THUNDER BAY — A Thunder Bay educator has been honoured with a principal of the year award from the Catholic Principals’ Council of Ontario.
Barb Strickland will take home the award in 2023 for her leadership at St. Bernard elementary school on Thunder Bay’s north side.
In a statement, Strickland said she was humbled by the recognition, calling her job a privilege.
“I love what I do,” she said. “Each day, I go to work knowing I will spend my day in a Catholic school, where we learn and grow in our faith. I know that I will spend each day with children and staff in a bilingual environment, speaking in French, a language that I love.
“I know that each day, I will lead as a faith leader, I will learn something new, I will problem-solve, and I will witness learning through the eyes of a child.”
Strickland has been at St. Bernard for over five years, and previously worked at other Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board schools including Our Lady of Charity and Bishop Gallagher.
Director of eduction Pino Tassone said Strickland had distinguished herself over more than 20 years with the board.
“Barb continues to astonish me with her creative thinking, positive energy and innovative school initiatives,” he said. “Her passion for creating and nurturing a positive learning environment for her students and staff goes above and beyond. She is a blessing to our board community and a true example of the amazing leadership we have within our system.”
Strickland will receive the award at a gala in Toronto on April 14 with members of her family.
The Catholic Principals’ Council of Ontario is the professional association for principals and vice-principals across Ontario's 29 publicly-funded Catholic school boards.
Nominations for the award are submitted by local CPCO nominating committees.
