Dr. Avis Glaze
Dr. Avis Glaze is known as an international leader in the field of education. As one of Canada's outstanding educators, she has been recognized for her work in leadership development, student achievement, school and system improvement, character development and equity of outcomes for all students. As Ontario's first Chief Student Achievement Officer and founding CEO of the Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat, she played a pivotal role in improving student achievement in Ontario schools.
It is her strong belief that all children can learn with the proper supports and effective teaching. For her, poverty is not destiny. She is convinced that, as educators, we now know the strategies that are effective in improving student learning. Her primary focus in education is on building capacity to ensure that all students achieve, regardless of background factors or personal circumstances. She has been a tireless advocate for equity of outcomes for all students and for the enhancement of public education. It is her core belief that educators play a fundamental role in sustaining democracy. The professional learning of those who work in schools must be a government priority, as it currently is in Ontario. Her focus is on maximizing the talent of students, teachers and administrators by developing the knowledge, skills, attitudes and dispositions necessary within an informed, literate and caring society. Her major assertion, based on her experience as a leader in Ontario's literacy strategy implementation, is that we can, indeed, improve results without rancour or ranking.
Dr. Glaze completed two Master of Education programs – one in educational administration, a second in guidance and counselling, and a Doctorate in Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto. She also has training in Alternative Dispute Resolution, Advanced Facilitation, and the Assessment of Emotional Intelligence. She has taught at all levels of the K-12 education system, in rural and urban areas, in public and catholic schools, and at the elementary, secondary, community college and university levels. She has worked as a classroom teacher, special education teacher, guidance counsellor and secondary school administrator. Avis has been a superintendent of schools in several school districts, an Associate Director of Education with the York Region District School Board and Director of Education of the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board.
At the university level, Avis has been an Adjunct Professor in counsellor and teacher education in faculties of education in Ontario. She also served as an Education Officer with the Ontario Ministry of Education and as Research Coordinator with the Ontario Women's Directorate of the Ministry of Labour. In 1994, Avis served as a Commissioner on the Ontario Royal Commission on Learning and had the opportunity to influence the direction of education in Ontario through the recommendations of the Commission.
Avis has extensive experience in international education. She was chosen by the Canadian government to assist with educational reform in South Africa. She represented Canada at the UNESCO conference on Inclusive Education in Riga, Latvia. As well, she knows schools across the globe firsthand, having worked with educators in Australia, England, Finland, Singapore, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, the Caribbean and many parts of the United States.
Within her community, she served as Chairperson of the Harry R. Gairey Scholarship Fund, enabling outstanding black students to attend university. She has established the Avis Glaze Scholarships with the Markham African Caribbean Association for post-secondary education. She is also supporting a second scholarship for studies in education at the University of Ottawa. Avis is well known as a results-oriented leader and mentor to many educators. She is responsible for several innovations in education in Ontario. She is a recognized author of many publications and has received honourary doctorates from several Canadian universities. She has won more than thirty awards for outstanding contribution to education, including Educator of the Year, The Distinguished Educator Award, the 2001 YWCA Women of Distinction Award, the Harry Jerome Award and the Order of Ontario, among others.
After serving as Ontario's first Chief Student Achievement Officer and founding CEO of The Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat, Avis was later appointed as Ontario's Education Commissioner and Senior Adviser to the Minister of Education. Dr. Glaze is currently a Senior Adviser to the Ontario Ministry of Education and Professor in Residence in the Faculty of Education at the University of Ottawa. Her company, Edu-quest International Inc. offers a wide range of services internationally. She continues to do what she does best: motivating and inspiring educators through speaking engagements. She consults with school districts, non profit organizations and businesses to maximize talent and achieve results.