student supports.
"I began my career at Ashmont immediately after graduating university. I came to Ashmont to teach Grade 4 and loved the school so much I just never left," says Idzan.
"I decided to put my name forward as a principal as I truly love the students and staff at Ashmont. My heart has always been at Ashmont, and I wanted to see it continue to grow and be the incredible school that it is for both the staff and our students," she adds.
At the top of her list of goals will be continuing to build positive relationships within the communities and families the school serves.
Over at St. Paul Elementary Community School, Dallaire has been serving as the assistant principal for the past four years.
"Fulfilling that role has allowed me to engage and be visible with all of our student body, make connections with more and more parents over the years and build continued credibility and trust with my staff. I highly value those relationships hope to maintain and build upon them," says Dallaire. Prior to becoming assistant principal, Dallaire was also a teacher at the school.
"Our school is focused on fostering a Catholic faith infused, positive school culture and also striving to better understand the impacts of trauma and how they might show up in young children," explains Dallaire, adding, "My hope and goal is to ensure that our school community keeps the momentum going in all of these avenues."
Her other motivation as she moves forward as principal of the K-5 elementary school? "I also love to see kids smiling. I am looking forward to seeing joy, laughter and smiles flowing through our school."
The principal positions became available at both schools following the hiring of two new assistant superintendents within central office. Karol Cabaj-Martin is the former principal at St. Paul Elementary, while Keith Gamblin is the former principal in Ashmont.
Also sporting a new title at central office is Clifford Cardinal, who has been hired as the division's Cultural Advisor.
New assistant principals in the division include Sherry Hladunewich and Garth Finlay at St. Paul Elementary; Laurie Taschuk at Two Hills Mennonite School; and Carrie Oracheski at FG Miller Jr./Sr. High School.
The division also has two new school community liaison workers for the 2021/22 school year - Nikita Bull at Ashmont School and Shelley Quinney at Heinsburg School.