Because public education matters most

People for Education is an independent, non-partisan, charitable organization working to support and advance public education through research, policy, and public engagement.

Our organization

We are working to build connections between a strong public education system and a fair and prosperous society.

Research

We conduct our own research and policy analysis, and we collaborate with other researchers to support positive change in public education.

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Making connections

Our annual conference brings together parents, students, educators, researchers, school boards, and ministry staff to connect with and learn from each other.

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Education news and policy

We provide updates on the latest education news from across Ontario and around the world, and provide an independent perspective on education policy and funding changes.

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Annie Kidder talks about People for Education

Our funding

People for Education is a registered charity. We are funded through generous donations and grants from individuals, corporations and foundations.

Thank you to the many organizations and individuals who support our work.

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The people behind
People for Education

We couldn’t do what we do without the support of an incredible team of people.

Our staff Our partners Our advisors Board of Directors

David Cameron

Research Director

David Cameron is the Research Director at People for Education. He is an educator and education policy sociologist with research interests in school change and the interrelationship between educational policy intentions or design and peoples’ experiences within policy frameworks. David has twenty years of experience working in the school systems of Ontario, U.S. and U.K. Most recently, David worked as a senior researcher within the Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat at Ontario’s Ministry of Education. David believes that P4E’s work in support of an enriched and vibrant public education system in Ontario is critical to the continued success of an outstanding public education system.

Email: [email protected]

Christine Corso

Research Manager

Christine Corso is the Research Manager at People for Education. She is a former teacher from Edmonton, Alberta and earned her Masters at OISE at the University of Toronto, where her research focused on assessment in K-12 education. She is currently working towards her PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Program at OISE/UT. Christine’s research interests include policy, knowledge mobilization, and assessment and motivation in the K-12 school system.

Email: [email protected]

Conrad Heidenreich

Operations Director

Conrad is the Operations Director at People for Education. With more than a decade in non-profit and for-profit management, he brings a specialization in finance and operations, change management, policy, and program evolution. After completing a graduate degree in political theory and spending many years in the private sector, Conrad found a home in Toronto’s non-profit community, working in developmental services and community and neighbourhood development. His work at People for Education pairs his skill set and non-profit commitment with a passion for public education as a catalyst for a vibrant civil society.

Email: [email protected]

Aakriti Kapoor

Administrative and Research Coordinator

Aakriti Kapoor is the Administrative and Research Coordinator at People for Education. She is an educator and researcher interested in twenty-first century learning, social justice, and global citizenship.

She formerly worked as an education technology researcher and brings experience working in a variety of education settings ranging from K-12 to post-secondary. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Sciences from the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) and a Master of Teaching from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). Aakriti believes People for Education’s work in evidence-based research is instrumental in fostering a more accountable public education system that supports young people in developing competencies needed to contribute to a more critical, compassionate, and equitable society.

Email: [email protected]

Annie Kidder

Executive Director

Annie is the Executive Director and a founder of People for Education. A former theatre director, she became engaged in public education as a civil society issue during the late 1990’s when there was a great deal of disruption and debate in Ontario’s public education system. Since then, she has received numerous awards for her education advocacy and is regularly sought out by the media as an expert on public education issues. She has been a keynote speaker at conferences across Canada, in Europe, Africa and South America.

Email: [email protected]

Jacqui Strachan

Communications and Engagement Director

Jacqui is the Communications and Engagement Director at People for Education. A former lawyer, she has been actively involved in education issues for over 20 years, working full-time at People for Education since 1998. In her role, Jacqui develops content for People for Education’s website, e-bulletins, and reports; coordinates a network of parents, education partners, and community agencies; and runs workshops at conferences and school events across Ontario.

Email: [email protected]

The Laidlaw Foundation has supported PFE’s research in equity in many ways. We are thankful for their partnership. Learn more about Laidlaw’s work.

The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation works with PFE to develop policy and practices supporting holistic education in Canada. Learn more about the good work happening at McConnell.

Mitacs has supported the PFE’s Annual School Survey and Annual Report for years by allowing PFE to benefit from the expertise of academics and researchers. Learn more about how Mitacs connects academics with organizations.

The Murray R. O’Neil Charitable Foundation is a great supporter of PFE’s research. Learn more about the work happening the O’Neil Foundation.

The Ontario Ministry of Education has been a partner of PFE’s work for many years. Learn more about the Ministry of Education.

Ophea and PFE have collaborated on many projects, including Measuring What Matters and the Annual Ontario School Survey. Learn more about the work Ophea is doing to support healthy, active living among children and youth.

The R. Howard Webster Foundation works with us on the Measuring What Matters project. Learn more about the work that the R. Howard Webster Foundation is doing to benefit Canadians.

The Counselling Foundation of Canada is an active partner on our Ontario School Survey research – providing guidance on survey questions and reviewing research reports. Learn more about the Counselling Foundation’s work to support young people in Canada.

Indigenous Education Advisory Committee

The Indigenous Education Advisory Committee helps to guide and inform our research and work with Indigenous communities.

Committee Members:

Andrea Auger
Reconciliation and Research Manager, First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada

Wanda Brascoupe-Peters
Executive Director, Circle on Philanthropy and Aboriginal Peoples in Canada

Julia Candlish
Director of Education, Chiefs of Ontario

Susan Cook
Ontario Public School Boards Association, works with First Nations Trustee Council

Stephen Couchman
Chair, Governing Circle, Circle of Philanthropy on Aboriginal Peoples

Susan Dion
Associate Professor, Aboriginal Education, York University

Peter Garrow
Director, First Nation Trustees’ Council, Ontario Public School Boards’ Association

Carlana Lindeman
Education Program Director, Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative

Michele Locke
Trustee, Simcoe County District School Board

Gina McGahey
Policy Advisor, Education, Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians

Monica McKay
Director, Aboriginal Initiatives, Ryerson University

Sonia Prevost-Derbecker
Vice-president-Education, Indspire

Gregory Querel
Policy Analyst – Education, Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres

Jennifer St. Germain
Director, Education and Training, Métis Nation of Ontario

Brian Tucker
Associate Director of Education and Way of Life, Métis Nation of Ontario

Measuring What Matters Advisory Committee

The Measuring What Matters Advisory Committee is made up of individuals representing leading organizations and institutions in fields relevant to the Measuring What Matters project. The committee’s role is to:

Provide guidance on process design (which combines research, stakeholder engagement and public communication);
Offer input into the results of each phase of work;
Generate ideas for stakeholder groups to be included in outreach and engagement about the project; and
Help communicate the project goals within their own networks.

Committee Members:

Lindy Amato
Director, Professional Affairs, Ontario Teachers’ Federation

Nina Bascia
Professor and Director, Collaborative Educational Policy Program, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto

Ruth Baumann
Partner, Directions Evidence and Policy Research Group

Lisa Bayrami
Director of Research, Roots of Empathy

Kathy Bickmore
Professor, Curriculum, Teaching and Learning, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education/University of Toronto

Louise Bourgeois
Faculty of Education, Laurentian University

Ron Canuel
President & CEO, The Learning Partnership

Ruth Childs
Associate Professor, Leadership, Higher and Adult Education, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education/University of Toronto

Jean Clinton
Associate Clinical Professor, McMaster University, Dept of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences

Gerry Connelly
Director, Policy and Knowledge Mobilization, The Learning Partnership

J.C. Couture
Associate Coordinator, Research, Alberta Teachers’ Association

Scott Davies
Professor, Leadership, Higher and Adult Education, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education

Fiona Deller
Executive Director, Policy and Partnerships, Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario

Kadriye Ercikan
Professor, Measurement, Evaluation and Research Methodology, University of British Columbia

Bruce Ferguson
Professor of Psychiatry, Psychology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto; Community Health Systems Research Group, SickKids

Joseph Flessa
Associate Professor, Leadership, Higher and Adult Education, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto

Joan M. Green
O.Ont., Founding Chief Executive Officer of EQAO, International Education Consultant

Andy Hargreaves
Thomas More Brennan Chair, Lynch School of Education, Boston College

Vani Jain
Program Director, The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation

Eunice Eunhee Jang
Associate Professor, Department of Applied Psychology & Human Development, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto

Christopher Kotz
Senior Policy Advisor, Ontario Ministry of Education

Marie-France LeFort
Owner and Principal Proforem Inc.

Alan Leschied
Professor, Faculty of Education, Western University

Ann Lieberman
Stanford Centre for Opportunity Policy in Education, Professor Emeritus, Teachers College, Columbia University

John Malloy
Director of Education, Toronto District School Board

Roger Martin
Premier’s Chair on Competitiveness and Productivity, Director of the Martin Prosperity Institute, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto

Catherine McCullough
former Director of Education, Sudbury Catholic District School Board

Charles Pascal
Professor, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, former Early Learning Advisor to the Premier and Deputy Minister of Education

Jennifer Riel
Adjunct Professor, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto

Joanne Robinson
Director of Professional Learning, Education Leadership Canada, Ontario Principals’ Council

Bruce Rodrigues
Deputy Minister, Ontario Ministry of Education

Sylvie Ross
directrice générale, Parents partenaires en éducation

Pasi Sahlberg
Professor, University of Helsinki

Alan Sears
Professor of social studies and citizenship education, University of New Brunswick

Stuart Shanker
Distinguished Research Professor of Philosophy and Psychology,York University; CEO of the MEHRIT Centre, Ltd; Science Director of the Self-Regulation Institute

Kate Tilleczek
Professor and Canada Research Chair, Director, Young Lives Research, University of Prince Edward Island

Pamela Toulouse
Associate Professor & 3M Teaching Fellow, School of Education, Laurentian University

Sean Twyford
Director, Youth Strategies Branch, Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services

Charles Ungerleider
Professor Emeritus, Educational Studies, The University of British Columbia and Director of Research, Directions Evidence and Policy Research Group

Rena Upitis
Professor of Education, Queen’s University

Erica Van Roosmalen
Director of Data and Reporting, Education Quality and Accountabiity Office

Sue Winton
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Education, York University

Lisa Wolff
Director, Policy and Education/Directrice des politiques et de l’éducation, UNICEF Canada

Ryerson Award Nominating Committee

The Ryerson Award Nominating Committee is responsible for choosing the recipient of our Egerton Ryerson Award for dedication to public education. The committee includes trusted advisors, People for Education board members, and past recipients of the award.

Committee Members:

Zanana Akande

Harold Brathwaite (2007 recipient)

Charles Coffey (2012 recipient)

The Honourable David Crombie

The Honourable William Davis (2009 recipient)

The Honourable Ken Dryden (2013 recipient)

Roberta Jamieson (2011 co-recipient)

Sheldon Levy (2014 recipient)

The Right Honourable Paul Martin (2011 co-recipient)

John Mighton (2016 recipient)

The Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain (2010 recipient)

Charles Pascal (2008 recipient)

Arlene Perly Rae

Celia Rhea

Claire Angus

Board Chair

Claire’s experience spans the private and charity sectors, beginning with a 12 year career at KPMG in Toronto and the UK in audit and human resources. For over twenty years Claire’s professional training as an accountant has provided her with the opportunity to work, in a voluntary capacity, with a variety of charities and not-for-profits, in both Toronto and the UK across a variety of sectors including education, health, social services and the arts. Claire’s passion for working with these organizations led her to obtain her Masters in Charity Accounting and Financial Management at Cass Business School in London. Claire has returned to the Board of People for Education after 6 years living in the U.K. and continues to support the ongoing work and expanding reach of the organization and it’s mandate to ensure that public education is a pillar of Canadian society.

Nada Darwiche

Of her own experience with our schools, Nada Darwiche says, “When I look at the opportunities that my children have received in the public system to enable them to develop into fully rounded individuals, I realize how much we must protect and push forward public education.” Nada believes that a strong public education system is the foundation of a healthy society. Her interest in education focuses on a holistic approach which combines a robust academic curriculum with a strong extracurricular offering in the arts and sports. Nada joined the People for Education board in 2011 because she believes that giving back to an organization that has a direct impact on the day to day lives of future generations is critical. Nada is a management consultant and Director with Bottomline Group.

Lynn Eakin

Lynn Eakin believes that, “There are too few organizations that allow people to participate in the policy issues that most concern them. People for Education is a rare organization— one that ensures accountability in Ontario’s education system.” Lynn has been a member of People for Education’s Board of Directors since 2010. She has been providing consulting services to the nonprofit sector since 1989. Currently, as a Metcalf Innovation Foundation Fellow, Lynn is involved in the establishment of the Ontario Nonprofit Network, to better position the sector to address the cross-cutting policy issues it faces. She is also the President of Lynn Eakin and Associates.

Yvonne Harding

Yvonne Harding says, “we are privileged to have a strong public education system in Ontario and have a responsibility to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of our students today and in the future. People for Education is committed to supporting publicly funded education that prepares Ontario’s children to reach their full potential through a well-rounded and diverse curriculum.”Yvonne has volunteered with People for Education since 2010 and became a Board member in 2015. She spent several years in Advertising and Marketing Research before focusing her time and energy in her local schools and sporting community.

Maxim Jean-Louis

Maxim Jean-Louis is passionate about helping residents in small, rural, remote, indigenous and francophone communities access education and training. He is the President-Chief Executive Officer of Contact North I Contact Nord, Ontario’s Distance Education and Training Network. He is also a board member of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Renewed Computer Technology, and Co-Chair of Sudbury Citizenship Committee of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship.

Carlana Lindeman

Carlana started her career in education as a teacher and principal with the Lakehead Board of Education. In 1990 she joined the Ontario Ministry of Education and served as an Education Officer and Regional Manager for the Thunder Bay Regional Office. In 2008, she was invited by The Right Honourable Paul Martin to be the Education Program Director for the newly-established Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative were she leads projects to improve academic success for Aboriginal students across Canada. From 2008 to 2014, she was a member of the Ontario Special Education (English) Tribunal, and Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada’s National Selection Committee for First Nations Student Success Programs and Education Partnerships Programs. In 2009, Carlana received a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Ontario Government for the depth and quality of service provided to students, families and communities across Ontario.

Mirka Macalik

Mirka Macalik says, “We are fortunate to have an independent organization working not only to guide Ontario parents through the issues in the public system, but also one who’s research on education is internationally recognized. Students need a strong foundation, People for Education is helping build it.” Mirka has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2014‎. After several years working in Capital Markets for various financial institutions she has been actively involved in her local community schools and more recently with People for Education.

Scott Nowlan

Scott Nowlan joined the Board in 2015 and did so because he believed that “the work that PFE is doing is critical. As a strong and independent voice that provides invaluable research and priorities for policy makers and citizens, PFE must continue to be a strong advocate for public education – it is a much needed and valued voice for everyone who believes that public education is one of the pillars of our community”. Scott has three children in the public system. He has been a volunteer with other community organizations for many years. He is currently a Vice President with Bank and Vogue Ltd, a family-based international business based in Ottawa.

Carol Rak

Carol Rak has been a member of People for Education’s Board of Directors since 2011. She is a Chartered Accountant, and she previously worked as a forensic accountant with KPMG in Toronto and London, England. She is committed to supporting a strong public education system, and spent 6 years as a staff member of People for Education.

Celia Rhea

Celia Rhea says that, “In Ontario we have the privilege of a strong tradition of public education. People for Education honours that history by engaging Ontarians to make our public education system everything it can be.” Celia has been a member of People for Education’s Board of Directors since 2012. She is a partner at Goodmans LLP, a frequent speaker at industry conferences, and is recognized as a leading lawyer by various legal publications. She completed her LL.B. at McGill University.

Learn more about People for Education

Our mission & vision Our history

Because public education matters most

Our organization

Research

Making connections

Education news and policy

Annie Kidder talks about People for Education

Our funding

The people behind People for Education

David Cameron

Christine Corso

Conrad Heidenreich

Aakriti Kapoor

Annie Kidder

Jacqui Strachan

Indigenous Education Advisory Committee

Committee Members:

Measuring What Matters Advisory Committee

Committee Members:

Ryerson Award Nominating Committee

Committee Members:

Claire Angus

Nada Darwiche

Lynn Eakin

Yvonne Harding

Maxim Jean-Louis

Carlana Lindeman

Mirka Macalik

Scott Nowlan

Carol Rak

Celia Rhea

Learn more about People for Education

The people behind
People for Education