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New Superintendent chosen for FMPSD

Last Updated Dec 18, 2019 at 7:46 pm MDT

PHOTO. Jennifer Turner has been named the new Superintendent for the Fort McMurray Public School Division, effective March 1, 2020. Supplied by Fort McMurray Public School Division.

Fort McMurray Public School Division (FMPSD) will have a new superintendent.

The FMPSD appointed Jennifer Turner to the role, effective March 1, 2020.

Turner is the current Assistant Superintendent for Rocky Mountain School District in B.C.

She succeeds current Superintendent Doug Nicholls, who announced his retirement earlier in 2019 after six years leading the FMPSD.

Linda Mywaart, FMPSD Board Chair, welcomed Turner to assume this leadership role in the province where her teaching career began.

“We are confident that her extensive experience, knowledge and leadership will continue to serve our students well in the years ahead.”

Extensive experience

Turner began teaching in 1996 in the Northern Lights School Division and later moved to the Foothills School Division.

Following this, she relocated to the B.C. interior to be closer to family.

For 10 years, she worked with the Boundary School District as a psychologist, Principal, and then District Principal.

Turner assumed her current role as Rocky Mountain School District Assistant Superintendent in 2013.

She said it’s wonderful to return to northern Alberta.

“Although I have been away from the north for a number of years, I am excited to return with new skills, experiences, and understanding. It is a privilege to join an exemplary school division such as Fort McMurray Public Schools and I am very much looking forward to learning and working with students, staff, and the community.”

Along with 24 years experience in the K-12 field, Turner completed her Master’s in Science and the B.C. Education Leadership Council Qualification.

She is in the second year of the University of Calgary’s Doctoral Program in Education Research specializing in K-12 Education Leadership.

Turner also was a Practicum and Internship Supervisor for the University of Calgary’s Applied School of Psychology.

Turner is married and has three grown children, two of whom live in Alberta.

FMPSD announced on Dec. 18, 2019, that they appointed Chief Deputy Superintendent Phil Meagher to the role of Acting Superintendent.

“The Board is confident that Phil’s close working relationship with Superintendent Nicholls over the years, and his current position as Deputy Superintendent, positions him strongly to lead FMPSD through the interim period,” said Linda Mywaart.

Meagher, who also serves as RMWB Councillor, will hold the role from Feb. 1-29, 2020.