Michelle Newlands is currently a Supervisory Officer with the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB). Michelle overseas 23 elementary schools and has responsibilities for the Parent Involvement Committee portfolio and the Parent Reaching Out Grant. She is also the Liaison for Teacher Education and the Aspiring Leaders Program for teachers.

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While the day to day operations of schools fall to the principal, Michelle is responsible for the supervision and accountability of system goals and ministry priorities.

 

Previously, Michelle  was the Toronto Regional Manager in the Ministry of Education, Field Service Branch.  She led an all female multidisciplinary team committed to serving the education sector.

 

Michelle’s collaborative skills, coupled with her excellent communication and presentation skills enable her to work effectively with various ministry branches in support of school and system level leadership goals, and school improvement initiatives.

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In 2018, Michelle was seconded to the Leadership Collaboration and Governance Branch as an Education Officer. In this role, Michelle’s keen understanding of effective practices for working with principals, supervisory officers, and directors of education was a great asset in building strong relationships with districts.

 

Michelle’s project management skills have enabled her to work successfully with districts to support the development and implementation of educational policies, programs, and initiatives related to leadership and instructional practices in elementary and secondary education in Ontario.
 

In her previous role as a school administrator, Michelle worked with both the Toronto District School Board and the Halton District School Board. 

 

In 2016, Michelle’s innovative thinking and distinctive ability to use data to lead student learning earned her national recognition when she was named one of Canada’s Outstanding Principals  by the Learning Partnership.  

 

In September 2016, Michelle became the principal of one of the largest elementary schools in the province. Having a staff of over 100 educators and a student population of almost 1300 full-time learners Michelle’s ability to lead change, influence teaching practices and implement the key conditions for learning resulted in significant educational gains for staff and students.

 

 A former Education Officer with EQAO, Michelle knows well the impact standards can have on equalizing the playing field for all learners. Michelle’s thorough understanding of education issues and trends helped inform changes at EQAO and later guided her own work in teacher in-service training and professional development.