Earlier this fall, Bashaw School welcomed a new principal.
Randy Wiberg, who started his teaching career in Bashaw as a substitute teacher three decades ago, accepted a position with the Battle River School Division (BRSD) earlier this fall in a situation he describes as coming “full-circle.”
After a year of substitute teaching, Wiberg taught for two-and-a-half-years in Mirror, before taking a position with Chinook’s Edge School Division in Olds, where he taught for 19 years.
“It’s kind of a coming home, full circle type story,” said Wiberg.
“I know the community very well. I know lots of people here.”
Wiberg, a second-generation teacher, is teaching not far away from where his father taught.
“I have some of the grandchildren of kids that my dad worked with when he was principal up the road in New Norway,” said Wiberg.
While Wiberg is happy with his placement within Bashaw School for the 2021-2022 school year and would not object to staying on as principal, that decision ultimately rests with BRSD.
“I wouldn’t be opposed (to staying). I certainly have no wish to go anywhere else,” said Wiberg
The BRSD policy, found on the division website, states that administrators can be periodically rotated through the different schools in the division, believing that doing so “contributes to professional and personal growth.”
In the meantime, Wiberg is keeping busy in the day-to-day operations of the school, as well as teaching.
In the classroom, Wiberg’s leadership class has been gaining a reputation around town for its work performing community service for seniors.
The work the class has done so far includes raking leaves and shoveling — what little there has been — snow.
Wiberg has also been teaching Grade 7 Language Arts, helping get the elementary school Christmas Concert, which will be live streamed with no in-person audience, organized, as well as getting the older grades’ drama presentation at the Bashaw United Church organized.
The drama presentation will allow an in-person audience, but will be following the province’s Restrictions Exemption Program, requiring antendees to provide proof of double vaccination and to wear a mask at all times while in the facility.
Looking towards the new year, Wiberg is prepping to dust off the basketball shoes and start coaching basketball at the school.
As busy as he is Wiberg wants parents and community members to know that if there are any concerns about what is happening at the school that his door is always open.
“If ever (parents) are in doubt of what we are doing, or decions we are making, I am very approachable and solution oriented,” said Wiberg.
“If they have a solution in mind, I will try to support them, with the child in mind. I’m a positive individual trying to put the child at the centre.”
Despite the seriousness with which he takes his job, Wiberg does like to have fun too.
“I take my job very seriously, but don’t take myself very seriously,” said Wiberg.
“You have to have fun while you’re (learning) or it’s a wasted day.”
As principal, Wiberg oversees 25 teaching and support staff members and a student population of about 220 kids.