This month GROW Alternative Education Centre principal Mike Franklin joins the prestigious National Academy of Canada’s Outstanding Principals.
“I was surprised to be nominated to begin with, and then pleasantly surprised to win one of the 40 awards,” said Franklin.
The Learning Partnership’s Canada’s Outstanding Principals program has recognized the unique and vital contribution of principals in publicly funded schools for 13 years.
Franklin will join the other 39, 2017 award recipients at an executive leadership workshop and gala to be held at the University of Toronto, Feb. 28.
Winners join the National Academy of Canada’s Outstanding Principals which now includes more than 400 members. The academy offers principals ongoing networking, mentoring and professional development opportunities so they can enhance their leadership skills.
Franklin said he started teaching in the district 20 years ago at Skyline Alternate School, then took on roles as principal at McLeese Lake school, vice-principal, then principal at Poplar Glade elementary, then Nesika elementary before accepting the role of principal at GROW (Graduation Roots Other Ways) seven years ago.
This involves leading School District 27’s Skyline alternate education program, distance education program, distribution learning program, adult education program and international education program.
“It is a very different learning environment, the opposite of everything you know about regular school,” Franklin says of his reasons for accepting the role of principal at GROW.
“Studies are flexible, schedules are flexible … the program has a whole bunch of flexibility built in to give kids what they need to be successful.”
The National Academy of Canada’s Outstanding Principals recapped Franklin’s nomination noting he is a gifted leader, understanding that his students and staff require safe, kind, inviting, and trusting learning spaces to grow, thrive, and succeed.
He meets daily with staff to reflect, examine data and re-calibrate practices to better meet students’ evolving needs.
He is actively involved in his students’ journey and seeks out opportunities for students to interact in new and different ways, such as working in bike shops, participating in mountain bike rides, yoga, kick-boxing, and engaging with First Nations Elders.
Franklin was also recognized for securing an $8,000 grant to establish a respectful, inclusive, culturally relevant First Nations classroom.
Franklin was nominated for the award by School District 27 superintendent of schools Mark Wintjes.
“Mr. Franklin has consistently demonstrated tremendous support for students, and has improved student achievement, through the engagement of staff and community.” Wintjes said in announcing Franklin’s win this week
Wintjes and board chair Tanya Guenther offered Franklin their congratulations.
“It is an honour to recognize one of our own in this prestigious award,” Guenther said.
“On behalf of the board of education, congratulations Mr. Franklin.”
The school district announcement about Franklin’s win also came with accolades from Mountview Elementary principal Rick Miller; teacher Heather Auger and former student Patrick Taylor, and community safety manager Dave Dickson.
Taylor said: “Mike has always been open, honest and kind when helping students, offering them options and paths towards success, always very aware that we each take our own path and come with our own needs and limitations.
“For many students Skyline is seen as a last chance, however, it is not, it’s a second chance!”
Dickson said: “He [Mr. Franklin] thinks outside the box … he is an outstanding leader and leads by example.
“He listens to the youth and becomes an advocate for them.”