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Sean Monteith named Director of Education

Sean Monteith

Sean Monteith has been named the new Director of Education for Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board, effective Aug. 15, 2019.

Monteith takes over from Mandy Savery-Whiteway who announced her retirement in January. The board of trustees announced Monteith’s appointment at a special board meeting today.

“Sean is an experienced, collaborative leader and educator. He has a strong understanding of issues that are important to everyone at HPEDSB, including student achievement and well-being, equity and inclusivity, Indigenous education and organizational effectiveness,” said Shannon Binder, Chair of the board. “His commitment to open communication, collaborative teamwork, trust and respect align with the board’s vision to empower all students for the possibilities of today and tomorrow. As a Board, we are looking forward to welcoming Sean as our new director of education.”

Binder notes that as the current Director of Education for the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board, with head offices in Kenora and Dryden, Monteith is known for his focus on improving student achievement and Indigenous education.

He established the Indigenous Graduation Coach Program leading to historic achievements for First Nations youth, and partnerships with numerous tribal councils, First Nations, the Ministry of Education, and treaty areas including the Nishnawbe Aski Nation.

“I am thrilled to be coming to the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board, bringing my own unique professional and learned experiences to an established dynamic organization,” said Monteith. “The students, staff, and trustees can be assured they will be the beneficiaries of my dedication and energy to putting young people first, and a relentless commitment to improving outcomes for all students.”

Prior to becoming director of education for KPDSB in 2013, Monteith was a superintendent of education with responsibilities for Special Education, secondary schools, Student Success, Indigenous Education and Human Resources.

His experience as an elementary and secondary school principal, and before that as an elementary and secondary teacher, make him well prepared to lead K-12 public education at HPEDSB, noted Binder.

The board shared some of Monteith’s career highlights, which include supporting the following student-centred efforts:
· Increased graduation rates among Indigenous and rural/northern students, including the biggest gains among First Nations students provincially, leading to the establishment of provincially funded Indigenous Graduation Coach Program;

· Oversaw continuous improvements in student achievement measurements and outcomes, including EQAO Grade 3 and Grade 6 assessments;

· Developed a regional Northern Student Achievement Strategy with explicit focus on wrap-around services to support student attendance, engagement, achievement, and graduation, later to be funded and supported by the Ministry of Education;

· Successfully applied for and participated in a nationally recognized regional research project on students with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), resulting in provincial recognition of FASD as a priority for supporting educators and school boards;

· Negotiated successful partnerships and formalized official education services (tuition) agreements, new teacher induction mentorship agreements, and provincial/federal education service agreements with Indigenous tribal councils and First Nations, including the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Grand Council Treaty #9, Seven Generations Educational Institute, Keewaytinook Okimakanak Board of Education, Northern Nishnaawbe Education Council, and Grand Council Treaty # 3;

· Implemented an Efficacy Working Group comprised of representatives from all staffing groups, adopting a “servant-leadership” model to inform and recommend developmental planning to senior and executive administration; and

· Led the successful application and advocacy processes for the largest education capital construction project in Northern Ontario with the building and construction of the $31 million Sioux North High School, replacing an existing secondary school.

Monteith holds bachelor’s degrees from the University of Ottawa (BA (Hons), 1993) and Lakehead University (BEd, 1994, MEd 2008), and is currently pursuing his PhD through the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education/University of Toronto. He is an avid outdoors enthusiast who enjoys spending time at his cabin, on the water and close to the land fishing and hunting with his family and friends.

Monteith will be relocating to the area in the coming weeks, and looks forward to enjoying the blended rural and urban nature of the area.

Filed Under: Local News

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