New Director of Education and Advisor

Paul White appointed as incoming Director of Education and Phyllis Eikre announced as Advisor to the Director of Education.
Posted on 12/16/2020
New Director and AdvisorPaul White and Phyllis EikreThe Board of Trustees for the Kenora Catholic District School Board is proud to announce the appointment of Paul White as the new Director of Education and Secretary-Treasurer for the Kenora Catholic District School Board effective January 1, 2021.

Paul White offers over 28 years of experience in education and leadership, most recently as the Superintendent of Instructional Services for the Kenora Catholic District School Board, where he has held the role since 2016. Paul White has been with the Board for 16 years and was named one of Canada’s Outstanding Principals in 2014 by the Learning Partnership for nurturing creativity and striving to meet a variety of student needs while placing St. Thomas Aquinas High School on the cutting-edge of education. He was the Principal at St. Thomas Aquinas High school for eight years, where during his leadership the school has thrived and grown into the vibrant community it is today.

“I am incredibly honoured to be chosen as the Director of Education for an organization where I get to work with a team where every person understands that Growing, Investing and Engaging student potential is the heart of our mission,” says Paul White. “My priorities are always student achievement and well-being through our unique Catholic identity, strengthening our relationships with First Nation and Métis partners and continuing to cultivate an inclusive education system, where everyone feels welcomed and valued and part of the Kenora Catholic family.”

For Paul White, family always comes first, whether it’s his Kenora Catholic family or his personal family. Paul and his wife Elaine have two children, Shania 21 and Kendaaz 17, who have grown up in Kenora and Grassy Narrows First Nation. The White family is deeply connected and committed to the traditions and diverse culture of Kenora, Grassy Narrows First Nation and the Treaty #3 area. They enjoy hunting, fishing, trapping and spending time with family in Grassy Narrows.

At the Board Meeting on December 15, Paul White announced that he will not be alone at the helm. He has invited Phyllis Eikre to return to Kenora Catholic as the Advisor to the Director of Education. Starting in January, Eikre will be taking on various leadership portfolios while the board fills the role of Superintendent of Instructional Services. Phyllis Eikre served as Director of Education at the Kenora Catholic District School Board for ten years before retiring in 2019 and has a career in education spanning 33 years.

Paul White talks about the partnership, “Phyllis is an incredible Catholic leader, a mentor and a friend. We have worked together in various capacities during our career at Kenora Catholic, and we work well together. She has been integral in growing Kenora Catholic into the dynamic and innovative Catholic board that it is today, and I can’t imagine anyone more passionate, dedicated or suited to fulfill this role as we recruit a Superintendent of Instructional Services.”

“My heart has always been at Kenora Catholic with the students, families and teachers, and I’m excited to join Paul and support Kenora Catholic as he transitions into the role of Director of Education,” says Phyllis Eikre. “Kenora Catholic is an incredible school board, from the students, families, staff, trustees and community, and I am deeply touched and honoured to be asked to support the Board during this time. It feels like coming home.”

Teresa Gallik, Chair of the Board, is pleased with the recent announcements. “Paul White has been an exemplary Catholic Leader and has served Kenora Catholic well over his career. I have known him for a long time and appointing him as Director is a decision well made for the Board of Trustees. Paul always puts others first. He makes every decision based on what’s best for students and staff, and he has strong relationships in the schools and the community. We are proud to appoint him as the Director,” says Teresa Gallik. “It’s also incredibly exciting to have an opportunity to work with Phyllis Eikre. This is a gift and a blessing for Kenora Catholic. Paul and Phyllis were and still are a great team together. This announcement speaks to the incredible strength in our leadership and lends stability to our schools, during a time when stability is needed most.”

Paul White will become Kenora Catholic’s sixth Director of Education. He will succeed Dr. Derek Haime, who held the position since February 2019 and has since accepted a position as the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario College of Teachers.
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