Board of Directors Candidates – 2023

Clayton Ellis is a secondary science teacher who started teaching at Central Tech in Toronto teaching music, business English, computers and math. This auspicious start was indicative of how an interesting career in education was to unfold. Unpredictably. Always interesting. Opening two new schools, pioneering e-learning creation and implementation, and facilitating OISE courses were all a perfect backdrop for his current role as the Science and Technology Coordinator K-12 for the Peel District School Board. In this position, he is interacting with science and technology educators in 250 schools. Every day is an experience!

Clayton’s science contributions extend beyond the classroom as an author of Grade 9 Science and Grade 11 Biology textbooks for Pearson Educational, crafting numerous STAO resources, developing ministry educational materials, and creating and running many successful science Olympiads, all in support of teachers and student science learning.

Candidate Statement of Interest:

I must admit that the first time that I walked into a STAO planning meeting in 1996 during my first year of teaching, it seemed like chaos, with so many moving pieces. I had supportive colleagues encourage me to take on leadership roles related to the STAO conference immediately. I was so taken by everyone’s passion and commitment. I knew from that moment, that I would want to be a leader in STAO. It has been a lot of years since that initial foray, and many professional adventures, but I find myself coming back full circle with an opportunity to give back to an organization that has provided me with so many opportunities.

Sarah is a passionate science educator, who has worked in science communication in the informal education setting for 17 years, having joined Science North in 2007. She is a strong leader with an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit. She thrives in diverse, collaborative team settings, and excels at building partnerships. As Acting Director Education and Northern Programs, Sarah is accountable for Northern outreach initiatives, partnerships, programs, and science camps for all of Northern Ontario, and for Science North’s extensive education program, including school programming at the science centres, school outreach and virtual school experiences. She believes that to inspire the next generation of great innovators, you must first innovate how we teach, inspire and entertain them.

Candidate Statement of Interest:

I feel like the opportunity to volunteer and be a part of STAO as an organization, was one that I could not pass up. I truly believe that STAO is an incredible organization that makes a difference in STEM education in Ontario, and I would be thrilled to join the board and contribute to the achievement of STAO’s vision.

My work, over the past 17 years at Science North, has been deeply rooted in providing outstanding STEM experiences for students and teachers. Through my various positions with the organization, I have developed and delivered public exhibitions, student focused programs, both virtually and in-person, teacher focused programs, both virtually and in-person, as well as created and launched our online educator resources website. Creating partnerships that are fair and truly beneficial to both parties has been a foundation for this work. I have worked closely with many educational partners over the years, developing relationships, listening to, and developing plans to support teachers province-wide.

Having over 9 years of Senior Leadership experience in a non-profit charitable organization, I believe that I would be an asset and a strong contributor to the STAO board.

Wendy Noble-Dalgleish has spent the past 19 years with Boreal Science (the science education division of VWR/Avantor Sciences) as an account manager. She has worked closely with teachers, curriculum coordinators and school board officials to assist them with all of their science supply needs. Wendy has assisted teachers in sourcing products to match their curriculum, hosted workshops/webinars and more. She has also worked closely with all departments within her company and assisted with finding new suppliers, helped with marketing ideas/concepts, coached associates to help build connections and teamwork.

Wendy is also the global lead for the Women in Business Associate Centric Team within the Avantor Sciences global organization’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs. She has worked with associates across the globe to bring programs, resources and events to support the global DE&I initiatives.

Candidate Statement of Interest:

I wish to join the STAO/APSO board of directors to help expand the STAO community and help bring some external partners in to assist as well. I believe that my experience in business as well as working in the DE&I initiatives at Boreal Science/Avantor Sciences, can help build on the great work that has been started within the STAO/APSO organization as well as bring some fresh ideas. I look forward to the opportunity to support STAO/APSO and its members and thank you for your consideration.