Senior Administration

THE SENIOR ADMINISTRATION TEAM

(Front, left to right) Tammy Mitchell, assistant superintendent—student services; Elise Downey, secretary-treasurer/CFO; Sandra Herbst, superintendent/CEO; Karen Boyd, assistant superintendent—educational programming; (back, left to right) Jason Drysdale, assistant superintendent—educational services and planning; Mark Bruce, assistant superintendent—human resources.

The senior administration team provides leadership to meet the division's educational priorities, which are to:

• Enhance student achievement through authentic and appropriate literacy instruction
• Enhance the climate, culture, and inclusivity in all schools through authentic and appropriate universal, targeted, and intensive supports
• Enhance student achievement through authentic and appropriate mathematics instruction

A MESSAGE FROM OUR SUPERINTENDENT/CEO

Several years ago, when my nephew was very young, our family bundled up to brave the cold January afternoon to go tobogganing. He had yet to experience this quintessential winter activity. As our family—my parents, my sister and brother-in-law, my nephew, and myself— walked through Bunn’s Creek Centennial Park, we were negotiating who would first take him down the slide. Each of us thought that we were justified in that honour and, as a result, the conversation was animated. As we approached our destination, we came upon a family friend who, on his own, was taking his three children to the same toboggan run. When he saw all of us, he said, “Here comes Colin and his entourage.”

These words have stuck with me for almost two decades, because I want every child to have an “entourage”—people who nurture their hopes, dreams, and aspirations. Parents, caregivers, guardians, and family members— you are your child’s first teachers. Then later, we, as educators and divisional staff, round out that team. Working together, we create the environment that is worthy of our community’s children and young people—our students—so they can face their future and not our past.

I am deeply grateful to the board of trustees for this opportunity to become a member of the incredible divisional team. For me, the work we do is personal. I have always lived in North Kildonan. I was a student at Maple Leaf School, John Pritchard School, and River East Collegiate. My formal leadership roles began in the legacy Transcona-Springfield School Division. Our community of River East Transcona has sustained me—both personally and professionally.

 So, as we begin the 2022–23 school year, I am certain that our students will engage in learning opportunities to help them to grow and develop, while facing some challenges along the way. However, I am equally certain that, collectively, we will surround them with the support and care to allow them to thrive. Thank you for welcoming me into this “entourage.” There is good work ahead.

Sandra Herbst
Superintendent/CEO