Two West Kelowna school principals are among 40 top educators from across Canada named as outstanding principals for 2014 by a national charity that supports, promotes and works to advance publicly funded education in this country.
John McMahon of Ecole George Pringle Elementary and Jamie Robinson of Glenrosa Middle School join 40 other principals from across Canada, including four others from B.C., selected by The Learning Partnership.
“Behind every great school is a great principal who is not only an outstanding educator but an excellent manager and leader,” said Akela Peoples, president and CEO of The Learning Partnership.
“These principals are presidents of their schools. They communicate compelling visions, engage their communities, mentor their staff and, most importantly, create safe and nurturing learning environments for students. We are delighted to be recognizing these individuals as examples of excellence in public education.”
In the Canada’s Outstanding Principals program, principals are nominated by their peers, school staff and community members in every province and territory. Nominations are reviewed and final winners selected on a representation-by-population basis by a national selection committee made up of a distinguished group of Canadian education, community and private sector leaders. Candidates for 2014 were chosen using the following criteria: characteristics of outstanding principals, evidence of partnerships with parents and community, a personal story illustrating successful change and innovation that resulted in improved student achievement and letters of support.
Joining McMahon and Robinson from B.C. are two principals from elementary schools in Maple Ridge and Victoria, a secondary school principal from Coquitlam and the principal of a joint elementary and secondary school in Kaslo.
Between Feb. 23 and 27, 40 principle, representing every province and territory in Canada, will participthe in an executive leadership training program at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. The program will introduce them to leadership and management practices and theories presented by current business leaders and instructors at one of Canada’s leading business schools.
They will also receive awards at a gala dinner Feb. 25 in Toronto.
This year’s recipients join an assembly of 260 former winners who make up The Learning Partnership’s national Academy of Canada’s Outstanding Principals.
The academy is an active cadre of leadership talent that provides networking, mentoring and professional development opportunities to strengthen educational improvement efforts across Canada.
“Strong leadership is what makes Canada’s public education system one of the finest in the world,” said Peoples. “The Learning Partnership believes that principals who understand the importance of strong leadership in education should be recognized and their skills enhanced.”
