
Dr. JoAnna Roberto, PhD
JoAnna Roberto is a passionate advocate for student success and inclusion. She is an experienced and respected educator, leader, and lifelong learner with 28 years of experience.
Since joining the Grand Erie District School Board in 2020 as Director of Education, she has worked to transform the district through a new vision to Learn, Lead and Inspire.
JoAnna's extensive education and professional and leadership experiences have shaped her commitment to creating and fostering learning environments focused on well-being and belonging – where students, staff and communities are inspired to grow together and achieve their full potential.
Under her leadership, new approaches were launched to support growth through the Multi-Year Strategic Plan, Good Governance, Grand Erie Math Action Plan, secondary recruitment and You Belong Here campaigns, Innovation Hub @ Grand Erie, The Grand Welcome Centre, and the Centre for Excellence: Teaching, Learning and Belonging. Her focus on well-being and belonging supported new initiatives for Indigenous education, student wellness and equity action.
In JoAnna's words, "Student achievement is at the core of everything we do. The district grows when it is supportive of all educators and staff. Continuing to foster a strong learning culture with high expectations at all levels will ensure our decisions positively impact student improvement."
JoAnna began her career in education as an elementary teacher in 1997 before taking on a role at the Ministry of Education. She was a teacher, vice-principal, and principal and spent eight years as Superintendent of Education, Curriculum and Student Achievement with the District School Board of Niagara. Her journey includes Rotman's Executive Leadership program and doctorate in leadership and policy from Niagara University. She is a member of the EQAO Modernization Committee and the Niagara University Teaching and Learning Advisory Committee.