Superintendent Scott Sincerbox Ready for Retirement After Distinguished Career in Education
Grand Erie District School Board is wishing a warm farewell to Scott Sincerbox, Superintendent of Education, as he readies for retirement later this month and concludes an illustrious career in education.
Beginning his career as a teacher with the Hamilton Board of Education (later amalgamated into the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board) in 1989, Sincerbox taught middle school science before moving into administrative roles, and gaining experience at the Ministry level with positions with the Education Quality and Accountability Office. His leadership in Hamilton saw him take on the responsibility of a variety of portfolios as Superintendent of Education, overseeing Human Resources, Continuing Education, Programs of Choice, and Student Achievement, among others. By the time he brought his leadership to Grand Erie in 2013, he had experience with virtually all facets of public education.
“Scott has certainly set the bar high for leadership in Grand Erie,” said Doug Ouellette, principal and chair of Grand Erie’s Ontario Principals Council elementary group, who has worked closely with Sincerbox. “He has been incredibly generous with his time and knowledge – always available for questions and consultation, even when I’m sure he had more pressing matters to attend to – and that’s gone a long way in supporting our principals and vice-principals.”
In Grand Erie, the lesson in leadership he bestowed was about building relationships.
“Scott is caring and compassionate, and always the first person to point out a job well done,” said Sylvia Hunniford, Health and Disability Officer in Grand Erie, who worked with Sincerbox in supporting staff requiring sick leave, disability claims, accommodation, return-to-work planning and Workplace Safety and Insurance Board claims. “He understands the nuances of each role and the challenges staff members can face, and he knows that people do the best they can within the circumstances.”
In professional matters, Sincerbox often drew on his personal experiences, adding a relatability, warmth and congeniality to his dealings.
“Scott is a strong believer in forming and maintaining positive working relationships with others. He takes the extra time to ask how you are doing, what’s new, how the kids are, etc., and he responds by telling stories of his own children or his dog, Vimy,” said Sharon Bell, former manager of Human Resources in Grand Erie, who recently retired herself after being employed with the Board for more than 40 years. “Scott has taken his responsibility as superintendent with the Human Resources portfolio very seriously, working tirelessly over many a very long day to be an accountable and responsible agent of the Board – that is not always an easy feat, but he has done that with grace, respect, and professionalism.”
Sincerbox always reminded others that health and family are most important in life. He will now have more time to spend with his family, which includes wife Carolyn, children Emma, Chloe, and Sam, Clarence the cat, and golden retriever, Vimy, whose tail will certainly be wagging with delight at the news of his retirement.