A new principal has been hired at Canora Composite School and is hoping to use her experience in teaching and coaching all ages to help the school run smoothly.
Katherine LeBlanc has just moved to Canora from Peebles and will be beginning her first year at Canora Composite School as the principal.
LeBlanc brings a lot of experience to the table. She has not only a bachelor of education degree from the University of Regina, but an extended studies certificate in history. She will be completing a master’s degree by Christmas.
LeBlanc has been involved in schooling and administrating since 1990. She has taught all ages of students, from Kindergarten to Grade 12. She is also going into her 28th consecutive year of coaching sports.
“I’m very proud of that. I never once stopped doing what I love and coaching kids, even when I was pregnant,” she said.
LeBlanc has two children and two stepchildren. Her husband lives in Regina, as he is a member of the RCMP. She hopes to be able to travel to see him on weekends.
“Right now, this is my home,” she laughed as she gestured at her office. “I’m here until 10 every night working and completing my degree.”
LeBlanc’s main goals are to meet all the children she will be working with, get to know everyone, and stay involved in the community. She is currently working with the Student Representative Council (SRC), and is coaching senior volleyball, curling, and senior badminton. She is also teaching senior history classes.
Though work and coaching takes up most of her time, she makes a hobby out of staying fit, and loves to run. She has run marathons in Australia, England, the United States, and Canada.
“I love to travel, but I’m not sure if that’s a hobby or an addiction,” she said.
LeBlanc also has a passion for literacy and believes it should be something stressed in education. Currently, she is making moves to “feel where the students are at” in regards to their comfort and expertise in literacy.
“Testing needs to happen first, but once we know where everyone is, we can work on meeting the needs of the teachers,” she said.
