Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

KANGIQLINIQ/RANKIN INLET
Rankin Inlet school administrator Jesse Payne was named one of Canada's Outstanding Principals by The Living Partnership earlier this month.

School and community counsellor Lucy Makkigak, left, congratulates Jesse Payne on being named one of Canada's Outstanding Principals at Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

The Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik (MUI) principal's name is among those in the prestigious group of 51 educators from across the country scheduled to attended an awards presentation and gala in Toronto later this month.

Principals are nominated in every territory and province by their peers, school staff and community members for Canada's Outstanding Principal program.

Nominations are reviewed and final winners selected on a representation-by-population basis by a national selection committee made up of a distinguished group of Canadian education, community and private-sector leaders.

Payne said The Learning Partnership is the champion of public education across Canada.

He said educators, as a team within the school system, always strive to ensure they're doing the best for their students.

"To be accepted for this award is a reflection of the team you have working with you," said Payne.

"Leadership is important, but leaders are only as good as the people they have around them.

"The principal has to provide leadership, there's no doubt about that.

"But, at the same time, if you're not recognized by those on your team, or the team isn't working well together, then it doesn't happen as well as it should."

Payne said he has an excellent team at MUI.

He said his staff members step up to the plate each and every day of the school year.

"I've been away a lot this year, but the school is still running as it should and we're still doing great things at MUI.

"We pride ourselves on high expectations, and having good programming in place for students.

"That doesn't mean we haven't got a ways to go, because we'd like to do a lot of things better and meet the needs of every single student.

"Knowing your students by name and getting to know who they are, and being able to work with your staff to ensure their needs are met, are all important parts of providing leadership as a principle."

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