VIDEO: Retiring Korah principal surprised with drive-by parade

Staff along with current and former students from Korah Collegiate and Vocational School gave retiring principal Sergio Iacoe a proper send-off last night.

A parade assembled in the school parking lot, before setting off for the longtime educator's home. 

"We will miss his presence in the building, seeing him at every game, every concert and activity. We will miss his guidance, dedication, and the way we all knew how much he cared about everyone in the Korah Family and how proud he was to be a Colt," said a post to the school's Facebook page.

“I’m overwhelmed and so appreciative and so touched,” Iacoe said of the surprise tribute which included approximately 100 vehicles and well wishers.

The motorcade included current and former Korah students, staff, their families and neighbours.

“It was something I’ll remember and cherish for the rest of my life,” Iacoe told SooToday.

“I just felt it was the right time (to retire). The school is in a good place overall. The pandemic is turning in our favour, in a positive light after a year and a half.”

Iacoe said he became inspired to go into education as a career after serving as a tutorial assistant for University of Western Ontario science students.

“I loved it so much, helping those first year university students and interacting with them that I thought ‘I could see myself doing this for the rest of my life.’”

Reflecting on his career, Iacoe said “I’ve enjoyed serving students and their families, seeing the joy in their eyes and (in some cases) overcoming hardships and persevering. I’ve done my job the way I’ve lived my life, by ‘The Golden Rule’ and I’ve tried to instill that in others, whether it were students, families or staff. There’s no greater reward than that.”

The biggest challenge in his career, Iacoe said, has been ensuring the safety of students, teachers and staff during COVID-19 and swiftly but efficiently pivoting to remote teaching and learning.  

Born and raised in the Sault, Iacoe attended St. Theresa elementary school and Bawating Collegiate before earning his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Western Ontario and his Bachelor of Education degree from Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan. 

He later earned his Master of Education degree from Lakehead University.

Iacoe started teaching at Bawating in 1990, later teaching at Sir James Dunn, Alexander Henry High School and Korah Collegiate, became principal at Bawating, worked in an administrative capacity at the Algoma District School Board (ADSB) office and served as Sir James Dunn principal before becoming Korah’s principal in 2009.

Though Iacoe is retiring as an ADSB educator, he has accepted a position with Community Living Algoma (CLA), where he will be helping people with developmental disabilities.

“I’m really looking forward to that.”

Iacoe will be succeeded as Korah Collegiate principal by Steve Caruso.