NATHAN QUESNEL-GIRARD
LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE

SHAWVILLE – After three years as principal of Pontiac High School (PHS), Terry Burns is retiring. Burns, who planned to retire a couple of years ago, didn’t expect the adventure coming his way when he applied as an occasional teacher, but landed a one-year contract as a principal at a Val d’Or school. Once his contract ended, he wanted to find a job closer to home and decided to apply for the principal job opening at PHS.

“Everybody understood that by hiring me, a man later in his career, I wouldn’t be here forever. I promised them three or four years when I started, and I kept that promise,” declared the retired principal.

Despite feeling energetic and youthful enough to keep going, many reasons encouraged him to retire.

“I’m going to be 64 years old in June, my wife is a retired schoolteacher and she’s very excited for me to join her in retirement. Also, we’re caring for elderly parents, so it’s important we’re close to their homes to help them,” he explained.

Although he’s leaving the education field, Burns plans on working part-time as a clergyman, a job he occupied before becoming a schoolteacher and principal.

“I won’t be fully retired and slowed down, but my life will be less intense and demanding. Looking after 450 teenagers and 40 staff members requires a lot of energy and focus,” he said.

Administration changes
The chair didn’t remain empty for long as the Western Quebec School Board promoted current vice-principal, Luke McLaren, who has been at PHS since 2007. He started as a teacher, but for the last four years has been vice-principal.

“I’ve been Luke’s loudest cheerleader since we met. We’ve worked together and shared responsibilities for two years. I felt he would be a very wise choice to fill the principal’s shoes,” said Burns.

Bessie Tsatoumas, a former McDowell Elementary principal with 22 years experience in the education field, will now become vice-principal.

The new administration team plans to carry on with the school’s vision.

“In the last few years, the school collectively worked on the Education Project. I was involved in developing it with Mr. Burns, and it’s something we will carry forward as our sort of working guide. Obviously, it can be changed and added to,” McLaren told the Journal.

The new administration assumed their new roles on June 2.

Photo – Luke McLaren (right) now fills the principal’s seat at Pontiac High, as Terry Burns (left) has retired. (DS)