New associate principal named

Posted on: J A McRae

Shannon LeClair -Times Reporter

Wheatland Elementary school recently chose a new associate principal. Michelle Rushford was the successful candidate who was given the position.  Rushford has been a Grade Six teacher since the inception of Wheatland Elementary School. 

Former associate principal M. Trachsel is retiring in June after 37 years of teaching.

“She is on the administration team for Wheatland Elementary and she will be providing support,” said principal Kevin Lane. 

“It’s exciting for me because I’ve been at this school since it started as an elementary school,” said Rushford.

Applicants for the position had to submit their resume and a paper outlining their philosophy of educational leadership.

Rushford has been teaching Grade Six students since leaving Gleichen where she began her career in 1989. She had been taking a masters program specializing in Education Leadership at the University of Calgary, U of C, before taking a break to raise her family.

“I had considered administration a long time ago, but I took a hiatus for a long time to have a family, and now things are kind of coming full circle,” said Rushford.

This past school year she has been teaching both Grade Four and Grade Six students and said her teaching load is going to stay similar to what she’s had this year.

“I certainly didn’t want to come out of the classroom, that’s the best part about being a teacher and I’m glad I won’t lose that.”

Rushford will be going back to the U of C starting in the summer to restart and finish her masters program.