Nanaimo school district’s new second-in-command position has been filled.
John Blain, principal of Dover Bay Secondary School, assumes the role of deputy superintendent in August. The position was approved by trustees last month in support of establishing a learning services department.
Blain will work with the district’s four assistant superintendents and the district principals of international education and aboriginal education to boost student achievement, improve co-ordination amongst senior education leadership staff and work on 21st century learning initiatives.
“It’s important we celebrate the things we are doing well … and to also move to 21st century learning and new avenues that can support students,” he said. “It’s about personalized learning, project-based learning.”
Blain graduated from San Jose State University in 1977 with a bachelor of science in physical education and moved to Vancouver to play football for the B.C. Lions.
He also completed a professional development program in education at Simon Fraser University and a masters in administration and leadership from San Diego State University.
Blain taught for eight years in North Vancouver and 10 years in West Vancouver before moving to Nanaimo in 1997 to become vice-principal of Nanaimo District Secondary School.
His other positions in the district included principal of the career technical centre and principal of Ladysmith Secondary School.
