The Bluewater District School Board has appointed Lori Wilder to the position of Director of Education.
While the appointment is effective October 1, 2020, she will assume the role of Director Designate as of June 27, 2020.
Wilder is currently the Superintendent of Education within the organization. She will replace the retiring Director of Education Alana Murray.
Wilder brings to her new role many years of experience in local public education, which began as a teacher for Georgian Bay Secondary School. She also served as a vice-principal and principal.
In 2005, she became a Student Success Leader, which led to numerous system-level responsibilities as Superintendent of Education spanning more than a decade. Her portfolio has included oversight of areas of elementary and secondary schools, special education, student mental health, parent involvement, supporting the student voice, adult education, the skilled trades, and human resources. She has also been a devoted champion of Indigenous learning for students and staff, student athletics, and fostering inclusion and acceptance by implementing Gay-Straight Alliances in many schools.
"On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am thrilled to welcome Lori as Director of Education," says Bluewater District School Board Chair Jan Johnstone. "Lori's collaborative leadership approach, vast experience, and involvement in programs geared towards supporting some of our most vulnerable students, will be a wonderful asset in guiding us into an exciting future for the students, staff, and families of Bluewater."
"I am extremely honoured and humbled to be appointed as Director of Education, and look forward to building upon the great work of Director Murray to deliver excellent educational opportunities where all of our students can flourish. Continuing her legacy of strong leadership is especially important as we navigate the challenges related to COVID-19," says Wilder. "I thank our trustees for their confidence in me, and my amazing colleagues at both the school and system levels, whose years of partnership and support have been imperative in preparing me to fulfill this new role on behalf of those we serve."
"We know for families the priority is their health and safety and well being. We are providing those learning opportunities but there are other priorities in many families' lives at this stage," says Wilder. She says her long experience with the Bluewater Board will help meet current challenges."
"I know what it is like in a rural school board, what the learning needs are and for us, it's about helping our students succeed and be successful. And I'm really honoured and humbled to be the next Director for Bluewater School Board."
There is still no word from the province when schools might reopen.
A proud longtime resident of Owen Sound, Wilder holds a Master of Science in Education, Administration and Supervision degree from Niagara University, and Bachelor of Education and Honours Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of Western Ontario. Her varied leadership roles range from local to provincial, including Central Region Director for the Ontario Public Supervisory Officers' Association and Co-Chair of the Grey-Bruce Children's Alliance, in addition to serving in several other capacities.
~WITH FILES FROM KIRK SCOTT
