A Surrey principal has been named one of the top principals in Canada for 2013.

Strawberry Hill Elementary's Raminder Randhawa recently learned he was selected as one of the top 51 educators in the country for 2013 Canada's Outstanding Principals, an annual program put on by The Learning Partnership, a national education advocacy group.

Randhawa, who was nominated by his staff prior to Christmas, said the selection reflects more on his school than on him as an individual.

"As you know, schools are places where teams of teachers and educators work very hard to help kids learn, help them make it in life and I am just sort of a cheerleader in the back who supports these teams of educators," he said.

"The selection is a tribute to the people I work with because a principal is just one part of a school of teachers that work very, very hard and I am just proud to be part of that team.

"I'm honoured, and at the same time, humbled by the selection."

For being selected, Randhawa will join the other winners from across Canada in Toronto later this month for a gala awards dinner.

The principals will also participate in a special training program during their trip, a leadership program from the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management.

"There will be a whole bunch of workshops and further opportunities to see where one can cheerlead and support other educators," said Randhawa.

The win comes in Randhawa's second year at the helm of Strawberry Hill Elementary and prior to his current stint, he was principal at Cougar Creek Elementary for five years.

According to Akela Peoples, president and CEO of The Learning Partnership, the yearly awards are a chance for leaders in education to get the recognition they deserve.

"Behind every great school is a great principal who is not only an outstanding educator, but an excellent manager and leader," said Peoples.

"We are thrilled to be recognizing these individuals as examples of excellence in public education."

But while Randhawa is grateful for the recognition, he reiterates that it's not his award alone.

"I honestly feel it is a tribute to the team I work with and really important to honour their work," he said.

"As the systems are set up it's only one person that gets recognized, but I cannot overemphasize the fact that the parents, teachers and the various professionals that work with the schools is part of this. It's all a collaboration."

cpoon@thenownewspaper.com