The Leader - 23/06/2025

Colleen Bator

Delhi District Secondary School

Colleen Bator began her teaching career in Grand Erie 15 years ago in the small, rural town of Delhi. It’s at Delhi District Secondary School where she’s dedicated herself to amplifying voices not always heard. As a geography teacher, her job is to open the doors of the wider world to her students. She has done this, and so much more. The walls of the classroom can’t contain her inspiring resolve in creating a culture of learning, well-being and belonging. She’s positively influenced her entire school through her tireless support of other educators and learners alike, seeing them for who they are, meeting them where they’re at, and providing them with the resources, tools and pathways to thrive and succeed. A true leader in building welcoming, inclusive learning environments, Colleen has led the way – and helped others lead the way – by guiding initiatives such as the Gay-Straight Alliance, Indigenous Student Association, the Green Extreme Team, and through her support of learners participating in the board-wide Student Senate. She naturally confronts and removes barriers to participation, and the safe space she creates in the classroom extends to the wider school environment and out into the community.

Cindy Smith

Business Services

Ensuring students have the best educational experiences possible doesn’t just happen at school. An incredible amount of work and commitment takes place behind the scenes to ensure schools run smoothly and every dollar is allocated prudently to have the maximum positive effect on learners. At the centre of this is the Business Services team, and leading the way since 2013 is Cindy Smith. Cindy’s vast knowledge, care, fortitude and calm under pressure has been this department’s heartbeat. Despite facing challenging circumstances in recent memory, including a global pandemic which fundamentally changed numerous processes, her stable, supportive approach has not only allowed Grand Erie to achieve great things, but also built a strong team of leaders in their own rights. She sets high expectations and knows how to bring out the best in people, allowing them to grow and succeed. She exceeds standards of service even when under significant pressure. More recently, she has been a pillar of support navigating the transition of the department into a digitized era. As she gets set to enjoy a well-deserved retirement, her leadership will be felt for years to come.

Learn Lead Inspire Awards

Jonathan Mann, Cayuga Secondary School

Since Jonathan Mann entered the teaching profession nearly three decades ago, his impact has gone far beyond lesson plans and assignments. Ever involved in the larger school community, his dedication to guiding and inspiring leadership at Cayuga Secondary School has helped define a culture of compassion and shown learners that they can change the world for the better. Read about Jonathan’s remarkable contributions here.

Gisèle Budgell, Brant Food for Thought

Gisèle Budgell is someone who understands better than most just how significant the connection is between nutrition and young people’s abilities to learn and thrive at school. Through her transformative work as program director at Brant Food for Thought, Gisèle has led the organization’s growth into a vital community partner, now coordinating 64 student nutrition programs that support more than 12,000 students every day. Read more about Gisèle’s outstanding leadership here.

Police Resource Outreach Supporting Education (PROSE)

This year, Grand Erie launched the Police Resource Outreach Supporting Education program, or PROSE, an initiative designed to foster collaborative learning environments with police services, aligned with Ontario curriculum expectations. Developed in concert with staff, Brantford Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police in Brant, Norfolk and Haldimand counties, this initiative has become a model across the province for its consistent, evidence-based approach, ensuring every school community member feels safe, welcomed and included. Read more about the positive impact of PROSE here.

Grand Erie Approves 2025-26 Budgets

At Monday’s board meeting, Grand Erie approved balanced operating and capital budgets for the 2025-26 school year. As an increase in student enrolment continues to drive revenue, Grand Erie's operating budget is approximately $425 million, up about $28 million from last year's approved operating budget. Total projected student enrolment is expected to be 28,085 up approximately 185 pupils from the 2024-25 estimates budget. Both budgets will now be submitted to the Ministry of Education. To see the full budget, click here.