The Kenora Catholic District School Board extends its warmest congratulations to Michelle Sawa, Principal of St. John School in Red Lake who was awarded by the Catholic Principals' Council of Ontario (CPCO) as Catholic Principal of the Year for 2016. Michelle is one of five Catholic Principals from across the province recently honoured for their exemplary servant leadership in Catholic Education.
Michelle has been a parishioner of St. John the Apostle Church in Red Lake for over 20 years. She belongs to the Catholic Women's League and is a Lector and Eucharist Minister.
In 2011, she became the Principal at St. John School in Red Lake and also began her work on Franklin Covey's "The Leader in Me" with an official start in July 2012. That same year, she became a Facilitator for Franklin Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
In June 2013, Michelle received the Director's Award for Excellence in Catholic Leadership. In 2014, Michelle was invited to the Sutton-Gates Teacher Development Summit hosted by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Michelle was 1 of 5 educators invited from Canada. Under Michelle's leadership, St. John School achieved Franklin Covey Leader in Me Lighthouse recognition in 2015 for the attainment of a well-rounded leadership model. At the time there were only 8 other schools in Canada to achieve this level of recognition.
Quotes:
"On behalf of the Kenora Catholic District School Board Catholic Principals, it was a pleasure for me to nominate Michelle for our CPCO Principal of the Year award. She has been a mentor to me over the years, especially in our Leader in Me journey. I have had the opportunity to visit Michelle at St. John School in Red Lake on many occasions. The transformation of her school under her leadership inspired me to bring the "The Leader in Me" process to École Ste-Marguerite Bourgeoys. I turn to her on a regular basis when I have questions and I am so thankful for the opportunity to work with her at the Board. She is fun, driven, and a strong instructional leader. Congratulations Michelle from all the Principals and Vice Principals from the KCDSB."
- Nicole Kurtz, Principal École Ste-Marguerite Bourgeoys
"I am humbled and honoured to be recognized by the Catholic Principals' Council of Ontario for this award. I am fortunate to be surrounded by dedicated staff, who continue to demonstrate their servant leadership to the students at St. John School. I would like to thank my Principal/Vice Principal colleagues who live their vocations in the work they do every day. I am grateful to the Kenora Catholic District School Board for allowing me to grow as a Catholic educational leader through their ongoing support, forward thinking and untiring dedication to excellence in Catholic education. Receiving this award would not have been possible without the unwavering support of my family and I am blessed to share this journey with them." - Michelle Sawa, Principal St. John School
Quick Facts:
-
The Catholic Principal of the Year Award was instituted by the Catholic Principals' Council Ontario in 2000.
-
The Catholic Principal of the Year Award is awarded to a member or associate member of the CPCO for outstanding school and community leadership.
-
The selection process is determined by the local principal and vice-principal association.
-
There are 5 Principal of the Year winners each year represented from 5 regions throughout the province.
-
Carlos Silva was the last principal from the board to receive the Catholic Principals' Council of Ontario Principal of the Year Award in 2010.
-
Michelle Sawa has accepted the Principal position at St. Thomas Aquinas High School and will begin her new role August 2016.
For More Information Please Contact
Trina Henley
Executive Assistant to the Director & Communications Officer
p: 807-468-9851
e: [email protected]