Rockway is pleased to announce that Mark Modolo has been hired as Vice-Principal, effective September 2017.
Mark holds an undergraduate degree from University of Waterloo and Brock University and he is currently working on a Masters of Math for Teachers at the University of Waterloo.
Mark has taught for fourteen years in the Waterloo Catholic District School Board and brings a rich diversity of experience and qualifications in a variety of subject areas and divisions including mathematics, special education and visual arts. He has taken on many leadership roles within his schools to benefit student learning including serving as Program Head for Mathematics, and chair of various school learning teams. Mark has mentored new teachers and he has opened his classroom to host and promote current educational trends with elementary and secondary teachers from around the school board. He has also been a member of the school board’s Leading Math Success and PD planning committees, and he contributed to the writing of the school board’s Assessment and Evaluation policy. At a provincial level, Mark has worked in various capacities with EQAO on the grade 9 assessment of mathematics, he has been a writer for the Ministry of Education’s Differentiated Instruction Teaching/Learning Examples project, and he has presented seminars at annual conferences for the Ontario Association of Mathematics Educators. Mark brings a track record of collaboration, innovation, and a steadfast focus on improving student learning.
Married to Rockway alumna Jenny Enns Modolo (1997) and father of three children Jack, Henry and Emilee in addition to a teenaged foster child, Mark knows numerous graduates and colleagues connected to Rockway. He has spent his adult life worshipping with his family at both Catholic Churches and Mennonite Churches, and they currently attend Rockway Mennonite Church.
Mark is passionate about faith-based teaching and is a lifelong learner himself. He takes pride in making deep connections with students to benefit their learning and to shape their wellbeing and character. Mark has coached many teams and he has run a successful night-time open gym program at St. Mary’s that welcomed up to 80 students each week. Mark has enjoyed building strong connections with a variety of students in a large-school setting and he is looking forward to developing meaningful relationships with students, faculty, and staff at Rockway.
A lifelong introvert, Mark says that he enjoys spending time with his family, playing just about any game or sport, drawing just about any vegetable, reading the news, and making lists.
When asked about what excites him about working at Rockway, he said, “The true gift of faith-based education is that, as educators, we can openly seek to lift the character and faith of members of our community, allowing us to address academic needs as only one dimension of an individual. We are liberated and ennobled to see students (and colleagues) as children of God, not simple receptacles of knowledge. It is very clear to me that Rockway is a small school that lives its big mission with conviction. I am excited to become part of that mission.”
Mark will work alongside current Assistant Principal, Dennis Wikerd, until Dennis’ retirement which will be effective January 31, 2018.
Welcome aboard, Mark!
