INNISFAIL - He's back on familiar soil.
Kelly Jacobson, the 42-year-old former vice-principal at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Catholic School, has returned, but has now taken over the top job.
It is his first time as principal.
"It does feel like coming home," said Jacobson. "I really, really enjoy this school. It's probably one of my favourite schools in the Red Deer Catholic Regional School Division to be a part of.
“I love the community and I love the students," he added.
Jacobson continued as vice-principal for the past two years at different schools in Red Deer before applying to be principal in Innisfail.
He worked with former principal Shane Chisholm for two years and hopes to continue the good work he did.
"For the first year my main goal is to continue what Shane started at this school," said Jacobson. "He has built so many great community relations within Innisfail. He's built great relationships with the Chinook's Edge School Division. He's built an amazing relationship with Our Lady of Peace Parish.
"I want to continue that legacy of community relations and excellence in Catholic education," he added.
As principal, one important aspect to his job is gathering feedback from staff, parents, students and community members, said Jacobson.
"We want feedback because we want to see how and gauge how we're doing," he said. "What Shane did at the school was amazing, but there's always room to improve. So we ask for feedback from our stakeholders so that we can improve and we want to improve every year," he added.
Jacobson said being principal is a new challenge he enjoys, but he also cherishes the relationships he can build with students and their families.
"That's the best part of my job," Jacobson concluded.
