Kathy Witherow’s work and research has centred around school and system leadership and continuous improvement. Her dissertation (2011) focused on how research is used in secondary schools to improve teaching and learning. Working with system leaders from across Ontario, she led a Mathematics Leadership Network centered on improving school and system leadership that supports effective instruction in mathematics. Developing the skills and processes for continuous improvement has been an ongoing focus of her professional practice. Developing professional learning for aspiring, newly appointed, and experienced school and system leaders is an area of interest.
Experience
Witherow retired from the Toronto District School Board as Interim Director. Before that, she was the TDSB’s Associate Director of Leadership, Learning and School Improvement. Witherow led TDSB’s senior management team, leading the safe re-opening of the TDSB’s 583 in-person schools and virtual schools during the COVID -19 pandemic. Witherow previously served as Superintendent of Curriculum and Instructional Services with the York Region District School Board. Her teaching experience includes many years as an elementary and secondary classroom teacher, a Special Education teacher and a school administrator. Before joining the TDSB, Witherow served in the Ontario Ministry of Education, where she led a team of Student Achievement Officers to support continuous system and school improvement. Witherow has also been an instructor in the Master of Education programs at the University of Toronto and Queen’s University.
Education
2011
Doctor of Education
University of Toronto
1990
Master of Education
Brock University
1986
Bachelor of Education
Brock University
1985
Bachelor of Arts
University of Western Ontario
Publications
Witherow & Donsky (2015). A Sense of Balance: District Aligns Personalized Learning with School and System Goals, Journal of Staff Development (JSD), Vol. 36, No. 2, June, 2015.
Witherow & Belchetz (2014). One School District's Journey to Improved Student Achievement and Well-Being: Reflections on Our Practice, Journal of Staff Development (JSD), Vol. 35, No. 1, February 2014.
Witherow (2013). Knowledge Mobilization as a Lever for Change, Canadian Association of School Administrators (CASA) Leaders & Learners magazine, Winter 2012/13.