Celebrating Excellence: Janine Bowyer, Superintendent of Education

Congratulations to Janine Bowyer, Superintendent of Education, on her retirement from the Durham Catholic District School Board effective August 31, 2020!

Janine's natural leadership skills and commitment to Catholic Education was evident from her days as Student Council President at Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School. The third eldest child of Superintendent Ron Ste. Marie, Janine has made a significant contribution to the legacy of her family in the Durham Catholic District School Board through her distinguished career.  

Hired to her first teaching position in 1987, Janine’s experience in the classroom spanned from Grade 1 to Adult Literacy Development. In the year 2000, she was appointed as a Vice-Principal for a brief three-month period before she was chosen as the Course Director for York University Faculty of Education, Durham P/J/I site.  Highly respected and successful in this position, Janine’s contract was extended beyond the original two-year period. In 2003, she returned to school administration becoming a Principal in 2006. Recognized for her strength of character, excellent organization, instructional leadership capacity and common-sense approach Janine was tasked with leading schools experiencing challenging circumstances or introducing new and innovative programs. This, combined with her involvement on system committees made Janine an ideal candidate for Superintendent.  

In 2012, Janine was appointed as an Acting Supervisory Officer and was hired permanently in September of 2013.  Well-respected throughout the Board, Janine made a seamless transition to her new position and quickly became an integral member of the Senior Administrative Team. Over the last eight years, Janine has supervised Family of Schools and held major portfolios such as Student Achievement, Safe Schools, Equity and Inclusive Education, Strategic Execution, Policy Development and most significantly, Student Services.  She has been resource to Durham Catholic’s Suspension/Expulsion Committee and SEAC.Janine has been very active with the OCSOA Mentoring Committee for new Supervisory Officers.  

Janine enjoys family time, her dogs, good movies, reading, cycling, golf and travelling. She and her husband of 31 years, retired Superintendent John Bowyer, are so very proud of their three adult children, Rebecca (and Collin), Jonathan and Elizabeth - all four of whom are teachers. Janine’s advocacy for students, particularly those with special needs, her contribution to education and her positive influence on educators throughout the Durham Catholic District School Board and beyond will be long remembered. She (and her baking talents) will be especially missed by her colleagues in Senior Administration who wish her all the best on this new part of her life’s journey.