The District Education
Council has named Catherine Blaney acting superintendent for Anglophone West
School District.
Blaney was the successful applicant of a province-wide competition process. She has been the interim
superintendent since mid-July in place of David
McTimoney who took a leave from the position.
“The council is pleased to award the position of
acting superintendent, effective immediately, to Catherine Blaney,” said chair
Kimberley Douglass. “We’re very happy to
have such a qualified administrator able to step into this position.”
Blaney will be the acting superintendent until
August 24, 2018, with the possibility of extension up to August 23, 2019.
“It is a pleasure to be asked to serve as acting
superintendent for Anglophone West School District,” said Blaney. “I welcome
this new opportunity to serve the district and look forward to working with the
district education council, school administrators, teachers, parents and
community members as we work together in the best interest of students and learning.”
Blaney
began her teaching career in 1990 in the isolated community of Moosonee,
Ontario. For more than six years, she taught elementary grade levels
while in this location. Upon return to New Brunswick, Blaney held a
variety of teaching positions in the Oromocto area, including resource teacher,
guidance teacher and literacy mentor. In January 2009, Blaney became
principal of Gagetown School, where she remained for two-and-a-half
years. Blaney was the Learning Specialist for Students Services for the
former School District 17, in 2011-12. She became Director of Education Support
Services (ESS) for the newly amalgamated Anglophone West School District in
July 2012.
Blaney
graduated with a BA and BEd from St. Thomas University and a MEd from
UNB. She is a certified Level 1 Violent Threat Risk Assessment trainer
and has formal training in conflict resolution and mediation. Blaney holds a
New Brunswick Principal’s Certificate.
In
her term as Director of ESS, Blaney provided leadership in crisis response,
mental health and culture change in ASD-W.