Future Aspirations as an Administrator
As I envision my future as a Catholic school administrator, I am driven by a commitment to fostering inclusive, faith-centered learning environments that empower students, educators, and communities to thrive. My philosophy of education, rooted in the integration of faith, social justice, and holistic development, shapes my aspirations to lead with compassion, equity, and purpose. Drawing from my experiences growing up in apartheid South Africa, founding HOZA! Creative Mediation, and implementing the Nest System Framework at St. Sylvester Catholic School, I aim to create transformative educational spaces that reflect the Ontario College of Teachers’ Ethical Standards—care, respect, trust, and integrity—and the Ontario Leadership Framework’s domains of direction-setting, relationship-building, and accountability.
My primary aspiration is to lead a Catholic school where every student feels safe, valued, and inspired to grow as a capable citizen of God, as outlined in my philosophy. I will prioritize creating inclusive environments that mirror the diversity I experienced at Loreto Convent, ensuring no student faces the exclusion I witnessed in my youth. By embedding Gospel values and the Toronto Catholic District School Board’s (TCDSB) Pastoral Plan, In God’s Image, into school culture, I will foster communities where students rehearse for life through experiential learning, mentorship, and opportunities to act with morality. The Nest System’s success at St. Sylvester, promoting teamwork and equity, will serve as a model for building collaborative, value-driven structures that align with TCDSB’s Equity Action Plan and the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations.
I aspire to champion social justice within education, inspired by my work with HOZA!, which reached over 35,000 students annually to promote positive change. As an administrator, I will advocate for anti-racism and anti-oppression initiatives, ensuring diverse voices—students, families, and staff—are heard and represented. By fostering two-way communication channels, as prioritized in my philosophy, I will engage stakeholders collaboratively, drawing on Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead to lead with vulnerability and trust. This approach will build cohesive school communities where staff feel supported to innovate and students are empowered to express themselves safely, learning from both successes and mistakes.
Professionally, I aim to drive academic excellence and faith development by designing multidisciplinary programs that are relevant to students’ lives and the global community. This includes integrating real-world connections—local, national, and global—into the curriculum, as emphasized in my philosophy’s focus on relevance. By aligning with TCDSB’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan, I will ensure programs are inclusive, engaging, and grounded in current best practices, such as those from Peter Liljedahl’s Building Thinking Classrooms. My leadership will balance high expectations with emotional and spiritual support, creating environments where students and staff can take risks and grow.
Accountability will be central to my leadership. I will use data-driven strategies, like those employed in the Nest System’s evaluation, to monitor progress and ensure resources are used prudently for the common good. My ongoing learning, through my MEd studies and TCDSB’s Catholic learning networks, will keep my leadership dynamic and informed by emerging educational trends and Catholic teachings. By collaborating with parish communities and families, I will strengthen home-school-parish connections, ensuring sustainable impacts that honor the dignity of all stakeholders.
Ultimately, I aspire to be a Catholic leader who transforms schools into vibrant, faith-filled communities where students become nuanced individuals, equipped to navigate the world with knowledge, morality, and hope. My journey—from South Africa’s challenges to Canada’s Catholic schools—fuels my passion to lead with integrity, foster inclusion, and inspire positive change, ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive in a just and joyful educational environment.
Kevin Fell, O.C.T, 2025
Kevin Fell 