Dear Parents/Guardians,

I am honoured and excited to start my role today as Director of Education in the Toronto District School Board.

I am motivated by the brilliance in each and every student and I am optimistic about our shared future together as a TDSB community. As Director, and along with the Senior Team, I am dedicated to using the innovations and lessons learned over the past 18 months to move beyond pandemic recovery mindset to creating greater success and well-being for every student especially for those students who are currently underserved (e.g., Indigenous, Black, Latinx, and other students). This requires us to hold ourselves accountable for enacting Truth and Reconciliation and addressing systemic racism and oppression on a daily basis.

On a personal note, it’s a unique privilege to return as Director of Education for the schools where I was once a student. I recall the hopes and dreams my family had for my education when I was a child and believe they’re similar to those you hold for your child(ren). That’s one of the reasons, I look forward to collaborating with students, families, staff, and communities to establish the learning conditions where students have the ability to address local and global challenges and to personally thrive in an increasingly complex world.

Earlier this week, the province provided preliminary guidance on our return to school in September. Today, you will also receive an email inviting you to complete your selection form for in-person or virtual learning for the 2021-22 school year. We know that for some, this may be a challenging decision, but we expect that given the high vaccination rates, low COVID cases in Toronto and the knowledge that most students learn best in person, that we will welcome as many students back to in-person learning as possible. Please be sure to complete this important form to ensure we are able to best prepare for a return in September.

I am committed to providing you information and opportunities so you are connected, informed and engaged in your child’s learning. I invite you to explore the Director of Education webpage to learn more about me and the experience I bring, to watch the message I shared with Trustees in June and to connect on social media.

Thank you,

Colleen Russell-Rawlins
Director of Education
Toronto District School Board