Blind River principal among best in province and country

NEWS RELEASES

HURON-SUPERIOR CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD

THE LEARNING PARTNERSHIP

************************* HSCDSB principal earns national honour

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON - The Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board (HSCDSB) is thrilled to boast one of Canada’s top principals.

Agnes Cudmore, principal at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Blind River, has been named one of the top 31 principals in the country by The Learning Partnership, a national not-for-profit organization.

“This is a deserving reward for a dedicated professional and strong advocate of Catholic education. Agnes goes above and beyond when it comes to her role at St. Mary’s and wherever we have asked her to lead in our board,” said HSCDSB Director of Education John Stadnyk.

Cudmore was one of only four Catholic school principals in Ontario to be included in the select group Canada’s Outstanding Principals 2010.

“I am humbled and a little overwhelmed,” said Cudmore.

“It’s great to be recognized and I thank the board for their efforts in recommending me for this honour.”

Cudmore is in the midst of her second stint as principal at St. Mary’s Catholic School where she began her teaching career in 1979.

She was principal at Our Lady of Fatima and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Schools in Elliot Lake prior to and since the amalgamation in 1998 that resulted in the formation of the HSCDSB. She also was principal at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Espanola with the former North Shore Catholic School Board.

Cudmore’s exceptional leadership qualities are evident in the positive and caring atmosphere she builds within each school where she has held the title of principal.

Over the years, she has shown a unique ability to adapt to the dramatic changes brought on by social and technological change since her career in education began.

“Agnes is always open to learning and has particularly embraced modern technology, and the positives it can bring to the teaching environment. In nominating Agnes for this honour it was very easy to find examples of the dedication and enthusiasm she brings to the Principal position,” said Superintendent of Education Maria Esposito.

The HSCDSB is proud to have Agnes as a member of our Catholic learning community and honoured to be able to share in celebrating this special recognition.

************************* Canada’s outstanding principals for 2010 announced 32 outstanding principals to be honoured in February

TORONTO (January 19, 2010) - Great principals build great schools.

They communicate a compelling vision, they engage their communities, they nurture their staff and they create an environment that increases student success.

Thirty-two exceptional leaders in education from across the country have been chosen as Canada’s Outstanding Principals™ for 2010.

The Canada’s Outstanding Principals (COP) program is in its sixth year and this year’s winners will join the assembly of 155 previous recipients of this prestigious honour.

The award is an initiative of The Learning Partnership, a national not-for-profit organization that has championed public education in Canada since 1993.

The award is presented to principals who have made a measurable difference in the lives of their students and their own local communities. They help ensure that Canada’s young people continue to receive a quality world-class education.

“Strong leadership is what makes Canada’s education system one of the finest in the world,” says Veronica Lacey, president & CEO of The Learning Partnership. “Our principals set the tone for a school and their communities and children across the country are benefiting from the work of these remarkable men and women.”

Canada’s Outstanding Principals program utilizes the expertise of University of Toronto’s Joseph L. Rotman School of Management to provide executive leadership training and resources.

This year’s principals will join their colleagues from the National Academy of Canada’s Outstanding Principals.

Through the experience of connecting with other outstanding leaders the principals will form the foundation for a national network of knowledge that can be applied to their school, local community and province.

Reflecting the desire to recognize the unique challenges that educational leaders face in on-reserve schools, Linda Gadwa, principal of Kehewin Community Education Centre, Kehewin, Alberta will receive a special award from The Learning Partnership for her exceptional leadership.

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