FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 Canada’s Outstanding Principals™

28 exceptional leaders selected from cross country nominations

Toronto, ON – January 24, 2005 – Leading principals selected from Canada-wide nominations will be honoured for their exemplary contributions to education in February at The Learning Partnership’s first annual Canada’s Outstanding Principals™ Awards.  

A distinguished group of Canadian private sector, community and education leaders chose the 28 winners through use of a comprehensive and detailed rubric.

Here is what one of the judges had to say about the assignment: “I found it to be an inspiring and humbling experience.  I am awed by the passion, commitment, creativity and energy of these candidates.  Having been a principal, I know the energy it takes to keep a school moving forward; but these people have taken that concept to new levels!  At times I was moved to tears by the testimonials of the candidates' supporters; these principals are clearly making a difference in the lives of many people and all are surely deserving of the title of Canada’s Outstanding Principal.”

The Learning Partnership and the Canadian Association of Principals and its affiliate organizations collaborated in this new partnership endeavour to recognize the unique and crucial contribution that principals of the public education system make to the community, and to ensuring quality public education for Canada’s young people. Nominations were invited from every province and territory and selection was on a representation by population basis.

As well as being recognized and celebrated, the 28 principals will participate in a four-day executive leadership development experience at the internationally recognized University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management in Toronto from February 23 to 26. There they will dialogue and reflect on leadership issues with other renowned leaders from the educational, social, cultural and business communities. 

When they return home, the principals will continue their colloquium of collaborative deliberations about leadership issues in education through the use of a facilitated Internet-based forum.

The Learning Partnership is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to bringing together business, education, government, labour, policy makers and the community to develop partnerships that strengthen public education in Canada.

• Call The Learning Partnership for contact information on any of the selected principals (list attached)
•  Veronica Lacey, President and CEO of The Learning Partnership, is available for interviews                                                  

Sponsors of Canada’s Outstanding Principals™ are Deloitte, Delta Hotels, Petro-Canada, Symcor, and the provinces of British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Ontario.

For more information, please contact:
Ramona Kaptyn, Communications Officer
The Learning Partnership
Tel: 416-440-5124 or 1-800-790-9113
Fax: 416-482-5311
E-mail: rkaptyn@thelearningpartnership.ca

The Learning Partnership: www.thelearningpartnership.ca

Canada’s Outstanding Principals: www.canadasoutstandingprincipals.ca

Ken McGuffin, Manager, Media Relations

Joseph L. Rotman School of Management

University of Toronto

Tel: 416-946-3818

Fax: 416-978-1373

Email: mcguffin@rotman.utoronto.ca

 Selected Principals

Alberta                                                              Holly Godson

                                                                          Johanna Juergensen

British Columbia                                             Charlie Coleman

                                                                          Christine Dickinson

                                                                          Allan MacLeod

                                                                          Randy McGraw

Catholic Principals of Ontario                      Maurice Charbonneau

                                                                          Mary Deveaux

                                                                          John Langill

                                                                          Eugene Milito

                                                                          Mary Puopolo

Manitoba                                                          Gary Comack

                                                                          Ken Pearce

New Brunswick                                               Carolyn Norman

Newfoundland and Labrador                        Susan Murray

                                                                          Wayne Rogers

Nova Scotia                                                     James Burns

                                                                          Yvonne Cormier

Nunavut                                                           Darlene Nuqingaq

Ontario Principals’ Council                           Wayne Copp

                                                                          Barbara Lloyd

                                                                          Scott Lowrey

                                                                          Cheryl Paige

Prince Edward Island                                     Barbara Willis

Quebec                                                            Diane Wood-Nolan

Saskatchewan                                                 Basil Hughton

                                                                          Glen Leask

Yukon Territory                                              John Wright