Melissa Grona is the new principal at Invermay School, but she is a familiar face to just about everyone at the school.
Grona has been teaching at the school since 2009, and before that she gained experience in a number of Saskatchewan schools including: Richmound School, Balcarres Community School, Wadena Elementary School, M.C. Knoll Elementary School in Yorkton and Sturgis Elementary School.
Grona and her husband Kelly live in Invermay with their daughter Lexi, aged three.
She grew up on a farm south of Foam Lake, and like many farm kids, she loved to be outside. Her favourite outdoor activities included bike riding, playing with cats and dogs, and collecting rocks. She helped around the farm with jobs such as changing cultivator shovels, assisting with machinery repairs and cutting grass. But she also enjoyed indoor activities such as reading and doing crafts.
“I spent a lot of time with my grandparents, learning how to make Ukrainian dishes, and playing cards.”
Grona said she wanted to be a teacher ever since she was six years old. She graduated with her education degree from the University of Regina and has taken seven classes towards her certificate in Inclusive Education.
“I enjoy learning. Fall is my favourite time of the year because it means back to school. What I enjoy the most about teaching is when a student succeeds or makes the connections to ‘get it’. I love sharing my knowledge and showing students how it can connect to their world.”
In her new position as principal, Grona is looking forward to continued growth in Invermay school.
“We have continuously excelled with our reading goal each year and I am interested to see that continue. I am also looking forward to celebrating successes with our sports teams and athletes. Each day brings something new.”
One of her main goals is to see consistency flow through all aspects of the school, from breaks and recesses into the classrooms and continuing into school teams and clubs.
“We are a small school but we are committed to learning and work hard as a team, students and staff together.”
Grona is grateful to Invermay students and their parents for giving her a warm welcome as the new principal.
