The Waterloo Region District School Board has announced jeewan chanicka as its new director of education.
He replaces John Bryant, who is retiring.
"We are pleased to welcome jeewan chanicka as the WRDSB’s incoming Director. jeewan brings a deep commitment to building strong relationships with students, staff and the community, and fostering collaboration across the system to advance student achievement and well-being. His experience leading equity and anti-oppression initiatives across Ontario and internationally will advance our commitment to providing educational excellence to all our students - each and every one," said board chair Joanne Weston.
chanicka’s career began in early childhood education and adult literacy. During the past 20 years as an educator, he has held a variety of teaching and leadership positions within York Region District School Board, the Toronto District School Board, Canada’s largest school board, as well as the Ontario Ministry of Education. In 2019, he assumed the role of CEO in Dubai where he was employed by Al Rajhi Education to develop the blueprint for a growing district of schools across the Middle East.
Prior to assuming this leadership role in the Middle East, he served as superintendent, equity, anti-racism, anti-oppression and as superintendent of schools in the Toronto District School Board. He was a principal in York Region District School Board prior to this.
chanicka speaks several languages and is recognized provincially, nationally and internationally for his work in social justice advocacy, anti-racism and innovation. He is one of a select group of global senior education leaders selected as a TED-Ed Innovative Educator and delivered his talk at the TED Summit in Scotland 2019.
He holds a Master of Education degree from York University, a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto, and a Bachelor of Arts from York University:
chanicka takes over the role on Aug. 3.
