January 11, 2007

Thirty-two exceptional leaders in education from across the country have been chosen as Canada's Outstanding Principals for 2007.

Martha Wood, Principal of Stephen Lewis Secondary, (pictured second from left) School has been named among this esteemed group and joins colleagues in the National Academy of Principals.

An initiative of The Learning Partnership, a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to championing a strong public education system in Canada, Canada's Outstanding Principals program honours the extraordinary contributions of dynamic education leaders in publicly funded schools. Principals, who have made a measurable difference in the lives of their students and their own local communities and help ensure that Canada's young people continue to receive a quality education, have been selected from across the country for the prestigious honour.

Now in it's third year, Canada's Outstanding Principals program was developed as an endeavour between The Learning Partnership and the Canadian Association of Principals, in collaboration with the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management.

Judging was conducted by a distinguished group of Canadian education, community and private sector leaders. Each candidate was scored in the categories of: characteristics of outstanding principals; evidence of partnerships with parents and community; a personal story illustrating successful change and innovation which resulted in improved student achievement as well as letters of support.

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Also, on April 23, 2007, Martha will be presented with an Award of Excellence from the Peel District School Board. The Award of Excellence honours staff, students, volunteers and business partners who have made exemplary and unique contributions to public education in Peel.