This session will include an overview of the current initiatives and future aspirations of the Laurier Faculty of Education provided Maria Cantalini-Williams (Dean of Education). In a panel discussion, Directors of Education from four school boards will share their perspectives of the role of a Faculty of Education and their visions for teacher education to serve the needs of diverse learners and families. This panel discussion will include Loretta Notten (Waterloo Catholic District School Board), jeewan chanicka (Waterloo Region District School Board), Mike McDonald (Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board) and JoAnna Roberto (Grand Erie District School Board). Steve Sider (Associate Dean of Laurier Faculty of Education) will moderate the panel discussion.
This program is part of the Laurier EdTalk series and is presented in partnership with the Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty of Education.
Registrants will receive an e-mail 24 hours before the start of the program with an invitation to join.
Panelists:
Dr. Maria Cantalini-Williams received her Doctor of Education degree from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto in the Department of Applied Psychology. Her research is focused on innovation in education, collaborative inquiry, early childhood and work-integrated learning models. She has authored and co-authored numerous books, chapters in books and academic journal articles on these topics. Dr. Cantalini-Williams worked in the Schulich School of Education at Nipissing University (Brantford campus) and received the designation of Professor Emerita. Maria has worked closely with local, national and international educational partners. Currently, Dr. Cantalini-Williams is involved in various research projects related to Innovation and Interdisciplinary initiatives.
Loretta Notten is currently the Director of Education at Waterloo Catholic DSB, which represents 24,800 day students, as well as 13,000 Adult and Continuing Ed students attending schools in Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo, and the surrounding townships. Loretta began her career in York Catholic DSB as an English teacher and then spent 26 years in Toronto Catholic DSB as a department head, secondary vice-principal and principal, central Program Coordinator and then 9 years as a superintendent. Loretta’s focus remains on transforming the educational landscape so as to prepare our students for the new global realities that await them upon graduation.
jeewan chanicka’s career began in early childhood education and adult literacy. During the past 20 years as an educator, he has held a variety of roles in education as a support worker, teacher, administrator, principal and superintendent. His work spans several districts in Ontario including York Region District School Board and Canada's largest school board, the Toronto District School Board where he served as the Superintendent of Equity, Anti-Racism & Anti-Oppression and Superintendent of schools. chanicka also worked at the Ontario Ministry of Education. In 2019, he assumed the role of CEO in Dubai where he was employed to develop the blueprint for a growing district of schools across the Middle East anchored in innovation and curriculum design focused on moving towards the 22nd century. chanicka speaks several languages and is recognized provincially, nationally and internationally for his work in social justice advocacy, curriculum, anti-racism, human rights and innovation.
Mike McDonald has worked in education for 32 years. His journey allowed him to experience many facets of education. He has worked as a teacher, teacher consultant, in school administration as a Vice Principal, Principal, and Superintendent. He has also worked as a Manager with the Ministry of Education, and is currently the Director of Education for the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board. Mike has a Bachelor of Arts, a Masters of Education, and is currently a doctoral student at the University of Toronto (OISE) with a research focus on engaging reluctant learners. He is committed to learning and education and has taught a number of additional qualification courses, and continues to have a keen interest in teacher education. He is excited about co-learning about the topic with this group of esteemed leaders.
JoAnna Roberto began her career in education in 1997 as an elementary teacher with the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board. She worked at the Ministry of Education and she then returned to her hometown of Niagara Falls where she worked in several roles for District School Board of Niagara including teacher, vice-principal, principal, and superintendent of education, curriculum, and student achievement. As Superintendent of Curriculum and Student Achievement, she was responsible for the learning agenda and Information Technology, Indigenous Education, French Immersion, Early Years, International Education, Math Strategy and English as a Second Language. JoAnna Roberto was appointed to Director of Education and Secretary to the Board at the Grand Erie District School Board following eight years as a Superintendent of Education at DSBN. JoAnna currently serves a district that spans a geographic area encompassing the City of Brantford and the Counties of Brant, Haldimand, and Norfolk. She is also a member of the Modernization in Measurement Advisory Panel for the Education Quality and Accountability Office.
Programmer: Mariah
