A former longtime Director of Education with the Upper Grand District School Board, Dr. Martha Rogers, has passed away.
A release from UGDSB shares that Rogers passed away at her home this past weekend. She worked in education for over 46 years, including as a Primary Consultant with the Dufferin County Board of Education, the Superintendent of Programs, Superintendent of Human Resources and Director of Education for the Wellington County Board of Education and finally, following the amalgamation of the Wellington and Dufferin County Boards of Education, she served as Director of the Upper Grand District School Board.
Rogers served as Director of the UGDSB from 1995 to 2021, making her the longest serving director in Ontario and one of the longest serving directors in Canada. She retired from the UGDSB on August 31st of this year.
“If you had the privilege of meeting, working alongside, and knowing Dr. Martha Rogers during her almost 50 years in public education, or her lifelong community volunteer efforts, you would know that each and every day she was driven by a love for all children,” says UGDSB Chair of the Board Linda Busuttil. “Martha devoted her life to public education and public service. You would see this in big and small ways every day, from her provincial meetings with our education stakeholders, local community partners, to the time she would take for classroom story time reading to students. Everyone had value in Martha’s eyes and ways and she had a unique way of weaving it all together for the benefit of our students, staff and communities."
“We are all so very saddened to learn of this news today, especially coming so shortly after Martha’s retirement. Our entire system will be forever grateful for her contributions to our students, staff and school communities,” adds Executive Superintendent of Education Brent McDonald.