Mississauga principal takes Premier’s leadership award

MISSISSAUGA, ONT. - This year’s Premier’s Award for Excellence in Leadership has been awarded to a Catholic school board representative for the first time.

“It was a very humbling experience,” said Mark Cassar, principal of Corpus Christi School in Mississauga.  “I tend to not like too much attention on myself that way but to have your colleagues and the parents and your students cheering for you, it was an amazing feeling.”

Cassar received the award from Education Minister Laurel Broten at a ceremony that Premier Dalton McGuinty also attended June 12. The spotlight kept shining on Cassar the following day as the Corpus Christi community recognized his achievements during its year-end celebration.

“I felt a lot of pride in my school community because I knew the success wasn’t mine alone,” said Cassar, who’s in his second year as principal at Corpus Christi. “It was a collective success.” 

A category of the Premier’s Award for Teaching Excellence, the leadership award has been presented since 2008.

“The Excellence in Leadership Award recognizes the teacher who inspires others to get involved and take action,” said Gary Wheeler, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Education.

Recipients also display a drive to modernize the learning environment, positively influence staff development and expand the school’s culture of inclusiveness.

“(They’re) educators and staff who are helping Ontario students and young children realize their full potential,” said Wheeler.

For Cassar, these characterises aren’t anything extraordinary; it’s what’s expected from a Catholic board.

“I’ve always worked hard to community our vision with our parents, with the staff and with the kids so that we all buy into the same mission,” said Cassar.

“Once you get everyone going in the same direction you can accomplish some really, really good things.”