Education systems must work to close persistent
identity-based achievement and well-being gaps.
-TED Ed / Edinburgh, Scotland
jeewan chanicka
jeewan chanicka
Educator, Scholar-Practitioner,
Speaker
jeewan’s career in education began in early childhood education and adult literacy and has spanned a variety of roles from support worker to his current role as Director of Education in one of Ontario’s largest school districts. He served in Canada’s largest school board, the Toronto District School Board as the Superintendent of Equity, Anti-Racism & Anti-Oppression and Superintendent of schools. jeewan also worked at the Ontario Ministry of Education.
In 2019, he assumed the role of CEO in Dubai where he was employed to develop the blueprint for a growing district of schools.
He is recognized provincially, nationally and internationally for his work in social justice advocacy, curriculum, anti-racism, human rights and innovation. He is one of a select group of global senior education leaders highlighted as a TED-Ed Innovative Educator and delivered his TED-Ed talk at the TED Summit in Scotland 2019.
He holds a Master of Education degree from York University, a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto, and a Bachelor of Arts with a focus on Culturally Responsive Mediation & Bargaining from York University. jeewan has had a rich career which includes consultation with the United Nations University of Peace as part of a team to develop a curriculum framework on Peace Education in the Islamic context implemented in various parts of the world. He was also a torchbearer for the 2015 PanAm Games held in Toronto.
Awards / Recognition
- 2018: Vaughan African Canadian Association, “Legacy” Award for addressing Anti-Black racism
- 2018: Council of Agencies Serving South Asians – South Asian Heritage Month 2018 Official Poster: Trailblazers
- 2017: Adopted into Turtle Island First Nations through Ceremony at Turtle Lodge
- 2017: Mary Samuels Leadership in Education Award
- 2017: Civic Courage Award- Muslimfest
- 2017: Human Rights Award- National Council for Canadian Muslims
- 2015: Workplace Diversity and Human Rights Certificate – Ontario Human Rights Commission
- 2015: Pan Am Games Torchbearer
- 2014-15: Premier’s Award for Safe and Accepting Schools (Ontario)
- 2013: Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Award
- 2013: Asian Canadian Educators Network Award
- 2012: Association of Education for Black Students Milestones Award
- 2006: Promising Practices – Character Education Partnership Washington D.C
- 2006: CAMP- Excellence in Community Service
- 2002: “I have flown higher” North Albion Collegiate Institute
- 1994: Canadian Council for Multicultural & Intercultural Education