The winds of change are blowing through the Horizon School Division with the start of a new school year.
The 2024-2025 sees a significant shift for in school administration within the Division. Retirements and internal reassignments mean that some communities will see new principals and vice-principals heading up the staffs.
For some schools, the administration appointments are coming from within the school; for others, it means schools will be welcoming new instructional leaders into the communities. In a welcome back to school series, Discover Humboldt introduces some of the new administrators.
Curtis Chester has accepted the appointment of Principal at Nokomis School. Curtis obtained his Bachelor of Education from the University of Saskatchewan in 2001.
After convocation, Curtis spent the next two years teaching in Tokyo. Upon returning in 2003, he returned to his hometown of Kindersley, where he taught with SunWest School. In 2007, Curtis and his wife, Nita, moved to Macklin where he taught at Macklin School in Living Sky School Division with a plethora of teaching assignments from grades 5 – 9. In 2012/13 Curtis was honoured to receive the Outstanding Male Coach award from the SHSAA.
Curtis and Nita moved back to Nita’s family farm in the Watrous area in 2013 with their two wonderful children, Danica and Marcus. It was in 2014 that Curtis accepted his current position with Horizon School Division, teaching grade 9 Math/ELA and Agriculture at Lanigan Central High School (LCHS).
During his time at LCHS, Curtis continued supporting student learning in and outside the classroom, coaching sports and leading the SLC. In 2018, Curtis completed his Masters of Education in Educational Administration; as he thoroughly enjoyed his learning experience, he went back to the U of S for the third time and completed a Master’s in Curriculum in 2022.
When not busy around school, Curtis enjoys coaching his daughter and the 15U WVC athletes who reside in Watrous and neighbouring communities. Curtis, Nita, Danica and Marcus love spending time around the farm raising their herd of Limousine cattle, which keeps them busy year-round. When they have time, they enjoy travelling the world and sustaining Marcus’ passion for theme parks.
Curtis is excited to bring his enthusiasm and passion for learning to a new school community and family in Nokomis. Curtis looks forward to working with the Director's Leadership Team of Horizon School Division, supporting and caring for all learners.
Jason Low has accepted the appointment of Principal at Schell School. Jason obtained his Bachelor of Education from the University of Saskatchewan and then his Masters of Education from the University of Calgary.
Jason has 24 years of teaching and administrative experience having worked in Japan, Kindersley, Eston, Davidson, and now Holdfast. Over the years, Jason has taught almost every subject and grade from 4-12 and has spent countless hours working with extra-curricular clubs and teams.
Jason lives in Davidson with his wife Arlene, who is a school principal in Loreburn, and his two children, Farrah in grade 12, and Finn in grade 10. Jason spends a lot of time in arenas and gyms supporting his kids in their athletic endeavors, is on the Board of the Riverbend Co-op, acts in community drama productions and is a member of the Davidson Kinsmen. In his free time,
Jason enjoys playing sports, watching movies, attending concerts and festivals, camping, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends. Jason is very excited and proud to be part of the great team that makes up Schell School, and the Director’s Leadership Team of Horizon School Division!
We’ll have more in our series on new Horizon Schools’ administrators.
Thanks to the Horizon School Division for providing the biographies.