Memo from: Pam Carlaw, Manager, Early Learning

Implementation Branch

RE: Staff announcements

Date: March 25, 2010

I am pleased to announce that the following individuals will be joining the Early Learning Implementation Branch team as Education Officers, effective April 6, 2010.

Jill Worthy is new to the OPS, having held a number of senior positions in education, most recently as Superintendent in the Toronto District School Board. She has a solid understanding of the importance of early learning from such past experience with the City of Toronto’s Best Start Network, Implementation Steering Committees, the Mayor’s Roundtable Working Group and Ryerson’s Early Years Advisor Committee. Jill will be working as an Education Officer at 900 Bay Street in the Early Learning Division.

Dolores Cascone is new to the OPS. She comes to her position from being the Senior Manager of Parenting and Family Literacy Centres with the Toronto Catholic District School Board. She has also held positions as the Early Years Lead with responsibilities for Kindergarten and Best Start Initiatives and Project Lead Teacher of the Full Day Senior Kindergarten Program for the Toronto Catholic District School Board. Delores will be Education Officer for the Toronto Region.

Heather Exley is new to the OPS. Her experience includes seven years as a Principal with the Lakehead District School Board. She is a registered Early Childhood Educator and has been involved with numerous projects supporting literacy and student achievement. Heather will be working as an Education Officer in Thunder Bay Region.

Ana Marie Prokopich is new to the OPS. Her most recent position has been as the Assistant to the Superintendent of Secondary Schools with Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board. Prior to this she was a Principal at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School. Ana Marie will be working as an Education Officer in the Barrie Region.

Renee Brouillette has been on secondment to the French Language Policy and Programs Branch at 900 Bay. Renee has worked in education for nineteen years. She has worked a both a Vice-Principal and a Principal with Conseil scolaire de district du Grand Nord de l'Ontario. She was part of a team of individuals responsible for establishing a new French-language public elementary school (JK to grade 6). Renee will be working as a bilingual Education Officer from the Sudbury/North Bay region.

Rod Peturson has been confirmed in his position as an Education Officer for the London region. Rod has a wealth of experience in the education field with the Greater Essex County District School Board and has served the OPS well during the past four months. Prior to coming to the OPS, Rod was a consultant for New Education Facility Design and was involved with the Best Start Steering Committee for Windsor and Essex County.

Jacques Torjman has been confirmed in his position as an Education Officer for the Ottawa region. Having worked as an Education Officer since 2002, Jacques brings experience and insight. Many of his portfolios have included Special Education, Curriculum and Assessment Policy Branch, Policy and Programs Branch, and Community Uses of Schools. Prior to holding his position as EO he was a Principal and a Vice-Principal in the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board.

The Education Officers, with the exception of Jill Worthy, will be situated in the 6 Field Services Branches and all will be reporting directly to the Implementation Branch at 900 Bay St, 24th floor, Mowat Block.

I would like to acknowledge the following Education Officers who eagerly joined the Branch on a temporary basis some months ago, to begin the exciting work of implementing Full Day Learning in the province. Their credibility and knowledge of the communities were critical as they supported the Boards and the community stakeholders on phase 1 of the implementation.

My sincere thanks go to Moira Sinclair, Carmen Turcot, Carol-Lynne Oldale and Debra Hyland. I know I can count on their continued support as they transition back to their base positions and welcome the new EO’s to their regions.

Lastly, we are fortunate to have Danielle Galipeau continuing in her role as the Outreach Co-ordinator for the French Language school boards and community stakeholders. Danielle brings a thorough understanding relating to the unique perspectives of our French Language educators and child care sector, which has been extremely helpful as Full Day Learning rolls out.

Please join me in welcoming Jill, Dolores, Heather, Ana Marie, Renee, Rod and Jacques to the Early Learning Implementation Branch.