In order to best support high quality learning programs in each of our schools, a reorganization of Education & System Services as well as Student Supports & Services was in order. Some previous education-based Director roles, including those that were left vacant by retirements and departures, will now be Division Principals.
Each Division Principal portfolio has been filled by a leader who has a specific area of expertise, and who will work collaboratively with our school-based principals to support students in the areas of curriculum services, instructional services, student services, achievement, and wellness and community partnerships.
“Our Division leaders have been doing great work and we feel that this reorganization will help us provide the levels of support necessary to reach our ultimate goal of student success and well-being,” stated Superintendent Boyce.
“We feel these roles accurately represent our vision for a Leadership team that guides our work, directly impacting three Key Domains of our education plan including Student Growth & Achievement, Teaching & Leading and Learning Supports.”
Division Principals for 2023-2024
Linda Madge-Arkinstall, Division Principal
Literacy & Lifelong Learning
Linda Madge-Arkinstall has been a fixture in the Millgrove School community since 2006. That was the year she returned to teaching after taking some time off to raise her four children. She started as a Kindergarten teacher at Millgrove and she also taught K-1 music. She was also an Inclusive Education Lead before her foray into Administration as an Assistant Principal starting in 2016. Linda has been Principal at Millgrove School since the 2020-2021 school year. Her journey in education began in Drayton Valley spent as the Grades 1-3 resource room teacher and prior to her sabbatical, she also taught at Graminia School in similar roles in Early Years classrooms. Linda earned her Bachelor of Education with a Special Education minor from the University of Alberta. She has also since earned a Master of Education with an Area of Study in Educational Research and Specialization in Leadership through the University of Calgary.
"It has been a privilege to work at Millgrove School and I have gained so much from the staff, students, and parents and I will truly miss this amazing group. Their commitment to the well-being of children and incredible focus on literacy and numeracy growth is outstanding and I will take this experience and apply it to the position of Division Principal. I am excited to work with a new group of outstanding educators and grateful to continue the valuable work."
Shaye Patras, Division Principal
Indigenous Education & Numeracy
Shaye Patras rejoins PSD's Division Office in the role of Division Principal, Indigenous Education & Numeracy after having spent the last three school years as Principal of École Meridian Heights School in Stony Plain. Prior to that, he has also been Principal at Seba Beach School, Blueberry School and Woodhaven Middle School.
His previous stop in a central role was as a Curriculum Facilitator back in 2007 with PSD's Learning Services, providing direction and leadership to teachers and administrators in areas such as curriculum implementation, professional development and assessment. Shaye began his journey with Parkland School Division in 2002 and has also taught at Woodhaven Middle School and Greystone Centennial Middle School. He also spent a year in a secondment role at Alberta Education in 2005-2006.
Shaye graduated with distinction with a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Physical Education from the University of Alberta. In 2010, Shaye earned a Master of Education in Educational Leadership.
"It has been an honour to serve the École Meridian Heights School community over the past three years. I have been truly amazed by the resilience and collaboration that students, staff and parents have shown. I am looking forward to the opportunity to continue to learn and grow and to serve Parkland School Division in this new role."
Christine Ross, Division Principal
Wellness and Community Partnerships
Christine began her teaching career in 1997 with Evergreen Catholic School Division as a kindergarten teacher. She has experience in both typical and alternate learning environments. Christine spent one year as Principal of Parkland Village School before moving into a role as Director, Learning Services with a focus on Early Education. Christine has served Parkland School Division as the Children Learning in Inclusive Community Settings Coordinator, a Program Facilitator with Learning Services, an Assistant Principal for two years at Muir Lake School as well as Assistant Principal at Millgrove School.
Christine earned her Education degree from the University of Alberta and is currently working towards a Master in Educational Leadership from the University of Calgary.
"I am thrilled to be serving Parkland School Division's students, families, and schools in this exciting new role of Division Principal of Wellness and Community Partnerships.”
Bryn Spence, Division Principal
Student Services
Bryn has served the learning community of Prescott Learning Centre for the past two years as Principal. He began his career with Parkland School Division in 2004 at Entwistle School and has served as a teacher, special education coordinator, assistant principal, and principal at Entwistle, High Park, École Broxton Park School, and most recently Prescott.
Previously, as a Learning Services facilitator, he coordinated Violence Threat Risk Assessment and student support. Bryn has facilitated a variety of professional development opportunities for staff including Nonviolent Crisis Intervention and Violence Threat Risk Assessment training and has represented PSD on several different multidisciplinary committees and organizations including a Co-Chair for the Tri-Area VTRA Project Committee.
Bryn completed a Bachelor of Elementary Education at the University of Alberta with a minor in Special Education and a Master of Education at the University of Calgary in Interdisciplinary Education and Leadership.
"It has been an honour to serve the students, staff, and community of Prescott Learning Centre for the past two years. I have appreciated the dedication and determination of staff, students, and the community as we navigated the COVID-19 pandemic together. It is truly an amazing community of learners and I am constantly impressed with the ingenuity, creativity, and exploration that I observe every time that I walk into a classroom or through the halls. While I will dearly miss the staff, students, and community of PLC I am excited to continue to serve PSD students and families in a new role."