The new director of education at the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board describes her first year as a whirlwind.

Christy Radbourne says without COVID hanging over their head, they were able to accomplish a lot.

“That was a huge game changer,” says Radbourne in year end interview with Acadia News.

“Just the opportunity to get back face to face with people, change the conversation, change the ability to work together and really, really establish those relationships we had before going into COVID and those are the relationships that support all the work we do.  That’s a gift.”

Radbourne points out COVID wasn’t all bad and there was at least one positive to come out of the pandemic.

“COVID also gave us a real opportunity in learning how to leverage our virtual meetings much better.  Its really, I would say, increased the work we can do as a team, probably three-fold.”

Radbourne says they were able to address a report by the Ombudsman’s office on the Right to Read and believes they’ve seen great gains in literacy.