The CanadianED Leadership Show

Dean Shareski reflects back on the 100 episodes of this podcast. He looks at each province and territory and highlights key themes and cultural identities across Canada. It's a shorter episode but hopefully one that will encourage listeners to look back on all the episodes to find one you missed that might encourage you or make you better understand the great leaders in education from coast to coa...

In this episode, Dean chats with Paul McKenzie, a Superintendent from Powell River, BC. They explore how to harness the natural curiosity and energy in children, and discuss transformative ideas like the 'school within a school' concept. Paul shares stories about his impactful journey in education—from a high school English teacher to a superintendent. He talks about the influence of sports on his...

 In today's episode, we're chatting with Sandra Herbst, the superintendent of River East Transcona School Division in Winnipeg, Manitoba. We cover a lot of ground—from the powerful role of love in public education, to the nuances of Manitoba's educational system, and some thought-provoking questions about the ownership of learning and assessment. Plus, Sandra shares personal insights about her jou...

In this episode, join me as I sit down with Dustin Swanson, the Superintendent of Prairie South in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. We dive into the importance of listening to diverse viewpoints, focusing on classroom support, and making tough budgetary decisions. Dustin also shares insights on professional development, the unique mix of rural and urban dynamics in Prairie South, and the evolution of comm...

Join us for a lighthearted and insightful conversation about leadership in education, using the popular TV show 'Ted Lasso' as a foundation. Hosts Ryan Kelley and Steven Perchard discuss how they drew inspiration from the show to build a positive leadership model within Newfoundland schools. Learn about the unique context and structure of the Newfoundland education system, the challenges they've f...

A Chat with Dr. Souhail Soujah Join us for a casual and insightful conversation with Dr. Souhail Soujah the superintendent of South Slave educational division in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories. We delve into his transition from big city life to a leadership role in northern Canada, his dedication to indigenous education, and the unique challenges of maintaining quality education in remote areas...

Join us as we chat with Michael Furdyk, co-founder of TakingITGlobal, about leveraging technology to tackle social issues. Michael shares his journey from meeting tech giants like Bill Gates and Google founders to focusing on non-profits and educational initiatives. Learn about his first tech ventures, the impact of social innovation, and the importance of investing in youth to create future leade...

In this episode I talk with Noah Pearmain, a student at the School of Finance and Management in Frankfurt, as he shares his journey and unique perspective on using AI in education. Noah discusses how AI has transformed his study habits, helped him overcome challenges in subjects like math, and even assisted him in navigating life in a foreign country. He also explores the varying acceptance and in...

Join us for a discussion with Stacy Lair, Director of Northeast School Division and President of LEADS in Saskatchewan. Stacy shares her journey transitioning from an industrial arts teacher to a leadership role, her insights on authentic leadership, and the importance of staying curious. We also delve into how she balances professional and personal life, the unique structures and operations of ed...

In  this first episode of season 4 of The CanadianEd Leadership Show, we kick off  with Dr. Soroush Sabbaghan, Gen AI leader in residence at the University of Calgary. Dr. Sabbaghan discusses the role of ChatGPT in education, its benefits, and the necessary precautions. The conversation explores the implications of generative AI for both K-12 and higher education, touching on ethical concerns, app...

In this episode, we sit down with Darren McKee, Executive Director of the Saskatchewan School Boards Association. We dive into Darren's personal journey, the state of Indigenous representation in government, and his work in Indigenous education. Darren shares his experiences growing up, the challenges he faced, and the milestones he achieved, like introducing teaching treaties in Saskatchewan clas...

In this episode, the discussion focuses on the challenges of balancing the creation of wellbeing conditions with the core business of teaching literacy, numeracy, and overall learning. The importance of integrating both aspects is highlighted, rather than viewing them as mutually exclusive. The conversation features insights into effective leadership, particularly in educational settings, and emph...

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating journey of Steve Boots, Saskatchewan's own internet social studies teacher. Steve shares how his most viewed video wasn’t about politics, but about the surprising connection between Boney M and Milli Vanilli. He discusses his transition from being a traditional classroom teacher to an online content creator, his viral moments, and his thoughts on the e...

Join us in this enlightening episode as we delve into the power of recognition and mentorship in education with Noa Daniel, a teacher at York Region School Board, Ontario. Noa discusses the importance of celebrating educators, fostering mentorship opportunities for pre-service and seasoned teachers, and her innovative 'Building Outside the Blocks' pedagogical approach. We also explore her extensiv...

In this episode, Dean engages in a deep and thought-provoking conversation with Tania Sterling, a longtime public educator and advocate for Indigenous communities and cultures. They discuss Tania's journey from education into the corporate world and back, focusing on her passion for creating better learning opportunities for Indigenous students. Tania shares invaluable insights from her diverse ex...

In this episode, we sit down with Todd Manuel, Superintendent of Schools of Okanagan Skaha in Penticton, British Columbia. Todd shares his unique insights into leading through the complex process of school closures, focusing on the importance of empathetic and transparent leadership. Reflecting on his career transition from a teacher in Coquitlam to his current role, Todd discusses how the distric...

In this inspiring episode, we explore the impact of the Connected North program with co-founder Jennifer Corriero. Jennifer shares how Connected North delivers live, interactive virtual field trips to over 200 partner schools in Northern Remote, First Nations, Inuit, and Metis communities, significantly increasing student engagement and motivation. The discussion highlights powerful stories of ind...

In this  episode, we explore the novel approaches of West Vancouver and Ottawa Catholic School Boards in integrating generative AI into educational systems. Dean and the guests, Chris Kennedy (Superintendent, West Vancouver) and Tom D'Amico (Director of Education, Ottawa Catholic), discuss their AI journeys, collaborations, and the significant changes in teaching methodologies. They delve into the...

In this episode, we sit down with Mistene Clapp, a dedicated educator and vice principal at Limestone District School Board, to discuss her journey in education. Mistene shares stories about her early experiences as a classroom teacher, the importance of valuing all staff members, and her strategies for building a compassionate and inclusive school community. She emphasizes the significance of usi...

In this engaging episode, we explore the inception and development of a podcast initiative for the Surrey school district. Sundeep, a principal, shares her vision of using podcasts for professional learning and how it became a reality through collaboration with Linda Reeve and Kristi. They discuss the logistics, challenges, and joys of creating educational content for busy educators. Along the way...

In this episode, we delve into the inspiring career of Tyrone Dowling, the Director of Education for the Waterloo Catholic School Board in Ontario. Dowling shares his experiences and challenges as one of the few Black educational leaders in the region. He emphasizes the importance of representation in education and discusses his efforts to increase diversity among teachers. The conversation covers...

In this compelling episode, we explore the significant impact of mental health on education, especially focusing on the onset of depression in children before the age of 14. The conversation, led by Dr. Gina Cherkowski, Dr. Katie Fodchuk, and Chris Smeaton, emphasizes the need for a multi-stakeholder approach in schools, supporting leaders, teachers, students, and families. We discuss the importan...

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Nora Young, the host of CBC's iconic program Spark. Nora shares her journey from print journalism to becoming a prominent voice in the intersection of technology, society, and philosophy. We discuss the humanizing effects of technology during the pandemic, the evolution of digital culture, and her thoughts on the relevance of technological discussions f...

 In this special episode, I sit down with my father, Elmo Shareski, who turns 93 in February 2025. He shares the timeless lessons he picked up throughout his life, from working on the family farm at age 14 to running a John Deere dealership at 19, and leading various businesses. Discover how his old-school, yet effective leadership philosophy shaped my own outlook and career. We delve into his fir...

In today's episode, we delve into the insights and experiences of Donna Miller Fry, a seasoned education leader who has worked across various Canadian provinces. Donna discusses the importance of empowering and uplifting employees, the challenges and courage required in leadership roles, and her unique perspective on the differences in educational systems across Canada. She also shares a poignant...