The Bluewater District School Board has a new Director of Education.
The board says it has appointed AJ Keene, who will begin a transition into the position on August 18th 2025, to coincide with the retirement of current director Lori Wilder.
“I am very excited to join Bluewater District School Board and contribute to the great work being done to support
student achievement and well-being, equity, and community-based education,” says Keene in a statement.
He adds, “I am particularly drawn to the diverse geographic and cultural landscape of Grey and Bruce, including its First Nation communities. I fully appreciate the opportunity to offer my leadership experience to the team and work in partnership to serve students, staff, and families.”
The board says, having grown up in a rural setting in Essex County, Keene comes to Bluewater with nearly three decades of experience in public education. He has been serving most recently as Superintendent of Education with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, where he lead the South Superintendency of schools and Safe and Caring Schools portfolio.
Before that, Keen spent many years at Lakehead District School Board in Thunder Bay in a variety of roles, including Superintendent of Education, Board Math Lead, Early Years and Program Principal, and a school administrator. His experience extends to working for the Ministry of Education to assist in the development of several math guides and resources.
Keene holds a Master of Education with a focus in Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning from the University of Toronto.
He is also a graduate of Lakehead University with a Bachelor of Education, and the University of Windsor, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree.
The board says, “Along with numeracy and literacy, he is passionate about equity, strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities, and integrating culturally responsive education practices.”
Bluewater District School Board Chair Jane Thomson says in a release, “It is a pleasure to welcome AJ to Bluewater as the new Director of Education,” adding, “The depth of knowledge and experience he brings in many areas of curriculum, programming, equity, and leadership will be invaluable in guiding our system level work with the Multi-Year Strategic Plan. The Board of Trustees is excited to work with him and draw upon his extensive skills and background.
Thomson adds, “We also take this opportunity to once again thank Lori for her four decades of service in our board. Her strong positive presence and tireless dedication to students will surely be missed. We wish her a joyful and fulfilling retirement as she moves on to new beginnings.”