This year’s Excellence in Catholic Education Award goes to Aaron Skretting from the Holy Spirit School Division.
Skretting has been with the division since 2016, as associate principal at Catholic Central High School and as Director of Religious Education.
“It’s a humbling thing. We’ve got a lot of people in our district who work really hard,” notes Skretting. “There’s so many people doing great work in all the different schools, and many different ways we have direct impacts on kids’ lives. To be recognized is an honour.”
He began his journey with the division as a student from Kindergarten to Grade 12. “I came back as a student teacher, then I went away and worked in the Palliser School Division for a bit and then came back,” says Skretting. “It’s a full-circle thing.”
It’s interesting, Skretting explains. “When you’re a student, you’re just a kid and you just take things for granted with the way things are at your school. In the environment you have, you don’t recognize some of the things that are special like the adults put a lot of energy into making it a good place for kids to learn.”
Now that Skretting has grown up and worked in various roles throughout the division and in other schools, he sees things from a different standpoint.
Superintendent Chantel Axani says Skretting is a strong leader who leads with humility. “Balancing his ability to guide, while also walking alongside others in their journeys.”
His colleagues admire his kindness and humour, which make him a respected leader and mentor.
Skretting will be honoured at the Blueprints Conference May 8.
