James Gregory Reeves, M.S. (1983)

Location:

Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

Email:

greeves@pvnccdsb.on.ca

Program/Degree:

M.S.Ed.

Profession:

Director of Education and Secretary/Treasurer, Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board

I been an educator for over 34 years, having attained bachelor's degrees from the University of Pennsylvania in 1977 and from the Ontario Teacher Education College in Toronto in 1978. I received my master's in education from Niagara University in 1983.

In 1985, I completed my principal’s qualification, and obtained an Ontario supervisory officer’s qualification in 1996.

Prior to arriving in the Peterborough area, I worked for the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board as a teacher, consultant, vice principal and principal. I joined the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board in 1991 and served in several capacities. I was principal of four district elementary schools and principal of curriculum for both elementary and secondary schools. I have been chair of the principals/vice principals association, the emergency preparedness committee, the curriculum coordinating committee, and worked on numerous board committees and interview teams.

In addition, I have served as an instructor and lecturer in principal and teacher training programs at the university level and am very involved in provincial Catholic curriculum corporation.

I was appointed to the position of superintendent of schools on August 1, 2004, and took on the role of director of education and secretary/treasurer of the board on May 1, 2011.

I have received recognition from the Canadian Association of Communicators in Education (CACE) with awards of excellence in school public relations, communications, marketing and engagement. As well, I was recognized as a laureate by the Computerworld Honors Program for the board’s “Fast Forward” Teacher Wireless Laptop Project.

My parish and community volunteer activities have included being a member of and reader for the St. Anne’s Parish, a baseball coach for the Peterborough Tigers, Eastern Ontario Baseball Association, and St. Anne’s Baseball, as well as a community rink supervisor for the City of Peterborough Parks and Recreation.

My experience at Niagara University is something I will cherish for the rest of my life. Through my education, I have been rewarded with a number of successful career opportunities. The small classes and opportunity to talk with the professors both in and out of class allowed for a clarification and understanding of how leadership works in different contexts. The program not only provided a sound knowledge of how curriculum was reviewed, written and implemented but also gave us specific tools for leadership that helped us manage the change process. The research-based leadership strategies have helped me throughout my career to influence and encourage the people I have worked with to pursue and recognize the leadership skills we all possess.