The superintendent of the Garden Valley School Division (GVSD) was recently celebrated during the Manitoba School Board Association's (MSBA) annual banquet in Winnipeg.
    
Vern Reimer was presented with the Presidents' Council Award, an honour recognizing exemplary service and outstanding achievement, innovative thinking, personal initiative, and lasting and pervasive impact in the field of public education.

Reimer was acknowledged for his commitment to public education as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent and current superintendent.

In a statement issued by the MSBA, it said "Vern has exemplified the importance of relationship in all aspects of the learning process from the classroom, to school administration, to the board table and out into the community. Vern has been responsive to divisional needs giving leadership to strategic plans that have resulted in improved early years literacy scores, vocational programming, technology integration and professional learning communities."

"Vern has been a humble but courageous partner with the GVSD Board in leading the division through some challenging times of growth. His unwavering belief in leading, living and serving from an abundance perspective, rather than from a perspective of scarcity, has ensured that we all come to the table with something to offer, and we all leave the table knowing the utmost effort is being made to ensure education is delivered in Garden Valley School Division the most equitable way possible."
    
Along his journey, Reimer explained his guiding principle has essentially been treating people they way he wanted to be treated, which has served him well.  "In looking back over 30 years now, whether you're teaching Kindergarten children in gym, or working with the minister of education, or 700 staff, or anyone."  He said it all comes down to the basic principles of treating people with respect, with clear communication and clear expectations.

A piece of advice Reimer has for the next generation of educators, is to never lose track of what's most important.  Reimer says that is the people, and especially the children. "Don't get lost in the politics, the too much paperwork...but always stay focused on the people."