These online seminars are interactive learning sessions where participants will have time to explore various topics connected to leadership, ask questions and engage in discussion. The goal for participants is to deepen their understanding and take away relevant strategies to apply to their leadership practice. More information including registration details is listed below. All sessions will take place using Zoom from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. ET.

Leading Meaningful School Improvement - September 29, 2026

The workshop will focus on

  • Understanding the school improvement cycle 
  • Building clarity around creating a through line from goals to look fors, actions and monitoring 
  • Understanding the role of teacher agency in school improvement planning, implementation and monitoring

Facilitator: Lindsey Diakiw

Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. ET

Location: Online via Zoom

Register by September 22

Register

Leading and Inspiring Growth through Mentorship - October 20, 2026

The workshop will focus on

  • Understanding coaching and mentoring as complementary leadership practices
  • Reflecting on mentoring relationships as reciprocal, relational, equity-oriented work
  • Exploring strategies to support participants’ own growth that will inspire growth in others

Facilitator: Lawrence DeMaeyer

Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. ET

Location: Online via Zoom

Register by October 13

Register

Using a Human Rights-based Approach to Decision Making - November 24, 2026

 The workshop will focus on

  • Applying the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s (OHRC) Human Rights-based Approach (HRBA) Framework to school leadership
  • Considering how bias and barriers can affect the application of policies and procedures
  • Incorporating the HRBA considerations into daily leadership decision making to support equitable outcomes

Facilitator: Susie Lee-Fernandes

Date: Tuesday, November 24, 2026

Time: Onine via Zoom

Location: 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. ET

Register by November 17

Register

Facilitating Engaging and Impactful Professional Learning - January 19, 2027

 The workshop will focus on

  • Understanding components of an engaging professional learning session built on adult learning principles
  • Developing a bank of collaborative learning strategies to promote socialized learning principles
  • Using an anti-oppressive approach to facilitate dissonance and perceived resistance

Facilitator: Lindsey Diakiw

Date: Tuesday January 19, 2027

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. ET

Location: Online via Zoom

Register by January 12

Register

Safe and Caring Schools - February 16, 2027

 The workshop will focus on

  • Understanding what it means to create communities of care in the complex context of schools
  • Examining common tensions and dilemmas related to student behaviour, well-being, progressive discipline, and community trust
  • Exploring strategies that promote bias-aware, identity-affirming, progressive approaches to student discipline 

Facilitator: Lawrence DeMaeyer

Date: Tuesday, February 16, 2027

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. ET

Location: Online via Zoom

Register by February 9

Register

A Trauma Sensitive Approach to Leadership - March 30, 2027

The workshop will focus on

  • Understanding the role of self-reflection and curiosity to deeply understand each situation
  • Considering the link between trauma and student behaviours
  • Applying trauma informed approaches in response to student behaviours

Facilitator: Susie Lee-Fernandes

Date: Tuesday, March 30, 2027

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. ET

Location: Online via Zoom

Register by March 23

Register

Inclusive Environments with Universal Design for Learning - April 20, 2027

The workshop will focus on

  • Understanding how to build relevance and responsiveness into professional learning to increase engagement
  • Applying strategies that allow for multiple modes/modalities to access learning in a diverse community
  • Understanding how to provide a diverse community with multiple means of expression in learning

Facilitator: Lindsey Diakiw

Date: Tuesday, April 20, 2027

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. ET

Location: Online via Zoom

Register by April 13

Register

Facilitators

Lawrence DeMaeyer

  Professional Learning Consultant, Ontario Principals' Council

Lawrence has been an educator for over 30 years. He started his career as an elementary teacher before moving to secondary school where he spent over a decade as a Business Teacher and Department Head. He then served for 10 years as a secondary vice-principal and principal. As a principal, Lawrence held system-level leadership positions as a School Support Officer and Principal of Modern Learning. He has also served as a Superintendent of Education and Superintendent of Leadership Development and School Support. Lawrence’s passion for developing people, system learning and innovation led him to join OPC in February of 2021 in the role of Professional Learning Education Advisor.  

Lindsey Diakiw

  Professional Learning Consultant, Ontario Principals' Council

Lindsey has been an educator and leader in Ontario schools for over 30 years. Lindsey has supported aspiring, new and experienced leaders build their skills as a co-chair of learning networks, as a mentor and coach, and as a centrally assigned principal in Leadership Development and Engagement. She has worked along side students, colleagues, parents, and families to increase engagement in school communities by creating space for student and family voice. Lindsey has recently joined OPC as a Professional Learning Consultant to continue her commitment to supporting education leaders in their growth and development. 

Susie Lee-Fernandes

  Director of Professional Learning and Engagement, Ontario Principals' Council

Susie has served in education for over 25 years in the roles of teacher, principal and superintendent with responsibilities for equity, special education and leadership development. She is a dedicated educator and life-long learner, committed to culturally responsive leadership and authentic collaboration with community partners. In her current role as Director of Professional Learning for the Ontario Principal’s Council, Susie is honoured to support principals and vice-principals in exemplary school leadership at the local, national and international levels.

 

If you have any questions, please email Brad Harris at bharris@principals.ca.