Trustees of the Avon Maitland District School Board today (February 13, 2017) announced the selection of Dr. Lisa Walsh as Director of Education, effective April 1, 2017. The Board approved her appointment in Committee of the Whole and will confirm it at the next Regular Board meeting.
Dr. Lisa Walsh was selected to build on the successful initiatives established under the leadership of Ted Doherty, Director of Education. Doherty is retiring after almost 7 years as Director and a 31-year career in education.
Dr. Lisa Walsh comes to Avon Maitland from the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) where she served as the Chief Assessment Officer. Prior to her role there, she was Superintendent of Schools with the York Region District School Board. In 2011 she was the first administrator in her board to be honoured with a Canada’s Outstanding Principals Award. This award is presented by The Learning Partnership and is given to those deemed to have made a measurable difference in the lives of their students and community.
Throughout her twenty-seven years as an educational leader, Dr. Walsh has demonstrated a passion for seeing every student succeed, an ability to engage with the communities in which she served, and a collaborative approach to leadership that seeks to make those around her better at what they do,” said Board Chair Randy Wagler. “We, as a Board, appreciate the strong foundation that has been laid by Dr. Walsh’s predecessors, including, most recently, Mr. Ted Doherty, whom we want to thank for his excellent leadership and vision. We know that Dr. Walsh will build on that foundation to ensure we continue to deliver the highest quality education possible for all our students.”
Dr. Walsh expressed her appreciation to the Board of Trustees for the opportunity to lead and serve the Board and for providing her the opportunity to serve the students entrusted to its care.
“I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the team of the Avon Maitland District School Board”, stated Dr. Walsh. “This board has a reputation for being innovative and well managed, and the teachers and staff have a passion for helping students succeed. They tailor programs, enhance learning with technology and seek new ways of ensuring that every student has the skills and knowledge required for the future. I want to work with people who have this type of passion, and I look forward to building on this foundation with teachers, staff, parents, students and communities in the years ahead.”
A native of Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Dr. Walsh is a graduate of York University (B.A.) and the University of Toronto, where she earned a Bachelor of Education, Master of Education and Doctor of Philosophy.