The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario is pleased to share that Superintendent of School Effectiveness Norma McDonald has been chosen as the recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Leadership Award presented by the Ontario Catholic Supervisory Officers’ Association.
The Award recognizes the outstanding contributions of leaders who have enriched the development and advancement of Catholic Education in Ontario through leadership on committees or projects which focus on enhancing the interests and needs of students, as well as leadership contributions in parish, civic, or humanitarian activities.
Superintendent McDonald expressed her gratitude for being chosen to receive the award.
“It is an incredible honour to be chosen as a recipient of the OCSOA Distinguished Leadership Award and I want to extend my gratitude to our CDSBEO community for the opportunities provided, to Director Corrigan and my colleagues for the nomination, and to the OCSOA Board of Directors for their faith in me as a choice for a recipient. I am extremely humbled to accept this award given the many outstanding leaders in Catholic Education throughout Ontario and want to thank all those who have mentored and guided me over the years.”
Director of Education Laurie Corrigan acknowledged Superintendent McDonald’s remarkable impact on education.
“Norma’s unwavering witness and commitment to faith and good works allows her to bring hope and learning together for our students, staff, and families. Her contribution to education in Eastern Ontario and throughout the Province is vast, and we will continue to reap the benefits of her dedicated service for years to come.”
Superintendent McDonald’s robust nomination includes her involvement with many local and provincial committees, including the OCSOA Catholic Leadership and Faith Development Committee (since 2018), both the CDSBEO and Ministry of Education province-wide Parent Involvement Committees, many Early Years Community Partners Network committees, and seven municipal committees including Vibrant Communities of Cornwall and the Cornwall Stormont Dundas Glengarry Early Years Planning Table, to name just a few.
She has also been involved with the Eastern Ontario Catholic Curriculum Cooperative Board of Directors and has established and implemented professional development for Culturally Relevant and Responsive Pedagogy, Early Years Learning (for both teachers and Early Childhood Educators) and has mentored newly appointed superintendents through OCSOA. Her involvement with her local parish and as a community volunteer, and her dedication to lifelong learning and leadership with Indigenous, Faith and Equity initiatives are a hallmark of her career. Her accolades are numerous and span 35 years of devoted service to Catholic Education.
OCSOA is a professional organization of Catholic Supervisory Officers throughout Ontario, dedicated to furthering the interests of Catholic Education and to promoting the professional development and welfare of its members. OCSOA works in partnership with Catholic education leaders to ensure high expectations of student achievement and well-being, and advocates for the inclusion of all students and their individual learning needs. It supports the care of vulnerable and marginalized students and is a provincial leader in the advancement of environmental stewardship. The OCSOA Distinguished Leadership Award was instituted in 2004.
The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario operates 39 elementary and 10 secondary schools across eight counties. The CDSBEO offers excellence in Catholic education through provincial-leading programs to approximately 13,600 students.
