LAC LA BICHE - Speaking from the heart, Rod Kornelsen shared the bright future he sees for Light of Christ Catholic School as he moves into the role of Principal for the 2024-25 school year.
As an educator with over 20 years of experience, most of which was at Lethbridge School Division, Kornelsen is eager to continue building on the incredible leadership and sense of community that has already been fostered at Light of Christ.
“It’s a thrilling new challenge. I look forward to bringing a new energy and excitement into the Light of Christ School community,” he said.
Kornelsen, who is currently teaching at the school, has been living in Lac La Biche for over a month, and is falling in love with the caring school environment and the community as a whole.
“This is an incredible opportunity for me to get to continue developing these relationships.”
Whether or not to become a teacher was never a question for Kornelsen, who always knew where his career was one-day headed.
“A lot of the things I did growing up, whether it was in the boat or helping others with computers, I received a lot of affirmations that I had patience and I was a good teacher,” he said.
But it wasn’t just the support of his family and friends that resulted in him earning his Bachelor of Kinesiology and Master of Teaching from the University of Calgary, it was also his overall passion for education and inspiring students.
“I love seeing the ah-ha moments in other people,” Kornelsen expressed, adding there is something special about teaching in a Catholic school.
“It’s exciting to be able to speak my heart, knowing that we are created in God’s image and that affects so much of what we do as educators.”
Current Principal, Carmen Semeniuk, will remain in an administrative role at the school after accepting the position of vice principal alongside current Vice Principal Zach Staff.