CANAAN — A longtime Mascoma Valley Regional School District employee has been named the interim principal of Canaan Elementary School.

April Guinness, who is currently the associate principal and athletic director at Indian River School, will start her new role on July 1, according to a news release from the school district. She replaces Leah Wheelan, who will become principal of Hanover Street School, an elementary school in Lebanon, according to Dianne Estes, director of school and community relations for the Lebanon School District.

Guinness started her career at Mascoma 20 years ago as a math teacher at Mascoma Valley Regional High School and served as mathematics curriculum coordinator from 2016 to 2021, before moving to the middle school.

“April is an experienced educator and leader,” Mascoma Superintendent Amanda Isabelle said in the release. “She understands the needs of our students and the expectations of our parents and guardians, and models our core values of respect, responsibility, and community.”