In 1988, Sister Mary Heather MacKinnon, SSND, created a theological education program for leaders in Catholic education for the Halton Roman Catholic School Board (HCDSB). This program is called TEL (Theological Education for Leadership). Since 1988, Sister Mary Heather has designed and facilitated TEL for countless Principals, Vice-Principals, Superintendents of Education, Business Superintends, Managers, and the Directors of Education in the HCDSB. This School Board includes 45 elementary schools, 8 secondary schools, and 3 continuing education centers for over 35,000 students in 5 cities in Southern Ontario.
On May 2, 2019, Sister Mary Heather facilitated her last TEL, and chose to turn TEL over to lay leadership, who will continue to keep this program alive. The Director of Education and participants in Sister’s last TEL session honored her with a Board citation of gratitude and a gave her a beautiful gift of pottery to recognize her many years of faithful service and commitment to Catholic education.
