By Andrea Arnold
Returning to Valemount as the newly appointed Principal of the Valemount Elementary School, Rebecka Riddell-McKay is excited to be home.
Almost twenty years ago, Riddell-McKay lived in Valemount and commuted to her job at a school in Jasper for eight years. When she left Valemount, she moved into the Golden and Invermere area. She’s worked in the education sector for 24 years, and over the past four years has held administrative positions.
Her first role gave her the opportunity to teach grade six and seven while serving as the vice principal.
“It was a good transition from being a classroom leader to being a school leader,” she said.
From there she made the move to working as a principal at a kindergarten to grade three school.
When Riddell-McKay started her teaching career, she had planned to focus on the highschool ages. However, after her first job placed her in a kindergarten, she decided to continue her education and include a focus on how to teach language and she has branched out, including French immersion to her list of teaching skills.
This decision has served her well as a majority of her 24 years has been spent in younger aged classroom settings, but she says that she isn’t done learning.
“I keep learning everywhere I go,” she said. “I need to learn what the kids need from me, and what I can do for them.”
Although Riddell-McKay has lived in Valemount before, she expects that getting to know the context of the community is going to be one of her challenges.
“It will take time to get to know the students, their families and the community,” she said. “I want to listen, better understand the school culture and get involved in community events.”
Riddell-McKay says that she values the complexity of her job. She sees the responsibility of providing not only the in classroom education, but opportunities for students to build social and emotional connections. She hopes to help facilitate connections that reach beyond the walls of the school and into the community.
“I have read about many intergenerational experiences and connection opportunities that are available in the community,” she said. “I hope to influence, in a positive way, more of these connections.”
On a personal note, Riddell-McKay is looking forward to having mountain bike trails at her fingertips, and she says she spends a lot of time outside, walking her dogs. In past locations, she has taken an interest in skiing, and anticipates cross-country skiing is in her future. As well, she is looking forward to expanding her dog walking route on snowshoes once the conditions are right.
As she is getting settled into the office at the Valemount Elementary School, she expects her days to be busy. However, in an effort to meet people and get to know the community, she said, “The door is always open. Make an appointment, and come have a chat.”
