Colleen Russell-Rawlins has been appointed as the new permanent interim Director of Education for the Peel District School Board. Rawlins will assume the role on August 5. The position was previously held by Peter Joshua, who was removed on June 23. The position was held in the interim by Jaspal Gill.
In light of the board’s response to reports of anti-Black racism, the new Director of Education comes with expectations that she will solve the inequity crisis experienced by Black students and other minority groups. Rawlins has spent 20 years in the education field and is currently the Associate Director of Equity, Well-Being, Early Years and School Improvement with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB).
Rawlins recently developed a proposal to establish the The Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement in the TDSB. She also works with the Parent Involvement Committee and serves as the Staff Lead for the Black Student Achievement Community Advisory Committee.
While it is unclear how long she will be Director of Education, Rawlins is confident in being able to take on this role to dismantle racism in the board and says she is “honoured to serve as the Interim Director of the Peel board at this pivotal point in its efforts to achieve racial equity and dismantle anti-Black racism.”
