HIGH RIVER, AB – Foothills School Division is pleased to announce that Pam Rannelli has been selected as the new Assistant Superintendent of Learning Services, effective immediately. Pam joined the school division in 2013 as Director of Inclusive Learning. In her new role, Pam will guide the work of the division’s Learning Services team and also joins Foothills ‘ executive leadership team: John Bailey, Superintendent of Schools; Allen Davidson, Assistant Superintendent of Employee Services; and Drew Chipman, Assistant Superintendent of Corporate Services.
“We are delighted to welcome Pam to Foothills’ executive leadership team,” says John Bailey. “Her expertise and skill set are a great fit. She possesses excellent communication, project management and leadership skills, and the essential ability to build collaborative partnerships.”
Pam obtained her Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Arts from St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia. She also holds a Masters of Psychology from Dalhousie University and a Graduate Diploma in Education Psychology. She has worked in four different school divisions, including Foothills School Division, and served at the provincial level in both Nova Scotia’s and Alberta’s education ministries.
“Pam’s experience at both the school system and provincial levels is a great asset. We are confident that she will help move Foothills’ vision forward in enhancing our learning services practices and improving learning for all students,” adds Bailey.
“I am extremely excited to take on this new role,” says Rannelli. “In my time with Foothills I have seen the dedication and work of all staff to ensure that all learners are successful. I believe our job is to work in partnership with parents, each other and educational stakeholders to nurture the whole child, develop their sense of wonder, a love of learning, and ensure they have the resiliency and confidence to reach their full potential in life, post-secondary, employment and their communities.”
Pam has served as a classroom and special education teacher and school administrator. As Principal/Program Supervisor for the Atlantic Provinces’ Special Education Authority, she provided instructional leadership for teachers and stakeholders at a residential facility offering short-term educational programs to children who are blind or visually impaired, deaf or hard of hearing, or deaf-blind. She also served as an educational consultant for the former REACH program, which offered services in partnership with Alberta Education. She then moved to Alberta Education as Provincial Co-Coordinator for Students with Low Incidence Disabilities and as the Senior Education Manager, Inclusive Learning Branch. During her time with Alberta Education, Pam also served on committees supporting the development of the new Education Act, and educational regulations and policies.
About Foothills School Division (FSD)
FSD serves more than 8,000 students in junior kindergarten (pre-kindergarten) through grade 12, and employs over 800 teachers and support staff. Located on Calgary’s southern border within the M.D. of Foothills, FSD serves the towns of Okotoks, High River, Turner Valley and Black Diamond, and the communities served by our Blackie, Cayley, Heritage Heights, Longview, Millarville and Red Deer Lake (south Calgary) schools. FSD operates 19 public schools, three Hutterite Colony schools and three open campus locations providing academic and behavioural support programs. As a public school division, we are here to improve learning for ALL students and offer a rich variety of quality programs and services to meet the needs and interests of our students. For more information please visit www.fsd38.ab.ca