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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - K'alemi Dene School principal Angela James has been named one of Canada's top 30 outstanding principals for 2009.

James was selected by the Learning Partnership as one of Canada's Outstanding Principals.

Principal Angela James poses with a kindergarten class at K'alemi Dene School in Yellowknife. - Anne Jones/NNSL photo

"I am honoured and humbled by this amazing award," said James. "And more than anything, I see this award as a tribute to this amazing little school."

K'alemi will be opening in a brand new, $8 million building in September.

"I've learned so much," James said in her office, where yellow paper and school pictures of her students plaster the walls and birchbark baskets line her window sill.

"I know them and love them like my own children," James said of the 75 students at K'alemi.

In fact, one her students is her own child; her son is in Grade 4 at K'alemi. James also has a 21-year-old daughter who is currently living and working in Ireland.

"I'm looking so forward to it," she said of the awards gala she will be going to with her husband in Toronto on Feb. 24.

James is finishing her 10th year as principal of K'alemi school. The Manitoban has been in Yellowknife for 30 years.

James was nominated by Eileen Erasmus, another teacher at K'alemi. The nomination package is 14 pages long.

Last year's winner from the NWT was Mohammed Odeen, principal of Deninu School in Fort Resolution.

Each year, the winners of Canada's Outstanding Principals become members of a National Academy of Principals. There are 31 winners from across the country this year. This is the fifth year the Learning Partnership has presented the awards.