Since first opening its doors in February 1949, Leaside High School has been “captained” by adept, able-bodied administrators. The first, Norman McLeod, was even immortalized, albeit ambivalently, in alumna Margaret Atwood’s novel Cat’s Eye, in which he is called Mr. MacLeod or “Chrome Dome behind his back since he is bald on top.”
The real “McLeod” accepted the position of principal of the Town of Leaside’s only high school after serving as the first president of the Ontario Teachers’ Federation. Today LHS boasts a stellar cast of school directors including Principal Barb Nixon and Vice-Principal Ruth Kelly, both well-respected and seasoned leaders.
Vice-Principal Austin Pool, newest to the role, rounds out the office complement with a unique history worth telling and which informs his career decisions daily.
Pool was a child actor from ages 8 to 18. He performed in movies alongside comedy legends like Chris Farley, Norm Macdonald and Adam Sandler. Growing up in Mimico, he loved “performing in front of family and friends.” So much so that a close family friend mentioned an ad she had seen in the Toronto Star for a summer acting program for kids. His parents signed him up; his talent was recognized, and he ended up featuring in commercials and movies after school, on weekends and holidays. “I considered acting as an extracurricular activity; my parents taught me to always put my education first. I was lucky to have a family that kept me grounded.”
It was his third audition that landed a role in Billy Madison; he is the reader with the stutter to whom an impatient Adam Sandler shouts, “T-t-t-today, Junior!” “It was the ’90s and Toronto was Hollywood North. The classroom scene was filmed at John Ross Robertson School; I remember Sandler being funny, kind and supportive.” Pool attended Richview Collegiate in the French Immersion program and excelled at drama and history, which became his teachable subjects. “I enjoyed playing sports, especially football and rugby. We were a small group in French Immersion, so I was very close to my peers, those in my cohort.” Pool learned a lot as a child actor, not least of which was resiliency. “Change does not bother me,” he says, which is an asset, especially for a teacher/administrator.
He did most of his teaching at Weston and Nelson A. Boylen Collegiates as well as Vaughan Road Academy. “I enjoyed my time spent teaching at those schools, two of which have closed due to low enrolment.” They are considered under-served communities, socio-economically very different from Leaside and neighbourhoods where Pool helped effect positive change. He coached football and rugby, leading the Weston team to victory. He also introduced leadership opportunities for students, his mantra being “Let’s get this going!” In his capacity as head of guidance at Weston he was able to grow the Pathways program, which offered students viable alternatives to university and college.
Pool explains that the trades are fantastic vocations offering job satisfaction and good remuneration. His father was a welder and many of his childhood friends, with whom he keeps in touch, are electricians, plumbers and masons. He himself did a myriad of jobs during his university days such as brick chimney repairs – he even painted silos at Pearson Airport. Since coming to LHS in 2022 he has worked hard at making all students feel they belong and are appreciated. He has increased student access to the Pathways program and even helped with the Muslim Student Association, which has hosted school events such as Iftar dinners promoting healthy dialogue among all students.
“Even before coming to LHS, I knew of its strong academic reputation and prowess on the sports fields, especially football and rugby; turns out the people and programs exceeded my expectations.” Pool has always considered his role as an educator as “a call to service,” a sentiment shared by the entire administrative team. His passion and dedication to the students are palpable in the halls of LHS and a boon to the community.
