Head of the class
Googoo first Mi’kmaq to head Cape Breton-Victoria school board
Darren Googoo has been appointed chair of the Cape-Breton Victoria Regional School Board.
He is the first Mi’kmaq representative to be named as a school board chair in the province. The appointment, made by the governor-in-council, takes effect immediately.
In November, the Cape Breton-Victoria board attempted to elect a chair but the vote resulted in a time between Lorne Green and John Berk. As a result it became the responsibility of the provincial government to appoint a chair.
Googoo is from Membertou. He lives there with his wife of 25 years and their three children, who attend schools in both the Mi’kmaq Kina’matnewey system and the Cape Breton-Victoria board.
Googoo is a teacher, graduating from the Nova Scotia Teachers College in 1994. Since that time he has had experience as both a classroom teacher and administrator.
He is the director of education for Membertou Mi’kmaq First Nation and has held that position for the past 19 years. He serves as the First Nations representative on the Cape Breton-Victoria school board.
He holds a master’s in education from Mount St. Vincent University and is chair of the Council on Mi’kmaq Education, vice chair of the Board of Literacy Nova Scotia, a member of the Purdy Crawford National Committee and vice chair of the Canadian Education Association.
“We are fortunate to have such a respected and qualified person as Darren Googoo being appointed to chair the school board,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Karen Casey in a news release. “I have every confidence in his ability to assume this important role in helping to support student achievement in the Cape Breton school community.”
Googoo believes in lifelong learning and continuous professional development.
“I am very pleased to have Mr. Darren Googoo appointed chair of the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board by the governing council,” said Beth MacIsaac, superintendent of the Cape Breton-Victoria board. “(He) brings to the position a dedication to the achievement of all students and a unique perspective on education from his participation at both the provincial and national level.