After 26 years with the Hanover School Division, the principal of Stonybrook Middle School is retiring.

Eldon Dueck says he began teaching in 1984 in Winkler and moved to the Southeast in 1990. Dueck notes he then started teaching at Green Valley School followed by Steinbach Regional Secondary School and the last 13 years has been spent at Stonybrook Middle School, formerly Steinbach Junior High.

Dueck notes he is going to miss the daily interactions with students.

"I loved being in the hallways, it was hard to find me in my office. I loved doing bus duty because I got to greet the kids coming in off the bus and I got to say good-bye to them at the end of the day if I was there. I loved being in the hallways just flowing through the school and keeping a pulse on what was happening in the building."

He adds he felt it was part of his job as a principal to help new teachers. Dueck says in the first few years of a teacher's career he would monitor their classroom and classroom management, but also, he notes he would help coach, support, and encourage them.

Superintendent Randy Dueck says Eldon has a huge heart and passion for students.

"Eldon has been very strong in not only reminding us but modeling for us that we need to be caring for all kids. That's been the hugest contribution but I must also acknowledge that Eldon's sense of humour, enthusiasm, and positive nature has brightened many a room in the Hanover School Division."

Dueck says Rita Rebizant will continue as interim principal until the end of June 2017 and in February the division will go through their regular principal selection process. Eldon adds he wrote a song to help kids feel welcome in school and challenge teachers to draw people in. He says he is looking to purchase a new guitar to compose the music for the song. Additionally, Eldon says he will be teaching seminars directed towards parents who want to do more in helping their children with their education.