New Glendale High School principal makes history as first grad in that role

Melissa McKibbin is the new principal at Glendale High School. She is also a graduate of the school, and accepting the position as principal, she made history as the first principal who was a student there. (Jeff Helsdon Photo).

By Jeff Helsdon

Editor

There will be a familiar face behind the principal’s desk when students return to Glendale High School this fall.

Melissa McKibbin, who grew up in Tillsonburg and is a Glendale graduate, started as principal on July 1. Being the administrator of her alma mater is not a position McKibbin thought she would be in.

“It’s a very pleasant surprise,” she said.

It’s almng oost certain that Melissa is making history as the first graduate of the school to become its principal, although there is nothing official from the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB). Former head of guidance Brian O’Rourke, who started at Glendale shortly after it opened, said while several teachers were graduates, none of the past principals at the school attended there.

The name McKibbin is familiar to many long-time residents, with the current principal coming from a lineage of Tillsonburg teachers. Her father, Jim, was principal at South Ridge and Rolph Street, amongst other Oxford County schools. Originally from Port Burwell, he started teaching at the former Tillson Ave Public School, where he met his future wife, Sheila, when both taught there. She also taught at Rolph Street and South Ridge.

Melissa was involved in the music program in high school and was president of the house council. She also worked at the pool and water park.

Still living in Oxford County, Melissa was glad to be back at Glendale.

“It’s been lovely,” she said. “I had a number of people reach out to welcome me back and to say they’re glad I was coming to Glendale.”

Melissa started school at Rolph Street and attended Maple Lane Senior Public School before “proudly graduating” from Glendale. Then, she attended Wilfrid Laurier University before completing her Bachelor's and Master's of Education at the University of Western Ontario.

After practice teaching at Glendale, Melissa started her first job at the former Norwich District High School, and then went to Clarke Road in London. Returning to Oxford County as head of English, and then head of guidance at Huron Park Secondary School in Woodstock, she moved back to London for stints at H.B. Beale and A.B. Lucas as vice-principal. She worked for three years at Lord Dorchester before accepting the Glendale post.

“As administrator, you say what area you’re interested in, and there is a conversation with the superintendent about what area you’re interested in,” she said.

School started early for Melissa with 196 Grade 9s in the school over four days last week as part of the High School Here I Come program. This TVDSB-wide program allows students to receive their timetables, locate their classrooms, and explore the halls.

“It helps with their transition,” Melissa said.

The program also provides a social aspect.

“Since they’re all coming from different feeder schools, it’s an opportunity to meet people before classes start,” she said.

Melissa is anticipating meeting all the staff on the PA Day before classes start on Sept. 3.

“I’ve heard wonderful things about the staff here and look forward to working with them,” she said.

Her goal is to be a principal who builds relationships with the students, parents, and community.

“I will be out and about in the halls quite a bit – that’s where I get to meet people,” she said.

While academics are important in a school, Melissa recognizes that social aspects are just as critical. She wants to get students involved in athletics, clubs, music, and drama. “Being able to support that is important work,” she said.

Vice-principal Tracy Streutker will be returning to Glendale to work with Melissa.