Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
Peace River School Division (PRSD) officially appointed Jeff Thompson as its new superintendent of schools on Dec. 9.
Thompson was appointed as acting Superintendent of Schools on Nov. 1, following the departure of former PRSD Superintendent Adam Murray Sept. 6.
“I have been with PRSD for eight years,” explains Thompson, who says he initially was committing to one year working for the school division.
“It is a great place to be and to work. When the opportunity for superintendency came up the board asked me if I would consider the position.”
Thompson says he dedicated his work life to education, first in Newfoundland and then in Alberta, occupying various roles with six different school jurisdictions over nearly 40 years. He joined PRSD in 2017 as the Director of Teaching and Learning for one year, then held the Assistant Superintendent position for four years, and then was the Deputy Superintendent for 2 1/2 years before accepting his new role.
“I have never gotten up one day yet in my career where I dread going to work,” says Thompson, noting he is excited for the five-year plan the Division has for its learners.
“I want to see everyone succeed to their potential. Classrooms are filled with wide ranges of needs, and we recognize there might have to be a differentiated approach to teach all students, to meet them where they are and help propel them to where they need to be,” he adds.
Thompson is looking forward to the opportunity to help lead and implement the board’s vision and direction for the future of PRSD.
“I very much look forward to supporting the board of trustees with their important governance work that provides overall direction and clarity to the operations aspect of the organization,” he says.
“The Division’s new Five-year Education Plan provides excellent direction and focus for the priority work to be done. Capitalizing on the strategic alignment of governance and operations structures and processes to maximize efficiencies and effectiveness across the organization to ensure success with our Education Plan will be difficult but exciting work, work that will be much easier because of the support from all members of the excellent team that is PRSD.”
Thompson has achieved a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education, a Master of Education with focus in Curriculum and Instruction, and a PhD in Educational Leadership.