Elaine Ranney has been named as Rockway Mennonite Collegiate’s next principal. Betty Pries, the board chair of the Kitchener, Ont., school for students from grades 7 to 12, describes Ranney as someone who brings “tremendous energy, a compassionate spirit and depth of experience to the role.” Ranney comes to Rockway with “significant experience,” most recently as superintendent at the Waterloo Region District School Board with a focus on student achievement and well-being. Prior to that she was an assistant superintendent, a system administrator for special education, a principal, vice-principal and teacher. Ranney is further described by Pries as an “excellent communicator” with “a heart for students . . . [and] a collaborative spirit.” She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Waterloo in 1986, a bachelor of education degree from the University of Ottawa in 1988, and master of education degree University of Toronto in 1997, plus other additional certifications and training. Ranney is an active member of Erb Street Mennonite Church in Waterloo, Ont. She will begin at Rockway on Dec. 1, which allows for a one-month overlap with current principal Ann L. Schultz, who is retiring after 30 years at Rockway as teacher, music-department head and principal.
—By Janet Bauman
Elaine Ranney.
