Grand Erie School Board appoints new Superintendent

BRANTFORD – Grand Erie District School Board announced the appointment of April Smith to the role of Superintendent of Education, effective February 1.

“I’m thrilled to welcome April to our Senior Administration team,” said JoAnna Roberto, Director of Education. “April is a highly respected educator and administrator with a wide range of experience. She brings a wealth of knowledge in key areas to lead our board strategically, and to support Grand Erie’s students, families, staff, and stakeholders.”

Smith joins Grand Erie from Avon Maitland District School Board where she previously worked as a secondary school teacher before moving into administrative roles. Most recently, she filled the position of System Principal with portfolio responsibilities that included Assessment and Evaluation, Literacy, Mathematics, Transferable Skills, First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education, Outdoor Education, and the development of Teaching and Learning Support Coaches and Coordinators.

“I’m honoured to be joining the Grand Erie team,” said Smith. “I am inspired by the Board’s Multi-Year Plan and its focus on building a culture of high expectations in the areas of achievement, well-being, equity, environment, technology, and community. I look forward to making this my priority as we work towards these goals together.”

In her role as System Principal, Smith led the New Pedagogies for Deep Learning initiative, which implemented global frameworks for fostering critical thinking, collaboration, and connection among secondary school students. She was also responsible for Kindergarten to Grade 12 literacy learning, which included the integration of a leveled literacy intervention strategy for students in Grade 1, as well as the Closing the Gap in Adolescent Literacy initiative in targeted secondary schools.

Smith fills the vacancy on Grand Erie’s Senior Administration team left by retiring Superintendent Linda De Vos.

Grand Erie District School Board represents nearly 18,000 students in 58 elementary schools and more than 7,500 students in 14 secondary schools within the city of Brantford and the Counties of Brant, Haldimand, and Norfolk as well as students from Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

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