Patrice Berrel, the principal of Whitehorse Elementary School, is one of 33 recipients of the Outstanding Principal Award from The Learning Partnership.

The national not-for-profit organization is dedicated to championing a strong public education system in Canada.

Berrel has been an educator for 34 years. He spent 18 years as a teacher in Manitoba before moving to his position in Whitehorse16 years ago.

Berrel said in an interview this morning he found out he had won the award on Monday.

'Whenever you look at an award like that, it's not just about one person,' he said.

'It's the result of great staff, great community, great parents. We have exceptional staff and active parents. That's what makes a school.'

According to a press release, Canada's Outstanding Principals program 'honours the extraordinary contributions of dynamic education leaders in publicly-funded schools.'

'They're looking for dynamic schools, (and) principals who've shown they can be leaders,' said Berrel.

He cited school programs such as Breakfast for Learning and The Whole Child program as reasons for his success.

'Breakfast for Learning (at Whitehorse Elementary) was the first one in Yukon,' said Berrel. 'We did it with no funding, just donations from Extra Foods and the Alpine Bakery.'

Berrel explained that The Whole Child program is a community program that helps disadvantaged children by enabling them to participate in craft courses, cooking courses, and sports events at the school, for no charge.

'It's a chance for kids to be active and be part of a community event. It's open to any child in Whitehorse.'

Some evenings, the program would have up to 100 participants, said Berrel.

'I'm quite proud of that program,' he added.

Berrel also runs a floor hockey league after school.

He will be retiring at the end of the next school year.

'Canada's public education system is a crucial part of the ultimate quality of our country's fabric,' Veronica Lacey, The Learning Partnership's president and CEO, said in the press release.

'In helping to prepare young people to one day assume their place as leaders, more than ever, it is important that we continue to recognize the efforts of the educational leaders, the principals who are shaping today's youth for a better Canada tomorrow.

'It is truly a privilege to be able to recognize a group of principals whose talents and accomplishments are as diverse as the students they teach and the communities they serve.'

Canada's Outstanding Principals program is now in its fourth year. It was developed by The Learning Partnership and the Canadian Association of Principals, in collaboration with the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management.

Nominations were received from every province and territory and selection was on a representation by population basis.

Berrel was the only principal from the Yukon to win the award.

From Feb. 24 to 28, the 33 winning principals will participate in a five-day Executive Leadership Training Program at the Rotman School of Management in Toronto.

They will also be inducted into the National Academy of Principals and formally honoured at a dinner held in their honour.