Yellowknife (June 27/03) - The North gets inside people's blood. That's why one Yellowknife teacher is coming home to take over her grade school alma mater. Yellowknife Education District No. 1 has filled seven appointments for positions in four of their seven schools.

Of the four principals and three assistant principals, one is a long time Yellowknifer who has spent her life absorbed in Northern education.

Yasemin Heyck remembers being in the first Kindergarten class to reside in the Mildred Hall teepee in 1970.

That's why snagging the principalship at Mildred Hall for the next school year is momentous for her. She said "its like coming home, my heart is there."

Heyck just missed out on the position last year, and spent the past year in Lutsel K'e as principal.

The only time Heyck has lived outside her hometown was to complete her Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta. It never crossed her mind to stay in the South, she prefers the innovation and dedication of teachers in the Yellowknife district.

The school board had their work cut out for them to replace so many heads of schools for next year.

At William McDonald, Mike MacDonald will be the new principal, with Dean MacInnis arriving as assistant principal.

At Range Lake North, Sandra Bowden moves from assistant principal to principal, while Scott Daniels will take over her old position.

N.J Macpherson welcomes Lawrie McKeith as new principal, and Michelle Krause as the assistant principal.