Introducing Greenwood’s 2024-2025 Leadership Team

Greenwood is pleased to announce the Principal and Vice-Principal Team for the 2024-2025 school year.

As announced in November 2023, Heather Thomas, Greenwood’s current Vice-Principal, Deputy Head of School, will assume the role of Principal this coming September.

Heather has been an integral part of the Greenwood community for over 20 years. She knows what makes our school special and has implemented, led, and participated in our differentiators throughout her years at Greenwood. Her commitment to our school's mission, vision and values is unwavering.

Through her various roles at Greenwood, from teacher to Subject Team Leader and Director to Vice-Principal, Student Learning and Deputy Head of School, Heather has consistently championed personalized learning and embodied the very essence of Greenwood's values. Heather's deep understanding of our community, care for our students, background in outdoor education and canoe tripping at Camp Wapomeo, passion for student-centred and character education, academic and leadership credentials, and her dedication to the growth and success of Greenwood make her the ideal leader for our school's future. With Heather's guidance, Greenwood will continue to thrive, innovate, and uphold the values that define us.

We extend Principal Sarah Bruce well wishes as she explores new opportunities. In her sixth year at Greenwood’s helm, she made the difficult decision to step down from her role as Principal at the end of this academic year. Sarah's leadership has been outstanding during her tenure, and she will leave Greenwood in a stronger position, having built a strong and cohesive leadership team, facilitated the acquisition of land for our campus expansion, effectively navigated the challenges posed by the pandemic, and guided the school through the evolving landscape of our post-pandemic world. A passionate, humble and student-centred leader, Sarah has modelled perseverance, demonstrated a commitment to continual improvement as well as working with the Board to develop its ambitious strategic plan and uphold Greenwood’s Mission. 

Starting in September 2024, Greenwood will have four Vice-Principals working with us as we venture into the next phase of the school’s journey together:

Each of these leaders currently have roles on Greenwood’s Senior Leadership Team, model Greenwood’s values, and have made significant contributions to Greenwood’s strategic initiatives during their time at the school. They will join Heather Thomas as she moves into the role of Principal in September 2024, coming together to form a strong leadership team ready to support students and staff, strengthen our community through well-being and inclusion, and continue Greenwood’s focus on student-centred, personalized learning and character development. 

Sam Clark began teaching at Greenwood in 2012. He has taught Health and Physical Education and Social Sciences, worked as an Adviser and the Director, Athletics, and most recently held the role of Senior Director, Programs & Risk Management. Sam was instrumental in the return to co-curricular activities after the pandemic, and has refined and standardized many of Greenwood’s practices related to safety and risk management. He has championed the addition of experiential learning trips and led excursions to Ontario camps, out-of-province tournaments and Costa Rica. Sam has coached a long list of teams at Greenwood during his tenure, and continues to do so. Sam has completed multiple additional qualifications courses and is also a certified member of the Canadian Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (CIAAA). He has completed several modules with CAIS, and is currently completing a Masters in Athletic Administration.

Anthony Costa has been part of the Greenwood staff for 18 years. He has held several leadership roles at Greenwood: Subject Team Leader, HPE; Expert Teacher; Director, Grade 7-8 Program; and most recently, the Dean of Students. He has also served as a teacher, Guidance Counsellor and Grade 7-12 Adviser, led many teams and trips. Anthony has completed qualifications in Educational Leadership (including the Principal’s Qualification Program), Special Education, Brief Coaching, Conflict Resolution and Restorative Practices.  As the Director, Grade 7-8 Program, and then Dean of Students, Anthony’s focus has included the revision of Adviser Reports to include Growth Mindset Principles, the implementation of Levelled Grading in Grade 7/8 to align more directly with the type of feedback that is age and stage appropriate, and the creation of Action Plans as a way to help students directly identify actions they can take towards rewarding growth. A champion of well-being, Anthony has organized Mental Health First Aid Training for Staff and the Student Engagement Survey, which provides important data points around the student experience, including data on well-being. 

Kelly Giannoccaro joined Greenwood when it opened in 2002, and carries deep expertise and historical knowledge of the school as a business. A Chartered Professional Accountant, Kelly has worked in independent schools since 1985. At Greenwood, Kelly initially held the role of Director of Finance, which evolved into her current role of VP, Finance & Operations. As VP, Finance & Operations, Kelly oversees the financial affairs of the school and foundation, as well as facilities and food services. During her 22-year tenure, Kelly has demonstrated her long-standing commitment to Greenwood through all that she does, including her current involvement in the recreation space development project. 

Elanna Robson began her teaching career at Greenwood in 2007. She has held a variety of positions at Greenwood, including Business Studies Teacher (also teaching Math and Health & Physical Education), Business Studies Subject Team Leader, Diversity Coordinator, Teacher Mentor, Director, Academics, and Senior Director, Academics. She also established and led the school's first GSA and Teacher Diversity Committee. Elanna has coached many basketball teams over the years; coaching U20 boys’ basketball remains a passion and source of standout memories (with D1-B championship seasons in 2017 and 2019 topping the list). In addition to a Bachelor of Commerce and Masters of Education, Elanna holds a certificate from the Klingenstein Summer Institute, a CAIS Leadership Institute Diploma, I-Think Training as well as PQP I. She is currently completing PQP II. (Principal’s Qualification Program). Elanna’s recent focus has been on assessment & evaluation practices, establishing classroom strategies that focus on thinking to develop understanding, and investigating multiple perspectives in the classroom.