Janice Forsyth, President
What is your profession?
I am a Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia. My research focuses on Indigenous sport, culture, and identity in Canada. Over the past twenty years I have focused my time and energy on understanding the relationship between sport and culture from Indigenous points of view and translating that knowledge into action by working with provincial and national organizations and governments to align their policies and practices with Indigenous priorities for health and community well-being. My intent is to shift the way people think about Indigenous sport so that the policies and programs they create are better able to support Indigenous aspirations for health and wellbeing, especially for the youth. I am also a member to the College of the Royal Society of Canada and a proud member of the Fisher River Cree First Nation (Manitoba).
Why Ophea?
I joined Ophea to help build its capacity to work effectively with Indigenous people and Indigenous communities in Ontario. My primary role is to provide guidance for decision-makers who are interested in learning how to create more culturally relevant programs with and for Indigenous people.
What are you passionate about?
I think it is important to understand sport’s relationship to Indigenous and Canadian culture, especially as it relates to matters of inequality, health, and social change. Sports have been used as tools for colonization. Now Indigenous people are using those same activities for cultural regeneration and survival. Knowing this connection, between the past the present, allows people to think more creatively about the future. That’s what I’m passionate about - fostering that sense of creativity for social change.
What do you do in your spare time?
In my spare time I enjoy reading, yoga, walking, and spending time with friends.
Carla Robbins, President-elect
What is your profession?
I am a retired Elementary Principal with the Toronto District School Board, where I devoted 31 years to nurturing and leading school communities in roles including teacher, Instructional Leader, Principal/Vice-Principal, and Education Officer on secondment at the Ministry of Education. Currently, I serve as an educational consultant, contributing to projects for the Ontario Principals Council.
Why Ophea?
Throughout my career, I have been passionately committed to fostering environments where healthy, active living is at the forefront. I believe that the well-being of children and youth is essential to building vibrant, thriving communities across Ontario. My dedication to supporting and promoting health and physical activity within schools aligns seamlessly with Ophea’s mission to empower young people to lead healthy, active lives. I am eager to contribute to the Board’s work in advocating for initiatives that enhance the physical and mental health of Ontario’s children and youth.
What are you passionate about?
As a lifelong learner and advocate for well-being, I am deeply passionate about inspiring children and youth to embrace active, healthy lifestyles. My commitment to dismantling barriers ensures that all young people have equitable access to the benefits of physical activity. Joining the Board of Directors allows me to further my passion by contributing to Ophea’s vision of empowering young people to thrive through healthy living.
What do you do in your spare time?
I am fortunate to be able to fully enjoy and participate in a wide range of physical and well-being activities within my community. I find great joy in connecting with the natural environment through activities such as hiking, swimming, golfing, skiing, and practicing yoga. These pursuits not only enhance my own well-being but also reinforce my commitment to the values I champion in both my personal and professional life.
Carol Ann Sloat, Director
What is your profession?
I have been a Public School Trustee with Grand Erie District School Board since 2003 including involvement in committees at the provincial level though OPSBA (Ontario Public School Boards’ Association), as a past Vice President. I am currently retired, having experience in administrative support in many various areas including road construction, public health services, and social services.
Why Ophea?
Ophea is the provincial go to group when it comes to many areas of student safety, success, and belonging. Teachers and school boards use Ophea’s expertise in so many areas, and it enhances student experience in a safe and equitable way.
What are you passionate about?
I am most passionate about public education, with student achievement at the centre of welcoming and safe schools for all students and staff. I am also passionate about governance, public administration, and bylaw development and adherence.
What do you do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I volunteer with the local food bank and student school snack programs. I love baseball at any level, along with scorekeeping while watching my husband pitch on Sundays. I have spent many amazing days and evenings at the ball park. I also enjoy reading and spending time with my family.
Carolyn Doris, Director
What is your profession?
I am a Registered Dietitian and currently am a Manager of the Family and Community Health Team with a focus on substance use prevention, harm reduction and nutrition. I have worked at Peterborough Public Health for 25 years.
Why Ophea?
Throughout my career in public health, a central theme has been the importance of working upstream for community health and the impacts healthy environments can have on children and youth. I have many opportunities to promote Ophea resources and programs with local schools. As an Ophea Board member, I look forward to supporting the future of Ophea and supporting student well-being.
What are you passionate about?
In my work and volunteer roles, I have seen firsthand the positive impacts of innovative approaches to problem solving as well as strategic collaboration for positive and long-term change. I am a systems thinker and believe in the importance of incorporating lived and living experiences in effective program development. I am passionate about health promotion and its role in disease prevention.
What do you do in your spare time?
It is not surprising that a dietitian loves food! I love trying new recipes, baking, canning, and making meals to share with family and friends. We live on a farm that has been operated by our family for over 100 years and have a farm stand selling homegrown produce in season. I love cheering on my four kids in all their activities and finding time for yoga, curling, walks and good books.
Daniel M. Stevens, Director
What is your profession?
Director of Education for Nipissing First Nation
Why Ophea?
In my previous role as a Physical Educator, Coach, and Athletic Director, safety was a significant part of my role. Now as a Director of Education for my Nation of Nipissing. My role now takes on the important implications of ensuring the safety of students and staff. Many traditional practices and learning opportunities do not align with the safety standards, and building a relationship with Ophea is crucial in demonstrating how the safety standards and opportunities they provide can be adapted to become culturally relevant in a system of education outside Ontario. Understanding this is uncharted territory for both organizations. I am hopeful we will create something that will benefit and be foundational within our Anishinabek Education System of the First Nations with schools and OPHEA.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about many things. I believe physical activity is one of the most underrated academic pathways. We often are dismissed, yet the benefits of regular vigorous physical education extend far beyond the field of play and or gym walls. Physical education is crucial in all learning environments and must be integrated into all curricula.
Secondly, I am passionate about special education. My son has severe developmental delays, and activity often must look and be adapted to meet his abilities. Making it even more challenging requires a lens of safety and adaptability for him and those around him so that he can participate adequately and effectively.
Finally, as an indigenous person and now DoE, I see the need to ensure that our cultural practices do not put teachers or students at risk. We may mitigate the risk internally, but in the advent of an accident allowing safety standards and certifications to be created or adapted will enable us to continue to offer and ensure that our cultural practices are not lost due to potential litigation. It will also ensure that our practices are highlighted as student-safe, which they have been for millennia.
What do you do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I read and renovate our home. My wife and I are raising our three children, and we spend a great deal of time travelling between the Rink, Pool, Track, medical appointments 400km away and all the social aspects for my children as they participate in sports and do the activities they enjoy and need to be well-rounded individuals. I also play volleyball year-round. We are a very busy family and coordinate events and activities to experience with our children to broaden their life experiences.
Jason Dupuis, Director
What is your profession?
I am the Superintendent of Education, Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est. I am also a member of the Festival Franco-Ontarien Board of Directors since 2018. I spearheaded the successful digital shift that has helped our board frame its vision of 21st century learning involving technological integration and innovative pedagogy.
Why Ophea?
I believe that all students should have the chance to succeed in academics and in life. I believe that my presence on this Board would allow me to remain atop of the latest developments and decisions that could have an impact on our operating practices. I have the experience and the expertise required to provide recommendations and suggestions to the Ophea Board of Directors.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about making sure all students have access to programs that inspire their interests in sports, arts, and culture. I am constantly supporting the establishment of a variety of programs that allow students to have a balanced timetable.
What do you do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I love to stay active as I am an avid jogger, cyclist, and tennis player.
Joe Grdisa, Director
What is your profession?
Why Ophea?
I have been an advocate and supporter of Ophea since 1987. All aspects of their vision and work are vital to the implementation of Ontario’s H&PE curriculum and the building of healthy schools and communities. Like Ophea, I have spent my career as a leader working to connect teachers, stakeholders, and communities, in order to support healthy, active, living and the development of physical and health literacy. In particular, I have a vested interest in the Meaningful Learning in HPE, Safety Standards, Healthy Schools, Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, Safe and Inclusive learning environments, curriculum resources, inquiry-based learning, and much more.
What are you passionate about?
I am an advocate of the whole child, wellness, and H&PE, including embedding H&PE topics and movement in all curriculum subjects and ongoing conversations. I believe in Meaningful Learning experiences and researched based pedagogy to support the curricula goal of 'healthy, active, living, for life."
What do you do in your spare time?
With more time available, I continue to be active. I enjoy going for walks with my family, friends, or by myself. I enjoy being outdoors. Long, adventurous bike rides around my city are fun. Engaging in sports are still a passion (even though my body may disagree). I also like to travel and read.
Krishna Burra, Director
What is your profession?
I am the Director of Education, Limestone District School Board
Why Ophea?
Physical Health and Education are essential for all people. As a student and as a working professional, I continue to benefit from physical activity and ensuring I live a healthy life. Ophea provides invaluable supports and resources to school boards across the province of Ontario, and I want to do what I can to ensure that I support this important work.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about my work in education, and trying to make a positive difference in the lives of children and youth through education. I am also passionate about travel, reading, current events and politics, hiking, running, and basketball.
What do you do in your spare time?
Valuing the people that matter in my life are my priority during my spare time. I pursue my passions and enjoy time with my wife and our three children.
Royan Lee, Director
What is your profession?
I am an educator currently serving as the Head of Middle School at the University of Toronto Schools (UTS). My career includes experience as an elementary classroom teacher in New Zealand, the Toronto District School Board, and the York Region District School Board. I have also worked as a Curriculum Consultant and Coordinator, managing portfolios that include the New Teacher Induction Program, Mathematics, Literacy, Assessment and Evaluation, and Equity and Culturally Relevant and Responsive Pedagogy. Before joining UTS, I was a Student Achievement Officer at the Ministry of Education.
Why Ophea?
I am excited and honored to serve on the Ophea board because the organization has played a significant role in my development as an educator. It is driven by passionate leaders and is deeply committed to community-centered health and wellness initiatives.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about fostering learning relationships and experiences that drive growth and inspire new perspectives. I believe every child deserves a childhood filled with play, and that adults should model the joy that comes from it.
What do you do in your spare time?
Outside of my professional role, I enjoy skateboarding, bouldering/climbing, and cooking and eating delicious, healthy food with my family.
Tim Fletcher, Director
What is your profession?
I am a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Brock University. In my role, I work with future teachers who would like to teach Health and Physical Education (H&PE) and I conduct research on different approaches to teaching. I am also on the editorial boards of several leading international physical education journals.
Why Ophea?
I have been a member of and supported Ophea’s mission since I first started teaching in Canada in 2001. I enjoy learning more about how Ophea works through serving on the Board and collaborating with Board members and stakeholders across multiple sectors. I contribute to Ophea’s advocacy role within the province, particularly in these seemingly precarious times for public education, and the role of H&PE within. I bring my knowledge and understanding of current developments and key issues in health and physical education research nationally and internationally.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate and have a vested interest in contributing to a community of stakeholders that has the ability to positively influence the lives of children and youth. I thoroughly enjoy working with teachers, students, and other researchers to develop and examine pedagogical approaches that support the prioritization of meaningful experiences for pupils in physical education.
What do you do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I like to stay connected to my community through writing, presentations, and research. I also have an active blog and twitter accounts (@timfletcher12 and @meaningfulpe). I currently find my joy in movement by playing darts, indoor rowing, and hiking with my family.