WEYBURN – Gwen Keith, the education director for the Holy Family Roman Catholic Separate School Division, will retire at the end of this school year after 11 years at the helm.
The board was informed of her retirement at their board meeting on Wednesday evening, which will take effect as of Aug. 31.
The Holy Family board accepted her resignation and thanked her for her years of service, and will initiate a recruiting process for a new education director.
The board was also informed that recently Keith was presented with a Distinguished Service Award from LEADS at their annual conference.
LEADS (the Saskatchewan League of Educational Administrators, Directors and Superintendents) is the professional organization for all senior educational administrators in the Province of Saskatchewan.
The award recognizes an administrator who “has made a significant contribution to the education sector and to the LEADS organization. This individual has demonstrated strong leadership in one or more specific areas of focus within the sector.”
In the nomination sent by senior staff at Holy Family, it was noted Keith has spent over 50 years in education, including 27 years in CEO positions in rural, urban and northern settings, including at Holy Family since 2013.
‘While serving in these leadership capacities, Gwen has ensured that her passionate care in directing a ‘student first’ system is clearly evident. Whether with personalized messages to staff, or energy-filled visits to the schools and classrooms, everyone feels the passion she has for providing an atmosphere where children can not only grow and learn, but flourish in building relationships and becoming community,” said the division’s nomination letter.
It was noted that she has connections across Canada through her involvement with New Pedagogies for Deep Learning with Michael Fullan, with C21, an organization that advocates for 21st century models of learning, and is a member of EdCan, an organization that focuses on wellness strategies for staff and students across Canada.
She has also served as president of LEADS, has led many initiatives including key roles in the development of the provincial education sector plan, and has led Sask Reads, provincial well-being symposiums, and numerous provincial advisory committees.
