New principals hired for 2 schools in Mitchell and Niverville

Students at Mitchell Elementary School will see a familiar face in the role of Principal this fall. 

The Hanover School Board has announced the hiring of Vice-Principal Jennifer Thomson to be the new Principal starting in September. 

“Jennifer has been the vice-principal at Mitchell Elementary School since September 2023. With 19 years of service at MES, she brings administrative and teaching experience and established community relationships to her new position. 

“During her tenure at MES, Jennifer has served in various capacities: as learning support/guidance in 2022-2023 and 2020-2021 and as interim vice-principal and learning support in 2021-2022. She was a classroom teacher at MES for 15 years, teaching kindergarten from 2012 to 2020 and grades 1-3 from 2005 to 2011. Jennifer also served as an interim teacher at South Oaks School in 2012.” 

She replaces Joe Thiessen who has accepted the position of Superintendent for Hanover School Division. 

Meanwhile, the new Principal for Niverville High School comes from École St. Adolphe in the Seine River School Division. 

Paul Grosskopf is currently the Vice Principal of the K-8 school. 

“Paul brings administrative and teaching experience to his new position at Niverville High School. He is currently the vice-principal and instructional coach at École St. Adolphe in the Seine River School Division, having served in this capacity since August 2022. Paul was also interim principal at École St. Adolphe from September 2023 to January 2024 and served as acting principal at Arborgate School from 2017 to 2022. Paul’s teaching experience includes seven years at Arborgate, where he was a learning support teacher and taught grades 3/4 from 2021-2022 and grades 7/8 and Physical Education from 2015-2022. 

“Paul earned his Bachelor of Education from the University of Manitoba in 2015 and is currently enrolled in the university’s Post-Baccalaureate Program in Educational Administration.” 

Grosskopf and Thomson will be in their new positions to start the school year in September.