2025-2026 Annual Report
Shaping Generations
Table of Contents
Contact us
416-597-1904
info@cesba.com
By strengthening adult and continuing education in school boards, CESBA helps to build a prosperous Ontario for all.
CESBA (the Ontario Association of Adult and Continuing Education School Board Administrators) is a provincial, non-profit professional association that represents, advocates for and supports adult and continuing education (A&CE) program staff working in over 60 school boards across Ontario. Incorporated in 1999 and provincially funded, CESBA works to ensure that adult and continuing education programs offered by school boards are accessible, affordable, and successful in helping learners achieve their education, training and employment goals.
The Ontario Association of Adult & Continuing Education School Board Administrators, 2026
Mission
CESBA connects and supports Ontario School Boards by providing resources, professional development and networking opportunities and by promoting the impact of adult and continuing education as part of a “K to Success” model.
Vision
We champion every school board adult and continuing education administrator and provide support to deliver sustainable and robust
programming.
Values
CESBA believes:
- in the impact of life-long learning
- in integrity
- in optimism and determination
- in innovation
- in transparency and accountability
- in equity, diversity, inclusivity and accessibility
- that we are stronger working together
Message from the CESBA Board Chair and Executive Director
Every year as June approaches, invitations circulate for graduation ceremonies at adult learning centres across Ontario. If one of them should happen to land in your inbox, take the opportunity to go.
Nothing exemplifies the positive legacy of adult and continuing education (A&CE) better than one of these celebrations. Along with the pride on the graduates’ faces, you will see it in the eyes of their parents, children and sometimes even grandchildren. The lives of these graduates have not only materially changed — an Ontario Secondary School Diploma is the baseline requirement for most stable employment — but their dedication to their own education can positively affect whether the children in their lives continue in school.
From English or French as a second language, literacy programs like Get SET (Skills, Education and Training) and high school credits to employment training such as personal support worker programs, A&CE programs meet adult learners where they are and move them to where they need to go, often all under one roof in their local community.
We would like to highlight just a few projects and initiatives from our fiscal year, April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026, that made an impact on our educators and their learners.
First Nation of Pikangikum
Pikangikum is a fly-in First Nation community in the northwest of Ontario, about 80 kilometres from the Manitoba border. Our PSW Lead, Anita Plunkett, who provides guidance and resources to personal support worker programs in school boards, lends her expertise to the innovative Eenchokay Birchstick School. Anita travelled to the First Nation in October for a site visit to offer support. The school has become the first within an Indigenous Education Authority to offer a PSW training program. This program will not only provide a meaningful employment path for students but also offer the remote community a much-needed cohort of healthcare professionals.
Our PLAR Lead, Andrea Murphy, also lends guidance to educators in Pikangikum and other Indigenous communities across the province. Through Prior Learning and Assessment Recognition (PLAR) for mature students, adult students are granted secondary credit equivalencies for education, employment and life experiences. With the collaboration of Indigenous educators, Andrea has created resources and case studies to help award credits for experiences like hunting and trapping, dance and beading by aligning them with courses in the curriculum.
Leading with Literacy
Our newly renamed Get SET (Skills, Education and Training) Committee, formerly Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS), is prolific when it comes to creating curriculum, instructor resources and professional development.
The program is accessed by learners who wish to prepare for high school credit courses, employment or independent living. Its diverse learners may include students accessing more support after some success in English as a Second Language classes, students with learning differences or anyone who needs some literacy and skill building.
The Get SET Committee, with support from our Program Manager, Charlotte Parliament, presented a professional development webinar series exploring transitions, including how to collaborate with ESL programs, the PLAR process and employment partnerships. They also partnered with the College Sector Committee on a comprehensive pathways resource to promote the many options available to Get SET learners. Six new PLAR Readiness curriculum courses were published on our sfs.cesba.com e-learning site to provide preparatory lessons for learners to advance to adult credit courses.
These projects all serve to equip educators with clear guidance and practical tools to help learners meet their personal goals.
Ensuring AI Preparedness
AI is here. Along with creating quandaries for educators about how to manage it in the classroom, it has become a daily tool to leverage for numerous educational uses. To support this complex reality, we offered several professional development opportunities. Led by Erinn Graham-Barter, we gave AI presentations at our regional meetings for members. Our Get SET team facilitated a virtual workshop on the topic. Finally, at our conference, we featured an extremely popular expert-led AI workshop. We continue to incorporate AI into our professional development offerings to demystify it for educators and help them feel more prepared for whatever comes next as it continues to expand its influence on our world.
By supporting the educators of Ontario’s life-changing A&CE programs, CESBA is deeply proud to have a small role in the broader effort to uplift individuals, families and communities.
We are grateful to our members and stakeholders, including every administrator, educator, support staff member and community partner whose daily work creates transformation across generations.
Sincerely,
Lisa Hickman
CESBA Board Chair
Paul Cox
CESBA Executive Director
2025–2026: A Year in Review
Government Relations and Public Advocacy
Throughout the year, CESBA championed the essential role of school board adult and continuing education (A&CE) and the need for sustained public funding. Our ongoing discussions with provincial and federal decision makers ensured that the experiences and priorities of our A&CE educators were heard. We also created opportunities for members and government representatives to connect directly through regional meetings and professional development events.
We continue to work with several ministries to strengthen A&CE:
- Ministry of Education (EDU), which supports adult credit programs, with Mature PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition), and continued Personal Support Worker (PSW) training and promotion.
- Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD), which manages Get SET (Skills, Education and Training), as well as ESL and FSL programs.
- Ministry of Long-Term Care (MLTC), which supports projects on PSW promotion and retention, and student training.
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which funds the federal Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program.
- Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research, Excellence and Security (MCURES), which is involved with PSW training standards, and quality assurance.
- Ministry of Health, which we liaise with to ensure their awareness of PSW activities.
CESBA worked with AdvantAge Ontario, the Ontario Long Term Care Association (OLTCA), the Health and Supportive Care Providers Oversight Authority (HSCPOA), and the Canadian Association of Continuing Care Educators to promote school board PSW programs, to advocate for graduate recognition and equitable employment, and support a more streamlined national approach to Unregulated Health Care Provider (UCP) training.
CESBA also supported, in person, the first PSW graduation at Pikangikum First Nation’s Eenchokay Birchstick School and continues to assist Indigenous Education Authorities in developing and delivering PSW programming.
CESBA continued working with EDU on training and communication related to Mature PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition), covered by Policy/Program Memorandum 132, which is a process that awards eligible students high school equivalent credits for work, education and life experience. This year, we continued to confirm and disseminate policy information across Ontario school boards.
This year, Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) became Get SET (Skills, Education and Training). CESBA met regularly with the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) to share school board priorities. CESBA also collaborated throughout the year with the Provincial Support Organizations for Literacy (PSOL) to strengthen Get SET programs across Ontario.
CESBA advocated for school board language programs in response to federal LINC cuts, changes to ESL/FSL program funding, and growing newcomer wait lists. Following the ministry’s announcement of a new call for proposals in 2026, CESBA made plans to support school boards in preparing their submissions and will submit a proposal for funding to officially support members.
Sharing Knowledge
Professional Development for Principals and Administrators
New Administrator Day
This annual in-person, full-day learning event provided a welcoming and practical introduction for administrators who are with fewer than three years of experience in adult and continuing education (A&CE). The event exploring the unique role of A&CE leadership, the needs of adult learners, programming options and resources, and key areas such as PLAR, PSW, community partnerships, and funding sources.
With recent PLAR changes continuing to affect both A&CE and day school programming, the event again welcomed participants from day school programs. Overall, 47 administrators participated in the day.
CESBA extends sincere thanks to Lisa Mackay (Waterloo Catholic District School Board) and Alma Gordon (London District Catholic School Board), who returned for a second year to host and facilitate the event. Thanks also to the Ministry of Education’s Daniel Denommé for attending and providing timely responses to key questions throughout the day.
A&CE Funding Registers Day
This event once again provided A&CE administrators with a focused opportunity to strengthen their understanding of the funding processes that support school board programs across Ontario. This annual in-person, full-day event welcomed 59 administrators and offered practical guidance on adult registers, funding sources for various programs, PLAR funding, reporting requirements, OnSIS, and ministry expectations. CESBA extends sincere thanks to Deborah Cook (York Region District School Board) and Namita Aggarwal (Toronto District School Board) for generously sharing their time, expertise, and practical insights on funding for A&CE.
Let’s Connect: A&CE Meet & Greet
This virtual “open house” session provided an opportunity for principals, vice-principals, program leads and superintendents to connect with colleagues and CESBA staff, learn about available resources and ask questions.
Events to Support PSW Program Administrators and Staff
PSW Spring Workday
A full day of in-person content and expertise was provided by Anita Plunkett and hosted by Brad Shoreman and Christine Mink-Hiles from the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board PSW program in Barrie. Christine Wilkinson from DementiAbility, along with Jill Corkery from Waterloo Catholic District School Board and Laura Patterson from Limestone District School Board presented on their dementia care instructor-training pilot project. The project was developed to support Bill 121, Improving Dementia Care in Ontario Act, 2024.
Brittany Howlett, CESBA’s PSW communications consultant presented on the newly developed PSW program digital marketing kit; the Health and Supportive Care Providers Oversight Authority (HSCPOA) brought information on their registration process and Angelika Kerr from the Ministry of Education brought greetings. Pikangikum Indigenous Education Authority showcased their newly launched PSW program and how it has addressed a huge need in their remote, fly-in only community. In the second half of the day, the participants workshopped an on-boarding and orientation package for prospective students.
PSW Info Sessions
Two PSW sessions, led by our PSW Lead, Anita Plunkett, were programmed in the early fall and in the winter, to update and connect with PSW program instructors and administrators. These included a program check-in, updates with the Ministry of Education; new instructor support; the Career Navigator project; and provincial funding initiatives.
PSW Instructor Coffee Chats
New this year, we hosted six informal drop-sessions specifically for PSW instructors to connect with Anita and each other on questions, concerns and challenges.
Training and Support for mPLAR Assessors
Two-Day PLAR Workshop for New Assessors
Andrea Murphy, our PLAR Lead, delivered two full days of in-person professional learning in Toronto. The popular workshop, geared towards new assessors of the Mature PLAR process, provided foundational instruction, mentorship and extensive hands-on practice using varied transcripts as case studies, including out-of-province, out-of-country and post-secondary credentials, as well as Indigenous learners and younger learners who qualify under the 2022 PPM 132 changes.
PLAR Spring Drop-in Sessions
Two additional virtual PLAR learning sessions, also led by Andrea Murphy, were programmed in the spring this year to provide professional development and support to both new and experienced assessors.
Webinar Series for Get SET Leads and Practitioners
CESBA delivered four webinars to support service providers and practitioners in their work. To ensure the session topics reflected sector priorities, a survey was sent to the Get SET of member school boards.
Transitions: Get SET and PLAR
- Led by a Get SET panel, with Andrea Murphy, PLAR Lead, on hand for questions and clarifications.
Transitions: Get SET and ESL
- Presented by Narjis Ahmed, ESL instructor and administrator from Upper Grand District School Board.
Employment Pathways Programming in Get SET Learning Environments
- A panel discussion where Get SET practitioners shared how they initiated employment partnerships in their communities.
Supporting AI in Get SET Classrooms
- A panel discussion where Get SET practitioners shared how they have used AI to support their learners.
Workshops for Everyone
Building Resilience in Tough Times
Claire Peace, a social worker and psychotherapist from Hamilton, presented a session building resilience as educators and to support learners. This workshop, which was facilitated by the Equity and Inclusion Committee, explored how chronic stress can harm resilience for those who have experienced trauma, discrimination and intersecting stressors. Claire presented several engaging activities to strengthen resilience and groundedness.
Regulate, Relate, Reason: Bringing the 3 Rs into the Classroom
Drawing on Bruce Perry’s Neurosequential Model, the 3 R’s—Regulate, Relate, and Reason—Ginger Healy presented a workshop on transforming classrooms into trauma-informed spaces where adult learners feel safe, connected, and ready to learn. An internationally regarded author of many books on the subject, Ginger generously filled in on behalf of Andrea Snyder, social worker, from Waterloo Catholic District School Board, when she became ill. This workshop was also sponsored by the Equity and Inclusion Committee.
Empowering Staff with AI
Parastou Ziadlou, the secondary principal with Pikangikum First Nation and member of the Committee for Indigenous Adult Learners, presented a workshop on professional development opportunities for staff, focusing on strategies for leading teams through AI adoption and overcoming implementation challenges. As an early adopter, Parastou shared ways that AI could support remote and northern communities by enhancing accessibility, efficiency, and service delivery.
Coming Together
Regional meetings
CESBA hosted eight regional meetings from April to March, providing two professional development and networking opportunities for the East, Central, West and North regions of Ontario in the year. All regional meetings were two-hour virtual events, designed to maximize participation from across all regions.
Meetings in the fall are especially important to support a new school year and for connecting with new administrators entering A&CE. All fall meetings for all regions took place in October and November, in consideration of September scheduling demands. Spring meetings were held in late April and May.
The goal of CESBA’s regional meetings is to provide a platform for members to connect over the shared challenges and opportunities that exist in their region, help foster collaboration and networking, and develop good practices through leadership and sharing. Along with A&CE topics of general interest, the meetings break out into sector-specific groups, covering Credit/PLAR/Guidance, ESL/FSL/LINC, LBS/Get SET, IILE, PSW and Francophone sectors.
In 2025, sessions focused on a wide variety of themes, including:
- AI as a working tool
- Leveraging literacy and numeracy programs
- Sharing program learnings and challenges with other boards in their regions
- Specific updates relating to each of the above identified sectors
- Sector specific deep dives to collaborate on promising practices
- Resource sharing
CESBA Conference: Optimism, Resilience, Connection
December 3-4, 2025
CESBA’s 2025 Conference was a great success! Held at the Chelsea Hotel in Toronto, the conference featured two days of tailored programming to support a thriving A&CE sector in Ontario.
Sector Day included a record number of sector categories, including PLAR/Guidance, Get SET, PSW, ESL/FSL/LINC, Indigenous Learners and—for the first time—Principals and Vice-Principals. Participants shared challenges and successes, exchanged resources and strengthened connections across their sectors. An end-of-day social provided participants the opportunity to unwind and catch up in a more informal and unstructured way.
Workshop Day kicked off with an inspiring keynote from Dr. Samra Zafar, followed by 10 dynamic workshops and 10 “Conversation Circles”—a new format for peer sharing at the CESBA Conference. Topics included A&CE fundamentals, such as PLAR, alongside finance explorations, employment connections and AI in A&CE.
CESBA is grateful for the sponsors, partners and contributors who made the 2025 conference possible, including our Gold Sponsor, Nelson. Special thanks also to our volunteers, staff, sector day leaders, presenters from across the province, our event partners at BPL Events, hosts Natalie Poitras and Brad Shoreman, Elder Larry Frost and ministry representatives in attendance with us.
Conference Testimonial
The conference was incredibly well organized and the learning I do inspires me to level up my game in adult and continuing education.
2025 Conference attendee
Sector Highlights
The extensive work to support the sectors and programs below was completed by CESBA staff and a network of dedicated committee members volunteering countless hours along with their professional expertise. We gratefully acknowledge our incomparable membership community.
Adult Credit/Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (PLAR)/Guidance
- Continued to provided leadership and mentorship to new assessors, including both adult and mainstream secondary schools, which are eligible under the 2022 PPM 132 revisions.
- Hosted a two-day PLAR event with an introduction for new assessors and advanced support on individual case scenarios for experienced assessors.
- Held two lunchtime session in the spring on PLAR policy and frequently asked questions geared for new assessors and experienced assessors.
- Continued to support several school boards with connections to SMS school board providers
- Offered several PLAR/Guidance workshops, both virtual and in person, for individual school boards.
- Hosted the PLAR Sector Day at the conference with support from the PLAR Committee.
- Provided ongoing assistance to school boards updating their policy and procedures around Mature PLAR.
- Offered support to school boards on PLAR reporting for Ministry of Education funding.
- Continued to update the vast library of PLAR resources and documents on the CESBA website.
- Supplied PLAR information to outside agencies, such as Indigenous Institutes, the Wikwemikong Board of Education, and Shoal Lake 40 First Nation among others.
- Updated PLAR 102 with unique case studies including: an Indigenous learner, a learner with an apprenticeship, and a younger learner enrolled in secondary.
- Updated PLAR 101 to meet current PPM expectations.
- Created an AI template for assessors to use to prompt for additional targeted support questions specific for PLAR subject based assessment preparation for Get SET practitioners and student success teachers.
Personal Support Worker (PSW) program
- Continued collaboration with the Research Institute for Aging, (RIA) on the Living Classroom (LC) funding project for existing LC programs with student retention supports. This includes ten school board programs for a total of 18 sites.
- Delivered the Quality Assurance Process to PSW programs in six school boards and one Indigenous education authority.
- Continued collaboration with the Health and Supportive Care Providers Oversight Authority (HSCPOA) on communication to support registration of graduates
- Updated PSW resource page on CESBA website to include “Links to PSW Community Resources” with information on supporting Indigenous communities, the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and those living with dysphagia, along with trauma-informed care, cultural sensitivity and competency training resources.
- Wrapped up the delivery of the PSW Career Navigator project to engage with our PSW programs and provide information on working in long-term care (LTC), bridging to practical nursing training and other health care related resources—this project had our seven PSW Champions, our name for active PSW mentors who visit each program to engage with students and provide a “day in the life” snapshot of a PSW session to address stigma and misconceptions about the field; Career Navigator and Engagement Strategy Impact Report, published after fiscal 2025–2026, highlights the success of this project, as well as the Engagement Strategy project that wrapped in 2024–2025.
- Created the PSW Program Onboarding and Orientation resource package for programs to use to support potential students with entry into the program, and shared it broadly through our government partners.
- Submitted a proposal to MLITSD Skills Development Funding initiative in response to Bill 121 to support our PSW programs to include additional dementia training for their students.
- Published content on our growing GetMyPSW.ca Instagram account to promote school board PSW programs.
- Updated OntarioSchoolBoardPSW.ca, also known as GetMyPSW.ca, to include new program site information and a new PSW video.
- Developed and updated PSW resources on CESBA’s main website.
- Supported the launch of new school board PSW program at Halton District School Board.Hosted Spring PSW Workday at the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board to provide provincial updates, resources on promising practices and an opportunity for networking.
- Hosted the PSW Sector Day at the annual CESBA conference with support from the PSW Committee.
- Hosted new monthly PSW instructor Coffee Chat learning sessions.
- Hosted two learning sessions on PSW provincial funding, training resources, networking and more.
- Represented school board PSW programs on the MLTC Staffing Supply Sub-Committee.
- Promoted Ontario PSW school board graduates with the Canadian Association of Continuing Care Educators (CACCE).
- Visited six PSW programs, including the new program at Pikangikum First Nation.
Get SET (Skills, Education and Training)
- Partnered with the College Sector Committee (CSC) to update and widely distribute the Pathways to Secondary and Post-Secondary resource and companion guide so that it reflects the Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC), current PLAR information, and updated ACE and mature student admission pathways.
- Developed updated PLAR readiness resources to support Get SET learners pursuing a secondary school credit pathway and eligible for PLAR for the CESBA website and Get SET elearning site, sfs.cesba.com
- Held the second annual LBS Forum, welcoming 45 program leads and their principals for a full day of learning, dialogue, and networking.
- Hosted four well-received, expert-led webinars to support Get SET service providers, respond to emerging needs, and share trends and promising practices in adult literacy based on a member survey to identify relevant sector priorities, including transitions between Get SET and PLAR preparation programs, ESL to Get SET learner pathways, employment focused programming, and practical uses of AI to support learners.
- Delivered a full day, in-person Get SET Sector Day inviting school board Get SET managers and staff for professional learning, resource sharing and intentional networking.
- Collaborated with Community Literacy Ontario, College Sector Committee for Adult Upgrading, Laubach Literacy Ontario and Contact North to launch PD Place, a provincial learning environment, to provide a sustainable and accessible professional development platform for ongoing provincial training and future course development; the platform’s four foundational online courses included a Get SET program overview, Ontario Adult Literacy Curriculum Framework (OALCF), Performance Management and EOIS-CaMS, the case management system.
- Completed the development of five new culminating tasks to support learner transitions from community-based programs to school board Get SET programs with the support of a curriculum development team, including Self-Management Skills Task (Levels 2 and 3), Decision-Making Demonstration Task (Levels 1 and 2), Time Management Skills Task (Levels 1 and 2) and Communication Skills Task (Levels 1 and 2).
- Participated as an active member of the Provincial Support Organizations for Literacy (PSOL).
- Met monthly with CESBA’s MLITSD Employment and Training Consultant.
English as a Second Language and French as a Second Language (ESL/FSL)
- Served 60,747 provincially-funded clients through Ontario school boards in 2024–2025 in adult ESL or FSL programs; numbers for 2025–2026 are pending.
- Served approximately 60,000 federally-funded clients were served in the LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers) program.
- Met with key MLITSD staff during the fall, spring and summer to share program and regional updates and discuss topics such as waitlists, class sizes, average daily enrolment, learner progression, employment agency connections, employment theme coverage and professional development activities.
- Organized the ESL/FSL/LINC Sector Day, which included a presentation on literacy tools and supports by the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks (CCLB), and a series of roundtable discussions on topics such as attendance policies, learner progression, employment theme coverage, and looking forward in programming; collaborated with Get SET Sector Day planners to offer ESL and Get SET client pathways content; surveyed ESL administrators on topic and format preferences for Sector Day; reviewed post-event feedback to incorporate into next year’s planning.
- Held regular committee meetings to consult with members, discuss programming, and share information on resources, program administration, trends and initiatives related to newcomer adults learning English as a Second Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FSL), as well as to promote best practices and advocate for publicly-funded language training delivered by school boards.
- Participated in the MLITSD Newcomer Settlement and Integration Programs Stakeholder Consultation, IRCC’s Language & Literacy National Consultation, and the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks (CCLB)’s National Consultations.
- Sent regular communications to members regarding changes to federal program funding.
- Maintained the ESL/FSL Administrator contact list.
- Advocated for ESL/FSL programs during the school year through queries to MLITSD, IRCC, and HARTs.
International and Indigenous Languages Elementary (IILE)
- Offered support and communication to programs, as well as engaging with the Ministry of Education on budget issues and staffing challenges.
- Continued collaboration with International Language Educators’ Association (ILEA) throughout the year to support advocacy and alignment across the sector, along with professional development.
- Supported program promotions through the use of SchoolMessenger, flyers, and staff promotional videos to drive enrolment.
- Advocated within school boards to prioritize IILE programs.
- Supported boards in offering languages that reflect the linguistic and cultural diversity of newcomers, and maintained a strong commitment to promoting Indigenous languages.
Reaching Out to Our Members
We continued to share sector updates, resources, activities and events with a steadily growing mailing list of 4,328 highly engaged adult and continuing education professionals, community partners and supporters. Communications were distributed through our monthly e-newsletter, the Executive Director’s weekly bulletin, and targeted e-blasts highlighting events and important sector news.
Our bilingual website, cesba.com, remains an important central hub for the A&CE community. In addition to news, organizational information and program details, the site features our regularly updated resource library, which now includes 275 items. This year, we refreshed key resources, with a particular focus on supporting new PLAR assessors, PSW programs and Get SET practitioners, while also removing outdated materials. The resource library continues to be a frequently bookmarked and relied-upon resource for many of our members.
Website traffic remained strong, with 18,868 users (+29%), 29,159 sessions (+10%), and 58,534 pageviews (-9%). The event registration and calendar functions were moved to a secure member platform to provide enhanced service to our membership. This transition likely contributed to the decrease in pageviews on the main site, despite the increase in users. Active CESBA members continue to make up the primary audience for the website.
Our bilingual PSW-focused website, ontarioschoolboardpsw.ca (also promoted as GetMyPSW.ca and DevenezPSSP.ca), provides prospective students with an interactive map of school board PSW programs across Ontario, along with program overviews, FAQs and student success stories. With support from government project funding, we significantly increased promotion of the site through branded giveaways, digital advertising and our PSW Champions, who helped promote the resource in classrooms across the province. These efforts contributed to a substantial increase in traffic, with 55,051 users (+38%) and 76,065 sessions (+47%).
GetMyHighSchoolDiploma.ca promotes adult credit programs across Ontario and features a regularly updated interactive map. The site continues to experience seasonal interest, particularly during the fall, and saw a notable increase in traffic this year, with 3,849 users (+83%) and 3,954 sessions (+58%).
We also continued to add and refresh courses across our active Moodle platforms. elearning.cesba.com recorded 2,447 sessions by 1,293 users and provides professional development courses for mPLAR assessors and Get SET practitioners. Skills for Success—sfs.cesba.com recorded 2,951 sessions by 1,213 users and houses a diverse range of curriculum resources for Get SET learners.
By the numbers
4,328
CESBA email
subscribers
29,159
visits from 18,868 unique
users on cesba.com
76,065
visits from 55,051 unique users on GetMyPSW.ca
3,954
visits from 3,849
unique users on GetMyHighSchoolDiploma.ca
The CESBA Board of Directors 2025-2026
Lisa Hickman
Chair
Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board
lisa_hickman@kprdsb.ca
2021 – present
Andrea Ellsworth
Vice Chair
Durham Catholic District School Board
andrea.ellsworth@dcdsb.ca
2022 – present
Gary Wimmer
Treasurer
Thames Valley District School Board
g.wimmer@tvdsb.ca
2024 – present
Sonia Ellison
Director
Halton Catholic District School Board
ellisons@hcdsb.org
2025 – present
Jennifer Lentz
Director
Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario
jennifer.lentz@cdsbeo.on.ca
2025 – present
Lisa Mackay
Director
Waterloo Catholic District School Board
lisa.mackay@wcdsb.ca
2025 – present
Kevin Paquette
Director
Greater Essex County District School Board
kevin.paquette@publicboard.ca
2025 – present
Christina Raso
Director
Sudbury Catholic District School Board
christina.raso@sudburycatholicschools.ca
2024 – present
Brad Shoreman
Director
Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board
bshoreman@smcdsb.on.ca
2024 – present
Project Committees
Adult Credit/PLAR/Guidance Committee
Jennifer Ford (HPEDSB), Angela Jarrett (HWDSB), Emina Kovacevic (HWDSB), Maria Leonardo (WCDSB), Samantha Ngan (YRDSB), Samantha Peotto (Lakehead DSB), Natalie Poitras (CSCDGR)
Committee to Support Indigenous Learners
Susan Conklin (Nipissing First Nation), Michelle Davis (Ontario Native Literacy Coalition), David Isherwood (The Martin Family Initiative), Katie Maracle (Six Nations Polytechnic), Byron Millet (Ontario Native Literacy Coalition), Sherry Moreau (Bimose Tribal Council), John Playford (SCDSB), Brendan Smyth (Seven Generations Education Institute), Daniel Stargratt (SMCDSB), Parastou Ziadlou (Eenchokay Birchstick School)
Conference Planning Committee
Bernadette Beaupre, Lisa Mackay (WCDSB), Angela Parkin (HWDSB), Gary Wimmer (TVDSB)
English and French Second Language (ESL/FSL) Committee
Jennifer Jones, Co-Chair (TVDSB), Sheila Nicholas, Co-Chair (UGDSB), Narjis Ahmed (UGDSB), Christine Fayek (KPRDSB), Marianne Kayed (OCSB)
Equity and Inclusion Committee
Seema Bajpai (PDSB), Michele Breault (WCDSB), Gabrianna Jolie (TDSB), Angela Parkin (HWDSB), Anne-Marie Pinel (OCSB), Lori Sheppard (LKDSB)
International and Indigenous Languages Elementary (IILE) Committee
Christine Mink-Hiles, Chair (SMCDSB), Susan El-Nagar (WCDSB), Azza Elzoghby (HWDSB), Nectaria Karagiozis (OCDSB), Ludmila Minkova (OCSB)
Get SET Committee
Melissa Friske, Chair (RCDSB), Lou-Ann Best (PDSB), Gabrianna Jolie (TDSB), Sally MacDonald (Grand Erie District School Board), Lori Sheppard (LKDSB)
Personal Support Worker (PSW) Committee
Dawn-Marie Brunet, Chair (SCDSB), Jill Corkery (WCDSB), Denise Delle-Palme (OCDSB), Paula Dillon-Gerow (HWCDSB), Melissa McDowall (UGDSB), Jennifer Sheyan (LKDSB), Ashley Voisin (WCDSB)
Notes on Two Committees:
The Francophone Advisory Group has seen some changes this year, including a shift in name from the Francophone Committee to the Francophone Advisory Group to better reflect its role and purpose. As we look ahead to the next fiscal year, CESBA remains intentional about supporting Francophone members and strengthening relationships, including new connections with Francophone Ministry staff.
The Experienced Administrator Committee is an ad hoc committee. Various administrators are engaged on an as needed basis, depending on the subject matter and the advice or insight being sought. CESBA is grateful for the time, expertise, and thoughtful guidance shared by experienced administrators throughout the year. Their contributions support CESBA’s work and strengthen our ability to respond to emerging needs in A&CE.
CESBA Members 2025-2026
CESBA is grateful to all of our members for their ongoing support and participation:
Algoma District School Board
Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board
Avon Maitland District School Board
Bluewater District School Board
Brant-Haldimand Catholic District School Board
Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board
Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario
Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est
Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario
Conseil scolaire catholique de district des Grandes-Rivières
Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario
Conseil scolaire catholique Franco-Nord
Conseil scolaire catholique Providence
Conseil scolaire de district catholique de l’Est ontarien
Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l’Ontario
Conseil scolaire Viamonde
District School Board of Niagara
District School Board Ontario North East
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board
Durham Catholic District School Board
Durham District School Board
Grand Erie District School Board
Greater Essex County District School Board
Halton Catholic District School Board
Halton District School Board
Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board
Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board
Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board
Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board
Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board
Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board
Keewatin Patricia District School
Lakehead District School Board
Lambton Kent District School Board
Limestone District School Board
London District Catholic School Board
Near North District School Board
Niagara Catholic District School Board
Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board
Northeastern Catholic District School Board
Ottawa Catholic School Board
Ottawa-Carleton District School Board
Peel District School Board
Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board
Rainbow District School Board
Renfrew County District School Board
Simcoe County District School Board
Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board
Sudbury Catholic District School Board
Superior-Greenstone District School Board
Thames Valley District School Board
Toronto Catholic District School Board
Toronto District School Board
Trillium Lakelands District School Board
Upper Canada District School Board
Upper Grand District School Board
Waterloo Catholic District School Board
Waterloo Region District School Board
Wellington Catholic District School Board
Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board
York Catholic District School Board
York Region District School Board
Funders
CESBA graciously acknowledges funding support from the Ontario Ministry of Education, Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development and Ministry of Long-Term Care.
Community Partners and Affiliates
CESBA would like to thank its community partners and affiliates for their support and collaboration.
ABC Life Literacy Canada
AlphaPlus
Advanced Gerontological Education (AGE)
AdvantAge Ontario
CANeLearn
Care Passport (Lambton College)
Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks (CCLB)
Centre for Social Innovation
CERIC
Champlain Regional Stroke Network
Coalition ontarienne de formation des adultes (COFA)
Collège Boréal
College Sector Committee for Academic Upgrading (CSC)
Community Literacy of Ontario
Contact North
DementiAbility
EduTravel
First Work
Future Skills Centre
Halton Industry Education Council
Health Force Ontario
Health and Supportive Care Providers Oversight Authority (HSCPOA)
Kenjgewin Teg Educational Institute
La Cité
Laubach Literacy Ontario (LLO)
Learning Networks of Ontario
Learning Inter-Professional Healthcare Accelerator (LIPHA)
March of Dimes Canada
The Martin Family Initiative
Morningstar Online School
Nelson
Ontario Association of School Board Officials (OASBO)
The Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care (CLRI)
Ontario College Application Service
Ontario Cooperative Education Association (OCEA)
Ontario Health
Ontario Long-Term Care Association
Ontario Native Literacy Coalition (ONLC)
Ontario Nonprofit Network
Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA)
Pikangikum Educational Authority
Shoal Lake 40 First Nation
Signal49
Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA)
Seven Generations Education Institute
Six Nations Polytechnic Institute
Skills Ontario
TESL Ontario
TVO
Wikwemikong Board of Education
CESBA Staff
PAUL COX
Executive Director
ERINN GRAHAM-BARTER
Innovations & Logistics Specialist
URSZULA MAZUR
Administrator
ANDREA MURPHY
PLAR Guidance Coordinator
CHARLOTTE PARLIAMENT
Program Manager/LBS Lead
ANITA PLUNKETT
PSW Lead and Quality Assurance Coordinator
ANANDA UMAR
Communications Specialist
Financial Statement
Revenue
| Total: | $2,049,547 |
| Government grants: | $1,688,577 |
| Conference fees: | $244,039 |
| Membership fees: | $94,825 |
| Administration fees: | $20,030 |
| Other: | $2,076 |
Expenses
| Total: | $1,983,500 |
| Salaries and benefits: | $843,770 |
| Contractors: | $587,587 |
| Event: | $291,789 |
| Administration: | $81,024 |
| Professional fees: | $78,317 |
| Travel: | $60,205 |
| Communications and marketing: | $37,581 |
| Insurance: | $3,227 |