Westview School principal Cheri Haberstock has been named one of Canada’s Outstanding Principals, an honour that she says is a reflection of everyone at the school.
The South East Cornerstone Public School Division revealed on Tuesday that Haberstock was one of 40 principals from across the country to receive the distinction. She was nominated by the school’s staff.
“My first reaction was total shock, because the staff here kept it a total secret,” Haberstock said in an interview with Lifestyles. “They put this nomination together back in October, and I had no idea.
“In fact, I got an email at the beginning of January, and I thought it was spam,” she added, laughing. “So I didn’t know it was intended for me. I didn’t think it was real.”
When she learned it was legitimate, she was thrilled and surprised to receive the honour.
Then she had to keep the award a secret. She informed the staff on Tuesday morning that their nomination had been successful, and that she was indeed a top principal. There was an assembly on Tuesday to celebrate Haberstock’s achievement, but by that time, many teachers had already told their students.
“I’ve had kids hugging me and high-fiving me all day,” said Haberstock. “They’re all pretty excited.”
Haberstock emphasized that while she is receiving the award, it’s a recognition she shares with the entire school.
“I wouldn’t be getting this award if our school wasn’t such a collaborative school,” said Haberstock. “We all work together here. We really do. We always refer to ourselves as a family here at Westview, and we really are a family.”
Haberstock has been at Westview School since 2001, and has been the principal since 2011.
Prior to working at Westview, she taught at the Estevan Junior High School and Hillside School, both of which are now closed, and at Hillcrest School and Midale Central School. She has also been a teacher in other communities in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
According to the press release from South East Cornerstone, Haberstock was selected for several reasons. She encourages teachers to become involved in professional learning communities and provides opportunities for teachers to meet in teams during the school.
Haberstock utilizes data from the Tell Them From Me survey to create goals around academia, student engagement and student wellness. It helped lead to the purchase of an inclusive playground, the only one of its kind in Estevan, where all children can play together.
Since 2004, she has used her writing skills to write and direct musicals for the school’s senior students.
“As a life-long learner she is a master communicator with her greatest strength being in the area of relationship building,” the press release stated.
Haberstock has also been a leader in curriculum advancements; served with Cornerstone’s safe schools committee; participated in numerous training opportunities; and was selected as Cornerstone’s representative on the Sask. Reads for Administrators Committee.
When she isn’t working, Haberstock is active with various community initiatives.
Haberstock said she’s proud of the relationships she has built with students, teachers, staff and parents.
The inclusive playground is the accomplishment that she is most proud of, since Westview has a student in a wheelchair who can use the structure.
“Getting this playground in is kind of my crowning achievement here, I really feel,” said Haberstock. “To me it speaks to what I really try to do in the school. It’s about every child, regardless of what their abilities are. I kind of feel that way when it comes to learning, too.”
Every child needs to learn, and every child needs to be able to play, she said.
The equipment cost more than $75,000, but Westview completed its fundraising for the structure in about two years, thanks to the support of the community.
Canada’s Outstanding Principals is a project of the Learning Partnership. Principals from every province and territory are nominated by their peers, school staff and community members. Nominations are reviewed and winners are selected by a national selection committee made up of education, community and private sector leaders.
The criteria includes leadership and innovation, instructional leadership, professional learning team accessibility, partnerships with families and communities, personal growth initiatives and letters of support.
Haberstock will be presented with the award at the 13th annual gala dinner and awards ceremony on Feb. 28 at the Sheraton Centre Hotel in Toronto.
The principals will also participate in an exclusive five-day executive leadership training program at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, and will be introduced to leadership and management practices presented by business, government and education leaders, as well as Rotman faculty.
“I’m told from other past winners that the quality of the professional development that I’ll get there is just unbelievable,” said Haberstock. “They said that I am going to come back an even stronger leader than what I am now.”
Lynn Little, who is South East Cornerstone’s director of education, was selected as an outstanding principal back in 2008, when she was working at Pleasantdale School. Other South East Cornerstone principals chosen for the award include Jeff St. Onge of Moosomin and Arlene Dobson of Weyburn.
“We’ve had a lot of winners,” said Haberstock. “It really speaks to the quality of principals that we have in this area.”
Haberstock has never been to Toronto, so she is looking forward to going to the Big Smoke with her husband, Keith, and having an experience that will only enhance her career.
