Presenter: Donna Ford, Michael Wetzel & Eleanor McIntosh
Description:
Forthcoming
Bios:
Donna Ford
Peel District School Board, Superintendent – Indigenous Education, Anti-racism, Anti-oppression & Community Partnerships
Donna Ford is an anti-racist educator. She has held teaching and leadership roles in classrooms, schools, a faculty of education and system leadership roles with the York Region District School Board. In her current role with the Peel District School Board, Donna takes every opportunity with the teams in the Equity Office to surface inequities and support the transformation of structures, practices and policies at all levels of the organization to guarantee the complete engagement, wellbeing and success of the students (and their families) who experience exclusions alongside those students who do not.
Michael Wetzel
Toronto Catholic District School Board, Principal
Michael has been in education for 23 years, all of them with the Toronto Catholic District School Board. Michael taught English Literature and Interdisciplinary Studies at Mary Ward Centre for Self Directed Learning. It was here at this innovative and progressive school that Michael developed his appreciation for different approaches to teaching and learning. It was also here that Michael had his first experiences with online learning as he utilized different e-tools to engage and reach his students. Michael moved into administration in 2009 serving as vice Principal at St. John Paul II CSS and St. Mother Teresa Catholic Academy which is where he was asked to lead a team to develop the TCDSB’s 21st Century Learning plan and philosophy. This endeavour, named Project NeXt grew to influence the professional development and instructional practice of the board and the team was awarded the prize for educational innovation by the Learning Partnership in 2013. Shortly after leading the Project NeXt team, Michael became the eLearning Coordinator for the TCDSB overseeing all aspects of eLearning for the board and liaising with similar contacts throughout the province. In the fall of 2013 Michael was promoted to principal and assigned to St. John Paul II where he served for 8 years. He has sought to move the school along through innovations in student voice, 21st Century learning tools and approaches and Equity based curriculum design. Michael will returning to Mary Ward CSS in September of 2021 to serve as their principal and is excited about what the future holds.
Eleanor McIntosh (she/her)
Durham District School Board, Principal
Eleanor has been positive influence in the field of education for over 20 years. Eleanor began her career in education as an Assistant Language Teacher (A.L.T.) with the Japan Exchange and Teaching (J.E.T.) Program in the small suburban community Kani City, Japan. There she provided instruction in English grammar and conversation at a large public, academic high school. Eleanor has supported the transition of internationally trained teachers seeking positions in Canadian schools in a jointly funded program between the Ontario College of Teachers and United Way of Toronto.
Eleanor has developed her leadership skills in the various roles she has held including Vice Principal, Education Officer and currently as a secondary Principal within the Durham District School Board. She holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration and undergraduate degrees in Biochemistry and Kinesiology. She is a passionate advocate for youth and community.
Eleanor is one of the founding members of the Durham Black Educators’ Network (DBEN) since its inception in 2005. She has held executive positions of Treasurer, Vice-Chair and two terms as Chair. Eleanor is a founding member of the Ontario Alliance of Black School Educators (ONABSE), and currently sits on the Board of Directors for 100 Strong Foundation working with Black male youth and The Black Opportunity Fund Inc. a national organization established in 2020.
Eleanor has been a panelist and presenter at 20 different speaking engagements and conferences since 2012. She has appeared on CTV, Rogers TV, and interviewed for variety of Metroland Media news articles.
An avid global traveler, Eleanor has visited over 25 different countries around the world and is happy to call Durham region home.