Several new people have joined the staff at Prairie River Junior High School. Left-right are Justin Ernesto, Neil Pereira, vice-principal Nicole Russett, Lindsay Strebchuk, and principal Jocelyn Heyde.

Richard Froese
South Peace News

Jocelyn Heyde has moved up to principal of Prairie River Junior High School in High Prairie as one of many changes on staff.

“We, as a staff, look forward to take a great school to even higher heights,” says Heyde, who served as vice-principal since 2005.
“Our staff is enthusiastic for the curriculum and to get involved in extra-curricular activities and I’m very proud of their teamwork.”

Heyde began her teaching career with Northland School Division in 1985 in Cadotte Lake. She was then transferred to Little Buffalo where she was principal for three years.

Heyde previously taught in Atikameg and Gift Lake School.

She has been a driving force behind the National Archery in the Schools Program for HPSD and a strong supporter of the school’s curling, archery, and golf teams.

Nicole Russett became the new vice-principal, coming from Falher Ecole Routhier School where she has taught since 2003.

“I’m honoured and excited to be with her as vice-principal,” Russett says.
“I want to support academic, arts, and athletics that are already a strong part of the school community.”

Russett graduated from Donnelly Georges P. Vanier School and has a Bachelor of Elementary Education from the University of Alberta and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from the University of New England.

Four other teachers are new to the school.

Justin Arnesto comes as the Music teacher for Prairie River, High Prairie Elementary School and E.W. Pratt High School.

“I want to bring my love of music to the students and encourage music literacy,” says Ernesto, who also teaches Math.

He started his teaching career last year in Fort McMurray.

Karissa Jackman teaches Language Arts and Physical Education.

For the past five years, she taught at Gift Lake School, mainly Language Arts.

“It was my ultimate goal to work in town,” says Jackman, who is originally from Newfoundland.

She is coaching girl’s volleyball.

Jackman and her husband Leon have a son, Benjamin, in kindergarten and a daughter Lily, 15 months old.

Neil Pereira is the new teacher for Science and Physical Education. He comes from Nova Scotia where he graduated from the University of St. Francis Xavier with a Bachelor of Education in Secondary Sciences and Social Studies.

“I’m excited to work with a great staff, they are very supportive and great mentors,” Pereira says.
“I also enjoy the great enthusiastic body of students.”

He will coach girl’s volleyball and swimming.

Pereira’s wife Kadi and daughter, Arianna, 18 months, plan to move to High Prairie in the coming months.

Lindsay Strebchuk teaches Social Studies and serves as a learning support teacher.

For the past seven years, she taught at Joussard School.

“I am excited about coming to Prairie River,” says Strebchuk, who graduated in 2004 from St. Andrew’s Catholic School in High Prairie.

She plans to become active in the school culture and lead the Operation Christmas Child campaign in November.

Strebchuk and her husband, Aaron, have three sons, Jack, 4, Thomas, 2, and Bennett, 10 months.

Karissa Jackman