Aurora, ON – As a result of the end of Louise Sirisko’s term as Director of Education of the York Region District School Board on October 31, 2022, the Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of Scott Yake as Interim Director of Education. Scott Yake was formerly Associate Director of Education with the York Region District School Board and will begin the new role effective November 1, 2022.
“We would like to thank Louise Sirisko for her previous five years and welcome Scott Yake as Interim Director of Education,” said Board Chair Allan Tam. “The Board is fortunate to benefit from Scott Yake’s expertise during this time of transition, especially given his long and varied history with YRDSB combined with his work provincially. We are confident that our students, their families, and staff will continue to experience success in safe, healthy and inclusive learning and working environments throughout the Board, and we remain committed to serving the diverse communities throughout York Region with ethical leadership while building collaborative relationships with all stakeholders.”
The Board of Trustees is in the process of recruiting a permanent Director of Education; a search will be completed by the newly elected Board after Trustees are sworn in. More information will be shared about the Director search process in the near future, including public consultation. In the interim, Scott Yake will hold this position until a permanent Director is in place.
“I look forward to my return to YRDSB and to working with the Board of Trustees, senior team and all staff members, students, families and community partners in York Region,” said Scott Yake, incoming Interim Director of Education. “My priority will be to continue building strong relationships with all stakeholders and strengthening YRDSB’s legacy as a welcoming and inclusive organization focused on the achievement and well-being of students through caring, skilled and dedicated staff members. As I begin this term, I will be reaching out to community partners, staff and meeting students and families in schools. I appreciate my goal will be to ensure the continued success of the organization and assist with transition for the permanent Director.”
Mr. Yake previously served YRDSB for 30 years as a teacher, Vice-Principal, Principal, Superintendent, Coordinating Superintendent, and Associate Director of Education. In 2018, Mr. Yake was seconded to the Ontario Ministry of Education as a Special Advisor in Education Labour Relations and Operations where he played a provincial role in sector-wide negotiations as well as providing leadership during the provincial response to schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most recently Mr. Yake has acted as the Leadership Development Strategist for The Salvation Army (Canada and Bermuda Territory).
Mr. Yake has a Masters of Education from the University of Toronto (OISE) in Educational Leadership and Administration, and has completed executive leadership programs at U of T’s Rotman School of Management and Western University’s Ivey Business School. Throughout his career, Mr. Yake has been committed to supporting and developing individual and organizational leadership, success for all students, student and staff well-being, building trusting relationships and empowering high performing teams to deliver exemplary results through cohesive, relational and inclusive practices.
York Region District School Board is the third largest school district in Ontario with over 126,000 students in 180 elementary schools and 33 secondary schools. York Region students consistently perform above average in provincial testing and the Board is one of the top achievers in Ontario. For more information about the York Region District School Board, please visit the Board website and follow YRDSB on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
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