TORONTO (CP) - Ontario's key education and social services portfolios got new leaders Wednesday as Premier Dalton McGuinty shuffled his cabinet to replace Gerard Kennedy, who quit his job as education minister to mount a federal Liberal leadership bid.

McGuinty, who since his election in 2003 has tried to style himself as the "education premier," moved Liberal stalwart and cabinet veteran Sandra Pupatello from her community and social services portfolio to replace Kennedy.

Pupatello's old job will be filled by former Culture Minister Madeleine Meilleur, who in turn will be replaced by a new cabinet appointee: Caroline DiCocco, who has represented the southwestern Ontario riding of Sarnia-Lambton since 1999.

Pupatello, a seasoned legislator who has led the riding of Windsor West since 1995, has long been one of the Ontario government's "most dynamic, experienced and effective ministers," McGuinty said.

Pupatello joins Finance Minister Dwight Duncan, who also represents the city of Windsor, as McGuinty's two top cabinet lieutenants.

She admitted Wednesday it will be difficult to step out from behind Kennedy's shadow, particularly when some of her own family members have urged her to convince McGuinty not to let Kennedy go.

"They are huge shoes to fill," she said. "Apparently, his walk on water, so I've got a few lessons up ahead."

Pupatello admitted she doesn't have a broad professional education background, but pledged to focus on public education, harking back to her time as a child where school helped her succeed as a first generation Canadian.

"Whatever it takes, we're going to get great results for kids," she said. "I am determined to do that."

Education stakeholders, who praised Kennedy for keeping both an open mind and an open door, are hopeful Pupatello will follow his example.

"He did a great job," said Donna Marie Kennedy, president of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association.

"We knew that he had the ear of the premier as well, so that was very important to us; he certainly had authority in caucus," she said.

"We presume Pupatello will have the same kind of authority in caucus and that she will be able to bring educational issues to the government."

Whether or not she's the right person for the job is "left to be seen," Kennedy added.

The former education minister said he'll stay on as a special adviser to McGuinty and Pupatello to ensure the switch goes smoothly.

"I simply want to assure all concerned that the students in Ontario are headed in the right direction and their 'education advantage' will continue," Kennedy said.

Opposition members denounced Pupatello's advancement, pointing to the fact she was unable to keep the government's promise to stop the clawback of the federal child supplement, nor was she able to substantially boost welfare rates, as pledged.

Poverty advocates had harsher words.

"To be frank, we're happy to see Minister Pupatello go," said Sarah Blackstock, a policy analyst with the Income Security Advocacy Centre.

In opposition, Pupatello was feisty and fierce, but she didn't take that attitude to cabinet, Blackstock said.

There's strong pressure on Meilleur, a longtime municipal politician, to be an advocate for the poorest Ontarians by pushing the government to boost welfare rates, which were slashed to the bone by the previous Conservative government, and halting the clawback, Blackstock said.

"Thousands of people are depending on her to go to the cabinet table with strong positions and a refusal to back down to the arguments of her colleagues who continue to insist that poor people cannot be prioritized," she said.

Meilleur, first elected in 2003 in the riding of Ottawa-Vanier, gave no indication of her top priorities, but said she'll move forward with initiatives set out by her predecessor.

"It's going to be easier for me after Minister Pupatello was there," Meilleur said. "It has its own challenges, but I'm ready for the challenge."

Meilleur will continue to be responsible for francophone affairs, while Pupatello will hold responsibility for women's issues.

DiCocco, who highlighted her history as a former culture critic, denied her promotion is a bid to save her seat in the 2007 election since Sarnia residents are outraged their coal power plant -one of the cleanest - is slated for closure.

The promotion will benefit her constituents because, "you're at cabinet table," she said, quickly adding that representing your constituents is always the main focus.

"That's why you're here."