Keith van der Meer appointed principal for Chinook High School

Lethbridge School Division is pleased to announce Keith van der Meer has been appointed principal for Chinook High School, commencing the 2024/2025 school year.
van der Meer believes in leading collaboratively and in the best interest of students, staff and parents. He strives to work with staff and parents to build a school environment that offers all students a unique opportunity to feel included as a valued member of a community.
van der Meer has demonstrated commitment to the development of character education and positive school culture. Prior to becoming principal at Dr. Gerald B. Probe Elementary for the 2020/2021 school year, his previous experience as a principal included a position where he oversaw programming for students in Grade 4 through Grade 12, which required a comprehensive understanding of curriculum and learning progression. His leadership experience specializing in supporting students with diverse learning needs contributed to an acute understanding of differentiated instruction and universal design for learning.
For 2024/2025, van der Meer will turn his attention to the Division’s westside high school.
"I am excited to work alongside the entire Chinook community next year,” said van der Meer. “I feel privileged that I will have the opportunity to support the growth and success of the academic and extracurricular programming and celebrate the amazing accomplishments of staff and students along the way.”
van der Meer also served as a vice-principal at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, prior to his appointment at Dr. Probe.
“It is also difficult to leave Dr. Probe,” he said. “The last four years have been incredibly rewarding. The school has a supportive culture and the staff and students are truly exceptional. I have no doubt the school will continue to do great things in the years ahead.”
Before joining Lethbridge School Division, van der Meer was principal of Rundle Academy in Calgary. Before his principal designation, he was the Head of Years at the elementary and junior high level responsible for teacher mentorship, coaching, planning and implementation of academic programs. Earlier in his career, van der Meer was a teacher at the elementary, junior and senior high school levels.
van der Meer earned a Bachelor of Science at the University of Saskatchewan followed by a Bachelor of Education at the University of Lethbridge. He completed his Master of Education in Educational Leadership with the University of Lethbridge, and his Doctor of Education with the University of Calgary, which focused on leadership.