École Notre Dame Elementary principal receives Excellence Award

Lakeland Catholic has named this year’s recipient of an annual award that is meant to recognize outstanding work in Catholic education.  

Principal Rachel Reid from École Notre Dame Elementary School received the LCSD Excellence in Catholic Education Award for 2022. 

In a press release on Monday, LCSD said the award is presented to an educator who models Catholic values and lifestyle, positively contributes to the development of students and their spiritual, intellectual, social, emotional, and physical growth, while also being active in parish and faith life.

“Rachel has a magnanimous vision that lights up the halls and classrooms of her school. Her vision is rooted in lessons from the greatest teacher of all time: Christ. She believes that every child is a gift from God and is worthy of respect and dignity,” said LCSD Deputy Superintendent Chantel Axani.  

Reid is an educator that leads her staff and students with a kind heart, a sense of grace, and unwavering faith, the release said.

“She remains optimistic when times are tough, which offers a sense of comfort and motivation to all of those who rely on her guidance,” the release said.   

Reid joined Lakeland Catholic as a substitute teacher in 2015, teaching Calm, Religious students, and acting as a classroom support teacher. She became vice principal of École Notre Dame Elementary in 2017 and held the role until her maternity leave in 2019. When she returned in 2021, Reid stepped into the position of principal at the school.

“I feel honoured and blessed to be able to work with students and staff daily,” Reid said in the release.

“I wholeheartedly know this career was my calling, I want to make sure that every single child and adult that I work with feels love and knows they have someone in their corner who cares for them.

“We often don’t know what home life is like for our students and staff, therefore, I made it my mission to treat all with respect, dignity, compassion and be authentic in my actions. As Catholic Christians we are called to be gospel witnesses, and I try to live by that. If everyone I encounter leaves feeling they are valued, important and loved, then I have been successful.”