July 7th, 2022

Today, we announce the retirement of Lila Read, Associate Director of Education for the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB), effective September 30, 2022.

Read has tirelessly and selflessly served the WRDSB and public education with tremendous commitment, brilliance, compassion, love and grace. Her unwavering dedication to each and every WRDSB student for the last 25 years has inspired all of us.

In 1997, Read joined the WRDSB as a night school and business teacher at Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate and Vocational School (KCI). She quickly progressed to the Department Head of Business and Cooperative Education at KCI, and in 2003 moved to what is now called Learning Support Services at the Education Centre as a Principal of Student Success. While in this role, Read led the development of specialized programming that established non-traditional pathways to graduation and employment for students. In 2005, she returned to KCI as a Vice-Principal and in 2008, was promoted to Principal.

In 2011, she came back to the Education Centre. For 11 years, she has impacted the lives of students, staff, families and community members as a Family of Schools Superintendent, Coordinating Superintendent, and in her current role as Associate Director. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Read supported the WRDSB in focussing on our key priorities of student achievement and well-being while calmly addressing the many challenges presented in an ever-changing environment.

“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be part of the WRDSB family and have been so honoured and humbled to serve public education and the students, staff and families of Waterloo Region,” shares Read.

We are extremely grateful for her leadership and service to the WRDSB, and we wish her all the best as she takes on this next chapter in her journey.

“Lila’s legacy cannot be underestimated and her absence will be felt by so many in the system,” said jeewan chanicka, Director of Education. “This is a testament to her impact on the countless students, staff and families she served through her leadership, mentorship, and the relationships she nurtured.”

Associate Director Read: you will be deeply missed! Your legacy will last for generations to come.