Governance

Wade Richardson, Chair

Wade is currently the OYAP Recruiter for the Halton District School Board. Wade is a strong supporter of Technological Education and believes in putting students first in order to help each student to discover their own pathway.  He currently works with the HDSB SHSM board lead as well as the Experiential Learning Lead to ensure student success on many levels. Wade has been involved in OCTE project management, writing and has taken the lead on many HDSB Technological Education initiatives. Wade sits on the executive of the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program Provincial

Dave Lewis, Past Chair

Dave ‘retired' in June 2017 from Halton District School Board as the Coordinator of Technological Education and Pathways. He has also worked as a Manufacturing Technology teacher, department head, coordinator, Guidance and Coop teacher and been very involved over the years developing programs in SHSM, OYAP, Dual Credits and Robotics. Dave is a passionate voice for Technological Education and Pathways within the HDSB and across Ontario, sitting on many provincial committees lobbying for the expansion of Technological Education and the "re-culturing" of our system to value all post-secondary destinations. Dave is committed to working hard as OCTE Past Chair to continue growing the association and strengthen the voice for Technological Education in the province.

Bill Fetter, Secretary and Provincial Technological Education Board Lead

Bill is a dedicated educator and teacher consultant with the Greater Essex County District School Board in southwestern Ontario. Bill has been a member of OCTE for many years and has been re-elected as vice-chair on the Technological Education Board Leads, a sub-committee of OCTE. Bill has written curriculum and developed resources for technological education courses and likes to collaborate with others in the interest of promoting technological education. Bill has presented at the annual OCTE Conference in partnership with Public Services Health and Safety Association and promotes technology programs.

Clarke Perry, Treasurer

Clarke is thrilled to offer his time to the OCTE Executive. As a marketer, entrepreneur, and business owner, he has worked with many school boards in Ontario. This and his experience as an independent businessperson, brings a unique perspective to the OCTE executive. Clarke has always been a strong proponent for Technological Education needs and awareness in Ontario and continues to help drive that message in this role. Clarke has recently completed his pre-service teacher training and is currently teaching Communications Technology.

Tiffany Olmsted, Vice-Chair Communications

Tiffany Olmsted is a Communications Technology teacher in the Halton District School Board. She is a proud graduate of the Television Broadcasting program at Mohawk College. Tiffany has been volunteering with OCTE for years; she started by facilitating sessions for CommTech teachers at the annual May conference and more recently has been involved with the Communications team to create promotional materials for “Take Tech.” She is passionate about Tech Ed in Ontario and looks forward to continuing this rewarding work.

Rachel Allen, Experiential Learning Lead

Rachel has a varied teaching experience that covers almost every grade from 1-12 in both English and French, with a sweet spot for grades 7&8. She strives to bring students learning opportunities with context and authenticity, with the goal of avoiding the dreaded “why do we have to learn this”. Rachel is currently the Experiential Learning Lead with the Toronto Catholic District School Board and loves to work with educators and students to “bring the learning out of the textbook”. Rachel has worked with OCTE for the past 2 years creating resources for experiential learning and looks forward to this new opportunity.

Lee Ann Armstrong, Vice-Chair Secondary-Education

Lee Ann is a dedicated secondary teacher that strives to do what is best for students.  She taught for many years in Hairstyling and Aesthetics, Health Care, and Hospitality.  She also taught co-operative Education and developed a successful Program connected to Ontario Public Service for in-risk students.  Her love for experiential learning brought her full circle when she became the OYAP consultant and then moved to the Lead of Experiential Learning for HWDSB.  She holds a certificate of Qualification in Hairstyling and learning by doing has always been a part of her career.  Lee Ann believes that all students have potential and it is finding the pathway that is the best fit for each individual!  As the representative for Experiential Learning with OCTE, Lee Ann has worked with other Leads and Teachers across the Province to build experiences and writing resources for OCTE. Engaging all students, in all pathways, continues to be the goal!   

Mario Blouin, Francophone Lead 

Mario has taught for 33 years at ÉSC Hearst in Robotics, Manufacturing, Design and IT, and was also responsible for the Technology Studies and SHSM sector. He is now the coordinator of EduTek, the Teacher Education Program for Technological Education at the University of Ottawa. He has been actively involved in Skills Competitions for 28 years. He was also co-chair of the Skills Robotics Competition for 16 years. He has been involved with OCTE since its inception. He was co-chair of the Technological Education Board Leads TEBL for several years. He works with the Education Committee and manages the French information on the OCTE.CA website. He looks after the translation of documents. He wants to increase the participation of Francophones in technology-related activities and conferences. He represents Francophones within the association and ensures the survival of French technology in Ontario.

Marc-André Proulx, Co Chair, TEBL, French

In 17 years in education, Marc-André has been involved with Transition Programs and HPE in both CSC Providence and CSDCEO. He has been an active member of OPHEA, OCPA and OCEA and has been an advocate to develop new resources at different levels. His passion for apprenticeships, SHSM, HPE and Experiential Learning helps him to connect the dots and create innovative ways to deliver program. Marc-André has been the CSDCEO board lead, of different portfolios, for the past 5 years. He has been a key contributor, promotor and advocate of OCTE’s activities to the French school boards.

Joe Valerio, Stakeholder Relations

Joe is an experienced teacher of 25 years with the London District Catholic School Board. His main duties consist of being the LDCSB OYAP Co-Lead and Department Head of Technology and Cooperative Education at St Thomas Aquinas. Joe has been an OCTE member for many years and represents his board as part of the Technological Education Board Leads of Ontario (TEBL). He has presented at OCTE conferences multiple times and most recently has been a team lead for developing resources for technological education in the province. Joe is a strong believer in skilled trade development and has created partnerships with local industry such as The London District Construction Association and London Home Builders. Joe sits on the Board of Directors of the Skilled Trade Education Center in London, which promotes the development of skilled trades.

Brent Coakwell, Ontario Principals' Council (OPC) Rep

Brent Coakwell is a Principal, currently working as a system principal with the Halton DSB, with over twenty years experience in public education.  Brent has written and consulted on curriculum documents, and provincial guidelines and resources for Technological Education, Specialist High Skills Major and the Food and Beverage Policy.  Brent is a Chef who completed his apprenticeship and then became a teacher, as well as an advocate and champion for youth to pursue their passion in the development of their skills, regardless of the pathway they choose, and has supported this through local, national and international work. Academically Brent has a Masters of Education focusing on International Education Leadership and has traveled to work in schools in East Africa.

Lydia Hamilton, Elementary Education Vice Chair, Appointed

From Entrepreneur to Educator, Lydia has spent the last 22 years at the Ottawa Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) implementing differentiated teaching opportunities for learners exploring Technology Education and experiencing Industry sectors through coop.  Her start as a Textiles and Design instructor, grew to embrace additional teachables in, Communication, Construction, Green Industries, Coop and Special Education.  Lydia's passion for supporting student's in their exploration of the possibilities, lead to her role as Technology Department Head at Ottawa Technical Secondary school, then to the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Board lead at OCDSB.  As a long time member of OCTE, Lydia continues to collaborate with creative and energetic professionals focused on developing people and resources in supportive environments for students, parents, colleagues and community partners.

Jen Patterson, OCTE Graphic Designer, Appointed

Jen is a communications technology teacher in the Halton District School Board. She is a graduate from the Advertising and Graphics Design program at Humber College. Jen has been volunteering her time with OCTE to rebrand marketing materials and update the OCTE graphics. She has worked on creating the brand for “Take Tech’ and with the communications committee creating the print graphics. Jen is thrilled to join the executive team and to continue to promote technological education in the province.

Derek Murphy, Industry Representative

Derek Murphy is the General Manager for global services at Studica Ltd. In this position he is responsible for Studica’s consulting services, product development and education offerings. Derek has more than 25 years in the education technology and design industry, with the last 20 spent focusing solely on education and training. Derek provides a wealth of manufacturing and technological design experience. He regularly speaks at key business and industry events. His key areas of expertise are Robotics, CAD/CAM, Design and Technology, and the curriculum development process throughout education.

Darryl Spector

Darryl is the President of Promation Nuclear Ltd. Since joining Promation in 2004, Darryl has established himself as a strategic Operations professional and Executive leader. Coupling his strong and engaging communication style with his previous Engineering, Manufacturing, and Project Management experience, Darryl has been instrumental in driving growth and development evolutions within Promation.He has managed several strategic operational reorganizations within the company, which has seen more than 600% growth in revenue during this period.In addition, Darryl has been an agent of change and cultural definition, as attested to by Promation winning the Award of Excellence in the Large Business category in Oakville in 2016, and the Halton Employer's Choice Award in 2017.

Darryl is a very passionate and active advocate for promoting an awareness of the skilled trades at an early stage. He instills a deep and personal appreciation for the skilled trades, as well as articulating a clear and cohesive argument for the real and tangible benefits of engaging in the skilled trades at an early stage, and the substantial benefits it generates for an individual’s career prospects and horizons.

Darryl has a demonstrated history of volunteerism in mentoring both students from Secondary, College, and University institutions as well as mature foreign-trained professionals, and is proud to have had meaningful and tangible impacts on substantially enhancing their respective vocational successes. Darryl continues to collaborate with various regional Economic Development stakeholders, Government, and secondary and post-secondary academic institutions, and contributes to various OYAP and Program Advisory Committees (PAC's).

In sharing his unique, pragmatic, and widely encompassing perspectives on youth development, social engagement, community investment, localization, business development, and cross-industry collaboration, Darryl has established himself as an industry leader and is often consulted to contribute at government/public relations round-tables and industry conferences.

Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) from the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO) and as a Project Management Professional (PMP) from the Project Management Institute.

Audrey Cartile

Audrey has long been an advocate of Tech Ed with tech teachers, administrators, Ministry staff, and stakeholders. Her wealth of experience includes: 10 years developing policies and programs, including TEPERF, Specialist High Skills Majors, Dual Credits, Cooperative Education, and the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) at the Ministry of Education; leadership positions at the school and board levels with the Durham Catholic Board, including 9 years as Curriculum Consultant for Tech Ed; serving on the executive of the Ontario Technological Education Coordinators (OTEC) with a role consolidating all the Tech Ed associations into OCTE; and leading the development of the Ontario College of Teachers' guidelines for the Basic and Advanced Tech Ed Additional Basic Qualifications (ABQs) and starting the development of Schedule F. In May 2012 Audrey was recognized with OCTE's Technological Leadership Award for her work at the provincial level. She was also on the team that received the IPAC Award for innovative program development for the SHSM program as well as two Amethyst Awards while in the Ontario Public Service. Audrey is retired and is currently assisting several non-profit organizations on education-related initiatives.

Aldo Cianfrini

Aldo retired from his position as an education officer with the Ministry of Education, where he was responsible for the Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM) and Technological Education programs. He also sat on the OYAP provincial advisory committee as well as the Student Injury Prevention Initiative (SIPI). Prior to his work with the Ministry, Aldo enjoyed a 25-year career with the Halton District School Board as a construction technology teacher, department head, and coordinator of Technological Education, Co-operative Education and Business Studies. In the past, Aldo was the first Chief Administrative Officer of The Centre for Skills Development and Training; CAO of the Halton Learning Foundation; member of the Board of Directors of Skills Canada Ontario and National Board of Skills Canada for many years; and held leadership positions with the Ontario Technical Directors Association (OTDA) and the Technological Education Coordinators and Consultants organization (OTECC), the two organizations that guided the establishment of OCTE. Aldo has also been lead instructor for many Technological Education Honour Specialist programs and numerous additional qualification courses related to technological education, co-operative education and Design & Technology. At present, Aldo is an instructor with Brock University’s Technological Education PreService program and is doing consulting work related to health & safety and apprenticeship enhancements with school boards and industry associations.

Ingrid Scully

Ingrid is an intermediate teacher from the Halton District School Board and is a passionate advocate for Technology Education in elementary schools. Ingrid has been a part of several initiatives throughout the Halton District School Board and province, including co-facilitating Halton’s Application Room Safety Training and co-writing the Council of Directors of Education Health and Safety document, Student Safety in Elementary Science and Technology, Grades 7 and 8.

David Graves

Dave retired from the Halton District School Board where he worked in many different positions including Electrical Teacher, Head of Technological Education and Coordinator of Technological Education. Dave has been involved in several projects with the Ministry of Education including acting as lead reviewer for curriculum subject profiles, various alignment projects, Specialist High Skills Major writer, and OYAP data tracking initiatives. Dave has also been an instructor for Construction Tech ABQ, Honours Tech, specialist courses, and the principal in charge of technology ABQ courses for the past 18 years at OISE. He has been an active member of the OCTE executive for 12 years and served as Chair for 4 years. He also consulted for Council of Directors of Education (CODE) and OCTE to develop a response to the Coroner’s inquest Report for the Ottawa school fatality. In addition, Dave worked on Phase 2 and 3 of the Student Safety Initiative through CODE.

Kevin Shea

Kevin has been a devoted teacher with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board for many years. He's been a key negotiator and leader with Ministry of Education resource development projects for OCTE as the Project Manager, Writer, and Contract Developer. As the Chair, he completed many major resource development projects as well as lobbying at the government level. His experience has been essential for the organization going forward, and working with other past chairs such as Dave Graves to continue to push the OCTE agenda for the benefit of members across Ontario.

Gord Nicholls

Gord is the Technical Support Manager for Sales and Operations at BMP Metals Inc. in Brampton. He has worked in the area of sheetmetal and machine shop manufacturing for over 35 years. Gord has been an amazing supporter of Technological Education with over two decades of support for high schools and colleges for the Apprenticeship Trades related to his industry. Gord has also been a FIRST Robotics mentor for over 10 years dedicating countless hours to help build manufacturing related programs in high schools in Ontario. He has a reputation of being able to fabricate anything from metal.

Christine German, Manager of Growth & Innovation

Christine is our Manager of Growth & Innovation and thrilled to be hired as OCTE's first full-time employee. In her role, Christine is responsible for leadership and strategic development, conference and PD planning, member communications, grant writing and report development, financial management, website updates and supporting each OCTE Committee to accomplish their goals. Prior to her manager role with OCTE, Christine worked at the Halton District School Board for over 13 years as Pathways Project Manager and the board lead for Specialist High Skills Major and Dual Credit, and spent 3 years as the administrator for OCTE. Christine is committed to supporting all OCTE members and moving Technological Education forward across the province.

Email Christine with any questions or feedback for OCTE!