Bluewater District School Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Melissa McEwen to the position of Superintendent of Education effective September 1, 2022.

The appointment is a result of succession planning due to the upcoming retirement of Superintendent of Education Sheryl Elliott.

Having grown up attending Owen Sound schools, Melissa began her teaching career in 1996 at Grey Highlands Secondary School, and later worked at the former Owen Sound Collegiate and Vocational Institute.  Her wealth of expertise includes English and special education with additional qualifications in the areas of guidance, cooperative education, reading, and educational law.  She has also served as a vice-principal at the former Chesley District High School and John Diefenbaker Secondary (now Senior) School, and a principal at Saugeen District Secondary (now Senior) School.  Most recently, she has held the system position of Learning Services Administrator with responsibilities for special education, mental health, and various other leadership portfolios.

“I very much look forward to working collaboratively with our Bluewater staff, students, families, trustees, and community partners in the superintendent role, and am grateful for the opportunity,” says McEwen.  “Our priorities of providing a safe supportive learning community and quality instruction are items I have always felt deeply passionate about, and for which I am committed to working hard to build upon with my colleagues.”

“It is with great pleasure that I welcome Melissa to our senior team as Superintendent of Education.  Melissa has spent many years supporting successful outcomes for our students and families, and we are very fortunate to be able to benefit from her dynamic experience as one of our system leaders,” says Director of Education Lori Wilder.  “I would also like to personally thank Superintendent Elliott for all her dedicated years of service in Bluewater, and more recently, for her steadfast leadership throughout the pandemic.  We extend our best wishes to her for a wonderful and well-deserved retirement.”

Melissa will be responsible for providing leadership and support to an area of schools within the board, as well as managing a portfolio of system duties.

source: media release