DCDSB Announces the Appointment of Superintendents of Education

Posted On Tuesday April 28, 2020
G Winn
G. Winn

The Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mike O’Neill, Gerard Winn and Mariah O’Reilly to the position of Superintendent of Education effective August 17, 2020.

Mike O’Neill has over 25 years of experience as an educator, consultant and school administrator with DCDSB. In addition, he has played many significant leadership roles within the system as Restorative Practice Lead and Facilitator, Development of the Bullying Awareness and Prevention Curriculum, and Executive Member of the Catholic Principals’ Council of Ontario (CPCO) Durham Chapter. His committee work includes involvement with Mentoring for New Administrators, New Teacher Induction Program, and the School Effectiveness Framework Committee. In 2013, he was recognized nationally by The Learning Partnership with the Outstanding Principal Award for achieving increased academic success of students, building a positive school climate, and strengthening partnerships with parents and community.

Mr. O’Neill is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario where he earned his Bachelor of Arts; and University of Ottawa where he earned his Bachelor of Education. He earned his Master’s of International Education at Charles Sturt University. Mr. O’Neill is a member of the Knights of Columbus and belongs to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Whitby.

“I am excited and honored to be joining the senior administration team. I am confident in the collective expertise of our community of educators and look forward to the continued development of a culture of quality education and student well-being within our classrooms,” Mr. O’Neill said.

Gerard Winn joins DCDSB from the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board (PVNCCDSB), where he is currently the System Principal of Special Education, mentoring principals in the delivery of Special Education Services. He has also worked as an educator, consultant and administrator, while involved in various committee and leadership roles across PVNCCDSB. Some of these include Chairperson of the Accessibility for All Committee, Co-Chairperson of the Mentoring for All System Committee, and member of the Special Education Advisory Committee, and Equity and Inclusive Education Committee.

Mr. Winn is a graduate of Trent University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts; and Trent/Queen’s University where he earned his Bachelor of Education concurrently. He earned his Master’s of International Education at Charles Sturt University where he was recognized with the Executive Dean’s Award for Outstanding Academic Research/Performance. Mr. Winn is a member of the music ministry in his parish of St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church in Downeyville.

"I am honoured and humbled to join the Durham Catholic District School Board family. I look forward to being part of the team, working collaboratively towards the strategic commitments of excellence, equity and engagement, and helping to strengthen and enhance the relationships between home, school and parish,” Mr. Winn said.

Mariah O’Reilly’s appointment to Acting Superintendent of Education effective May 1, 2020 was accepted at the Special Board Meeting of April 15, 2020. At the Regular Board Meeting of April 27, 2020, the Board of Trustees accepted Ms. O’Reilly’s appointment to Superintendent of Education effective August 17, 2020.

“I am very excited to join the committed and dynamic team of senior administrators at the Durham Catholic District School Board. It will be my privilege to support the home, school and parish connection as we work to assure the best outcomes for our students,” she said in the appointment notice on April 16, 2020, which outlines her experience as a Catholic educator and leader.

“I am pleased to welcome Mr. O’Neill, Mr. Winn and Ms. O’Reilly to the Senior Administrative Team,” said Tracy Barill, Director of Education. “Their leadership and individual strengths will complement DCDSB’s outstanding Catholic educators and administrators,” she said.

The Board of Trustees looks forward to working with the newly appointed Superintendents of Education. “We are pleased to welcome Mr. O’Neill, Mr. Winn and Ms. O’Reilly to DCDSB’s team of outstanding senior leaders,” said Janice Oldman, Chair of the Board. “The diverse strengths and leadership experience they bring to the team will serve our Catholic learning communities with an ongoing focus on excellence, equity and engagement,” she said.