Estelle Cohen YRDSB Trustee
Estelle Cohen
YRDSB Trustee
Ward 4 and 5 Vaughan
​
​
-
MY EXPERIENCE MATTERS...
-
EDUCATION MATTERS…
-
IDENTITY MATTERS…
-
EQUITY MATTERS…
-
YOUR VOICE MATTERS…
​
If I am Elected, I will be a Full-Time Trustee
​
I am able to dedicate myself to the job of Trustee, full-time, as I have no other job or commitment to distract me from supporting you and your children.
​
I am Passionate about EQUITY issues
​
Our children are our most precious gifts. They need to feel safe and respected before learning can take place. We need to build empathy, trust and respect, to support anti-bullying and anti-racism policies that are reflected in the curriculum, and supported by our staff and administrators.
If you are concerned about an equity issue, I can help. I worked as a mediator and an investigator for the Human Right Department at Toronto District School Board. I believe in Student Identity and for all children to see themselves in the curriculum. ​
I Understand Different Points of View
​
If you have a concern as a parent, school staff, educator or administrator I will understand.
I live in this ward. I am also a parent and a grandparent of children in this ward. I have worked as both an educator and an administrator at the Board level. I have a deep knowledge and respect for all perspectives.
​
I am a Strong Believer of Transparent Communication
​
If you are concerned about lack of communication between yourself and another party in YRDSB, I can help. I am a trained mediator who worked for the Human Rights Department at TDSB.
I was an adult ESL teacher and administrator. I can empathize with my constituents whose first language is not English.
I will answer your phone calls or emails in a timely manner. I will hold community meetings with my constituents and communicate your needs to the Board. I believe in open, respectful and non-judgmental communication.
​
​
Endorsements:
"Estelle walks her talk. She is intelligent , organized, experienced and passionate. We need people like Estelle to advocate for Public Education. Along with her exemplary work ethic her personality is warm and respectful. Parents and ratepayers will enjoy interacting with Estelle and feel comfortable sharing their hopes and dreams for a first rate education system."
​
.....Gerri Gershon, Past Chair of Trustees at the Toronto District School Board
​
It is my pleasure to endorse Estelle Cohen for YRDSB Trustee, Vaughan Wards 4 & 5. With over 30 years of experience working for a large urban Ontario school board, I am confident that she will be able to hit the ground running on day one.
Her strong knowledge of school board operations is one of the most important assets one could want in a Trustee. Paired with Estelle’s background as a professional mediator, I know that she will be well-equipped to start delivering on the educational priorities that matter to the residents of Vaughan.
Bruce Yu Student Trustee for YRDSB and School Council President of GW Williams S.S
​
"Please consider my endorsement for Estelle Cohen with whom I worked for 15 years in the Toronto DSB’s Adult and Continuing education department. Estelle co-managed the Adult ESL programs, supervising adult learners, instructors and program sites. She is a team player, a caring individual, an excellent listener and problem solver and her skills are well suited to the role of school trustee.
I urge you to review Estelle’s credentials and make your vote count for Estelle Cohen in October." Judy Whitfield Past Principal of Continuing Education of the TDSB
What I Have to Offer:
-
I am a vigorous, empathetic, experienced educator with 4 grandchildren in the system. I have a personal stake in an efficient, compassionate and excellent school system
-
I've managed a huge department at TDSB (the largest school board in Canada) overseeing English Language acquisition for newcomers to Canada. In that position I oversaw:
-
a large budget
-
dealt with facility challenges
-
worked with unions
-
managed human resource issues which included training and staff evaluation
-
developed a vision for continuous improvement
-
-
I was hired by the Human Rights Department to mediate areas of conflict and harassment
-
Over 30 years in the field of Education and Human Rights
​
Career Profile:
Estelle Cohen graduated as a member of the Ontario College of Teachers and TESL Ontario (Teaching English as a Second Language). Her teaching experience is with the Windsor Board of Education as well as the Toronto District School Board in the public school, middle school and adult education departments.
Estelle was promoted to a Program Manager of Adult ESL classes in the Toronto District School Board. She developed an extensive knowledge of negotiation, facilitation and mediation related to conflicts between administration, staff, students and outside organizations. This included involvement with grievances of union members of CUPE 4400 units B and C. She ensured that all requirements of the Collective Agreements were being met. Responsibilities also included staffing, supervision, evaluation of staff, financial reporting, staff training and curriculum support.
Estelle has strong communication and presentation skills. She has given several workshops at professional conferences like CESBA (Ontario Association of Adult and Continuing Education School Boards Administrators). The workshops given, included, "Good Teacher, Better Teacher, Best Teacher”, “Instructor Evaluation: Finding Words and Techniques for Giving Constructive Feedback”, “I’m Losing It: Organizational Skills for Managers”, “Elephant in the Room: Dealing with Harassment in the Workplace” and “The Guru Buffet for Managers: Achieve an Enlightened Level of Leadership by Gaining the Wisdom of self-help Gurus and Great Leaders of the Past and Present”.
Estelle has also completed extensive training courses in Cognitive Coaching through John Dyer Centre for Cognitive Coaching, as well as “Advanced Cognitive Coaching”, through Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. Following an additional course, “From Conflict to Collaboration: Conflict and Anger Management Training”, she was invited to act as a coach and mentor for the participants of the following course.
She has also benefited greatly from a course presented by St. Stephens Community House, on “Conflict Resolution”, a course on “Fierce Conversations”, by Susan Scott, a course delivered by Grant Bowers of the TDSB Legal Department, “How to Conduct an Investigation”, as well as a five day Alternate Dispute Resolution training course, offered to a select group of managers by the Toronto District School Board Human Rights Department. This course was followed by a three day course called, “Advanced Conflict Management Applied Skills Training Programme”. Estelle has since been asked, by the Human Rights Department, to give a workshop to TDSB Managers who were taking the Alternate Dispute Resolution course. She has also been invited to The University of Toronto, to present a workshop on Alternate Dispute Resolution to students attending the Law course.
Estelle worked for several years for The Human Rights Department, in the area of Alternative Dispute Resolution and Investigation, involving TDSB staff in various departments, who were involved in conflicts and harassment claims.
In each case, previous to the facilitation meeting, Estelle interviewed all parties involved, including the complainant and the respondent as well as supervising staff and witnesses, so that she could become familiar with all aspects and individual perceptions of the conflict.
Throughout her management career, Estelle has worked in a multi-cultural environment where she has been given extensive opportunities to develop strong skills in facilitation, mediation and coaching. For Estelle, it has become not only a job, but a passion.
Estelle is known for strong management skills, experience in the field of education, excellent communication skill, balanced disposition, fairness, patience, positive outlook and determination to encourage individuals in conflict to move forward, to find solutions, and foster open, respectful communication.
All Children Deserve the Chance to Reach their Full Potential