We're delighted to welcome Alison O'Marra-Armstrong to RLC in the role of Assistant Head of School, Academics. Alison—most often referred to as Ali—joins RLC from the role of Director of Academics at Queen Margaret’s School on Vancouver Island, where she was a teacher and educational leader for thirteen years.

Prior to assuming that role, Ali started her career in teaching and learning at Rosseau Lake College in 2002 and later became Vice Principal of Curriculum and Instruction, K-12.

A proud undergraduate of Acadia University (Stand Up and Cheer!), Ali later earned her Bachelor of Education and Master of Education from the University of Calgary with a research focus on professional learning to support competency-based curricular reform. This led her to take an interest in instructional design, faculty growth, and strategic visioning.

A generative and innovative thinker, Ali seeks to find unique big ideas to support her learners to thrive in a dynamic world. With experience in outdoor education, she brings with her an understanding of the value of experiential learning, but also the pivotal role that is played by place, personalization and wonder. As an educational leader, Ali believes firmly in learning through “fearless practice and discovery” (Tomlinson, 2011).

Ali is the proud parent of four wonderful children Jake, Georgia, Ella and Sadie (and a Labrador named Gus). In her spare time, she can be found with them getting outside, cheering them on in wrestling, field hockey, rugby or enjoying summer at her family cottage on Georgian Bay.

She is thrilled to be returning, full circle, to continue her learning journey at Rosseau Lake College.