Durham Catholic District School Board Director of Education Announces Retirement

Posted On Tuesday September 24, 2019

At the Regular Board Meeting of September 23, 2019, John Rinella, Chair of the Board informed trustees of Anne O’Brien’s decision to retire from the role of Director of Education for the Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB), effective December 31, 2019. Upon retiring from the Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB), she will continue to support Catholic education at the provincial level as Director of Education for the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA). 

Director O’Brien thanked trustees and staff for their collaboration and support over the years. “Upon reflecting on my past 33 years as a Catholic educator, administrator, Supervisory Officer and Director, one of the greatest joys is the remarkable partnerships established with our trustees, pastors, staff, students, families and the broader community,” said Director O’Brien. “Throughout my career, I have experienced the joy of this special community each day and I am blessed to have served with many of the board’s great leaders, contributors and collaborators over the years,” she said. 

Ms. O’Brien has been the Director of Education since August 2013 and has spent over 30 years working as an educator and leader at DCDSB. After spending several years as a school administrator, Anne became Superintendent of Education in 2007, leading several portfolio assignments, including Special Education, Student Services, Student Success, Safe Schools, Student Mental Health, and Alternative and Continuing Education. She has also served in the field development office of York University, teaching Special Education qualifications for many years. 

Throughout her term as Director, Ms. O’Brien’s stewardship consistently reflected a commitment to building and sustaining thriving Catholic learning communities. Under her direction and leadership, DCDSB developed and implemented the Discovery 2020 Strategic Plan, which guided the board’s goals and initiatives for the last five years. Some of these new directions involved:

  • the roll-out of a multi-year New Evangelization plan with a focus on Christ teachings, social justice and advocacy;
  • establishing the Durham Catholic Children’s Foundation in support of the board’s most vulnerable students;
  • maintaining school accommodation numbers by launching the Grade 7 to 12 Secondary School Model at Monsignor John Pereyma CSS and opening a Grade 7 to 12 Regional Arts and Media Program at All Saints CSS;
  • transitioning school libraries to learning commons with modern design and technology;
  • expanding the International Education program and partnerships to increase global competencies for DCDSB students both locally and abroad;
  • enabling more opportunities in Student Success and Pathways planning;
  • the execution of various plans in Math, Literacy, Mental Health, Accessibility, Communications, Long-Term Accommodations and much more. 

Actively advocating for Catholic education in Ontario, Ms. O’Brien has also been involved in a number of professional associations. She served as President of the Canadian Association of School System Administrators (CASSA) where she had the opportunity to present on Canadian education nationally and internationally. She is a Past-President of the Ontario Catholic Supervisory Officers’ Association (OCSOA); and past Vice-Chair of the Institute for Catholic Education (ICE). Within the Council of Ontario Directors of Education (CODE), she has held several leadership positions, such as the CODE Executive, the Strong Districts and their Leadership Advisory Committee, the Ontario Association of Deans of Education Advisory Committee, and Ministry of Education Adult Education Strategy, among others. She is also an active instructional leader in the Ontario Supervisory Officer course. 

In addition, Anne has been a member of several Durham Catholic District School Board committees and actively involved with her husband and four children at her parish, Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Pickering. 

“Over the last several years, the board has celebrated many significant themes in evangelizing our faith through Witness, Service, Community, Joy and Hope. As a steward of Catholic education and advocate for equity and inclusion, Anne exemplifies all of these themes, and has played a pivotal role in keeping the Catholicity in our schools,” said John Rinella, Chair of the Board. “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I thank Director O’Brien for her service and wish her continued success in supporting Catholic education across the province,” he said.

 

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