Advertise on podcast: The High Performing Educator Podcast

Register for the Complete 180 Conference here: https://impact-courses.com/conference849473   Daryl Williams Jr. is a two-time Teacher of the Year, bestselling author, and nationally recognized keynote speaker focused on new teacher confidence and retention. Through his work, he helps schools and districts address the root cause of early-career attrition by strengthening identity, belief, and instructional clarity. Drawing from his own journey from struggling first-year teacher to award-winning educator, Daryl delivers practical, research-aligned strategies that translate into measurable retention outcomes. His approach equips administrators with a clear framework to support new teachers beyond surface-level professional development, ensuring they build confidence, stay in the profession, and create lasting impact in their classrooms.   Register for the Complete 180 Conference here: https://impact-courses.com/conference849473

Louis Patrick Leroux is the 7th Rector of Saint Paul University in Ottawa. Originally from Eastern Ontario, he is a playwright, theatre director, and scholar whose work bridges art and academia. Before joining Saint Paul, Dr. Leroux spent two decades at Concordia University as a professor of English and French studies, researching theatre, contemporary circus, and creative collaboration. A prolific, award-winning author, he has published more than a hundred scholarly works and a dozen plays translated into several languages. His research has attracted over six million dollars in funding and earned national recognition, including induction into the Royal Society of Canada. Today, as rector, Dr. Leroux continues to champion creativity, community, and the power of interdisciplinary education.

John McGowan has joined HUB as Senior Account Executive, Education Specialty Practice. John's 20 years of campus leadership experience will enhance HUB's industry-leading Education Specialty Practice to meet the evolving needs of campuses across Canada. As the General Manager of the McMaster Students' Union, John played an integral role in four capital projects with a cumulative budget in excess of $95 million to support student life. In addition, he oversaw an annual budget of $13 million, was responsible for over 150 staff, supported 250+ Clubs and delivered 30+ services to the McMaster community in Hamilton, Ontario. His stewardship and ability to collaborate was invaluable in shaping the campus experience at McMaster University for decades. This unique experience has equipped him with invaluable insights into the needs of post-secondary institutions, student associations, staff and students. This includes, but is not limited to, risk management, strong governance, benefits, and insurance.

Michael Lobuzzetta has been a dedicated leader and educator within the Cleveland Hill community for over thirteen years. He currently serves as Principal of Cleveland Hill High School, where he is committed to fostering academic excellence, personal growth, and social responsibility in students, while building a collaborative and engaging school culture for staff, families, and the wider community. Before becoming Principal, Michael served as Assistant Principal for four years and as a Special Education Teacher at the high school level. Throughout his career, he has contributed to numerous teams, committees, and initiatives that have advanced student achievement and strengthened the school's supportive environment. His leadership is rooted in collaboration, transparency, and shared decision-making, with a strong belief that meaningful change happens when people work together. Michael earned his bachelor's degree in Sociology from Buffalo State College and began his career in the Human Services field. He later completed his Master's degree in Special Education at D'Youville College and worked at Gateway-Longview before joining Cleveland Hill in 2012. With humility and pride, Michael continues to serve the Cleveland Hill High School community, embracing the school's tradition of excellence and working alongside students, parents, and educators to shape a bright future together.

Joining us this year, Danny Viotto brings a wealth of experience to the CDS community as the new Director of Senior School. Having led the Huron Superior Catholic District School Board as the Director of Education for the past several years, Danny also served as an Academic Superintendent, an Elementary Principal and a Senior School Principal with HSCDSB for almost 15 years. He believes strongly that as educators we are called to develop the full potential of every child. In between his roles at HSCDSB, Danny spent two years as School Principal at De La Salle College, an independent school in Toronto, where he worked closely alongside the school's President, staff, students and parents - listening to the voices of all constituents so to best prioritize De La Salle's needs and create intentional, strategic directions. Danny holds a B.A. in English and a B.Ed. from Lakehead University and an M.Ed. from Nipissing University and has a history of working with school teams to nurture a community of belonging that supports self-expression and fulfilment. He believes strongly that music, drama, art and athletics help develop well-rounded citizens and future leaders. Danny relocated to York Region from Sault Ste. Marie last summer and has fully immersed himself into the awesome community at the Country Day School.

With a strong background in mathematics education, Peter Cowan has dedicated his career to fostering confidence and perseverance in students. As the former Head of the Math Department at Ursuline College Chatham, he played a pivotal role in improving the school's EQAO scores by 24% over five years. However, beyond the numbers, Peter takes pride in the transformation within the classroom—witnessing students develop resilience and belief in their ability to tackle challenging problems. Now serving as Vice Principal, Peter continues to focus on supporting students who have struggled academically, helping them navigate their paths toward success. His commitment to education extends beyond the classroom, having taught a wide range of essential courses. An active coach, Peter helps with the school's track and cross-country teams, fostering discipline and teamwork among student-athletes. In the winter, he dedicates his time to coaching his son's hockey team, embracing the importance of mentorship both in academics and athletics. Peter is a strong believer that students involved in sports or extracurricular activities gain valuable skills that translate into real-life qualities—time management, work ethic, teamwork, and becoming a productive member of their community. His passion lies in empowering students, building a positive learning environment, and ensuring that every learner finds their place in the school community.

Zoran Stojković is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) and has extensive experience helping athletes and high-performance professionals develop the psychological skills necessary to perform under pressure. He currently works as a Mental Performance Specialist with Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services as a Mental Performance Specialist supporting pilots in optimizing focus, confidence, and resilience in high-stakes environments. With over 15 years of experience coaching tennis and more than eight years as a Mental Performance Consultant with his company Kizo Performance, Zoran has worked with over 2,000 athletes across various sports, guiding them in mental preparation for major competitions and sustainable personal growth. He played a role in Pacific Football Club's gold-medal-winning season in the Canadian Premier League in 2021 and has helped Olympic and national team athletes reach the podium on the world stage. His expertise includes breathing techniques for composure under pressure, recovery strategies for energy management, goal-setting, performance routines, and self-talk for confidence. Zoran holds dual master's degrees in Sport and Exercise Psychology (MSc, MSSc) and is a professional member of the Canadian Sport Psychology Association (CSPA).

Jeevan Dhami is a the vice principal Queen Elizabeth Secondary School in British Columbia. He originally began his career as an Outreach Worker in 2014 at the same secondary school he would return to as a continuing teacher in 2019. With an extensive background in community work through various organizations, Jeevan consistently pursued academics while attending Simon Fraser University to further his education. He completed his Bachelor of Arts with a focus in History and Criminology, then a Bachelors of Education with a focus on Environmental Education and is currently working on completing his Masters in Educational Practices. Outside of the school building, Jeevan can be found keeping up with his other passion of sport, by coaching Senior Boys Basketball. As a former student-athlete, he understands the importance of transferable skills through sport, which he hopes to pass on to his players and his community. His philosophy on life and teaching is based on the power of connection as he works to create a sense of belonging for people within his community.

A leader 'of firsts' Frank Cappadocia enjoys the thrill and challenges of new ventures. In his current position as Dean of Humber College's Continuous Professional Learning (CPL) operations. Tasked with building Humber's CPL activities, Frank works with all of Humber's Senior Deans, Associate-Deans, and dozens of external partners to deliver the 400+ professional courses CPL offers each term. Known to be a solutions-focused, mission-driven leader, Frank's spent the last 30 years trying to improve the quality of full-time, part-time, and continuing education student, staff, and faculty life. Having held more than 12 executive positions at TMU (formerly Ryerson), York University, Lakehead University and now Humber, Frank has one of the widest sets of professional lenses in Ontario's postsecondary sector. Known for his quick wit, humour and approachability, Frank continues to maximize opportunities wherever he can find them. He is absorbed and obsessed with everything leadership which is both his personal and professional passion. Frank is the recipient of several provincial and three national level awards recognizing his educational program design successes and is routinely sought out as a leadership consultant and presenter with over 400 workshops to 20,000+ participants. Frank holds a Master of Arts in Community Leadership from Regis University. As a lifelong learner Frank can also completed all but his dissertation in Educational Leadership with the University of Cumbria. Bridge-builder, co-creator and occasional troublemaker, Frank is proud of his humble beginnings and remains strongly committed to several community-based organizations like Victim Services, World Vision, and the Terry Fox Foundation. You can reach Frank here: [email protected]

Cherie Sawaryn (@BeeKindHive) is the Founder of BeeKind Hive, and the Executive Director of the Students' Association of NorQuest College. With over 20 years of experience in leadership, coaching, and the student community, Cherie has designed and delivered workshops across Canada, led large-scale events and conferences, and supported teams through transformative change. BeeKind Hive began as a spark of an idea: that leaders could do more, and lead better, by leaning into community and leading with heart—even in a culture that celebrates constant hustle. It has grown into a community where leaders gather for circles, small group coaching, and creative workshops. Known for her quirky and endearing approach, Cherie has a gift for navigating complex and sensitive situations with kindness, while keeping strategy and big-picture vision at the forefront.  She is fueled by coffee and optimism, and believes that connection, creativity, and community are the building blocks of meaningful leadership.

Mark believes that every child's success is a shared responsibility, and this conviction has guided his career as an educator and leader. Working at both local and statewide levels, he has consistently sought out innovative, outside-the-box solutions to help students grow, thrive, and ultimately become impactful members of their communities. His efforts have ranged from strengthening advocacy for legislative support, such as evidence-based funding, to building a remote school that served 38 districts during the height of the pandemic. Through these initiatives, Mark has helped open doors and bring hope to countless students and families. Deeply committed to student success, Mark champions efforts to remove barriers that often stand in the way of learning—whether those challenges stem from trauma, homelessness under McKinney-Vento, or truancy. Every day, he leads and collaborates with student advocates who share his belief in the power of kids' dreams and the transformative impact of changing how students view themselves and their futures. Mark's guiding philosophy is rooted in possibility. By encouraging new ways of thinking, he creates pathways for students to believe that anything is achievable. His work reflects a relentless dedication to making a difference—impacting lives one student at a time, regardless of background or circumstance. At the heart of his approach is a simple but profound question: "What else can we do differently?"

Adam Seaney has spent the past 20 years in K-12 education serving students across multiple districts across the state of Illinois. He received his Bachelor's of Arts Degree in Physical Education and Health from Olivet Nazarene University in 2005 and began a career in education as a paraprofessional in the Mascoutah Community School District. After 2 years as a paraprofessional, he was hired for his first teaching job at Palestine High School in Palestine, Illinois. Mr. Seaney taught physical education & health, and also served as the head football coach and head boys track coach. In 2013, Mr. Seaney earned a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Eastern Illinois University. After a 5 year stay at Palestine, he was hired as a Physical Education teacher in the Lawrenceville CUSD #20. After spending 2 years in the classroom at Lawrenceville, he received his first administrative position as an Assistant Principal at Parkside Elementary School in Lawrenceville, IL. In the fall of 2018, he accepted a position as the Principal at ROWVA Jr/Sr High School in Oneida, Illinois. It was during his time at ROWVA that Mr. Seaney discovered his love and passion for Career & Technical Education. Mr. Seaney spent 4 years at ROWVA, before accepting his current position as the Director of the Galesburg Area Vocational Center in Galesburg, IL. During his tenure as a Principal, Mr. Seaney was awarded the Illinois Principals Association Western Region Jr. High Principal of the Year. His time in education has been defined by his passion for building intentional, meaningful relationships with students, staff, and community members. In his time as the Director at GAVC, enrollment in CTE programs has grown annually at a combined rate of over 25%. In addition, program offerings have increased, ensuring that student interest and industry needs are met simultaneously. In addition to his role as GAVC Director, Mr. Seaney is active in professional organizations such as the Association for Career & Technical Education, Illinois Association for Career & Technical Education, Illinois Career & Technical Administrators and the Illinois Principals Association. Mr. Seaney has presented at state and regional conferences about building sustainable CTE programs in high schools. He is passionate about Career & Technical Education, and creating an environment to ensure that students have all of the available information to make informed decisions about their future. He currently resides in Oneida, Illinois, with his wife, Abbie Seaney, and their three children, Addisyn, Asher and Abel.

Garry Tink currently works as an Education Director with the Calgary Board of Education. He began his career in the Foothills School Division, where he gained valuable experience as a teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal. In 2009, he joined the CBE, taking on roles as a Principal and Teacher Staffing Consultant. One of his most notable achievements was the honor of opening Joane Cardinal-Schubert High School.   Today, Garry continues his dedication to education and leadership in his role as Education Director. Throughout his career, Garry has consistently demonstrated a passion for leadership and mentorship, fostering growth and excellence in both students and educators. As a dedicated leader, he is committed to promoting student and staff wellness, exemplifying work-life harmony in all aspects of his life. Prioritizing student success in every decision — whether as a teacher, administrator, or director — Garry's leadership is guided by his strong values of honesty, loyalty, respect and laughter.   Growing up in a small town in central Alberta, he developed a deep appreciation for family, community, and relationships, principles that continue to shape his interactions and leadership style today.

Norma Saad is the superintendent of education at Conseil scolaire du Grand Nord. She has a rich experience in French language education, having served as principal of secondary and elementary schools, vice-principal, mathematics lead, and teacher. Norma is deeply committed to placing students at the heart of every decision. With a passion for fostering meaningful connections, she believes that these connections not only encourage self-discovery but also inspire collaborative work among different teams. A strong advocate for promoting the French language and culture, Norma strives to create an inclusive environment where students can immerse themselves in the richness of language while growing both personally and academically. Norma is equally committed to her own journey of personal and professional growth. She believes that the key to becoming an effective leader lies in continuous self-reflection and learning. Through a deep commitment to understanding her strengths and areas for growth, she remains dedicated to evolving as a leader who can inspire and support others in their own paths to success.

Ian Chisholm is a founder and partner of Roy Group, a 'small giant' leadership development firm founded in 2004 using research, experiential learning and integrative team practice to work with organizations in developing their next generation of leaders…by developing their senior leaders as our next generation of mentors. Originally from Saskatchewan, Chisholm began his career with the American Management Association International's Operation Enterprise division, working closely with the US Postal Service and inner city high schools to bring young talent from tough socio-economic realities into immersive leadership development experiences. His passion for the potential of these young people brought him to the attention of Scotland's Columba 1400 Community and International Leadership Centre on the Isle of Skye, where he served as the organization's first Chief Executive. Within his term as CEO, Ian was asked to lead the design and delivery of Scotland's Head Teacher Leadership Academy® (HTLA)- an intensive leadership development experience for The Scottish Executive and The Hunter Foundation targeting primary and secondary Head and Deputy Head Teachers across Scotland. HTLA continues to this day. Chisholm was named as the organization's first Fellow in 2004. Chisholm is an avid skier, overlander and father of three. He lives with his partner in business and life, Anne-Marie Daniel, on Vancouver Island. For more information: https://roygroup.net/