Nancy Sarkis looks back on 34 years in education

By Mark Ribble

Cardinal Carter Catholic Middle School and High School principal Nancy Sarkis says the last 34 years have flown by because she loves what she does.

She’s been the principal of the combined Cardinal Carter school community since 2018 and was principal at the middle school for two years before that.

Nancy started her administration career in 2006 at Queen of Peace School in Leamington but her teaching days go back much earlier.

Her first year teaching was with the York Region Catholic School Board in 1988, and after two years she relocated back home to Essex County, where she taught at St. William School for nine years and St. Louis School for another six years before venturing into the administrative role.

NANCY SARKIS

That 34-year career will wrap up on the last day of school, June 28, when she walks out the Cardinal Carter doors for the last time as a member of the administrative staff.

“I have beautiful memories,” she says. “I’m very happy with the condition of the school and the school community.”

Jason George will take over as principal when school resumes in September and Nancy is confident that he will put just as much into the job as she did.

“Jason will continue to move the school forward,” she says.

She’s sure there will be an adjustment period for her as she moves into retirement and there’s lots to miss.

“I will miss the students the most,” she said. “I pride myself in looking after some of the more marginalized kids and giving them support. I will miss all of them.”

She says the last two years with COVID restrictions have been the most challenging of her career and that she was thrilled to welcome the kids back last September.

“During COVID, walking into that empty building was difficult,” she said. “It was too quiet. We loved having the sounds of the kids in the hallways this year.”

Nancy was recently awarded the J.F. Johnston Award by the Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board — a prestigious award given annually to an educator who best exemplifies the vision and mission of the board.

“I was humbled by that,” she says. “It was a wonderful celebration with my colleagues. I was able to read all of the letters of support.”

That was followed by a school open house on June 2 where former staff came out to honour her, and then a year-end mass for the first time in almost three years.

“They gave me a beautiful send-off,” she said.

As for future plans, she and her husband Joe hope to do some traveling, with plans to go away for Labour Day Weekend for the first time in 34 years.

“I’ll also enjoy those ordinary moments, like having an extra cup of coffee in the morning and continuing to work out and stay healthy,” she said.

As for the timing, she says it was just right.

“I was already working three years post-retirement, so I had planned on this year being the last before the COVID situation, so the timing is right,” she said.

She left us with a quote from her favourite TV show, This Is Us.

“If something makes you sad when it ends, it must have been pretty wonderful while it was happening.”