Helen has taken her experiences and expertise from 35 years of leading in schools and folded them into her coaching practice, Basic Principals. She credits her role as TSAA chair for adding depth to her understanding of system challenges. OPC, OCT and many Ontario School Boards request her support on topics including, professional boundaries, well-being/stress management, ethical decision-making, effective communication, marketing for success, and building community.

Helen’s overall approach is to empower leaders through self-reflection and deeper conversations. Her passion is building resilience in others. She uses discussions, readings, a value survey, and if needed, helps compose precise language to work through specific issues. The overall purpose is to identify scenarios, to consider particular challenges and to link strategies that support renewed confidence in problem-solving. Using the framework of care, trust, respect and integrity, offers rigour. On going feedback indicates clients feel refreshed with a renewed sense of direction.

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.

As a professional leadership coach, Mary Nanavati’s expertise is grounded in teaching, staff and curriculum development, team facilitation, work for OPC and 17 years as an award-winning school administrator.  Mary is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach with an ACC credential from the International Coaching Federation and a Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology.

As a compassionate leadership 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 partnerships built on values that include trust, equity, respect, optimism, and a passion for learning, Mary empowers participants to reach their full potential with enhanced skills, relationships, and confidence.  Mary’s experiences and creative work in leadership coaching reflect who she is as a person, educator, and mentor.

Charis Newton-Thompson was employed as a public-school educator in Guyana, Jamaica and Canada for over 30 years. In Ontario, she served as an Education Officer in the Anti-Racism and Ethno-Cultural Equity Division of the MOE. She taught teacher additional qualifications courses at the Faculty of Education University of Toronto. Recently at OPC, Charis was a participant in the development of the Trauma-Sensitive School leadership Study Report and the EDI consultant and a curriculum writing team member for the Mentor Qualifications Program. Charis also adapted an Inclusive Schools Self Assessment tool for use by school administrators. Additionally, Charis was a significant contributor to the design of both the data gathering tool and the data collection process for the Black Voices Study Report of the TCDSB.  Charis’ 2020 PhD dissertation focussed on mentorship experiences of Black female public-school administrators in Ontario. A retired principal, Charis is an OPC mentor/coach.

• Coaching will be facilitated by experienced OPC principals and/or vice-principals with coaching expertise. All coaches will use a MentorCoaching approach. Their professional experience and training enable them to use a coaching stance in which they guide an individual or group towards solutions or growth. In addition, they may provide advice or share best practices.