Dave Bishop will be stepping into the role of principal at MVDHS starting September 2012. Currently, he is working as the school’s vice-principal to learn the ropes. Bishop was formerly working at Renfrew Collegiate Institute as vice-principal.
BARRY’S BAY – Madawaska Valley District High School is in a time of transition. Not only is it preparing to say farewell to current Principal Lauren Wilson, but it will also be welcoming two new administrators to the mix.
Dave Bishop recently stepped into the role of vice-principal. It is only a short-lived position, as Bishop will become principal of MVDHS come the new school year.
Jenny Smith, current principal at Sherwood Public School, will then become vice-principal at MV starting in September.
Wilson said having Bishop at the school now will make the transition a bit easier.
“I was thrilled to bits that this school wasn’t going to have to face two new administrators in the fall,” she said.
“Just to have him here while I am still here, and he can see how we do things – it’s going to make the transition way smoother, I think.”
“Just to have him here while I am still here, and he can see how we do things – it’s going to make the transition way smoother, I think.”
Bishop was born in Newfoundland and moved to Eganville when he was eight years old.
He became interested in an education career at a young age, and w
as inspired by his principal at Opeongo High School, Don Whillians, to become a teacher.
“He was a very open person who was approachable,” Bishop said. “He was very positive and talked about the future a lot. I used to visit with him very frequently. I was never in trouble; I would just wander in to talk to him. He was a good man.”
Bishop attended Trent University in the late 1970’s. But he did not attend teachers college for some time after that.
Instead, he held a variety of careers around Canada. Bishop worked for Syncrude Canada in Fort McMurray and was a stock broker for ScotiaMcLeod for five years. After that, he ran
a couple of small businesses.
“I was torn because I was very entrepreneurial, I always thought I would like to go out and start my own business…I tried a number of things, but I always had teaching in the back of my mind,” Bishop explained. “When the opportunity came up, I decided to make the leap. I haven’t regret
ted it for one second. It’s been a fantastic career.”
He attended teacher’s college in Buffalo, New York, and was qualified to teach at the age of 37.
Bishop returned to his roots and got a teaching position at Opeongo High School, where he worked as a business and computer teacher for 11 years.
Afterwards, he was appointed as vice-principal in the curriculum department in the Renfrew County District High School board office.
Bishop was then appointed to Renfrew Collegiate Institute as vice-principal and has been there until May 2012.
MVDHS will be his first principal role. He came to the local school during the week of May 14.