The new superintendent for Wild Rose School Division is looking forward to the upcoming year.
Jodie Mattia is taking on the role of superintendent after the retirement of Brad Volkman last June. While this is her first time in the position, she hasn’t wandered very far from home.
Mattia grew up in Rocky Mountain House and has been involved in education for thirty years. During that time she has been a teacher and a principal in rural communities and she believes her experience working in those rural schools makes her a good fit for WRSD.
“Rural schools face different challenges,” says Mattia. “The rural context is unique.”
She says WRSD felt like a good fit for her because it offered a safe, warm, and welcoming space for students, families, and the communities it serves.
Mattia says she really wants to observe how the division runs so she can see the strengths the division has while also noting areas where things can run smoother.
The support that staff and students are getting is something Mattia wants to continue with. She believes the division has built a framework to ensure everyone is considered.
“We continue to advocate with government bodies on behalf of indigenous families for support,” says Mattia.
While Jordan’s Principle funding might not be something the board can rely on, she says she’s looking forward to collaborating with staff, communities, and other organizations to find solutions that work. She says the programs and support they have for indigenous youth are outstanding and she feels people aren’t necessarily aware of all that is offered.
“My plan this year is to engage with those communities so we can grow,” she says.
Coming into the position, Mattia says she’s excited about the new schools in the division. She had the chance to tour the schools and one area she was impressed with was the shop and mechanics area at Frank Maddock High School. Mattia says it’s not easy to get shops as equipped as FMHS is. “You don’t see that everywhere.”
Right now, Aurora Elementary School and FMHS are on the priority list for modernizations in WRSD, says Mattia. She says it’s not common for divisions to see so many new builds in such a short period of time.
“[We’ve] had such a high level of success as a school division at actualizing our capital plans,” says Mattia.
Right now, the application for a collegiate school in FMHS, which was not approved last year, is being worked on. She says they’ve gotten feedback from the Minister of Advanced Education and are working to address the things he pointed out.
Another area where the division shines, says Mattia, is in their pre-kindergarten classes. Pre-K is not a mandatory program in Alberta, but WRSD does provide it as a way to ensure students have the skills they need to succeed during their school career.
Parents who are interested in enrolling their children in the Pre-K classes can reach out to the elementary schools to find out about open spaces.
