A former assistant superintendent is returning to Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools to take on the top administrator position.
In a press release, the school district announced that Robyn Gray, current Cowichan Valley school district superintendent, will return to Nanaimo-Ladysmith district and replace departed superintendent Scott Saywell beginning Nov. 18.
Gray left SD68 and took on the superintendent position at Cowichan Valley in 2019 after 25 years in Nanaimo-Ladysmith, where she held roles as vice-principal, principal, district principal of Aboriginal education and director of instruction, in addition to assistant superintendent.
She has earned a reputation for "creating structures to assist vulnerable learners, including initiatives that directly supported childcare, literacy and numeracy," noted the press release, and advocated for action on truth and reconciliation " both through lived experience and through building strong relationships with local Indigenous communities" while in the Cowichan Valley.
Greg Keller, SD68 board chairperson, stated he was excited to welcome back Gray, as her knowledge of the community and her experience as a superintendent will benefit the district.
"We look forward to Robyn's leadership in creating an inclusive and equitable learning community … Together we will work towards increasing the number of students who feel welcome, safe and have a sense of belonging in their school and the number of staff who feel valued and engaged in the district," Keller stated in the press release.
For her part, Gray said she was happy to return to Nanaimo-Ladysmith.
"I believe my previous experience in the district allows me to support the great work and initiatives already underway, while my experience as superintendent in Cowichan allows me to embrace fresh perspectives and ways of knowing that will support the district’s goals," she said in the press release.
Gray holds a master of educational leadership from the University of Victoria; a bachelor of education, focusing on Indigenous and inclusive education from Nipissing University in North Bay, Ont. and a bachelor of arts in history from Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ont.
karl.yu@nanaimobulletin.com
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