Education Advisory Council

Anand Mahadevan

Anand Mahadevan is an award winning classroom teacher and school administrator with experience in both Ontario and Alberta. He has taught grades 7 through 12 and has worked in both AP and IB schools. In 2015, Anand received the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence for his work as a science educator. His educational training includes a B.A. in Biology and German from Bowdoin College, a M.Sc. in Neuroscience from Brandeis University, an MFA from Boston University as well as a B.Ed. from OISE/UToronto. Anand has completed the CSML program offered by Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education and Business School and is a graduate of the Ed.D. program at Western University.

Anand is interested in data informed approaches to school improvement that leverage collaboration and in-school knowledge sharing. He is currently the Executive Director of the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS) network.

Deani Van Pelt

Deani Van Pelt, OCT, PhD, a recipient of the Bishop Townshend Award for Excellence in Graduate Studies, completed her masters and doctorate at Western’s Faculty of Education. Currently President of Edvance Christian Schools Association, her appointments include serving as chair of the Ontario College of Teachers’ Standards of Practice and Education Committee, Senior Fellow at the think tanks Cardus and the Fraser Institute, Visiting Research Fellow in Charlotte Mason Studies at the University of Cumbria, UK, and Non-Resident Scholar at Baylor University’s Center for School Leadership. Van Pelt was formerly Associate Professor of Education and Director of Teacher Education at Redeemer University and has led several SSHRC-funded international research collaborations. She is regularly featured in Canadian print and broadcast media.

Doug Flanders

Doug Flanders, M.A., B.Ed, has been active in teaching and communications for over 40 years. He began his career as a secondary school teacher before transitioning into the not-for profit sector, first in communications and then in revenue generation. He has provided leadership in nationally based organizations such as the Stratford Festival, Plan Canada, and The United Church of Canada.

For many years, Doug taught fundraising management at Toronto Metropolitan University and served as the program’s Academic Coordinator. He ran his own fundraising consultancy and provided leadership within the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Canadian Association of Gift Planners. He has spoken at conferences and led workshops across the country.

As a volunteer, he has chaired the national Board of Directors of The United Church of Canada Foundation, the board of St. Matthew's Bracondale House, a non-profit housing complex for seniors, and is a past chair of the Official Board of Metropolitan United Church in downtown Toronto.

Doug is a cum laude graduate of Western University.

Rhodora Meliton-Vanderpool

Rhodora Meliton-Vanderpool has always been a strong voice advocating for teachers and students. After graduating from Western University in London, she has dedicated over twenty years teaching in Toronto. She has taught every grade from Kindergarten to Grade 8.

She has been an advocate for teachers and students bringing issues of equity and equality to the forefront and the importance of recognizing Culturally Responsive Pedagogy & Diversity and Inclusion. She has been a dedicated coach at school but finds time to be a Sports Mom (Hockey, Baseball and Soccer).

She values being her children’s first teacher and number one cheerleader. During the pandemic, in 2020, Vanderpool teamed up with Maestro Fresh West to write her first children’s book Stick To Your Vision: Young Maestro Goes To School. The book was written to emphasize the importance of family structure, mentorship, hip hop and the positive impact of inspirational elementary school teachers.

Sonia Osbourne

Sonia has over 30 years’ experience as an educator and educational leader in Nunavut (2009) and in Jamaica. She has vast professional experience from pre-school, K to 12, and adult education. She has served in many roles including as a teacher, special educator, student support teacher, manager, consultant, vice principal, principal, and for the past six years, as a superintendent of schools in the Kivalliq.

Sonia completed her Doctor of Education Leadership (EdD) degree in 2020 at Western University, London, Ontario with a focus on building leadership capacity. She also has a Masters’ degree in Curriculum Development, and a Bachelor of Education degree in Special Education and Administration.

Sonia firmly believes that student needs and interests should be at the core of educational leadership and that all departmental policies, procedures, and programs be implemented to meet this. She is a proponent of student-centred leadership to meet the needs of Nunavut’s unique educational context and linguistic priorities.

Dr. Sonia Osbourne, is the Assistant Deputy Minister of Education Programs since January 2021, responsible for Early Learning and Child Care, K-12 School Operations, and Advanced Education.

Sophia Aggelonitis

Sophia Aggelonitis is a former Ontario Cabinet Minister, an entrepreneur and the founder of Silver Alert Canada, a not-for-profit organization advocating for a public notification system to help find missing seniors. She served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Brock University. Sophia was elected as a member of provincial politics in 2007, where she served as Ontario's Minister of Revenue, Minister Responsible for Seniors and Minister of Consumer Services. As an entrepreneur, Sophia built her specialty food business from a small start-up to a successful Ontario company. In addition, Sophia served as a past President of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. Sophia is currently a senior strategic advisor with the Armstrong Strategy Group and a member of the Indigenous Programs Development Committee for Right to Play. Sophia holds a bachelor of arts degree from Brock University and an ICD.D from the University of Toronto - Rotman School of Management - Corporate Directors Program.