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Principal leaving Fort Resolution
Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Published Monday, June 24, 2013
DENINU K'UE/FORT RESOLUTION
Change is in the air at Deninu School in Fort Resolution.
Dan Summers: Leaving Fort Resolution's Deninu School after four years as principal.
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Kate Powell: Current literacy coach to become Deninu School's new principal.
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After four years as principal, Dan Summers will be leaving at the end of this school year.
However, a familiar face for students, teachers and parents - Kate Powell - will be taking over as principal in the fall. She has been the literacy coach at the school for the past four years.
Summers said he and his wife, program support teacher Lucinda Summers, had originally planned to be at Deninu School for three to five years.
"So we're just taking some time to slow down and enjoy."
The pair aren't retiring, but plan to get jobs in the south or overseas.
Before arriving in Fort Resolution, the couple had spent about a dozen years working in several Middle Eastern countries.
"It's been an absolutely terrific time in our life here. We wouldn't have changed it for anything," said Summers.
In particular, he said it was a wonderful feeling to be accepted by the people of Fort Resolution.
His priorities as principal included ensuring all students received everything the school could offer, the teachers worked as a team, and the school built on its cultural programs.
Earlier this year, Summers was named one of the top principals in all of Canada. His predecessor as principal, Mo Odeen, also received the same honour in 2008.
That leaves big shoes for Powell to fill as principal.
"I think that following in the footsteps of two Canadian outstanding principals will put me in a good position because I've got a good foundation to work on and also, because I've already been working here, I've got a real advantage in that I've been able to see and watch and think about where we can go next," said Powell.
Powell said she has some pretty exciting ideas that she would like to put into place quickly, one being to create a science lab in September. A classroom has already been designated and funding is being sought.
The soon-to-be principal said she is really excited about the opportunity.
"I love living in Fort Resolution. We have just the best students and it's a great place to be," she said.
Powell said having worked at Deninu School will help her as principal because she is aware of how things run, what events take place in the community, and she knows the students and staff.
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