After more than 13 years working in Airdrie schools, Don Lauzon, principal at Good Shepherd School, will be moving on in September, taking over as principal at Ascension of our Lord School in Calgary.
“I was principal at Our Lady Queen of Peace for six years and then when Good Shepherd opened up, I was able to open the school and I’ve been here for seven years,” he said. “Practice within our school district is to move principals within seven years so I’ve reached that maximum time here. I got the phone call.”
Lauzon said there is much he will miss about Airdrie and about Good Shepherd School, including staff, students and parents.
“This has been a blessing to start a new school and build the culture from literally the ground up,” he said. “Being able to bring in staff with a similar mindset, to have the support of the parents, to have wonderful students – it’s just been a really special place.
“This is just a wonderful community and that’s why I’ve chosen, for the last 13 years to drive to Airdrie – I live in Calgary. It’s a place that’s near and dear to my heart.”
One teacher who said Lauzon will be missed is Germaine Kolynchuk.
“He’s done a lot for this school. Even though we are part of Calgary Catholic (School Division), there are needs that are particular to this community,” she said. “Don has been instrumental in making sure the needs of the community were being met as a community and not as part of the big picture.
“He’s touched the lives of many students. He enjoys sports – he’s coached volleyball all the years (he’s been at) Good Shepherd. He served his community and the Catholic Schools community well over the last 13 years.”
Leaving Good Shepherd and Airdrie will be bittersweet for Lauzon, who starts his new position in Calgary in August.
“It’s always hard to leave something where you feel so supported and so blessed to work there,” he said. “I’ve got the best job in the world, being principal of this school. I just hope I can re-create that somewhere else.”
Elizabeth Bennett, currently principal at Father Scollen School in Calgary, will be coming in as Lauzon’s replacement.
