Tsawwassen's Avis Glaze is one of Canada's top educators and an international leader in the field of education.
From her earliest days in Jamaica, as a young girl who was driven to teach others to read, to her rapid rise through all levels of the school system to become Ontario's first chief student achievement officer, Glaze has been a persistent voice in the belief there should be no "throw-away kids."
A new book, Avis Glaze: The Children Cannot Wait, is part biography and part chronicle of achievements, but it is mainly a template for action. Topics include continuous improvement in student achievement and wellbeing, leadership development, equity, social justice and inclusive education, character building, career education and innovations she has spearheaded.
Author Roderick Benns worked with Glaze when she was chief student achievement officer of Ontario as her senior writer.
"Avis is a remarkably effective leader," says Benns.
"She was highly innovative as a district leader, spearheading programs like character education in Canada for the first time. And I don't know of anyone who embodies empathy and excellence in her field like she does."
Benns says Glaze, who has moved on to international consulting work, is "a relentless champion of Canadian values" and continues to influence new generations of educators.
