1. Dr. Debbie Donsky
80 Bideford Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M3H 1K4 · 416.352.8861 · debdonsky@gmail.com
Professional Summary
Throughout my career as a teacher and administrator, I have been fiercely committed to equity through my practices as a leader by:
 Valuing all voices through inclusive approaches to communication, learning, and leading
 Advocating for inclusive practices such as responsive design in all learning that is personalized
 Working collaboratively with students, aspiring and experienced leaders, teachers, parents and students
 Leading the instructional program to ensure that the diverse needs of all learners are both understood and implemented is
at the core of all decision making
Currently, I am Principal of Learning Design & Development and the Arts in Curriculum and Instructional Services, YRDSB. My role
has afforded me many opportunities to work at a system level and support strategic direction for the Board Improvement Plan,
specifically in the development of the York Region’s Modern Learning Strategy.
Academic Profile
 Doctor of Education, Ontario Institutefor Studies in Education of the University of Toronto, Curriculum, 2006
Dissertation: “Critical Pathways towards Antiracism in an Elementary Knowledge Building Classroom”
 Master of Education, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto, 1996
Thesis: “Learning From the Spaces of Silence, Finding the Words: Developing Curriculum for Refugee Students”
 Bachelor of Education, York University, 1994
 Honours Bachelor of Arts,York University, 1992
Additional & Advanced Qualifications
 Supervisory Officer’s Qualification Program, OPC, 2011
 Principal Qualification Program, York University, 2001
 Schulich School of Business and ABEL, Learning Summit for Principals: Innovation, Creativity and Collaboration, 2016
 How to LearnMath, Stanford University, 2016
 Cognitive Coaching, Advanced & Refresher Certification, Centre for Cognitive Coaching, 2008–2012
Professional Experience
YORK REGION DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
PRINCIPAL OF LEARNING DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT AND THE ARTS, Curriculum & Instructional Services,2014–Present
Responsible for a team of multimedia specialists that co-design learning and communication partnering with system teams
including Director’s Services, Human Resource Services, Information Technology Services, Student Services and Curriculum and
Instructional Services. Strategic support in designing, creating supporting materials and communicating the Board Improvement
Plan through the system. The Arts portfolio includes supporting a Grades 7-12 Arts Camp as Co-Director, leading the Artist in
Residence Program, integrating the Arts into the Modern Learning Strategy through the Arts through the Artonomy Project which
serves to engage student learning through deep pedagogies and innovative teaching, K-12. Member of the Curriculum and
Instructional Services Leadership Team that sets system direction for capacity building and strategic resource allocation.
INSTRUCTOR FOR ONTARIO PRINCIPALS’ COUNCIL (OPC) PRINCIPAL QUALIFICATION PROGRAM PARTS I & II,SITE
MANAGER, Newmarket Campus, 2015–Present
Worked with Elementary and secondary candidates. Coordinated speakers from various departments and teams in the YRDSB. Site
manager for the Newmarket Campus including coordinating schedules, training new instructors on content, curriculum and the
various tools associated with the course. Recently invited to be part of the coordinating team for the OPC Technical Leadership
Summit, Summer 2016.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, Wismer Public School, 2010–2014.
Served at a K-8 school in Markham through significant growth. High number of English Language Learners, newcomers and
Canadian-born. Facilitated Instructional Rounds training through the East Area of the YRDSB while also implementing this process
in my school collaboratively with teaching staff to determine our school’s Challenge of Practice. Fueled a culture of learning at all
levels in the school and into the East Area of the Board. Restructured Special Education and English as a Second Language
Programs. Implemented Full Day Kindergarten and supervised significant structural changes to the school building while ensuring
safety and effective communication throughout the Wismer communityto manage the change process.

2. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, Unionville Public School, 2008–2010
Served at a K-8 school in Unionville which had four Special Education community classrooms. The school required significant
overhaul of special education services to support students with complex needs while integrating students throughout the school
through an asset based lens using strategies such as altering staffing, allocation of special education assistants, training of all staff
with Crisis Prevention Intervention strategies and educating staff and community. Initially this school had very low achievement
levels on EQAO testing in all areas but showed significant increases throughout my time at the school.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL VICE-PRINCIPAL, Castlemore Public School, 2005–2008
Served at a K-8 school in Markham with over 800 students. Castlemore was a high achieving school with significant linguistic
diversity and high numbers of English Language Learners.
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
SPECIAL PROJECTS OFFICER, ONTARIO KNOWLEDGE NETWORK FOR LEARNING/eLEARNING ONTARIO, 2001–2002,
2004–2005
Collaborated on a K-12 team to implement the provincial eLearning strategy to support secondary students ensuring access to a
variety of courses. Developed the Ontario Education Resource Bank.
TORONTO DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD/NORTH YORK BOARD OF EDUCATION
TEACHER, Primary/Junior/Special Education, 1994–2004
Leadership Profile
SETTING DIRECTION
 Worked as member of the Board Improvement Planning team on design and structure with a specific focus on the Modern
Learning Strategy and Framework. Presented the strategy to the Barrie Region Leadership Team
 Co-Developed the YRDSB’s Modern Learning Strategy in partnership with Information Technology Services with specific focus
on Building Knowledge, Learning, Teaching & Assessment, Environmental Design and Collaborative Learning Communities
 Supported extensive system work in Equity and Inclusion as a team member of the Equity Strategy Steering and Action
Committee (ESSAC) (Professional Learning Team, Religious Accommodations Review, Review of the Student School Climate
Survey through an equity lens, the Positive Spaces Advisory Committee
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS & DEVELOPING PEOPLE
 Established an understanding of the 70:20:10 model which indicates experiential, social and formal learning when designing
tools and opportunities for job-embedded professional learning.
 Co-facilitated the eProf team in the Curriculum and Instructional Services department to develop effective and innovative
resources with a focus on instructional design, user testing and the elements of design.
 Communicated with parents and liaised with schools regularly to engage parents as partners in their child’s education and
ensure open two-way communication between home and school
 Worked collaboratively with the ETFO to resolve staff issues and as Board contact for the Teacher Leadership and Learning
Projects
 Developed professional relationships with trustees focused on communication and parent engagement
DEVELOPING THE ORGANIZATION
 Co-developed tools to support a monitoring framework to support the School Improvement Planning process as we move
towards a more extensive understanding and practice of triangulated data analysis.
 Designed professional learning for administrators that focused on Teacher Performance Appraisals and Principal Performance
Appraisals with a growth mindset lens for learning and staff development
 Coached first-time vice-principals and principals to improve their leadership capacity and professional growth
 Interviewer for the Vice-Principal selection process and facilitated a discussion for the Aspiring Leaders course where I shared
my philosophy and practical strategies for leading: listen, connect, collaborate and actively be involved in the co-creation of
culture, learning and instruction.
 Moderated the Student Panel and co-planned and co-presented a workshop entitled: Hiring, Curriculum and Student
Achievement at Quest 2012: Increased Student Achievement and Well-being: Realizing Equitable, Inclusive and Engaging
Schools Hiring, Curriculum and Student Achievement
 Co-presented as part of the Ontario Principals’ Council Panel on Equity and Inclusive Education where we presented our
practices related to Equity and Inclusion as school leaders, recorded for provincial distribution

3. LEADING THE INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM
 Co-chaired several networks in the East Area of the YRDSB where we developed shared learning goals for formative
assessment, alignment of assessment practices through focused learning, critical friends and in depth review of the School
Effectiveness Framework while developing our understanding of triangulation of data through products, observations and
conversations.
 Re-designed programming for English Language Learners with a flexible and responsive design moving between full withdrawal
to supported integration and co-planning/co-teaching with classroom teachers
 Participated in Jurisdictional Learning in Finland with a focus on Early Years Learning Environments, England with a focus on
Mathematics Instruction and Texas in partnership with Apple Canada focused on High Tech and Innovative Learning
environments.
SECURING ACCOUNTABILITY
 Contributed to the development of questions to be included in our School Climate survey in the YRDSB specifically for Equity
and Inclusivity as well as the Modern Learning Strategy. Co-designed different ways to report data to the system including
animated shorts and infographics.
 Led a cyclical monitoring of School Improvement Plans that engaged the school staff in a collaborative process of self-
reflection, target setting, and monitoring of strategies and goals using multiple data sources including products, observations
and conversations through pedagogical documentation
 Consulted as a member of the YRDSB External Research and Review Committee to ensure all external research is tied to our
board’s strategic direction
Selected Publications
 Co-writer of “A Sense of Balance—District Aligns Personalized Learning with School and System Goals”, Journal of Staff
Development, v 36 No. 2, April 2015
 Hosted an online chat on #ONedchat with a focus on Creativity, Innovation and Leadership, May 2016
 Authored an educational blog on medium.com published in the Higher Education Revolution online Journal for which I am also
a contributing editor. Most popular posts include: The Mantras of School Principals and Shaming Helicopter Parents and
Leadership and the Fear of Innovation — A Call to School Principals and System Leaders and Rediscovering Wonder: Sweeping
Generalizations about Millennials Make Us Miss the Whole Point.
 Co-writer, Ministry of Education, Equity and Inclusive Education Policy document supports for District School Boards
partnering with the Ontario Human Rights Commission, Ontario Principals’ Council and the Ontario Education Services
Corporation, 2010
 Co-writer of a chapter: (De)Centering Normal: Negotiating Whiteness as a White School Administrator in a Diverse School
Community, in The Great White North? Exploring Whiteness, Privilege and Identity in Education in Canada¸ (Paul Carr and
Darren Lund, Eds, 2007 and 2014 (2nd edition)