ADSB announces new director of education (photo)

NEWS RELEASE

ALGOMA DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD

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Algoma District School Board announces new director of education

Following an internal and external search for candidates, Algoma District School Board (ADSB) Chair Jennifer Sarlo, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, is pleased to announce the appointment of Lucia Reece as new director of education for the Algoma District School Board.

Mrs. Reece [shown above with retiring director of education Mario Turco] has served as superintendent of education with ADSB since 2005 and has a demonstrated track record of successful administrative and leadership experiences. 

Prior to becoming superintendent, Reece worked for eight years as both a principal and vice-principal, [and] taught for 12 years with ADSB and for three years with the York Region District School Board.

Mrs. Reece holds a Master’s Degree of Education (curriculum/administration) from Nipissing University in North Bay.  Additionally she has her Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Arts from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. 

She brings 18 years of administrative/ teaching experience and seven years supervisory officer experience to the position of director of education.

Throughout her career, she has continued to expand her qualifications and skills with additional courses, workshops and professional development opportunities. 

She possesses exemplary communication skills, in both official languages, and has conducted numerous workshops and presentations locally, regionally and provincially.

Lucia spearheaded ADSB's Character Education Program both in her role as principal and in her position as superintendent. 

She has been the chairperson of ADSB’s Character Education Steering Committee and was a Character Education Provincial Resource team leader, providing input into the Ministry of Education’s publication "Finding Common Ground: Character Development in Ontario Schools."

Additionally, Lucia has been a representative on various committees at the board level and with community partners.

She has shared her expertise provincially through presentations on assessment and evaluation, student portfolios, improvement planning and school culture.

While maintaining a constant focus on student achievement and improvement planning, Reece is an advocate for and a model of life-long learning and professional development. 

Lucia has, in her role as superintendent, implemented and supported numerous initiatives and research-based strategies to support student learning, staff development and academic achievement.

She also instructs the Principal’s Qualification Program during the school year and over the summer through Nipissing University. 

In addition to her academic experience, Reece’s leadership experience extends beyond education to community contributions and she has been a volunteer with the Sault Ste. Marie Endometriosis Support Group and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. 

She has also supported a variety of local activities such as Community Christmas for Children, Kidz Summer Safety Festival, and Family Literacy Day. 

Colleagues, students and teachers have described Reece as motivational and inspirational. 

Her ability to nurture and build positive relationships with staff, community and various stakeholders has been acknowledged and applauded. 

With just over 9,500 students in 50 elementary and secondary schools and a total staff of 1,800, serving a geographic area of over 70,000 square-miles, Algoma District School Board is one of the larger public school boards in Northern Ontario.

As the Board’s educational leader Lucia looks forward to working with the board’s Trustees, Senior Administration, Administrators and staff in managing and overseeing the board and the students and families it serves.

Of her new position, Mrs. Reece said: “It is truly an honour to serve as ADSB’s director of education. I am extremely proud of our board – our people, our programs, our students, our partnerships and our unwavering commitment to improving learning for all. I consider it a privilege to continue to work with our outstanding staff, our committed parents and community partners, and our dedicated Board of Trustees to create learning environments that will be engaging and that will foster the kind of creativity and innovation needed in our globalized world. Together, we can all continue to build a strong educational organization and voice that epitomizes public education for our community and celebrates that we are ‘Proud to be … ADSB.’”

The Algoma District School Board exists to provide positive learning opportunities of the highest standard for all learners to realize their full potential. 

The director will continue to lead the board in advancing its vision and plans for the future. 

The board’s Strategic Plan and Board Improvement Plan (BIP) are tools that Lucia has helped to develop and they will remain a strong resource for her as she looks to setting goals and priorities for the 2012-13 school year and beyond.  

There will continue to be a focus on literacy, numeracy, assessment, pathways and community, culture & caring -  five pillars that are the foundations for ADSB and which help to keep the board focused on improving learning for all students.   

Lucia will commence her duties as director as of July 16, 2012. 

Current Director Mario Turco retires July 21, 2012, after a 42-year career with the school board, nine of those years as the Director.

Jennifer Sarlo, on behalf of the board, acknowledged and thanked Mario for his years of dedicated service, his invaluable time, expertise and leadership. 

The board also warmly welcomes Lucia Reece and looks forward to working with her in supporting students, staff, school communities and public education as a whole within the Algoma District. 

Chair Jennifer Sarlo: “The board is pleased to appoint Lucia (Lu) Reece to the position of Director of Education. Lu’s passionate commitment to student achievement and well-being is well known throughout our board and in the province. We look forward to working with her to further our pursuit of providing learning opportunities of the highest standard for all our learners to realize their full potential. A strong leader who believes in building leadership capacity in others, she is confident and supportive whether leading in front of, beside, or behind our staff.  Lu will serve our board well into the future in an ever changing and often challenging environment. Her commitment to lifelong learning, professional development and strong character is contagious and we know with Lucia at the helm our board will be a creative, vibrant community where our students and staff will thrive.”

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