GARY PIETERS M.Ed., B.Ed., B.A.
P.O. Box 953, Station F
Toronto ON M4Y2N9
Canada
E-Mail: gapieters@gmail.com
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Master of Education
Computer Applications in Education
University of Toronto - Additional Qualification
Principal's Qualification Program, Part 2
Principal's Qualification Program, Part 1
Intermediate History - Bachelor of Education/Ontario Teacher's Certificate
Primary/Junior Divisions
University of Toronto - Bachelor of Arts - 4-year degree
Political Science & African Studies
University of Toronto
BIO
Gary Pieters serves as a vice-principal within the Toronto public school system. He is an experienced educator with over 12 years of experience in the education sector. Gary Pieters has served on numerous boards and advisory committees including the Urban Alliance on Race Relations, Sojourn House and the Toronto Star Community Editorial Board. He has studied, researched and written on public attitudes towards youth justice, youth violence prevention, employment and training, educational attainment, urban liveability issues, youth engagement and participation, cultural proficiency, diversity, human rights, and poverty reduction. Gary Pieters attended the University of Toronto and earned his graduate and undergraduate degrees in African Studies, Political Science, Teacher Education and Computer Applications in Education. He is an active community organizer in issues facing newcomers, culturally relevant education, social inclusion and engaged communities.
PROFILE
- A results oriented professional with leadership experience in school administration, organizational capacity building, and community organizing
- Proficient knowledge of Windows NT/95/98/00/XP/VISTA, email, Internet, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Photoshop, Access, and database applications including Trillium, SIS, EIS, SAP and other computer software applications
- Experience and training in equity, diversity, inclusion, cultural proficiency and anti-oppression models
- Administrative and managerial experience as a board member in various sectors with demonstrated ability to work effectively with private, public and non-profit boards of directors, staff and community members
LEADERSHIP QUALITIES
- Administrative, multitasking, project management, and electronic record keeping skills
- Excellent organizational, goal setting and time management skills
- Administrative and managerial experience as a board member in various sectors with demonstrated ability to work effectively with private, public and non-profit boards of directors, staff and community members
- Leadership development, teambuilding, hiring, scheduling and supervision
- Strong interpersonal, analytical, problem-solving, and presentation skills
- Foster ongoing partnership and communication between schools and administrators, non-profit and business leaders to support and improve the capacity of young people to reach higher levels of achievement and career readiness
- Extensive knowledge of all diversities, social geography, and educational issues
- Ability to make decisions on a timely basis
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills
- Strong interest and commitment to public education, social policy, and service to the community
- Ability to lead, to take direction, and to listen to various perspectives
EMPLOYMENT
- 2005-present - Vice-Principal, Toronto District School Board
- 1999-2004 - Teacher, Toronto District School Board
- 1996-1999 – Teacher, Palmdale School District
- 1995 – Supervisor, Canada Employment Centre for Students
- 1989-1994 - Support Services, Eaton's Canada
- 1987-1991 - Sales Associate, Southland Canada Inc
BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIPS
- 2008-present - Board Member, Sojourn House Board of Directors
- 2006-present - Board Member, Urban Alliance on Race Relations Board of Directors
- 2006-2008 – Board Member, San Romanoway Revitalization Association Board of Directors
- 2006-2008 - Co-Chair, The Committee to Commemorate and Memorialize the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trades [CMAST]
- 2007 - Committee Member, Royal Ontario Museum Visitor Experience Committee
- 2006-2007 – Board Member, Toronto Star Community Editorial Board
- 2005-2007 - Committee Member, Principal's Technology Advisory Commitee, TDSB
- 2005 – Committee Member, Toronto Community Housing Corporation Advisory Committee on Children and Youth Services
- 2000-2004 - Committee Member, Elementary Teachers of Toronto Equity and Human Rights Committee
- 1996-present - Website Compiler, Ontario Network for Human Rights
- 1993-1996 - Committee Member, Literacy Committee, The Learning Partnership
OTHER COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE
- 2008 - Volunteer, Canadian Olympic Committee – Outfitting Unit, Beijing, China/li>
- 2006 - Volunteer, AIDS 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference, Toronto
- 2005 - Volunteer, Canadian Race Relations Foundation [CRRF] Award of Excellence Symposium, Toronto
PUBLICATIONS
| Publication Date | Source/Media | Topic/Title of Paper/Article | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-03-24 | Toronto Star | "Slavery's Long Destructive Legacy", p. F6 | view |
| 2007-02-22 | Toronto Star | "Local Solutions to Local Issues", p. A20 | view |
| 2007-02-06 | Toronto Star | "Diversity in the Black Diaspora", p. A18 | view |
| 2007-01-11 | Toronto Star | "Character, not colour, matters", p. A24 | view |
| 2006-12-24 | Toronto Star | "In Light of the Festive Season", p. A22 | view |
| 2007-03-10 | Toronto Star | "A Safe Place for Pedestrians", p. F6 | view |
| 2007-06-14 | Toronto Star | "If Youth Learn Violence, They Will Live Violently", P. AA8 | view |
| 2007-05-17 | Toronto Star | "Hip Hop Culture's Identity Crisis", P. A24 | view |
| 2007-04-19 | Toronto Star | "Colour New Millennium Green", p. A28 | view |
| 2007-07-21 | Toronto Star | Video Commentary on the FIFA U20 Soccer | view |
| 2009-01-05 | Canadian Black Heritage Portal | African Heritage/Black History Month 2009 events calendar | view |
| 2007-08-27 | Directions - Vol.4 No. 1 | African Canadians Quest for Inclusive Schooling | view |
| 2008-05-30 | Toronto Star | "Violence Gnaws at Social Bonds", P. AA6 | view |
| 2007-06-15 | Toronto Star | "Helping Boys Learn to be Men", P. AA8 | view |
| 2005-02-05 | Canadian Black Heritage Portal | Research on African/Black Canadians | view |
AWARDS AND HONOURS
- Featured in OISE/UT Inspiring Alumni Series on Past Graduates
- Featured in the 2006 and 2002 Editions of Who's Who in Black Canada: A Directory of Black Success and Black Excellence in Canada
- Certificate of Recognition, York University Faculty of Education, 2002 - Significant professional contribution as a host teacher to teacher-candidates
- Panelist, Iced in Black Film Festival, University of Waterloo, 2002 Discussant on Film 'Speak it to the Heart of Black Nova Scotia'
- Website of the Month, Operation Dialogue, 2001 for creating and maintaining Canadian Black Heritage in the Third Millennium - a website pertaining to Canadians of African descent, equity initiatives and inclusive education
- Certificate of Merit, Victoria College, U of T, 1995 - Literacy Tutor and Mentor at Lawrence Heights Middle School [1994-1995]
- Literacy Volunteer Award, Frontier College, 1994
REFERENCES
- Excellent references available upon request
I can be reached at
gapieters@gmail.comCopyright ©2009 Gary Pieters, All Rights Reserved. Most Recently Updated on January 5, 2009. Permission is granted for professional organizations, corporations and sector agencies, boards and commissions, and media to initiate contact.