Mr. C is FEIA's Multi-Cultural Principal
By Michael Clarkson
William Cockburn is a seasoned gatekeeper for Fort Erie International Academy. When international students walk the halls, they get a fist pump from its principal.
“Will” understands them, having travelled the world as a teacher.
He knows where Canadian students are coming from, as well – Mr. C attended FEIA when it was Fort Erie Secondary, with his father as its principal.
Along with strong intellect and passion, he projects welcoming warmth.
Born in Niagara Falls, Ont., to father Mike and mother Anne, who was a special needs teacher at Stamford Collegiate in the Falls, Mr. Cockburn attended FESS in 1999 and got his Bachelor of Arts in English and History at the University of Guelph.
Then his adventure picked up steam – he flew to Korea for one year to “stretch his comfort zone” and discover teaching, and then to Australia and Kuwait for five years each. Travel, he says, “opened my eyes and led to acceptance of other people’s ways of life, their religion. I learned to love people and relationships, being part of a team. Every year, I asked myself, “Have I seen enough’?””
He’s been camel racing in Kuwait, scuba diving in Australia and site seeing at the Great Wall of China and the pyramids of Egypt.
Mr. C’s mother was curious about his going to Kuwait, but he had a blast, teaching at an American private school while coaching basketball, soccer and badminton and taking his teams to other countries.
He returned to Niagara for the birth of his son, James, in 2015, and has been at FEIA since 2019, the last three as principal. As well, he has a Graduate Diploma in Education from the University of Newcastle, Australia, and advanced certifications under the Ontario College of Teachers in Teacher Leadership, Guidance, and Career Education and Principalship.
And now, the tall, effervescent “Will” helps to recruit and principal FEIA students from Brazil, Mexico, Vietnam, Korea, China, North Africa, the Middle East, and many nations in Europe. “I have learned what it means to be a minority,” he says. “And you learn that people have more in common with one another (as opposed to) what is different about them. We all want a sense of connection and purpose – to feel part of something bigger than ourselves.”
FEIA has many teachers with international experience, including Chris McCooey (ESL and PE), who taught In Japan; science teacher Kim Lum Kin (China), and social studies teacher Anna Marie Lavecchia (Italy).
The 270-strong enrolment is about 55 per cent international, but William and staff are hoping to make that 50-50 during the coming expansion year of 2026-27 with more day students, particularly from Niagara region.
FEIA has quickly become known as the home some of the world’s premier teenage athletes, academic students, and boys’ Canadian basketball champs two years ago. Major colleges and universities in Canada and the U.S., including Ivy League schools, are constantly contacting FEIA for talent.
“We choose to be high performance,” he says. “We’re not better than anyone else but we chose to work for it, and it means we take pride in our craft.”
Mr. Cockburn sees a broad picture and keeps in contact with parents. “Our goal is not just to develop high-performance basketball and hockey players. We should also be an incubator to produce the best workers and fathers and mothers and community members of tomorrow.” About 45 per cent of the students who received $5.2 million in scholarships in 2024-25 did so through academics.
“Like music and food, sports brings people together. However, we’re not just a sports school,” he said.
