There will be a new person occupying the Principal's office at Shevchenko School in Vita. Penelope Hovorka-Alcock will take over the job starting in September.

Hovorka-Alcock began her teaching career as a classroom teacher in Woodridge, Manitoba in 1988. She valued continuing education attaining her Special Education Certification in 2004 and Post 


Baccalaureate Diploma in Education Specializing in EAL and Counseling in 2008. She then completed her Level 2 Principal Certification in 2020.

In 2009, Hovorka-Alcock began her employment with Border Land School Division (BLSD) as a teacher in the classroom. Since then, she has taught in Ross L Gray School in Sprague and has served in the capacity of K-4 Resource teacher and as Vice Principal for Shevchenko School for the past six years.

As well, she has engaged in numerous professional learning opportunities including Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, Teaching EAL Vocabulary and Instruction, Strengthening Instruction for Gifted Students, Bullies and Those Bullies, ESL Mainstreaming in the Classroom And Using Data to Organize School-Based Planning. 

"She continually works to improve her skills and demonstrates that she is a life-long learner," said BLSD Superintendent/CEO Krista Curry.

In addition, she brings to the position her strong work ethic and dedication to building strong relationships with the school community. 

"She believes in modelling and building strong ties with both students and staff through positive communication. She is intentional in supporting students in meeting their goals academically, socially, and emotionally with the strong belief in the success of all students."

"We welcome Penelope to her new role within the Border Land School Division and we look forward to working with her as the Principal for Shevchenko School," added Curry.