At the Regular Board Meeting of June 19, 2018, the Kenora Catholic District School Board accepted, with regret, the notice of retirement for Phyllis Eikre, Director of Education, effective January 31, 2019.
"It has been an amazing journey," said Eikre. "Seeing Kenora Catholic grow from a small system to the dynamic and innovative Catholic board that it is today has been one of the highlights of my life. I am proud of everything that we have accomplished, and I am certain this board will continue to grow and be successful."
Frank Bastone, Chair said, "We have been extremely blessed to have Phyllis Eikre as our Director of Education for the past ten years. It has been said that true leadership is the ability to articulate a vision and inspire others to carry it out. Phyllis has been an authentic and humble servant leader and with her at the helm, we have seen our Catholic school system grow and flourish. We wish Phyllis all the best in her retirement and extend our prayers for a new and exciting journey that lies ahead."
As the Director of Education, Eikre has led many initiatives at Kenora Catholic, including being a leader in the province in implementing a self-identification process for First Nation, Metis and Inuit students to bridge gaps and provide targeted programming, the construction of Pope John Paul II School in 2008, amalgamating Mount Carmel School and Our Lady of the Valley School, the conception of the Multi-Skills Training Center of Excellence in 2009 at St. Thomas Aquinas High School and expansion of the Grade 7/8 wing, and the addition of the Kindergarten classrooms at École Ste-Marguerite Bourgeoys in 2014.
Over the past ten years as Director of Education, Eikre has served on many provincial committees including the Minister's Advisory Council on Aboriginal, Metis and Inuit Education, Indigenous Education Advisory Committee Provincial Committee, Advisory Council on Aboriginal, Metis and Inuit Education Provincial Working Group and Well-being Working Group, the Council of Directors of Education / Council of Medical Officers of Health Provincial Committee and the Council of Directors of Education and English Catholic Council of Directors of Education, including two years on the executive.
"It has been a gift and an honour to work for Kenora Catholic for the past 33 years, said Eikre. "It's difficult to leave, and I am going to miss the students and all the staff throughout the system. I am leaving with a heart that is overflowing with gratitude for all of the blessings that I have experienced during my career. Working for Kenora Catholic has been my life's greatest work."
Phyllis Eikre began her career in education 1981 at Baibombeh Anishinabe School in Whitefish Bay First Nation. She joined Kenora Catholic in 1985 and has held numerous positions. During her 33-year vocation with Kenora Catholic, Eikre has served as Teacher, Diagnostic Resource Teacher, Curriculum Coordinator, Special Education Coordinator, Principal at Mount Carmel School and St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Superintendent of Instructional Services and Human Resource Services and Director of Education.