After 27 years at the helm of Jessie Duncan School in Penhold, Karen Norton, the longest serving principal in Chinook's Edge School Division, has decided to retire.
“I've achieved all my goals and dreams I first had when I was 20 years old going out to my first job,” said Norton, who has taught for 44 years.
Norton received her training at the University of Calgary and spent some time teaching in Grande Prairie before being hired as vice-principal for the school in Kathyrn. She also spent some time in Spruce View and at École John Wilson Elementary. Then she heard a school was being built in Penhold and it sounded like the perfect fit.
“I opened the school and have been the only principal here since 1984.”
As the only principal for the last 27 years, Norton is leaving behind a legacy, most notably her work in the music and arts department.
Norton, along with Janet Lutz who is also retiring after 25 years, worked together on the school's well-known Christmas plays.
Norton would sometimes write the plays herself or choose one already written, but said she'd always tweak them a little to make them their own.
“They're just in Grade 1, 2 and 3,” she said of the students taking on the scripts. “They would memorize their scripts and learn the dancing and the singing. They would just do it so perfectly.”
The two may continue working with students during their retirement. Norton said they are thinking of going to schools where there aren't any fine arts programs set up and help them put on performances.
Music aside, Norton also plans to travel.
“Since I've been six I've been in school,” said Norton, who landed her first job right out of university.
Although she said she's ready to step down, she'll miss the community that she has gotten to know so well.
“One of the highlights was watching a generation of kids come through school and become wonderful adults and when they come back with their children, they speak of school as being really fun here. That's a good way to leave,” said Norton. “Knowing that they had fun.”
Trudy Henry will take over in the fall as new principal. She has served as vice-principal of Poplar Ridge School for the past five years and has 16 years with the school division.
