The director of education for the local English-language Catholic school board will call it a career this summer.
Emelda Byrne, the director of education at the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board (WECDSB), will retire on August 1 after 39 years as an educator.
Byrne announced her retirement during the board of trustees' private meeting on Tuesday evening. She said she wants to spend more time with her family.
"This is a very demanding job, but it has also been the most rewarding part of my career,” said Byrne in a statement. "We have an excellent senior administrative team, and it’s been a privilege to work with them. Guided by our Catholic faith, we’ve always kept our attention focused on supporting our students, both academically, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Catholic education is a true gift, and I can look back with immense gratitude on how we worked together towards creating spaces where students feel supported and loved."
Byrne began teaching in 1987 for the Simcoe-Muskoka Catholic District School Board before moving to Windsor-Essex the following year. She has been a curriculum consultant, a vice-principal at the former St. Bernard Catholic Elementary, and the principal at St. Maria Goretti, St. Pius X, and St. John the Baptist Catholic Elementary Schools.
In administration, Byrne had served as a supervising principal, superintendent, executive superintendent, and associate director.
Board Chair Lisa Soulliere said the school board is grateful to Byrne for her contributions.
"During her tenure, we have seen our programming expand, our enrollment numbers grow, and our student achievement results remain above provincial averages. All of those things take a total team effort, but they all start with true leadership," said Soulliere.
The board will begin the process of finding a successor for Byrne in the weeks ahead.
