Western Quebec school Board Director General announces retirement 

Sophie Demers 

Mike Dubeau, General Director of the Western Quebec School Board (WQSB) since 2017, has officially announced his retirement. Throughout his career, he served as Director of Education, Technology, and Human Resources, and overseeing the departments of Transportation and School Organization.

“During his 6 years as Director General, Mr. Dubeau has led the school board with transparency and professionalism. He has fostered a culture of trust and care for all, while never losing sight of our core purpose or our responsibility to our learners,” said WQSB Chairman Wayne Daly, in a letter announcing Dubeau’s retirement. “I would like to thank Mr. Dubeau for his commitment and dedication to the school board, to our students and to our communities.”

When asked what led him to a career in education Dubeau said he was the youngest of eight children in a tight knit and supportive family. “I grew up in an environment throughout my formative years where I was supported to be the best I could be. This led me to want to do the same, it felt like a natural progression.” 

Dubeau started his career teaching at what was called Pontiac School Board at the time, and he then went on to become a school administrator with the WQSB in 1998. Later in 2008, he started in board-level administration.

As principal of Pontiac high school, Dubeau created a welding program that helped students get their welding certificate and high school diploma. “We were able to reach a whole group of students for whom school didn’t fit, it gave them something to be excited about at school,” said Dubeau. 

Later, as a Director of Education, Dubeau developed and led a Teacher Induction Program. The program aims to support teachers so they can deliver high quality education. “My personal mission statement is to help people be the best they can be,” said Dubeau. 
“I am most proud of the accomplishments of our students and our staff. The successes were things like playing volleyball with students or watching a student that struggled in history pass the final exam,” said Dubeau, when asked about his career’s accomplishments. 
Dubeau will stay on until June to help with the transition to the new Director general. The WQSB are accepting applications internally and externally to fill the Director General position by the end of June 2023. The application deadline is April 7th. 

Photo: Director General of the Western Quebec School Board, Mike Dubeau

 Photo: Courtesy of Western Quebec School Board