PETER L. SMITH
LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE

L’ISLE-AUX-ALLUMETTES – When students return to Dr. Wilbert Keon School (DWKS) this September, they’ll be welcomed by a new face in leadership. Allison McLaughlin has been appointed principal for the 2025–26 school year, bringing with her a wealth of experience and deep commitment to education.

McLaughlin holds an Honours Degree in Art from Queen’s University and a Master of Teaching from Griffith University in Australia. Her career spans more than a decade, with extensive classroom and leadership experience. She taught from 2010 to 2016 and again from 2023 to 2025. Notably, she stepped into the principal’s role temporarily in 2011 while then-principal Neil Fleming was on sabbatical.

Within the Western Quebec School Board (WQSB), McLaughlin has served as Secondary Literacy Consultant from 2012 to 2014 and has held several other positions. From 2016 to 2022, she was Project Evaluation Lead for the Secondary 5 English Language Arts exam with Quebec’s Ministry of Education. She also coordinated the Ministry’s English evaluation process in 2022 and led the Secondary 2 DEELA Evaluation Situation project from 2024 to 2025. Since 2023, she has taught a professional studies course at Queen’s University.

“I’m excited and honoured. We have a wonderful, committed staff who care deeply about children, education, and our community. I care very much about students and the opportunities a solid education can provide. Public schools offer experiences and opportunities that allow all children to grow, develop, and reach their potential,” said McLaughlin.

She also thanked Fleming for his decades of service: “He gave me many opportunities and supported my growth throughout my career. I look forward to this new adventure and can’t imagine doing this leadership work anywhere else”.