A Bonnyville educator has been recognized for his Excellence in Catholic Education.
Notre Dame High School (NDHS) principal Vince Spila was the Lakeland Catholic School District’s (LCSD) recipient for the Excellence in Catholic Education award at the Blueprints retreat, which is a Catholic administrators conference held in Kananaskis from May 7 to 10.
”It was really nice and humbling... It was nice to be recognized. I don’t do it for the recognition, of course, but it’s nice to have that,” he expressed. “It’s interesting, because there were a few others that were recognized in the province, so it was neat because it was a little group of colleagues that were recognized.”
The provincial award is given to educational staff who are passionate about Catholic education and the students they teach, who inspire their students, and demonstrate a commitment to teaching excellence. The Council of Catholic School Superintendents of Alberta (CCSSA) selects recipients from teachers and administrators throughout the province. During Blueprints, Spila was honoured to received the award.
”It was just refreshing to see all kinds of people; young ones, old ones, and just how people can make a difference in students’ lives and the school districts, as well for Catholic education.”
LCSD board chair Mary Anne Penner described Spila as a “strong Catholic leader” who’s a man of faith, and projects that in all of his interactions in and outside of NDHS.
”If we don’t have strong leaders at the helm in our schools, then our schools don’t do well, our students don’t do well, and staff aren’t happy. It’s important to have strong, forward thinking, capable and consistent leaders within our schools to ensure that all students do well,” she expressed.
Building relationships with parents, students, and staff is important for Spila.
”Everyone has their own story. You don’t know what their history is when they come into the school... I might be the only person that they have a positive relationship with,” he expressed. “It’s sad if that’s the case, but at least they have one that they know when they come here that I’m not going to yell at them... or do anything crazy. I’m just going to talk to them, listen to what they have to say, and take their advice.”
Spila has been working for LCSD for over 30 years. He began as a teacher at Cold Lake’s Assumption Jr./Sr. High School for 20 years before heading to Dr. Bernard Brosseau School in 2008.
He spent his time there as vice principal and principal for 10 years, before transferring to NDHS this school year.
He expressed his gratitude to LCSD for choosing him to receive the honour.
”It wasn’t something that I was expecting, but I just want to thank them for supporting me for the last 30 odd years. Letting me do what I do, and sometimes it’s a little out of the box thinking, but it always seems to work out well.”
For other administrative staff, Spila encouraged them not to be afraid to “step outside the lines” and to take risks.
He stressed the importance of building relationships that can have positive impacts on students.
