Principal of the Year – How Maria Pereira Leads From the Heart

By Paulo Pereira

This article is sponsored by:

Maria Pereira may have retired from her role as a school principal, but her legacy continues to echo through the halls of several learning institutions in Toronto. Her name graces the library of a local secondary school—an enduring symbol of the profound impact she had on students, staff, and the wider community.
Maria Pereira always led from the heart. I once witnessed a moment that captured the essence of her leadership: a troubled student, angry and disrespectful, unleashed a torrent of frustration in her office. Many would have seen cause for suspension—perhaps even expulsion. But not Maria. She listened. She understood. And she responded not with punishment, but with compassion. By the end of their conversation, the student was in tears—held in her arms. Months later, he proudly walked across the graduation stage to receive his high school diploma.
That was Maria Pereira. A leader who didn’t rely on rule books or ego, but on empathy, instinct, and unwavering belief in her students. In 2012, the Toronto Catholic District School Board formally recognized her brilliance with the Principal of the Year Award. But for many, she was the principal of a lifetime—guiding generations with respect and compassion.
What follows is a reprint of an article that I originally wrote in 2012 for Toronto’s local Portuguese media. More than just a tribute, it stands as a document of historical importance, celebrating not only Maria Pereira’s legacy but also the broader contributions of Portuguese Canadians to this country. Her story is our story—and it deserves to be remembered for generations to come.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Article published in 2012:

On the South-East corner of Bloor and Dundas Streets, the imposing building of Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton Catholic Secondary School is home to many of our Portuguese Canadian high school students and a number of staff of Portuguese descent.  In the Principal’s chair sits a woman who has given her life to education, in roles as teachers and administrator for over 30 years now.  Her name is Maria Pereira, daughter of Portuguese immigrants who, like all of us, came to Canada in search of a better life.  This year, her colleagues from the Toronto Catholic District School Board voted her the Principal of the Year, an honour that not only speaks to her dedication and professionalism but also to the progress and integration of the Portuguese community in Canada. 

If you enter the office of BMTM – as the school is also known by – you will often notice a line-up outside the Principal’s door.  That is because Maria Pereira has adopted an open door policy in which no appointment is needed and students always get the priority.  Kind and attentive, she has conquered the admiration and the trust of her staff and students, an assertion that is proven by the visits she receives by the alumni who often come to her to disclose the latest news about their lives. 

“Ms. Pereira is very proud of her students, and makes many sacrifices on their behalf. She actively participates and attends their various events, like a good parent would. In fact, she lovingly refers to her students as “my kids”. We are so blessed to have such a Principal among us, who gives selflessly of her whole self, emotionally and spiritually, in totality!  This school is her life, and these kids are her kids, as she will tell you, more often than not, from dawn until dusk, she walks the hallways and knows every student by name”, Maria, a Parent Council member, reveals. 

The Principal of the Year Award is recognition of Maria Pereira’s achievement as an educator, but the biggest acknowledgment comes from her students who are the force behind her dedication and willingness to serve our youth.  “My philosophy to kids is that every student can learn given a caring, compassionate, safe and inclusive learning environment. When we believe in students, they begin to believe in themselves and perform to the best of their ability. Student engagement does not happen in isolation. Students become involved when they know we care and what is best for them. We never forget that each learner is unique. It’s important to read the students before reading to them. All kids are good kids. They sometimes go through a bad time, and when they do, that’s when they need you the most. Keep all students close to your heart and let them know you care; keep the students at risk and the exceptional students even closer and let them know you are never going to give up on them. Always give kids hope, because hope-filled kids will be the future of tomorrow”, she states. 

In a year that we commemorate the 25^th anniversary of the Portugal Week celebrations, it becomes even more meaningful that one of our own has received such an award of achievement.  Maria Pereira is not only an inspiration to her staff and students but also an example to all Portuguese Canadians, young and old.  Let’s be proud to be Portuguese.  

If you have a story or a statement you would like to share about Principal Maria Pereira, please contact us