Ophea is overseen and guided by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of leaders representing the education, public health, academic and private sectors.
John Dance, President
What is your profession?
I am the Director of Education at the Simcoe County District School Board. Over the course of my career, I have worked in a variety of capacities including a number of Superintendent roles and portfolios, Principal, Vice Principal, and Teacher.
Why Ophea?
I am very interested in the advocacy work of Ophea in promoting healthy, active living as positive choices for young people and our communities. The provision of programs and services to schools and community groups is another area of interest as Ophea connects all of Ontario, and Canada, in its work. We seek to not just promote these attributes, but also activate our youth to make healthy lifestyle choices and develop positive, healthy mindsets.
What are you passionate about?
At the heart of my commitment to the work of Ophea is the focus we have made to coordinate the efforts of the educational system and community groups to meet youth where they are and build positive relationships. The forging of partnerships in the development of Healthy Schools serves to better the lives of our youth.
What do you do in your spare time?
In my spare time I strive to stay fit through exercise and I play a variety of sports (I love playing hockey).
Jeff Adams, Director
What is your profession?
I am a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School focusing on Labour, Employment and Human Rights. I am also a Canadian Paralympian, a six-time world champion in wheelchair racing and a Paralympic Speaker. I was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.
Why Ophea?
My personal values align with the work of the Board, and being able to contribute to the educational field is rewarding for me. I advocate to promote accessibility and equity for those with disabilities to participate in sport.
What are you passionate about?
I passionately speak about resilience and helping others realize they are surrounded by excellence.
What do you do in your spare time?
I like to contribute as a journalist and commentator, motivate people through professional speaking events, and have been known to host and co-host many broadcast shows (including a CBC radio show). I climbed the CN Tower in a specially designed wheelchair to raise funds for accessibility awareness.
Jason Dupuis, Director
What is your profession?
I am the Superintendent of Education, Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est. I am also a member of the Festival Franco-Ontarien Board of Directors since 2018. I spearheaded the successful digital shift that has helped our board frame its vision of 21st century learning involving technological integration and innovative pedagogy.
Why Ophea?
I believe that all students should have the chance to succeed in academics and in life. I believe that my presence on this Board would allow me to remain atop of the latest developments and decisions that could have an impact on our operating practices. I have the experience and the expertise required to provide recommendations and suggestions to the Ophea Board of Directors.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about making sure all students have access to programs that inspire their interests in sports, arts, and culture. I am constantly supporting the establishment of a variety of programs that allow students to have a balanced timetable.
What do you do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I love to stay active as I am an avid jogger, cyclist, and tennis player.
Tim Fletcher, Director
What is your profession?
I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Brock University. In my role, I work with future teachers who would like to teach Health and Physical Education (H&PE) and I conduct research on different approaches to teaching. I am also on the editorial boards of several leading international physical education journals.
Why Ophea?
I have been a member of and supported Ophea’s mission since I first started teaching in Canada in 2001. I enjoy learning more about how Ophea works through serving on the Board and collaborating with Board members and stakeholders across multiple sectors. I contribute to Ophea’s advocacy role within the province, particularly in these seemingly precarious times for public education, and the role of H&PE within. I bring my knowledge and understanding of current developments and key issues in health and physical education research nationally and internationally.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate and have a vested interest in contributing to a community of stakeholders that has the ability to positively influence the lives of children and youth. I thoroughly enjoy working with teachers, students, and other researchers to develop and examine pedagogical approaches that support the prioritization of meaningful experiences for pupils in physical education.
What do you do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I like to stay connected to my community through writing, presentations, and research. I also have an active blog and twitter accounts (@timfletcher12 and @meaningfulpe). I currently find my joy in movement by playing darts, indoor rowing, and hiking with my family.
Janice Forsyth, Director
What is your profession?
I am an Associate Professor in Sociology in the Faculty of Social Science at Western University. My research focuses on Indigenous sport, culture, and identity in Canada. I have been working in this area for more than 20 years. My intent is to shift the way people think about Indigenous sport so that the policies and programs they create are better able to support Indigenous aspirations for health and wellbeing, especially for the youth.
Why Ophea?
I joined Ophea to help build its capacity to work effectively with Indigenous people and Indigenous communities in Ontario. My primary role is to provide guidance for decision-makers who are interested in learning how to create more culturally relevant programs with and for Indigenous people.
What are you passionate about?
I think it is important to understand sport’s relationship to Indigenous and Canadian culture, especially as it relates to matters of inequality, health, and social change. Sports have been used as tools for colonization. Now Indigenous people are using those same activities for cultural regeneration and survival. Knowing this connection, between the past the present, allows people to think more creatively about the future. That’s what I’m passionate about - fostering that sense of creativity for social change.
What do you do in your spare time?
In my spare time I enjoy reading, yoga, walking, and spending time with friends.
Joe Grdisa, Director
What is your profession?
I am the Coordinator of Health and Physical Education (H&PE) and Extracurricular Athletics at the Peel District School Board. As a School Board Consultant, I support H&PE, Extracurriculars, Athletics, Daily Physical Activity, and Outdoor Education for grades K-12. I am also a member of the Region of Peel Secondary School Athletic Association Council, PHE Canada, CIRA Ontario, and the Ontario Association for the Support of Physical and Health Educators (OASPHE).
Why Ophea?
I am an ongoing supporter of Ophea. All aspects of their vision and work are vital to the implementation of Ontario’s H&PE curriculum and building of healthy schools and communities. Like Ophea, I have spent my career as a leader working to connect teachers, stakeholders, and communities, in order to support healthy, active, living and the development of physical and health literacy. In particular, I have a vested interest in the Safety Standards, Healthy Schools, culturally responsive pedagogy, Raise the Bar Intramurals, curriculum resources, inquiry based learning, and many more.
What are you passionate about?
I am an advocate of the whole child, wellness, and H&PE, including embedding H&PE topics and movement in all curriculum subjects and ongoing conversations.
What do you do in your spare time?
I like to spend time being active. I enjoy going for walks with my family, friends, my dog, or by myself. I enjoy being outdoors. Long, adventurous bike rides around my city are fun. Engaging in sports are still a passion (even though my body may disagree). I also like to travel and read.
Carla Robbins, Director
What is your profession?
I am a Principal with the Toronto District School Board. I have worked for the Toronto District School Board for two decades in the positions of Principal and Vice Principal.
Why Ophea?
I am interested in all aspects of the Board with the goal of advocating, promoting, and supporting work that will enhance the health and well-being of Ontario’s children and youth.
What are you passionate about?
I am an educator who is committed to inspiring children and youth to adopt healthy, active lifestyles. Working with the Board of Directors links to my personal passion and provides me with the opportunity to impact the lives of children and youth across the province.
What do you do in your spare time?
Keeping active and engaged with my community. I like to look at ways to use technology and social media to build the capacity of educators.
Susan Stewart, Director
What is your profession?
I am the Director of the Community Health and Well-Being Portfolio at Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Public Health. I am a member of the Board of Directors for the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) and I also chair the Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Managers in Public Health Network and the Executive Committee of Health Promotion Ontario.
Why Ophea?
Being an Ophea Board member allows me to continue my focus and energies on school-aged children. It allows me to meet like-minded people who share this passion sparking new and invigorating ideas. I am a systems thinker so being involved in a provincial organization allows for a broader perspective of how schools promote health and well-being.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about chronic disease and injury prevention, children’s health, effective public health practice, and health promotion. I am committed to looking at these issues with an equity lens. As a mother of four, I have always been passionate about children’s health and well-being and also recognize the importance of the school environment in supporting our children and youth.
What do you do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I like to go for a walk outdoors to appreciate the natural beauty of Ontario. In inclement weather, you will find me knitting or reading.