SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Paul Bennett, principal at J.H. Sissons School, has been recognized as one of Canada's Outstanding Principals for 2011.

J.H. Sissons School's Grade 5 students Lauren Seabrook, left, Jacob Schubert, Jesper Sorensen, Daniel Enge, Kace Hall and Kienan Ashton are seen here with their school principal Paul Bennett. Bennett was picked as one of 32 outstanding principals in Canada this year. - Adrian Lysenko/NNSL photo

"It's a nice honour," said Bennett. "Especially when your recognized by your peers and colleagues."

Bennett was chosen as one of 32 principals across the country for making measurable differences in the lives of their students and their local communities.

The award was created by the Learning Partnership, a non-profit Canadian education association.

Even though he was grateful for the recognition Bennett said he couldn't take all the credit.

"When something like this happens it kind of says something is going well in the system and in public education," said Bennett.

"It happens because you're working with good people, not just at the district level but that you have got within your school."

The principal said credit also goes to students and parents, who over the years have been bringing forward ideas and support to the school.

"Paul is very deserving, he's very good with kids and very good with parents and students at his school do very well," said Metro Huculak, superintendent of Yellowknife Education District No. 1.

"Even though he's the principal, students see him as a very positive person and someone they can always talk to."

As part of the award, Bennett also gets to attend a five-day management course at the University of Toronto in February. At the course the 32 principals will learn strategies to help them enhance public education at their school and in their community, something Bennett said he is looking forward to.

"I'm assuming they're just very passionate people," he said referring to the other principals. "Not just good leaders but they are just anxious to keep learning and for me I just love learning different things."

Bennett is not the first outstanding principal from Yellowknife. In 2009, Angela James, principal of Kalemi Dene School in Ndilo, was given one of the awards.

Since 1979 Bennett has been working as teacher and administrator and has been principal at the school for 10 years.

"I got into teaching 30 years ago and I was just lucky that this is my niche," said Bennett.

"I love teaching and I love learning, they go hand in hand and being a principal is just an extension of that."

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.