Award-winning educator Dr. Christopher Spence was confirmed by Trustees as the Toronto District School Board’s next Director of Education at a 
special board meeting Sunday.
Dr. Spence will be assuming the reins of Canada’s largest and most complex school board in time for the 2009/2010 school year. He leaves behind a successful legacy at the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board, where he has served as Director of Education since 2004.
“In our search for the next Director, we considered candidates from Canada, the US and abroad, and we’re extremely pleased that we have succeeded in securing such an outstanding educator as Dr. Spence,” said Board Chair John Campbell. “The search committee views Chris Spence as the ideal person to take our Board forward in the years to come, and this has been wholeheartedly endorsed by the Board of Trustees. He has the right combination of ability, experience, vitality and passion to move this organization forward. He has clearly demonstrated that he understands what it will take to help every student learn.”
Christopher Spence brings more than 15 years of teaching and senior administrative experience to the challenging task, along with strong academic credentials and a commitment to fiscal responsibility. But, as a former CFL athlete, a married father of two young children, and a passionate advocate for the vulnerable and marginalized, he also brings a practical, tenacious and winning dedication to improving the success of students.
During his tenure as Director of the Hamilton school board, Dr. Spence made connecting directly with schools a priority not only for himself, but for his whole executive team. His leadership in the broader educational community, developing policy and promoting causes that benefit students and achieve measurable results, has been widely praised. But it is his ability to inspire and unite communities around a common purpose that continues to earn him respect among educators and tremendous support among the students and communities whose lives he touches.
“Dr. Spence’s achievements speak to his visionary leadership as an educator,” said Campbell. “He will enable the TDSB to continue to address our most pressing issues. Whether it is the objective of improving the outcomes for our neediest students through the Urban Diversity strategy or tackling our land and facility use or challenges that require building new schools, consolidating others or striving to continue to enhance school safety. Chris Spence brings a wealth of understanding and experience to guide our Board.”