In this episode, David DeSantis, the Director of Education for the Algonquin Lakeshore Catholic School Board, shares his journey from growing up in an Italian immigrant family in Hamilton, Ontario, to becoming a director of education in Ontario, Canada. He discusses the importance of music in education, the challenges faced by new teachers, and the role of mentorship in his career. David emphasizes the need for mental health support in schools, the significance of early childhood education, and the successful initiatives implemented in his school board, particularly in literacy education. He concludes with a hopeful vision for the future of education, focusing on empathy and compassion.

This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠Education Perfect⁠⁠, a complete teaching and learning toolkit built to support Canadian classrooms. Education Perfect empowers educators to track progress, personalize learning, and support purposeful practice. Its tools are flexible and designed to help Canadian teachers amplify their impact in the classroom. See for yourself and book a free demo today at ⁠⁠educationperfect.com⁠⁠.

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About: Each week, we bring you candid and personal interviews with educators and edtech leaders.

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Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Sponsor Message – Education Perfect
[00:01:22] Introduction to David DeSantis
[00:03:46] David's Current Role and Board Overview
[00:04:55] Family Background and Immigration Story
[00:07:09] Growing Up in Hamilton in the 1980s
[00:09:10] Childhood Play and Street Hockey
[00:11:53] Early School Experiences and Academic Turnaround
[00:13:36] Discovery of Music and Its Impact
[00:15:12] Music Education and Instrument Choice
[00:17:24] Factory Work vs. Academic Aspirations
[00:19:26] University Decisions and Career Misalignment
[00:22:01] Turning Down a Music Scholarship
[00:24:45] Entering Teaching and Early Challenges
[00:26:37] Overcoming First-Year Teaching Struggles
[00:28:35] Path to Administration and Mentorship
[00:33:18] Reevaluating Elementary vs. Secondary
[00:36:10] Power of Kindergarten and Early Education
[00:39:13] The Profound Responsibility of Educators
[00:41:39] The House Analogy – Elementary vs. Secondary
[00:43:51] Parental Involvement in Elementary School
[00:47:52] Major Challenges in Ontario Education
[00:53:23] Reaching Every Reader Literacy Initiative
[00:56:06] Hope for the Future of Education
[00:57:49] Media Recommendation – The Bridge Podcast
[00:59:00] Closing Remarks and Credits