Tuesday morning marked the beginning of another journey in Jodi Smith’s career as an educator.
She assumed principalship of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic School following the transfer of Dorice Swenrude to principalship of École Mother Teresa Catholic School.
Smith started French Immersion at Mother Teresa as the lead teacher in 2000. She spent ten years at the local school, two of those as vice principal before moving to École Camille J. Lerouge School in Red Deer where she was vice principal for the past two years.
A Sylvan Lake resident, Smith said she’s “blessed and excited” to be back in Sylvan Lake. “I’m part of the parish so have a connection with Father Gabriel.”
“I love the Sylvan Lake community, I’m so thankful to be back. It’s nice to be in my home community and not have to drive those roads.”
“As the new principal I’m trying to get as much knowledge as I can, work with parents, students, teachers, the whole community.”
Smith expected her first day would involve unpacking boxes and meeting students while going room-to-room at the Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 2 school.
Smith’s post-secondary education includes a Bachelor of Education, French from Campus Saint-Jean at the University of Alberta, and a Masters in educational leadership from Seattle University.