Covy Moore/Rocky View Publishing

Former Ralph McCall assistant principal Fraser Montgomery celebrates the last day of school June 27. Montgomery is taking over principal duties at Beiseker School next year.

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Longtime teacher moves into principal role

A longtime member of the Rocky View School (RVS) division has been announced as the acting principal of Beiseker Community School (BCS), and will be stepping into the role this September.

Fraser Montgomery, who has worked with RVS since 1986, is currently the assistant principal at Ralph McCall in Airdrie. Montgomery has spent time in numerous schools in Rocky View, as he taught grades 3 and 4 in Beiseker in the past, spent time at R.J. Hawkey Elementary in Airdrie and taught at W.G. Murdoch in Crossfield for 11 years.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity of course,” Montgomery said. “It’s an opportunity that I’ve waited for a long time. I have worked with all grade levels in the past, so I appreciate the K-12 school and I’m looking forward to working in a small community.”

Montgomery, who has lived in the Beiseker area for 18 years, said he likes the small town atmosphere and is looking forward to making his start at the school.

“I’m greatly looking forward to meeting the people and embracing the community and continuing to move the school forward,” he said.

RVS Superintendent of Schools Greg Bass said he was pleased to announce Montgomery as the new principal of BCS.

“Fraser’s philosophy that the creation and cultivation of meaningful relationships among all stakeholders as one of the most critical elements of leadership will serve him well when he moves into this new role,” Bass said.

“He has a reputation for being an administrator who builds the conditions for respect, trust and collaboration to permeate through the school community.

“Having worked in Beiseker previously, I know the school will welcome him with open arms.”

Montgomery holds a masters in education, specializing in educational leadership from the University of Calgary, a bachelor of education with distinction from the University of Lethbridge and a bachelor of arts also from the U of C.

In 2007 he completed RVS’ Administrative Leadership Program and has led numerous school-based initiatives relating to learner engagement, environmental studies, change improvement, inclusion and professional learning communities.

A finalist of Alberta Education’s Excellence in Teaching Award in 1993, Montgomery has been nominated twice for a PanCanadian Students’ Choice Award.

“I’m super excited,” Montgomery said. “My role is to help kids be successful, and kids are my passion. Their interests are No. 1.”