GUELPH – Less than four months after retiring as director of education with the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB), Martha Rogers has died.
Rogers, 73, passed away peacefully at her Elora home over the weekend.
“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,” UGDSB board chair Linda Busuttil stated in a board press release.
Busuttil said Rogers’ dedication to children could be seen through her leadership in public education at all levels, whether it was local or provincial.
“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,” Busuttil stated.
She added what made Rogers’ leadership distinctive, was her “currency” and the relationships that she built at all levels.
“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,” Busuttil said.
She told the Advertiser Rogers had a way of ensuring everyone felt heard.
“Martha’s currency is the authentic relationships that she built with everyone … she was there and she was there fully in that role,” she said.
Part of the legacy that Rogers’ leaves behind, Busuttil added, is a solid foundation of relationships of trust and caring at the board.
“Martha had a deep passion for children, and she was able to bring that passion into public education in a leadership role and to put us in an excellent position to continue with our focus on children and their well-being and their learning.
“Her legacy is that she has put us in an excellent position with a phenomenal culture and commitment that will move us forward.”
Rogers, who earlier this year received the Fred L. Bartlett Memorial Award from the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association for her “outstanding contribution to education in Ontario,” began her career as a Grade 1 teacher in 1972.
From there she went on to a series of different roles before landing as the director of education for Wellington County in 1995, later becoming the director of the amalgamated board in 1998, where she served until her retirement on Aug. 31 of this year.
That made her the longest serving director in Ontario and one of the longest serving directors in Canada.
“Dr. Rogers will be forever remembered for how she ran the Upper Grand DSB for over 26 years as director,” stated Peter Sovran, who replaced Rogers as UGDSB director.
“We are all thinking of her many family members and friends who will be feeling this loss so deeply.
“We know her legacy will continue to be felt for years to come across the UGDSB.”
In an interview with the Advertiser earlier this year, Rogers said she enjoyed all her roles in the education system and was particularly proud of her work to maintain a focus on children with special needs and to ensure the board budget includes equity funding to help students that can’t afford different programs and require support.
“I hope that I have helped to establish a culture of kindness and compassion and caring and that it will continue, that is my hope,” Rogers said at the time.
Board officials say Rogers’ dedication to the UGDSB and to public education was “unmatched” and she will be remembered fondly for “her steady leadership, her keen eye to fiscal responsibility and her great storytelling.”
“We are all so very saddened to learn of this news today, especially coming so shortly after Martha’s retirement,” stated Brent McDonald, executive superintendent of education.
“Our entire system will be forever grateful for her contributions to our students, staff and school communities.”
Board officials say Rogers’ family will be holding a celebration of life in the new year.
