Jameel N. Aziz is the new Superintendent of Schools for School District 57.
Aziz joins the school district from Yellowknife Education District No. 1 in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, where he was Superintendent of Schools and CEO. Prior to that, he held several roles in education, including more recently, Assistant Superintendent of Schools for School District 58 in Nicola Similkameen, B.C., Principal of Ecole South Sa-Hali Elementary School in Kamloops, B.C., and Principal of Kamloops Open Online Learning.
He takes over from Pam Spooner who has been acting superintendent since March 2023 when then superintendent Cindy Heitman resigned. Hietman was named acting superintendent role in early 2021 when then-superintendent Anita Richardson went on leave and was named superintendent in January 2022, when Richardson officially left the employ of the district. Richardson, who was in the position for one year, is now suing the district. Heitman left early last year.
“We are delighted to welcome Mr. Aziz to the school district, and we know that he will have a positive and long-lasting impact on our education system,” said Craig Brennan, Chair, Board of Education of School District No. 57 (Prince George). “On behalf of the Board, I would like to extend our appreciation and gratitude to Pamela Spooner, who has been our Acting Superintendent since March 2023. I would also like to acknowledge the valuable role played by Rightsholders and Stakeholders who participated in the recruiting process.”
Aziz graduated from the University of Victoria in 2002 with a Masters of Education, and completed the Instructional Rounds Program at Harvard University in 2013. He graduated from the University of Winnipeg in 1989 with a Bachelor of Education, majoring in Physical Education and English, following his Bachelor of Arts in 1986. An active member of the community, he is a Board member of United Way BC and former Regional Chairperson, past President and Board Chair of United Way Thompson Nicola Cariboo among his many voluntary roles over the past nearly two decades.
“I look forward to building collaborative relationships with Rightsholders and Stakeholders and working to ensure the school district is meeting the needs of students and their families,” Aziz said. “I’m excited by the opportunity to work with teachers and staff to ensure we provide an engaging and quality education experience for students and prepare them for the future.”