Alberta principal receives national award

An Alberta principal has been recognized as the Canadian Association of Principals (CAP) Distinguished Principal of the Year for 2024. Theresa Antonakis, principal of Archbishop MacDonald High School in Edmonton until her recent retirement, received this honour after dedicating nearly four decades to the teaching profession.

Antonakis began her teaching career in 1985 as a physical education and elementary teacher. After 10 years, she made the jump to administration and took on her first principalship in 2001. Throughout the last two decades, Antonakis took on various roles, including serving as a principal for all grade levels, working as assistant to the director of Educational and Administrative Technology Services, and spending time as manager of inclusive education. 

Taking on leadership roles came naturally to Antonakis. 

“I think that’s part of who I am as a person. I’ve always welcomed challenges. My whole career has been a learning curve.” 

When it comes to facing those challenges head on, she says she views them as opportunities and a chance to do what is right.

“There are some non-negotiables as principals,” said Antonakis. “We always have those non-negotiables. Students first and all students can be successful, and they’re all welcome.”

Antonakis’s guiding principle for leadership is clearly rooted in her passion for students.

“I really believe that every student that shows up in our building is ours. Regardless of their background, they are ours. And it’s our responsibility as teachers to meet them where they are, and to take them as far as we can.” 

She did not take this responsibility lightly and credits her dad, who had been a principal with Edmonton Catholic, for encouraging and mentoring her to become the leader she is today.

“He loved the school, and I just grew up with that mentality,” Antonakis said. 

After following in her dad’s footsteps and serving as a school leader for more than 20 years, Antonakis was touched when she found out she was nominated for the CAP Distinguished Principal of the Year award.

“I was really honoured because we don’t look for recognition. We just don’t look for it. It’s just who we are as principals.” 

Having retired at the end of the 2023/24 school year, Antonakis is still figuring it out what this new chapter in life holds for her. 

“My husband and I both retired. He was a principal also in Edmonton Catholic. So, we’re just going to see what life is like without bells, and we’re just going to enjoy life together.”