Durham Catholic District School Board Appoints Gerard Winn as Director of Education

The Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Gerard Winn as the new Director of Education and Secretary-Treasurer of the Board, effective August 1, 2024. Mr. Winn will replace retiring Director of Education, Tracy Barill.

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I congratulate Mr. Winn on his new appointment,” said Monique Forster, Chair of the Board. “His commitment and dedication to Catholic education, along with his vision for the future of DCDSB, align with the board’s mission. Mr. Winn’s breadth and depth of experience, combined with his deep commitment to equity, will make him an exemplary Director of Education. I look forward to working together as partners in Catholic education as we continue to serve our Durham Catholic learning community.” 

As a Catholic educator and leader for over 24 years, Mr. Winn has a wide range of knowledge, experience and expertise to bring to the position. Since joining DCDSB as a Superintendent of Education in 2020, Mr. Winn has overseen many key portfolios including Student Success, Safe and Caring Schools, Academic Services, Crisis/Trauma Response, Alternative Education and Family of Schools. In his current position as Superintendent of Human Resource Services, he oversees equitable hiring processes, disability management, negotiations and collective bargaining, Aspiring Leaders program and staff development.

Prior to joining the DCDSB, Gerard worked at the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board (PVNCCDSB) where he served in various roles including system principal of Special Education, system principal of eLearning, secondary principal/vice principal, special education consultant, special education resource teacher and elementary classroom teacher.  

Mr. Winn holds a Bachelor of Arts from Trent University, a concurrent Bachelor of Education from Trent University/Queen’s University, and a Master of International Education degree from Charles Sturt University. As a life-long learner, his additional certificates include Human Rights Law, Racial Equity Facilitator Training, Human Resources Law for Education Professionals, and Indigenous Canada Education. 

Provincially, Mr. Winn is a member of the Board of Directors for the Eastern Ontario Staff Development Network (EOSDN) and co-facilitates Module 4 of their Supervisory Officers Qualification Program.

A faith-filled and active member of his parish, alongside his wife and two teenage daughters, Gerard is committed to Catholic education and nurturing strong relationships between home, school and parish. He believes Catholic education is an opportunity to foster equity for all students.

“I am humbled and honoured to be appointed as the Director of Education and I would like to thank the Board of Trustees for the opportunity to serve the DCDSB in this role. I look forward to collaborating in meaningful ways with the Board of Trustees, senior administration team, staff, students, families, parishes, advisory committees and community partners to support all students in achieving their full potential,” said Gerard Winn. “I am excited to continue the work of our board improvement plan, to advance our strategic priorities of nurturing faith and well-being, advancing human rights and equity and improving student achievement. I look forward to serving the growing Durham Catholic learning community in this new capacity, as we strive to listen, learn and live in faith.”