Officials with Holy Redeemer High have released a statement introducing students and parents to some of the new staff who will be teaching this year.
In the statement, officials say they are proud to welcome Trista Armstrong as the first new assistant principal in three years.
Armstrong, who graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor of Education and Masters in Educational Leadership, has spent the last 10 years teaching middle school grades in Whitecourt. Armstrong describes herself as an avid reader and huge fan of the Edmonton Oilers, who is extremely excited to get to know the students and school community.
Armstrong says the friendly environment and strong Drama and Athletics Departments were part of what drew her to this position.
“The school has been so welcoming. I can tell that the teachers make sure the students are the centre of learning,” she says. “I was really attracted to the people and programs at HRH. I saw this as a great opportunity to learn and grow as an educator and a leader.”
On top of her AP duties, Armstrong will also be teaching an IT course at HRH, serving as the Inclusive Education Lead and acting as the Assistant Principal at Vanier as well.
HRH officials have also announced that Janeen Critchley will be joining the teaching staff after serving as a longtime elementary school teacher at Vanier.
Critchley says she enjoyed her time at Vanier, but this position had been a goal of hers for some time.
“Teaching upper middle school is the reason why I became a teacher,” says Critchley. “So when this opportunity came up I went for it.”
She will also be the Head Coach of the Senior Girls Volleyball team, a sport she has been involved with since she was a student.
“Coaching volleyball brought me into the world of teaching as I started coaching when I was still in high school.”
Critchley is a graduate of the University of Alberta and has experience in almost every grade in elementary school. HRH staff say this year, she will be teaching ELA 8, Social Studies 8, Health 7, Junior Art, and Math 10-3.
HRH officials have also announced Hayes Lake native Sean Murray, will be coaching basketball and taking over as the school’s Athletic Director.
Murray will be teaching Physical Education 9 and 10, Math 8 and an options class relating to sports and fitness.
A recent graduate of the U of A in 2023, Murray says he is ready to jump into his first full-time teaching position.
“I’m really excited to meet the students,” says Murray. “It’s an exciting change moving to Edson as I’m looking forward to integrating myself into the community to get to know everyone. I’ve coached junior high basketball for nine years, so I’m really excited to take on that responsibility at HRH.”
Madison Paulson has also joined the HRH team in the Humanities Department. HRH officials say she will be teaching English Language Arts 9, 10-2, 20-1, and 30-2.
Paulson says she is looking forward to starting the school year.
“I’m excited to meet the students,” she says. “I grew up in Edson, but I didn’t attend HRH. So it’s really exciting to experience a new school, and to teach ELA.”
Another 2023 graduate of the U of A, Paulson taught for a short time at a neighbouring school in Edson before taking on the ELA position at HRH.
Officials say Carrie Austman and Barb Samson will also be joining the HRH team as Educational Assistants.
HRH staff say having six new staff members join there is an important part of their goal to have a group of dedicated and committed teachers and support staff who look forward to educating all students.
