Singfield to retire after four decades in education

Sophie Demers 

WEST QUEBEC - After 40 years in education, George Singfield, Western Quebec School Board (WQSB) director general, has announced his retirement, effective July 25 this year. Singfield began his career in education as a supply teacher at Darcy McGee high school in 1989.

“The principal at the time, Michael Donnellan was a mentor to me. He found me work every year,” said Singfield. “I worked as a special education technician, an office agent one summer doing clerical work, and as a supply teacher, eventually becoming a teacher full-time.” 

In his youth, Singfield attended St. Michael’s High School in Low before transferring to D’Arcy McGee high school after his father, who also worked in education, took a job there. Before starting his teaching career, he attended St. Francis Xavier University. 

As an educator, Singfield taught many subjects like history, english, economics, physical education, as well as moral and religious studies at D’Arcy McGee. In 1998, he started his first position as principal at Onslow (Quyon) and Poltimore (Val-des-Monts) elementary schools. 

In 2000, Singfield returned to D’Arcy McGee as vice-principal. Two years later, he became principal of Symmes Junior High School. While holding this position, he completed a masters of Education at Bishops University. 

A few years later in 2006, he became the principal of both Symmes Junior High School and D’Arcy McGee high school, a position her held for 13 years before moving on to work for the WQSB in 2019. Before leaving, the students and staff of the school renamed the gym after him, highlighting his contributions to the school. 

One of the biggest highlights during his career, said Singfield, was learning and working with so many different people including support staff, teachers, caretakers, counselors, and principals.

Looking to the future of the English school board, he hopes they continue in the direction they have been going, which is to continue providing support and opportunities for all employees and educators. “The commitment to providing optimum conditions for learning for students and focusing on how what we do impacts students must be at the forefront and it has been. The board is so fortunate to have outstanding principals and senior directors. They're incredible people who really are in this for the right reasons,” said Singfield. 

As a long-time educator who has overcome many obstacles within the education system, Singfield  says the education system will always be hit with challenges. “We've really made an effort to receive those challenges and look at them as opportunities, not obstacles. I'm proud the people I work with think that way, and I'm confident they'll continue to do so.”

During retirement, Singfield hopes to travel a bit more with his wife, and get back into cycling. As a grandfather of two, he looks forward to spending more time with his grandkids. However, he says he can’t see himself walking away completely from the education world and would be open to staying connected and maybe helping to coach a sports team.