The Palliser School Division is pleased to announce that Michael Willems has accepted the role of Principal of Vulcan Prairieview Elementary School, commencing the 2025/2026 school year.
Michael is excited to begin a new chapter and build relationships with the community at VPE. "I believe that a school thrives when there's a strong partnership between students, staff, and families, and I'm eager to foster an environment where everyone can learn and grow together."
Michael Willems is a dedicated educator who believes in innovative and engaging learning environments. He has taught in Palliser for over a decade, primarily in a K-9 setting. He previously taught at R.I. Baker Middle School, and, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Michael was asked to develop and lead the new K-9 Live Online program through Palliser Beyond Borders. Most recently, he was an active contributor to the launch of Coaldale Prairie Winds Secondary.
Michael's commitment to educational excellence was recognized with the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence in 2021 for his pioneering work in online and project-based learning. He has also been actively involved in the executive of the local Alberta Teachers’ Association. He earned a Certificate from Rio Vida College in Spain, followed by a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Lethbridge. He earned his Leadership Quality Standards from the University of Calgary in 2024.
In his spare time, Michael enjoys collecting books, reading, writing, hiking, biking, and volleyball. He loves spending time with his wife, Joy, who is a teacher in Palliser, and their two young daughters. They also have a pet turtle named Wardley. A professional spoken word poet, Michael writes pieces about current issues, with a present focus on AI and the future of the education profession. He also has a passion for problem-solving with spreadsheets and embraces challenges, having hiked across Spain, biked down America, and summited the tallest mountain in Africa.
Palliser School Division looks forward to Michael Willems' leadership at Vulcan Prairieview Elementary School.