Mike Courchesne

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  www.almaguinnews.com/article/127680 - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 2/19/2009    Last Visited: 2/19/2009  

  But when St. Gregory’s principal Mike Courchesne walked into a Grade 4 class last week he was met with cheers and applause from the students who were all smiles and eager to hear what their principal had to tell them.
  
  This respect and affection, from both students and teacher at the school is one reason Courchesne was named one of Canada’s Outstanding Principals for 2009. As he spins a tale about a priest and a cow, the youngsters hang on every word. At St. Gregory’s a visit from the principal is a special treat.
  
  “Can you believe I get paid to do this?†he tells the Almaguin News. “I love this job.â€
  
  Courchesne’s decision to enter the teacher profession in 1970 seems to have been more predestination than it was a career choice. “In truth, I had no idea what I wanted to do when I graduated from high school,†he said. “I had been working as a part-time custodian with the school board as an after school job. Someone I worked with had just finished teachers college and I thought I might as well give it a try. I’ve loved every minute of it since then. It was one of those happy coincidences that worked out.â€
  
  Having taught Grades 4 to 8 before moving on to the administrative office, Courchesne said “interaction with the kids is the key.
  ...
  Courchesne believes that as a faith-based school, St. Gregory’s may have some advantages for the kids “because our belief system tells us that every child is an opportunity for us, as well as a challenge,†he said. “If a student isn’t doing well, then we haven’t been effective in that young person’s life.â€
  
  While he says he is honoured to have received the award, he is quick to state, “this is not my award. This is the school’s award,†he said. “If I am not part of this school community, then I am nothing. If I’m successful it’s because the school community is successful. I’m actually a little embarrassed to have been centred out.â€
  
  Canada’s Outstanding Principal program is in its fifth year and the awards are an initiative of The Learning Partnership, a national not-for-profit organization that has championed public education in Canada since 1993. Courchesne was one of 31 winners for 2009, for the award given to principals who have made a measurable difference in the lives of their students and their own local communities by helping to ensure that Canada's young people continue to receive a quality education.
  ...
  As one of this year’s winners, Courchesne joins an illustrious group of more than 120 principals who have already been awarded this prestigious honour. However, it’s not the award itself that has thrilled him, but the resulting invitation to attend a five-day executive leadership training program at the University of Toronto's Joseph L. Rotman School of Management. There he will have the opportunity to dialogue and reflect on leadership issues with other leaders from the educational, social, cultural and business communities.
  
  “Being able to attend this special seminar is the really exciting part,†he said. “The agenda and the speakers are top notch and I’m really looking forward to bringing back new ideas that fit our school community.â€
  ...
  As a father of two grown children, one now a teacher in North Bay, and now raising a second family with two sons, aged 10 and 7, as well as having two grandchildren that will soon be entering school, Courchesne had, and continues to have, a vested interest in ensuring quality education. “One size does not fit all,†he said. “As educators, our job is to encourage our students to be the people they should be. To find out who’s inside and help bring them to the next step in their development.â€
  
  Outgoing, enthusiastic and with a twinkle in his eye, Courchesne not only brings out the best he can in his students, but is respected and remembered by many who have passed through the doors of his schools. “You were my favourite teacher of all time,†wrote one of his past students from North Bay when she heard of his award. “I am not surprised at all that you were voted one of the best principals in Canada.

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  www.thelearningpartnership.ca/Page.aspx?pid=437 - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 9/17/2009    Last Visited: 9/17/2009  

  Mike Courchesne St. Gregory School Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board

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  www.almaguinnews.com/left/article/127680 - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 1/30/2009    Last Visited: 1/30/2009  

  But when St. Gregory's principal Mike Courchesne walked into a Grade 4 class last week he was met with cheers and applause from the students who were all smiles and eager to hear what their principal had to tell them.
  
  This respect and affection, from both students and teacher at the school is one reason Courchesne was named one of Canada's Outstanding Principals for 2009. As he spins a tale about a priest and a cow, the youngsters hang on every word.
  ...
  Having taught Grades 4 to 8 before moving on to the administrative office, Courchesne said "interaction with the kids is the key.
  ...
  Courchesne believes that as a faith-based school, St. Gregory's may have some advantages for the kids "because our belief system tells us that every child is an opportunity for us, as well as a challenge," he said. "If a student isn't doing well, then we haven't been effective in that young person's life."
  
  While he says he is honoured to have received the award, he is quick to state, "this is not my award. This is the school's award," he said. "If I am not part of this school community, then I am nothing. If I'm successful it's because the school community is successful. I'm actually a little embarrassed to have been centred out."
  
  Canada's Outstanding Principal program is in its fifth year and the awards are an initiative of The Learning Partnership, a national not-for-profit organization that has championed public education in Canada since 1993. Courchesne was one of 31 winners for 2009, for the award given to principals who have made a measurable difference in the lives of their students and their own local communities by helping to ensure that Canada's young people continue to receive a quality education.
  ...
  As one of this year's winners, Courchesne joins an illustrious group of more than 120 principals who have already been awarded this prestigious honour. However, it's not the award itself that has thrilled him, but the resulting invitation to attend a five-day executive leadership training program at the University of Toronto's Joseph L. Rotman School of Management. There he will have the opportunity to dialogue and reflect on leadership issues with other leaders from the educational, social, cultural and business communities.
  
  "Being able to attend this special seminar is the really exciting part," he said.
  ...
  As a father of two grown children, one now a teacher in North Bay, and now raising a second family with two sons, aged 10 and 7, as well as having two grandchildren that will soon be entering school, Courchesne had, and continues to have, a vested interest in ensuring quality education. "One size does not fit all," he said. "As educators, our job is to encourage our students to be the people they should be. To find out who's inside and help bring them to the next step in their development."
  
  Outgoing, enthusiastic and with a twinkle in his eye, Courchesne not only brings out the best he can in his students, but is respected and remembered by many who have passed through the doors of his schools. "You were my favourite teacher of all time," wrote one of his past students from North Bay when she heard of his award.

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  www.nugget.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1394753 - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 1/20/2009    Last Visited: 1/20/2009  

  Mike Courchesne and Nancy Allaire make a difference.
  ...
  "It's quite an honour to be part of a team like this," said Courchesne, principal at
  ...
  Courchesne has been in the profession for
  
  39 years. He taught from 1970 to 1994 before becoming a principal.
  
  He was one of the first principals to successfully implement a balanced day.
  
  Continued After Advertisement Below
  ...
  Allaire and Courchesne will join their colleagues in February for a four-day leadership training program.
  ...
  "We will get a chance to listen to other people in the profession and I hope to bring back a lot of positive ideas and success stories from around the country," Courchesne said.
  
  They will be honoured Feb. 24 in Toronto.

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  Catholic Principals Council of Ontario - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 9/5/2009    Last Visited: 9/5/2009  

  Michael Courchesne, Member

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  Catholic Principals Council of Ontario - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 10/7/2008    Last Visited: 10/7/2008  

  Michael Courchesne, Member

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  Catholic Principals Council of Ontario - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 7/29/2008    Last Visited: 7/29/2008  

  Michael Courchesne courchem@npsc.edu.on.ca

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  Catholic Principals' Council of Ontario - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 10/7/2008    Last Visited: 10/7/2008  

  Mike Courchesne

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  Catholic Principals' Council of Ontario - [Cached Version]
  Last Visited: 10/7/2008  

  Mike Courchesne

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  Catholic Principals' Council of Ontario - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 1/1/2008    Last Visited: 9/5/2009  

  The Catholic Principals' Council of Ontario congratulates the following members on being named as Canada's Outstanding Principals for 2009; Nancy Allaire, Mike Courchesne, John Burroughs, and Ted Laxton.
  ...
  Mike Courchesne is principal of St. Gregory School in Powassan. Both Nancy and Mike are exemplary Catholic leaders in the Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic School Board, and serve on the Board's Aboriginal Committee in addition to many other roles.

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