Wade Richardson

President

Wade retired from the OYAP Recruiter role at the Halton District School Board. Wade is a strong supporter of Technological Education and believes in putting students first in order to help each student to discover their own pathway. Wade has been involved in OCTE project management, writing, has taken the lead on many Technological Education initiatives and also was on the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program Provincial committee.

Lee Ann Armstrong

Vice-President

Lee Ann is a dedicated secondary teacher that strives to do what is best for students. She taught for many years in Hairstyling and Aesthetics, Health Care, and Hospitality. She also taught co-operative Education and developed a successful Program connected to Ontario Public Service for in-risk students. Her love for experiential learning brought her full circle when she became the OYAP consultant and then moved to the Lead of Experiential Learning for HWDSB. She holds a certificate of Qualification in Hairstyling and learning by doing has always been a part of her career. Lee Ann believes that all students have potential and it is finding the pathway that is the best fit for each individual! As the representative for Experiential Learning with OCTE, Lee Ann has worked with other Leads and Teachers across the Province to build experiences and writing resources for OCTE. Engaging all students, in all pathways, continues to be the goal!

Dave Lewis

Past President & Chair of Human Resources and Nominating Committee

Dave ‘retired' in June 2017 from Halton District School Board as the Coordinator of Technological Education and Pathways. He has also worked as a Manufacturing Technology teacher, department head, coordinator, Guidance and Coop teacher and been very involved over the years developing programs in SHSM, OYAP, Dual Credits and Robotics. Dave is a passionate voice for Technological Education and Pathways within the HDSB and across Ontario, sitting on many provincial committees lobbying for the expansion of Technological Education and the "re-culturing" of our system to value all post-secondary destinations. Dave is committed to working hard as OCTE Past Chair to continue growing the association and strengthen the voice for Technological Education in the province.

Bill Fetter

Secretary and Provincial Technological Education Board Lead

Bill is a dedicated educator and teacher consultant with the Greater Essex County District School Board in southwestern Ontario. Bill has been a member of OCTE for many years and has been re-elected as vice-chair on the Technological Education Board Leads, a sub-committee of OCTE. Bill has written curriculum and developed resources for technological education courses and likes to collaborate with others in the interest of promoting technological education. Bill has presented at the annual OCTE Conference in partnership with Public Services Health and Safety Association and promotes technology programs.

Chris Tucker

Secondary Education Chair

Chris began his career in architecture and contracting before transitioning to education, earning his Construction Technology teaching qualification and later a Master of Education focused on science and technology curriculum. He taught at both the elementary and secondary levels in Toronto and later joined the York Region District School Board, where he served in various roles including Construction Technology teacher, Guidance Counselor, and Curriculum Consultant for SHSM and Technological Education. Beyond the board, Chris has held leadership roles with the Ontario Council for Technology Education, contributed to curriculum development at the Ministry of Education, and continues to instruct in pre-service Technological Education programs at multiple universities.

Eric Bacon

Elementary Education Chair

Eric is currently the Grade 7/8 STEM, Coding, and Skilled Trades Coordinator for the Rainbow District School Board. With over 20 years of experience in the classroom, Eric has a background of integrating technology and practical skills into the learning environment. As Elementary Education Chair of OCTE, his goal is to increase opportunities for elementary teachers within the organization.

Veronica Kleinsmith

Communications Chair

Veronica is a Communications Technology Teacher from the Halton District School Board (HDS) who has worked in the roles of Technological Education department head, Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program Coordinator, Instructional Program Leader for Tech and current role as the Specialist High Skills Major Resource Teacher for the HDSB. In her work with OCTE she has worked as a full-time Program Manager and has served as the Communications Chair for a number of years, running very successful OCTE media campaigns, managing our Social Media and ensuring our visuals all represent the high-quality work that we do.

Jeff Hines

Strategic Partnerships Co-Chair

Jeff Hines, the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) Recruiter for the Halton District School Board (HDSB), has over two decades of experience in technological education, fostering partnerships between schools and industry to provide students with valuable real-world opportunities. As the Strategic Partnerships Co-Chair for the Ontario Council for Technology Education (OCTE), he has spent the past two years spearheading collaborations with industry partners to advance technological education across Ontario.

Alan Stanley

Strategic Partnerships Co-Chair

Alan is committed to helping students find meaningful career opportunities, drawing from his experience in engineering and the skilled trades. After eight years as an Automotive Service Technician, he transitioned to education, becoming a secondary transportation technology teacher and later a department head with the Trillium Lakelands District School Board. As Co-Lead for Strategic Partnerships with the Ontario Council for Technological Education (OCTE), he fosters collaboration between education, industry, and economic development through initiatives like the City of Kawartha Lakes Manufacturing Doors Open and a Reverse Job Fair. Alan firmly believes in the lasting benefits of connecting students with industry partners and continues to advocate for these essential relationships.

Mario Blouin

French Chair

Mario has taught for 33 years at ÉSC Hearst in Robotics, Manufacturing, Design and IT, and was also responsible for the Technology Studies and SHSM sector. He is now the coordinator of EduTek, the Teacher Education Program for Technological Education at the University of Ottawa. He has been actively involved in Skills Competitions for 28 years. He was also co-chair of the Skills Robotics Competition for 16 years. He has been involved with OCTE since its inception. He was co-chair of the Technological Education Board Leads TEBL for several years. He works with the Education Committee and manages the French information on the OCTE.CA website. He looks after the translation of documents. He wants to increase the participation of Francophones in technology-related activities and conferences. He represents Francophones within the association and ensures the survival of French technology in Ontario.

Heather Isnor-Williams

Elementary Support Lead

Heather Isnor-Williams is a dedicated Grade 7 and 8 Science and Technology teacher in Kitchener, where she fosters students' interest in skilled trades through hands-on learning in her wood shop. She also serves as the WRDSB Elementary Skills Ontario Lead, coaching student teams for provincial competitions and training new teachers in tool safety through the WRDSB Sci-Tech Safety Certification program. As Supporting Elementary Lead for the Ontario Council for Technology Education (OCTE), Heather advocates for experiential learning and safe tool practices in elementary education.

Jody Jakubo

Experiential Learning Co-Lead

Jody is the SHSM and Experiential Learning Coordinator for the Rainbow District School Board. She works very closely with the tech teachers and is passionate about taking learning outside of the classroom. As of late, she is incredibly proud of her recent initiatives including her Think Trades Maker Evenings and her Empathy Projects which allow students to work alongside residents in long term care homes.

Rich Bishop

Experiential Learning Co-Lead

Rich is currently the Experiential Learning Facilitator for the Durham District School Board. He has been teaching for over 15 years in the Intermediate grades and has a passion for reflective based learning. Rich advocates for more Skilled Trades programming in Elementary schools and helps coordinate events and provide materials to expose students to these pathways.

Becky Zettl

Specialist High Skills Major Co-Lead

Becky is an experienced educator and Learning Support Services Consultant with the Waterloo Region District School Board, where she leads the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program and supports the integration of cooperative education, guidance, and career studies. With nearly 20 years of experience in alternative, continuing, and experiential education, Becky brings a strong background in program coordination, collaboration, and resource development. She has contributed to province-wide initiatives with OCTE and is recognized as a subject matter expert in co-op. Becky’s work is grounded in a commitment to student success, innovative pathways programming, and building inclusive, future-focused learning opportunities.

Lindsay Strachan

Specialist High Skills Major Co-Lead

Lindsay is a passionate and innovative educator with a strong commitment to experiential learning, and student-centered teaching in Peel District School Board. With extensive experience in both classroom and leadership roles, she supports Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs, mentoring educators, and building inclusive learning environments. Lindsay’s approach is rooted in dismantling systemic barriers, fostering community partnerships, and empowering students through meaningful, real-world learning opportunities. Her leadership with OCTE and professional development underscores her dedication to lifelong learning and transformational change in education.

Nat Gencarelli

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program Lead

Nat has served as the OYAP Recruiter for the last four years after spending time in the classroom in a number of roles, including, Guidance, Special Education, and as a SHSM program liaison. His recent experience immersed in the apprenticeship pathway supports the work of OCTE and strengthens efforts to maintain open lines of communication with the OYAP Provincial Association (ORPA).

Brent Coakwell

Ontario Principals’ Lead

Brent Coakwell is a Principal, currently working as a system principal with the Halton DSB, with over twenty years experience in public education. Brent has written and consulted on curriculum documents, and provincial guidelines and resources for Technological Education, Specialist High Skills Major and the Food and Beverage Policy. Brent is a Chef who completed his apprenticeship and then became a teacher, as well as an advocate and champion for youth to pursue their passion in the development of their skills, regardless of the pathway they choose, and has supported this through local, national and international work. Academically Brent has a Masters of Education focusing on International Education Leadership and has traveled to work in schools in East Africa.

Derek Murphy

Industry Rep

Derek Murphy is the General Manager for global services at Studica Ltd. In this position he is responsible for Studica’s consulting services, product development and education offerings. Derek has more than 25 years in the education technology and design industry, with the last 20 spent focusing solely on education and training. Derek provides a wealth of manufacturing and technological design experience. He regularly speaks at key business and industry events. His key areas of expertise are Robotics, CAD/CAM, Design and Technology, and the curriculum development process throughout education.

Christine German

Executive Director

Christine is our Executive Director and was thrilled to be hired as OCTE's first full-time employee. In her role, Christine is responsible for leadership and strategic leadership of the organization, member communications, special projects, grant writing, advocacy initiatives, financial management and supporting each OCTE Committee to accomplish their goals. Prior to her role with OCTE, Christine worked at the Halton District School Board for over 13 years as Pathways Project Manager and the board lead for Specialist High Skills Major and Dual Credit. Christine is committed to supporting all OCTE members and moving Technological Education forward across the province.

Donna Norrie

Conference Chair

Donna Norrie currently works with the OCTE team to plan and coordinate the Fall & Spring Conferences each year. As a team we are continuously trying to provide PD related to new and industry standard technology and to make this learning experiential. Donna recently retired from HDSB as a SHSM Lead.

Tom Hewitson

Treasurer

Tom is our Financial Assistant and joined OCTE in the Spring of 2023 to provide financial support for OCTE's significant Future Forward - Advancing Vehicle Innovation Through Education writing project. Tom's role has evolved to include various support in the areas of accounts receivables, tracking and preparing payments for writers and project leaders, conference and membership registration and other financial process support. Tom is a retired municipal finance professional with over 30 years of experience with the Region of Halton and the City of Hamilton.