Powell to step down as Catholic board's director of education

The Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board’s director of education is calling it a day.

Joan Powell made the news official on Monday night, telling school board officials that she plans to step down on April 30, 2014.

Powell has spent the past four decades in the education system, mostly with TBCDSB schools. She also spent time in the Superior North and Toronto Catholic systems.

She began her teaching career at Thunder Bay’s St. Bernard School and taught every grade between kindergarten and Grade 10, including several years as a special education teacher.

In 2007 she was promoted to the position of superintendent of education and took on the director of education role two years ago.

It has been an honour and a privilege to work in this great school system,” Powell said in a release issued by the school board on Thursday.

“I am proud of what we have accomplished and I have complete confidence that our staff will continue to move forward with vigour, foresight and dedication in service to our students and families.”