InspireRise Inaugural Session

We were proud to launch InspireRise, our new professional learning network designed to support and uplift teachers who identify as racialized or Indigenous, with a highly successful inaugural session on April 15, 2026. The session brought together over 30 participants, including five colleagues from external school boards, reflecting strong interest in this work across systems.

Participants had the opportunity to learn from Siobhan Wright and Dr. Joel Chiutsi, Superintendents from York Catholic District Board, who generously shared their learning and insights on Equity-Seeking and Racialized Leadership. Their reflections sparked meaningful dialogue about leadership identity, representation, and the conditions that support equitable pathways into leadership.

InspireRise is intentionally designed to build community, strengthen leadership capacity, and cultivate future leadership pathways within our board. This inaugural session marked the first of three in-person learning experiences this year, paired with a job shadowing opportunity to deepen real‑world understanding of leadership roles.

Our next session on April 29, 2026, will focus on honouring lived experiences in the interview process and creating job shadow experiences for participants, supporting them in expanding their leadership networks and gaining insight into roles of interest. Momentum is strong, and we look forward to continuing this important work together.