Submitted
Rob Reid has been appointed as the new assistant principal of Ponoka Alternative Supports School (PASS), effective at the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year. To meet the needs of the program, the assistant principal position at PASS has evolved over the past few years to now being a full-time position.
PASS is an elementary, middle and high school level program in Ponoka that offers academic learning while incorporating a mental health treatment component. Reid will work closely with PASS principal Barb Pears. The two will also oversee two other educational programs that fall under the umbrella of PASS: The Centennial Centre Patients’ School offers an education program for clients in the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program, adult psychiatry, and out-patient programs; and The Youth Experiencing Success (YES) program, in Lacombe, is for students in grades 1 to 12 and is based on the individual needs of each student and helps to develop skills to foster positive behavior.
“I am very excited about becoming the assistant principal of PASS. Throughout my professional career I have always thoroughly enjoyed and found immeasurably satisfying working with students in an alternate setting. Now to be part of a team dedicated to creating a successful environment for each student is thrilling,” Reid said. “It is a reunion of sorts as Barb Pears and I worked side by side in 2000, when she was hired to start the YES program and I was hired to take over the Junior High Outreach program. In fact, I was her mentor teacher and now I look forward to her mentoring me as a new administrator.”
“Since I left Wolf Creek in 2007 I have missed the close-knit professional community that I came to admire in my previous seven years here. I sincerely believe Wolf Creek Public Schools is a leader in Alberta when it comes to professional development and support for its teachers and support staff. I am honoured to be asked to once again become part of this community of learners. I look forward to working together with the staff of PASS as well as sharing and applying my skills to the benefit of the program.”
Reid is a familiar face to WCPS having previously taught at Lacombe Outreach School (2000-2004) and École Lacombe Junior High School (2004-2007). Most recently, (2007 - present) Reid taught at A.L. Fortune High School in Enderby, B.C. in a role of co-ordinating the On Track Program (program for at-risk students) as well as the CPP Program (employability and independent living skills program) in addition to teaching English, law and social studies. He also served as the Student Support Services Department Head and school-based team moderator in his school.
“WCPS is delighted to have Rob return as the new assistant principal of the PASS program. He has worked in an alternative education setting for several years and understands the challenges and opportunities that come with this role. His student-centred leadership style will mesh very well with the direction of the PASS program,” commented Wolf Creek Public Schools assistant superintendent Jayson Lovell.
Outside of school, Reid loves to coach and play many sports, especially volleyball. He also enjoys fishing on his boat, travelling with his wife, getting together with friends, landscaping and walking his year-and-a- half-old Great Dane.