Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Affiliations
References
Timeline
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John McGrath

Ottawa,20

Summary

Innovative Educator known for high productivity and efficient task completion. Specialized in strategic planning, educational leadership, and curriculum development. Excellent communication, problem-solving, and team building; leveraging these soft skills to foster an inclusive and effective educational environment. Committed to enhancing school performance and student success through collaborative leadership and data-driven decisions.

A seasoned principal with strong background in educational leadership. Skilled in fostering positive learning environments and driving academic progress through effective collaboration among educators, students, and parents. Proven ability to improve school culture by implementing innovative strategies for student engagement and staff professional development. Notable impact made in previously held roles through enhancement of curriculum standards and implementation of comprehensive programs for continuous school improvement as well as effective rebranding of an International School.

Overview

40
40
years of professional experience

Work History

Head of Schools

Thai Chinese International School
Bangkok
08.2013 - 06.2022
  • Improved education initiatives, managing budgets and accounts, coordinating itineraries, and scheduling appointments led to the rebranding of the school in 2016.
  • Promoted a culture of innovation, encouraged staff to contribute ideas, changed the schools to a single platform, and became the first Google School in Southeast Asia.
  • Negotiated agreements with external partners, such as universities and colleges in Thailand, Taiwan, and Singapore, using memorandums of understanding.
  • Collaborated with senior leadership to set long-term objectives for the company and facilitated strategic planning, leading to a six-year accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
  • Facilitated professional development programs to build a high-performing team, initiated and led the Google Summit for Educators, implemented the Readers and Writers Workshop, and led a Strategic Planning Workshop for School Leaders.
  • Identified opportunities for process optimization through data analysis, created a tech team that utilized Search Engine Optimization, and implemented running records for literacy improvement.
  • Forecasted customer demand in a tuition-based system in order to set tuition, and establish payment and payroll practices.
  • Assessed employee performance against established benchmarks or targets using a walkthrough process specifically designed for multilingual and culturally diverse schools.
  • Created systems for crisis management, including threats to schools, environmental disasters, student crises, and steered schools through COVID.
  • Cultivated strong relationships with customers by responding promptly to inquiries or complaints, created an open-door policy for parent access to administrators, and formalized a Parent Advisory Group.
  • Developed and executed marketing strategies to increase brand awareness and market share by utilizing Facebook (Meta).
  • Ensured compliance with all relevant regulations, policies, and procedures in coordination with a Thai director and government liaison, and had regular meetings with the Thai Department of Immigration and the Thai Department of Labour.
  • Prepared presentations for board meetings summarizing key developments within the school on a monthly basis
  • Directly oversaw the hiring and termination of all employees

Principal

American School of Bangkok
Bangkok
07.2009 - 07.2013
  • Implemented the guidance counselor position to develop individualized learning plans tailored to meet each student's needs.
  • Guided instruction by mentoring teachers to improve leadership and teaching effectiveness through regular meetings and classroom observations.
  • Cultivated positive relationships with parents and staff to facilitate school operations and student success, aided by being the person at the gate who welcomed staff and students on a daily basis.
  • Ensured that all classrooms are equipped with necessary materials needed for successful instruction delivery including textbooks, computers, lab equipment .
  • Directed school human resources including hiring, training, policy enforcement, and legal compliance. Implemented background checks for all existing and new employees.
  • Oversaw the day-to-day work of classroom teachers, administrative staff, and school personnel to expertly serve students' needs.
  • Facilitated staff meetings to convey policy changes and hear employee input.
  • Observed teaching methods and examined learning materials to determine areas needing improvement.
  • Partnered with teaching staff to develop and improve curriculum offerings for students, and oversaw the implementation of a new curriculum, including the hiring of a curriculum coordinator.
  • Met and listened to student concerns to encourage, guide, and assist, resulting in improved academics through weekly meetings with the Student Leadership body.

Principal St. Marguerite D'Youville

Ottawa Catholic Schools
Ottawa
09.2006 - 09.2009
  • Guided instruction by mentoring teachers to improve leadership and teaching effectiveness.
  • Cultivated positive relationships with parents and staff to facilitate school operations and student success, introduced an "Access the Principal" strategy
  • Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, resolving issues efficiently and effectively.
  • Updated and maintained databases with current information, implementing the teacher performance appraisal system.
  • Planned and led professional development activities for teachers, administrators and support staff, at weekly staff meetings and Professional Activity Days
  • Oversaw school budgets, documented changes and tracked expenses to allocate and manage school funds.
  • Prepared drafts of course schedules and descriptions to estimate staffing and facility requirements in coordination with the Human Resources Department of the School Board
  • Instructed teachers on classroom management, behavior and instructional strategies on casual and formal basis as required
  • Organized parent-teacher conferences throughout the year in order to update families about their child's progress towards meeting academic goals set forth by the school administration.
  • Provided instructional leadership to faculty and staff in the areas of curriculum development, assessment practices and professional growth activities, helping each teacher to develop their own growth plan
  • Reviewed test scores from standardized tests administered at different grade levels in order to track academic progress over time, and be in step with the EQAO targets set by the Board and the Province
  • Managed school administration operations and organized teacher schedules, student registration processes and class orientation sessions.

SystemPrincipal:Continuing and Community Education

Ottawa Catholic School Board
Ottawa
09.2002 - 09.2006
  • Supervised all aspects of education for 84 different sites that engaged in continuing and community education.
  • Handled recruitment, hiring, and dismissal of teachers, TAs, program specialists (i.e.) Dance and Golf Instructors)
  • Coordinated with site administrators and other principals for the usage of facilities.
  • Handled the budget and all aspects related to it, as well as regular reporting to the Board. The Superintendent initiated a forensic accounting system.
  • Responsible for all marketing aspects and results.
  • Led professional development for 1,600 staff members.
  • Keynote Speaker at provincial workshops and international ESL conferences.
  • Engaged in Labour Negotiations with various Unions including CUPE and OECTA

Principal

Ottawa Catholic School Board
Ottawa
09.1999 - 09.2002
  • Cultivated positive relationships with parents and staff to facilitate school operations and student success.
  • Designed and Implemented a Journey to Leadership Program
  • Investigated complaints from staff members or parents regarding any potential misconduct or safety concerns in the school building, and implemented a 'Caught You Caring' program.
  • Attended professional development conferences to stay abreast of educational trends.
  • Organized parent-teacher conferences twice a year.
  • Developed positive relationships with school students, teachers, and the local community; the whole school attended local fairs.
  • Held regular assemblies to discuss important topics related to education and to hear from students
  • Engaged in frequent collaboration with other principals in the district, initiated a monthly Principals Breakfast
  • Coordinated meetings with faculty, staff, parents, and students.

Vice-Principal St. Patrick's School

Ottawa Catholoic School Board
Ottawa
09.1997 - 09.1999
  • Instructed teachers on classroom management, behavior and instructional strategies.
  • Monitored school administration activity and implemented policies to support student safety, inclusion and academic success.
  • Promoted collaboration across departments within the school by encouraging communication between faculty members.
  • Collaborated with parents and administrators to drive problem resolution and enforce discipline.
  • Met and listened to student concerns to encourage, guide, and assist, resulting in improved academics.

Teacher St. Leonard School

Ottawa Catholic School Board
Ottawa
09.1993 - 09.1998
  • Used videos, lectures and moderated discussions to engage students during class.
  • Prepared and maintained classroom environments appropriate for student learning and physical, social and emotional development.
  • Utilized technology-based learning tools to enhance classroom instruction.
  • Created and enforced child-based, hands-on curriculum to promote student interest and receptive learning.
  • Met with parents and guardians to discuss students' progress and areas requiring improvement.
  • Met with administrators and department team members to work on curriculum planning and assessment methods.
  • Collaborated with colleagues to plan lessons that integrate various subject areas into a cohesive unit of study.

Teacher St Pius X High School

Ottawa Catholic School Board
Ottawa
09.1982 - 09.1992
  • Held teaching positions in English, Religion, and History departments.
  • In the last three years, I was promoted to Guidance Counsellor.
  • Wrote curriculum for the Ontario government: 'Canada in a North American Perspective.'
  • Organized board-wide professional development.
  • Coached several teams, including the basketball and debating teams.
  • Introduced an exam preparation after-school program.
  • Tested students' comprehension of subject matter through quizzes, tests and projects.
  • Remained calm and patient in student interactions to support individual growth and development.
  • Planned field trips to enrich students' educational experiences outside of the traditional classroom setting.
  • Evaluated students on monthly basis and adjusted lessons accordingly to incorporate improvements.

Education

Ph.D. - Educational Leadership

Assumption (ABAC)
Bangkok
01-2016

Supervisory Officer Qualifications - Supervision

EOSDN
Ontario
11-2005

Masters of Education - Education Administration

University Of Ottawa
Ottawa
06-1987

Bachelor of Education - Primary/Junior/Intermediate/Senior

University of Ottawa
Ottawa
06-1982

Bachelor of Arts - History

University of Ottawa
Ottawa
06-1981

Affiliations

  • Marathon runner ( 7) though now limit to 1/2 marathons and 10ks
  • Former World Champion in Tae Kwon Do. Won Gold/Silver and Bronze in 2004; now a qualified Instructor though only advisory in recent years. Recognized for Excellence by Canadian Senate.
  • Hockey and Baseball player
  • Voracious reader
  • competent in French and Thai
  • Published Author: Strategic Planning; Modern Day Recruitment; A Strategic Plan for Implementing Walkthroughs ( abbreviated)

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Head of Schools

Thai Chinese International School
08.2013 - 06.2022

Principal

American School of Bangkok
07.2009 - 07.2013

Principal St. Marguerite D'Youville

Ottawa Catholic Schools
09.2006 - 09.2009

SystemPrincipal:Continuing and Community Education

Ottawa Catholic School Board
09.2002 - 09.2006

Principal

Ottawa Catholic School Board
09.1999 - 09.2002

Vice-Principal St. Patrick's School

Ottawa Catholoic School Board
09.1997 - 09.1999

Teacher St. Leonard School

Ottawa Catholic School Board
09.1993 - 09.1998

Teacher St Pius X High School

Ottawa Catholic School Board
09.1982 - 09.1992

Ph.D. - Educational Leadership

Assumption (ABAC)

Supervisory Officer Qualifications - Supervision

EOSDN

Masters of Education - Education Administration

University Of Ottawa

Bachelor of Education - Primary/Junior/Intermediate/Senior

University of Ottawa

Bachelor of Arts - History

University of Ottawa

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