Description: Effective school leadership requires time, space, and support for reflection and growth. This 60‑minute information session explores the OPC Leadership Coaching Program and its role in supporting educators at various stages of their leadership journey (e.g., teacher, vice-principal, principal, superintendent). Participants will learn who the program is designed for, what to expect from the coaching experience, and how coaching aligns with the realities of school leadership in Ontario. Time will be provided for questions and discussion.
| Fall Webinar - Thursday, October 8, 2026 |
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Time: 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. EDT Location: Online/Virtual via Zoom Register: |
| Wiinter Webinar - Wednesday, March 3, 2027 |
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Time: 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m and 4:00 p.m - 5:00 p.m. EST Location: Online/virtual via Zoom Register: |
Susie Lee-Fernandes, Director of Professional Learning - Ontario Principals' Council
OPC Coaches:
| Helen Evans |
 After stepping out of formal leadership culminating in two years of principal advocacy as Chair of TSAA (the Toronto School Administrators’ Association), Helen entered ‘refirement’ and immediately created LEAP (Leading Educators Around the Planet) guiding international principal exchanges centred on Ontario principals job shadowing and researching specific topics with leaders from Australia, Scandinavia, The Netherlands, England and Italy. She continues to use her coaching expertise as a OCT Course Provider. Her take on leadership: Principals have Super Powers, they are Visionaries and Influencers. |
| Karen Friedman |
 As an OISE senior mentor lead and as a certified coach, I partner with school administrators and aspiring leaders in a confidential, non-judgmental space where you can think out loud, take risks, and grow. If you are entering a selection process, I offer as much support as you want with your CV and cover letter, portfolio, presentations, and interviews. We prepare until you feel ready and confident.
Beyond selection, I coach for the work of leadership itself: developing as a leader, building inclusive teams, leading school improvement, and managing difficult conversations with clarity and care.
My approach is grounded in trust, deep listening, and genuine partnership. I bring full presence to our conversations and meet you wherever you are. Above all, I bring a proven track record. I have helped many candidates step into leadership roles and supported experienced administrators as they navigate complexity and lead their schools with confidence.
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| Nina Jaiswal |
 Nina is an accomplished educational consultant and former Superintendent of Education whose career spans leadership development, strategic planning, and community engagement across Ontario. She partners with school boards and senior teams to strengthen leadership capacity, improve organizational effectiveness, and support student success in complex environments. Grounded in safety, equity, diversity, and inclusion, she is committed to high academic achievement, character development, and the holistic well-being of every learner. Nina also works internationally, collaborating with agencies and educational organizations to design and deliver leadership programs, teach leadership courses, and build capacity among emerging and experienced administrators. Her expertise includes school liability, discipline, duty of care, compliance, supervision, and physical injury. A respected writer, blogger, curriculum developer, expert witness, investigator, coach, and mentor, Nina supports professionals in career growth and promotion readiness. She is recognized for building trusted partnerships that advance public confidence and student achievement.
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| Mary Nanavati |
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As a creative and compassionate coach, Mary focuses on the whole person, championing educators to leverage their values and strengths in advancing their careers and in finding greater personal and professional fulfillment, well-being, and work-life balance. She specializes in developing leadership, communication, strategic thinking, relationship, and teamwork skills. By co-creating transformational coaching relationships built on values that include trust, equity, respect, honesty, optimism, accountability, and a love of learning, Mary believes in empowering participants to find their own way forward and reach their full potential with enhanced skills, relationships, and confidence. Mary’s experience and innovative work in coaching reflect who she is as a person, educator, and mentor. |
| Charis Newton-Thompson |
 Charis Newton-Thompson was employed as an educator in Guyana, Jamaica and Canada for over 30 years. She has served as a public school employee in Ontario for over 25 of those years. In Toronto she served as a teacher, a department head, an anti-racism consultant, a vice principal, a principal and a manager. Provincially in Ontario, she served as an Education Officer in the Anti-racism and Ethno-cultural Equity Division. She also taught additional qualifications courses at the Faculty of Education University of Toronto - now OISE. More recently she was a participant in the development of the 2022 OPC Trauma-Sensitive School leadership Study Report, a faculty advisor in the education department of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and the EDI consultant and writing team member for the Mentor Qualifications Program Curriculum of the Ontario Principals' Council. In June 2020 Charis obtained her PhD in educational leadership from OISE/UT; her focus was mentorship. A retired principal, Charis is currently a consultant in anti-racism and equity in education. She is passionate about community building. To this end Charis has volunteered as an active member and/or has assumed leadership roles in many community organizations in Toronto, Jamaica and/or Guyana since 1975. She also sponsors a nursery school in Jamaica and secondary students in Malawi. Currently, Charis is an active participant in action-oriented volunteer work in her community. She was recently a member of the City of Toronto’s Confronting anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee and is a member of the Toronto Seniors’ Forum. Charis has been recognized for her extensive volunteer work with a number of awards. In 2022, she was the recipient of the, 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women award and the TDSB Know Your Worth Award. Charis mentors aspiring and current teachers, administrators, past students and other community members and is a mentor in the OISE/UT alumni mentorship program. |
With 30 years in education and a number of recognitions, Mary Nanavati’s experiences in teaching, staff and curriculum development, work for the Ontario Ministry of Education and the Ontario Principals’ Council (OPC), and 17 years in school administration have contributed to her expertise as a coach. She has been the Lead and is a current facilitator for OPC’s Mentoring Qualification Program, a course that blends coaching for equity with a range of MentorCoaching skills. Mary is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC), an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with the International Coaching Federation, a highly trained facilitator, and has a Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology.Contact(s)
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