Some of the Rainbow District School Board's schools will welcome new Principals when classes resume on Wednesday, September 6, 2023.
Andrea Therrien has been appointed Principal of Espanola High School. Andrea Therrien began her career with Rainbow District School Board in 2000 teaching music. She then spent 18 years teaching Grades 7 and 8 at Chelmsford Valley District Composite School. Andrea Therrien also served as a Special Education Resource Teacher and Intensive Support Program teacher. In 2018, she was promoted Vice-Principal of Jean Hanson Public School, and, most recently, Vice-Principal of Espanola High School. Principal Therrien looks forward to a wonderful year ahead with staff, students and parents/guardians in Espanola.
Coleen Eberlein is the new Principal of Jean Hanson Public School. An educator with the Board for 24 years, Coleen Eberlein has extensive experience in literacy, intensive support, special education and student success. She received a Learning Disabilities Association of Sudbury Outstanding Educator Award in 2011 and the William N. Roman Teacher of the Year Award in 2018. That same year, she was promoted Vice-Principal of Queen Elizabeth II Public School, where she remained until 2021. Most recently, she served as Principal of Levack Public School. Principal Eberlein is thrilled to share her experience as Principal of Jean Hanson Public School.
Darren Wilson is the new Principal of Levack Public School. Darren Wilson began teaching in Toronto then moved to Sudbury to further his educational career. Darren Wilson taught at Northeastern Elementary School, Cyril Varney Public School and Markstay Public School. Following this, he was promoted to Vice-Principal of Northeastern Elementary School, then transferred to Lively District Secondary School, Lasalle Secondary School, and Confederation Secondary School. He also served as Principal of Levack Public School. Principal Wilson looks forward to once again working alongside the entire Levack Public School family.
Elizabeth Mack has been appointed Principal of Churchill Public School. Elizabeth Mack has been an educator with Rainbow District School Board since 1996, and has taught a wide range of grades, including Special Education. She has also served as Vice-Principal at a number of elementary schools. Prior to her appointment as Principal of Larchwood Public School in 2017, she spent four years as the Vice-Principal of MacLeod Public School. Principal Mack is excited to work with the staff, students and families at Churchill Public School.
Jim Wachnuk will serve as Principal of the new Lasalle Elementary School. Jim Wachnuk joined the Board in 1993. He has taught all grades in the elementary panel as well as Core French. Principal Wachnuk was promoted to a senior leadership role in 2004, serving as Vice-Principal at a number of elementary schools. He was promoted Principal in 2013 at C.R. Judd Public School, then Queen Elizabeth II Public School. He has been Principal of Ernie Checkeris Public School and Carl A. Nesbitt Public School since 2017. Principal Wachnuk is thrilled to lead the new Lasalle Elementary School which welcomes its first cohort of students this fall.
Kim Boulanger has been appointed Principal of Larchwood Public School. Kim Boulanger joined the Board in 1998, teaching primary and junior grades. She was also a literacy resource teacher. Kim Boulanger served as Principal of Monetville Public School, Cyril Varney Public School and, most recently, Churchill Public School, as well as Vice-Principal of Lansdowne Public School, Algonquin Road Public School and Long Lake Public School. She also served as a Co-Chair of the Sudbury Regional Heritage Fair. Principal Boulanger looks forward to building meaningful relationships with the students, parents/guardians and staff of Larchwood Public School.
Kate Mackenzie has been appointed Principal of Markstay Public School. Kate Mackenzie has been an educator with the Board since 2007, gaining experience at Webbwood Public School, Churchill Public School, MacLeod Public School, Monetville Public School and Redwood Acres Public School. She taught math at Adamsdale Public School, and was an Elementary Mathematics Consultant. Kate Mackenzie served as Vice-Principal of Adamsdale Public School before becoming Principal of Markstay Public School in 2023. Principal Mackenzie is excited to welcome Markstay Public School students back to class this fall.
Laurie-Ann Lielkalns is the new Principal of Barrydowne College. Laurie-Ann Lielkalns has taught various subjects and grades at Lansdowne Public School and Chelmsford Valley District Composite School. She was also a Program Leader of Special Education and Student Success teacher. After six years as a Special Education Coordinator, she was promoted Vice-Principal of Lasalle Secondary School. Laurie-Ann Lielkalns has participated in many committees and leadership initiatives, led school-based collaborative inquiries in Literacy and Mathematics, and, most recently, served as Vice-Principal of Special Education Programs and Services. Principal Lielkalns looks forward to working with 18 to 21-year-olds who are re-engaging in school to achieve a diploma.
Leslie Mantle has been appointed as Senior Administrator of School Support Services. Leslie Mantle has been the proud Principal of Lively District Secondary School since 2010. Previously, she served three years as Principal of Chelmsford Valley District Composite School and four years as Principal of Sudbury Secondary School. Prior to becoming an administrator, Leslie Mantle taught all grade levels in English and French Immersion. Senior Administrator Leslie Mantle looks forward to supporting school leaders.
Melanie Bertrand becomes Principal of Student Success. Melanie Bertrand graduated from Nipissing University in 2003, and joined the Board in 2004 as a teacher at Sudbury Secondary School. After two years, she transferred to Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School, where she remained until being promoted to Vice-Principal in 2017. She has also been the Lead for the Board's international student program since its inception in 2015. Melanie Bertrand was promoted to Principal of Restart, O'Connor Park and Cecil Facer Secondary School in 2021, and Principal of Espanola High School in 2022. Principal Bertrand looks forward to working with schools in her new role as a system-wide administrator.
Nadia Berardelli is the new Principal of R.H. Murray Public School. Nadia Berardelli served as Principal of Jean Hanson Public School in 2022. Prior to this, she served five years as Principal of Markstay Public School. Nadia Berardelli was promoted to a senior leadership role as Vice-Principal at Queen Elizabeth II Public School, then Northeastern Elementary School. She also taught a variety of subjects from Kindergarten to Grade 8. Principal Berardelli has a passion for special education and continuing education, and obtained qualifications for administrators in special education. Principal Berardelli looks forward to working alongside the entire R.H. Murray Public School community.
Ryan Lafraniere is the new Principal of Lockerby Composite School. Ryan Lafraniere began his career teaching Mathematics at Barrydowne College and Confederation Secondary School. He also taught Science and served as Student Success teacher at Lockerby Composite School. At Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School, he taught Science in the International Baccalaureate program, served as Program Leader for Science and Technology, and led the Specialist High Skills Major in Environmental Studies. Ryan Lafraniere has been Vice-Principal at Lockerby Composite School since 2018. Principal Lafraniere looks forward to continuing to work with the Lockerby Composite School community in his new leadership role.
Shannon Lafrance has been appointed Principal of Monetville Public School.
Shannon Lafrance began her career with Rainbow District School Board at Wembley Public School and the Ruth MacMillan Centre. She taught Special Education and Kindergarten at Redwood Acres Public School for 14 years. Shannon Lafrance was promoted to an administrative role as Vice-Principal of Redwood Acres Public School, then Churchill Public School. She has served as Vice-Principal of MacLeod Public School for the past six years. Principal Lafrance looks forward to working with the staff, students and families of Monetville Public School.
Susan Kett is the new Principal of Lively District Secondary School. Susan Kett joined Rainbow District School Board in 1999 as a music teacher and International Baccalaureate Coordinator at her former high school, Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School. Her senior leadership experience began as Vice-Principal of Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School, then Lockerby Composite School, Walden Public School and Espanola High School. In 2018, Susan Kett was promoted to Principal of Barrydowne College. Susan Kett has served on many Board committees including the Environmental Education Committee and is an EcoSchools Canada representative for the Board. Susan Kett looks forward to rejoining the Walden school community as Principal of Lively District Secondary School.
