Saying farewell after 36 years

Shannon LeClair

Times Reporter

 

After 36 years of working in education, superintendent for Golden Hills School Division, GHSD, Dianne McBeth announced on Jan. 25, she would be retiring.

“I’ve had a long and wonderful career in education and I’ve been involved in administrative roles in education for most of that time,” said McBeth. 

“They’ve been wonderful years and I just feel like its time to retire and think of other things.” 

Her parents are getting older and not well, and she said that played a big part in her decision.  During her time as superintendent, there has been several alternative programs brought into GHSD. From her vision grew system-wide, equitable access to state-of-the-art technology to support teaching and learning, said chair Dave Price in a press release.

A recent fond memory of hers is going into the newly renovated Drumheller Valley Secondary School and watching a physical education class in the new gymnasium. 

“They were having badminton instruction and every student in the class is up and able to participate because their gym is large enough to accommodate at least eight courts of badminton. That’s fantastic,” said McBeth.   

“Always the things involving students are the highlights, listening to the choir sing, watching a provincial volleyball game. All of those things where students are just having a really rich experience, those are the best memories.” 

She said first thing she is going to do is treat herself to a little bit of rest,. She would also like to finish her PhD, which she had put aside for the last few years because she had been so busy. 

 “I’m not the kind of person to sit around for very long so I’ll be busy doing something right off the bat,” said McBeth.  

The process to appoint a new superintendant should begin soon.

McBeth will continue to sit on the board until that point.