Colleen Russel -Rawlins appointed as first Black female Director of Toronto District School Board

BY PAUL JUNOR

There is no doubt that 2021 will go down as an historic year at the Toronto District School Board.

After over a year of searching for a new permanent director, it was announced that Colleen Russel-Rawlins will become its new director effective August 1st, 2021 She served the TDSB for twenty-nine years and was its Associate Director of Equity, Well-Being, Early Years and School Improvement before her departure to the Peel District School Board (PDSB) . She commenced her role as Interim Director of Education and Secretary of the Board as of August, 2020. Her leadership at the PDSB has been widely recognized as she navigated the challenges and changes resulting from the Ministry of Education’s directives which are currently in effect.

Through her work, changes were made to the Regional Leadership Choices Programs (RLCP) to include a new self-identification section to ensure that BIPOC qualified students are admitted bypassing the random selection process. In addition, PDSB will be the first board to de-stream Grade 9 Math in September 2021, and Grade 9 English in September. 2022. Furthermore, there will be the launch of the first Student Equity Advisory Committee (SEAC) within the coming weeks.

In her determination to infuse core values of equity and human rights to effect significant and long-lasting changes, she was able to incorporate a radical paradigm shift, She states, “As a staff, we reframed the directives into four categories: relationships, leadership and capacity building, student learning and well being and accountability.

This approach was intended to disrupt the notion that the directives are really a checklist rather than a series of actions that form a much broader plan for deep and lasting conceptual change. While the PDSB is on the right track, there’s a long journey to truly transform the Board and dismantle systemic racism.”

The appointment of Ms. Russel-Rawlings was approved at a special TDSB meeting and she will start her new role on August 4th, 2021. In the press release from the TDSB, Alexander Brown, Chair of the board states, ”We are excited that Colleen will return to her roots at the TDSB and begin the enormous task of leading Canada’s largest school system out of the pandemic with renewed optimism. Collen brings with her a strong commitment to student learning, achievement and success and exceptional background in addressing anti-black racism, oppression and equity.”

Ms. Russel-Rawlins acknowledges the importance of her work with PDSB in a statement, “Throughout my career, equity was my foundation for improving student engagement, well-being and achievement. I welcome the opportunity to continue to work with trustees, students, families, and dedicated staff to ignite learning and innovation and focus on the success of students who are underserved. On a personal note, it’s a unique and humbling experience to return as Director of Education for the schools where I was once a student.”