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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday January 21, 2009 - 3 WOSS principal wins Outstanding award By Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF It takes awhile for John Stieva to find the words to express what it means to him to be named one of Canada's Outstanding Principals for 2009. Even then, the White Oaks Secondary School (WOSS) principal isn't able to say a lot. "It's quite an honour, so it feels pretty good," he told The Oakville Beaver. "I'm kind of speechless about it. It was a surprise that I won." Stieva is one of 31 principals across Canada to receive the honour. It was his first nomination for the competition, as well as his first major award in his 30-year career in the education field, making the recognition that much sweeter. Stieva has served as principal of White Oaks for close to six years. He said his proudest accomplishments to date are the additional programs he's helped to implement. "We've incorporated a lot of new programs over the past five and a half years," he said. "One of them is desemestered Grade 9 math and English, and I believe we are the only school in our system that does it at the present time. We're also now an International Baccalaureate school, which we brought in three years ago. We've applied for and received Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Programs and High Skills Majors for those youngsters who are looking at industry after high school or LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER OUTSTANDING PRINCIPAL: John Stieva of White Oaks Secondary School was named one of Canada's 31 Outstanding Principals for 2009. after post secondary." He said that although his name is on the award, it is actually a reflection of the outstanding staff and students at the school. "What I'm really proud of is the staff and the students," he said. "They've done extremely well and they work hard at being successful. None of it would have really happened without the staff and the kids buying into it." Canada's Outstanding Principals program is currently in its fifth year. The award is an initiative of The Learning Partnership, a national, not-for-profit organization that has championed public education in Canada since 1993. Nominations for Canada's Outstanding Principals were received from every province and territory. Selection was on a representation by population basis. 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 that resulted in improved student achievement, as well as letters of support. The school council at White Oaks Secondary School spearheaded Stieva's nomination. He was an ideal candidate for the award, especially with his role in offering new programming at the school, according to Kelly Amos, council chair. "John Stieva is an example of an outstanding principal," she said. "What he has done at White Oaks for the students has been phenomenal. He has concentrated on programs so that there is now a program for every child to succeed at White Oaks." Amos said that she has personally seen the positive impact of the enhanced programming, as she has children currently in grades 9 and 12 at the school. She said he is not only a great leader, but also a very likable person. "He makes connection with the staff, with the students and with the parents," she said. Amos added that Stieva's leadership has helped make White Oaks an outstanding place to learn. "It really is a great school and in my opinion, it's one of the best high schools in Canada," she said. This year's winners will be formally honoured for their contributions at the Canada's Outstanding Principals gala awards celebration, which is being held on Feb. 24 in Toronto. Stieva said he is looking forward to attending the awards ceremony. The popular principal said he plans on staying at White Oaks for as long as he can. He added that working at the school has been the best part of his longtime career in the education field. "I hope they keep me for awhile," he said. "I really enjoy it, the staff is great and the kids are great." Community accolades for editor Continued from page 1 "It is clear that Jill Davis has touched many in her community, from the readers to even her mom, and isn't that what a great editor should do?" Davis said the SNA award is a result of teamwork. "I would be remiss if I didn't say that the editor is only as good as people he or she works with. We have great groups of editors, reporters and photographers working for the Halton Division and I wouldn't be receiving this award without them. I would like to thank my bosses, President Ian Oliver, Vice-President Neil Oliver and General Manager of Halton Division David Harvey for their ongoing support and commitment to community journalism." "One of Jill's greatest strengths is surrounding herself with a great team that is as committed to excellence and to the community as she is. I am thrilled that Jill is getting this recognition not only for what she brings to the paper but also by what she brings to the community," said Neil Oliver, vice-president and group publisher of the Metroland West Media Group. Siddiq Burney, vice-president of the Halton Islamic Association, said Davis is instrumental in fostering understanding and goodwill between the Muslim community and area residents, noting in particular the eighth open house of the Halton Mosque, which took place in August 2008. "The theme was Tolerance in Islam. Over 500 people from various religions/traditions living in Halton Region learned about this event through the efforts of Jill Davis who publicized the event in the Burlington Post and other Metroland newspapers. Such events bring people of various backgrounds together, remove misunderstandings and foster communal harmony, an objective Jill understands very well and works towards tirelessly," said Burney. Halton Police Chief Gary Crowell also heaped praise upon Davis' work in the community. "Under Ms. Davis' exceptional leadership, the Metroland group of papers in Halton have established a strong, positive reputation for providing fair, balanced and factual news to the people of this community," Crowell said. "She truly is a leading example of someone who consistently demonstrates editorial excellence, and an innate ability to connect with her readership by providing news they can use." Awards are not new for Davis. She has been recognized in the past for her editorial page opinions. She also has overseen the direction of the four Halton Division newspapers, which have won numerous provincial, national and North American honours for writing and photography in her years at the helm. The Oakville Beaver won three consecutive Ontario Community Newspapers Association (OCNA) general excellence awards while The Milton Canadian Champion won in the same category at the national level in its circulation class in 2007. LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER WINNING TEAM: Metroland West Media Group's Halton Division Editor-inChief Jill Davis is surrounded by her team of editors, (clockwise from left) Karen Miceli, Milton Canadian Champion, Riziero Vertolli, Halton Division director of photography, Don Ford, Burlington Post, Rod Jerred, Oakville Beaver, Brenda Jeffries, Flamborough Review.