Principal of Holy Cross Elementary School, Will Baker, became one of Canada's Outstanding Principals for 2011, an award presented by The Learning Partnership.
Two other Albertan principals and 28 Canadian principals also received the award. The Learning Partnership profiles public Catholic education.
“Will has been a real innovator,” said Bernadette Provost, superintendent of Lakeland Catholic School District (LCSD). She said Baker has put in tremendous supports for new teachers and complimented his teacher mentorship program.
“He has really taken the bull by the horns and stepped up to the plate and has really demonstrated entrepreneurial leadership skills.”
The district nominated Baker for the award, the first time LCSD has nominated a candidate.
Baker started teaching in Australia 30 years ago. He came to Canada on a teacher exchange program in 1991, where he met his wife. He became principal of Elizabeth Elementary School in 1996 and the former K-6 Mackenzie River School in 2002. He became principal of Holy Cross when it opened in 2007.
In an interview, Baker said he feels honoured to be one of three Albertans to receive the award, but credited the staff for the recognition.
“I see this also as a recognition for the staff at Holy Cross as they work with me to continually strive to improve instruction for our students,” he said in a press release.
One initiative he started at Holy Cross is to have “teachers watching teachers,” where they can collaborate and discuss instruction techniques. The initiative shares teaching methods among teachers, he said.
Baker will attend the awards gala in Toronto in February. After the gala, he will join the other award winners in a five-day management course at the University of Toronto, something he said will be a good opportunity to network with principals from across the country.