Veteran Debbie Thompson is finally a principal and École Olds Elementary School is a happy place
Nineteen years and 19 first days of school.
And it is never the same. Each one is special. But for veteran educator Debbie Thompson this school year is extra special.
She is the new principal at École Olds Elementary School, the first time in her career she has served at that enviable position.
“It is very exciting and a wonderful feeling to be a part of the first day of school for our students and families,” said Thompson, who has a constant radiant, warm and welcoming smile for everyone. “I don't think I am nervous. I have the privilege of knowing the community and being part of the staff for five years. That helps. Things are familiar, which helps create more of that sense of familiarity.”
It has been a long but rewarding journey for Thompson to become the new principal of the Olds elementary school, which has a staff of 60 and offers classes from pre-kindergarten to Gr. 4 for more than 510 students.
She began her education career in Kitscoty, Alberta in 1992 and for the next six years she was a teacher in the town's high school. Thompson then came to the Chinook's Edge School Division and was a teacher at Bowden Grandview School. A few years later she went to work for the school division in Innisfail for three years as a curriculum coordinator. In 2005 she came to École Olds Elementary School. Thompson started as a Gr. 3 teacher. Three years ago she became the school's vice-principal.
And now this year Thompson leads the school. She also joins her husband Jeff in the principal ranks. He is the principal of Didsbury's Westglen School. What is even more amazing for Thompson at the family level is that her three children go to each of Olds' trio of Chinook's Edge School Division schools. Six-year-old Paige is a Grade 1 student at Thompson's school. Jazzlyn is a Grade 5 student at Deer Meadow School while 15-year-old Chase attends Olds High School.
“All the schools are just amazing,” said Thompson. “They provide experiences that allow our children to grow academically and become well-rounded citizens. As a parent I feel honoured to be able to share the school experience with my children.”
But there is nothing like the time-honoured experience of the first day of school. For Thompson, even though she is a veteran of such memorable milestones, there is still nothing quite like it.
“What always holds constant is that sense of excitement and anticipation. The school is just a building and it's when a student walks in on the first day that it brings life, that it comes alive,” said Thompson. “We have teachers who have been here over 20 years and the first day always brings with it something different.
“There's nothing better than watching children come into the school with that look of wonder, and for some a little bit of anxiety,” she added. “For us it is about children feeling happy, safe and secure. That for us, along with the learning, is the most important thing we do every day.”
