Friday, June 17, 2022
The Board of Education appoints New Superintendent of Schools
VICTORIA, BC – The Board of Education is pleased to announce the appointment of Deb Whitten as the new Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Victoria School District.
Whitten has been serving as the Interim Superintendent for the 2021/2022 school year.
“This is very exciting news for our trustees, staff, students and all of our community partners,” said Board Chair Ryan Painter. “Over the past year, Ms. Whitten has demonstrated strong leadership as acting Superintendent. She stepped into the role at a very challenging time as the organization continued to navigate the many challenges that came because of the pandemic. Through it all,
Ms. Whitten led with integrity and modeled forward-thinking and collaborative leadership in public education. We know that our District is in great hands and we look forward to seeing positive change under her guidance.”
Whitten served as the Deputy Superintendent for four years in the School District (2018-2021). She has been with the organization since 2010, starting as a Principal at Monterey Middle School and later serving as Principal at SJ Willis Education Centre. In 2014, Whitten became a District Principal who was part of a team in shaping and redefining instructional practices for students, children in care and other regulations and policy associated with student services. One year later, she accepted the role of Associate Superintendent (2015-2018) where she championed inclusion and removing barriers so all students had opportunities to reach their fullest potential.
Her impressive resume includes nearly three decades of experience in the Education sector. Whitten has taught in the Saanich School District and was also an adult educator at Centre College in Kentucky. She earned a Master’s in Education and a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Victoria.
“I am honoured and look forward to serving as the new Superintendent of Schools of the Greater Victoria School District,” said Superintendent Deb Whitten. “In this role, I am committed to continuing to build relationships with the Rightsholders: the Esquimalt Nation and the Songhees Nation, and with the Métis Nation of Greater Victoria and The Urban Peoples’ House Indigenous Advisory, stakeholders, Board of Education and the community partners. I am excited to continue my journey in the District as we work together to nurture each student’s learning and well-being in a safe, inclusive and culturally responsive learning environment.”
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For more information contact:
Ryan Painter
Board Chair
Greater Victoria School District
Cell: 250.812.084
Lisa McPhail
Communications & Community Engagement
Greater Victoria School District
Office: 250.475.4103
