In late June, the Commission Scholaire des Haut-Bois-de-l’Outaouais (CSHBO) revealed its newest coordinator for adult education services and professional training and technological . . .

and material resource services.

Officially welcomed on July 1, Normand Beaupré started his new role on Aug. 5.

Possessing over 20 years of experience teaching accounting and secretariat programs in adult education, he feels a sense of comfort already knowing some of the ins and outs of the job.

“Since I’ve been in the business for a long time, a new teacher coming in, I know what they have coming to them and I can be there to support them.”

Along with a long list of academic certifications, boasting nearly 25 years of schooling experience, Beaupré has a Bachelor’s degree in education and is in the process of pursuing a Master’s in Business Management.

After moving to Fort Coulonge to work as a teacher for the CSHBO’s adult education services and professional training program in January, Beaupré was still on the lookout for bigger, better opportunities.

A passionate fishing enthusiast, originally from Sherbrooke, one of the biggest incentives for Beaupre keeping his career in the Pontiac was the wide diversity of rivers and lakes the region offers.

“I spoke with the director and asked if it’s a place where I can fish,” he said. “He said ‘Yes, it’s a great region for it.’ So right away, it was motivating because it’s an important activity for me.”

In charge of the Service de l’Education des Adultes Centre de Pontiac in Fort Coulonge, Beaupre spent the past year as a senior teacher in the school’s secretariat program.

There, he largely served as a link between upper management and the lower level staff, while also being a mentor for other teachers.

With a bevy of different responsibilities and new challenges, his job will still involve working as a link between upper and lower management as well as with students.

Keeping all departments on the same page to better serve the education centre’s clientele, it will require even more collaboration with principals and vice-principals.

“It’s about making sure that everything matches from one end to the other,” he said. “That every one works to, transfer information and be someone they can trust. I’m here for everyone.”

From managing employees and budgets or providing mentorship for colleagues in need, the demands of the trade make him very excited to finally get things rolling.

Along with the responsibilities it requires, one of most enjoyable aspects of his new position is the personnel that surrounds him on a daily basis, Beaupré said.

“It’s a really great team,” he said.

While the role provides a fresh and exciting perspective on things and new possibilities, Beaupre remains dead-set on pursuing greater opportunities in his career.

“My goal is to end up in direction, eventually,” he said. “Vice-principal or even principal if it ever opens up.”

Working in numerous academic institutions filling a plethora of different roles over the last two decades-plus, Beaupré believes his experiences will certainly benefit him in his new position.

As someone who dislikes the suffocating atmosphere of big cities, Beaupré has found the quaint vibe of the Pontiac, it’s natural beauty and its friendly population to be a positive contrast to his hometown.

“When people stop to say hello and actually take the time to chat, that’s always nice,” he said. “I don’t like big cities. I prefer smaller places. I enjoy nature. So, for me this is a really great place.”

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