Principal Stephen Miles in the library at Centennial Road Junior Public School
By John Murphy
Centennial Road Junior Public School has welcomed a familiar face as its new principal – Mr. Stephen Miles. His journey to this role is one that truly comes full circle.
“I actually went to Centennial Road as a student,” Mr. Miles said with a smile. “My mom still lives nearby, and I attended Joseph Howe and Mowat after that.” His path took him far and wide, working in Asia, earning his teaching degree, and teaching in Australia and New Zealand before returning to Scarborough to begin his career with the TDSB.
In 2016, he stepped into administration and worked in all corners of the city. Then came a family adventure: “When COVID hit, our boys were at the right age, and my wife and I had always dreamed of teaching abroad.” That dream led them to Hong Kong, where they taught for three years at an international school.
When the TDSB asked him to return, he was ready. “They asked, ‘How do you feel about Centennial Road?’ I nearly fell over. If I could choose any school in the board, it would be this one.”
Mr. Miles’ passion for leadership grew naturally from his time in the classroom. “I loved coaching, organizing school-wide events like the Terry Fox Run, and helping colleagues with curriculum and behaviour strategies,” he said. “I realized that becoming a principal was the best way to have an impact.”
“This school is deeply rooted in its community,” he said. “My predecessor, Dan, did a fantastic job creating events that brought people together – like the Festival of Lights for the primary grades. I’d love to expand that schoolwide, with music and tree lighting, just like my family used to do in Highland Creek.”
Three key ideas guide Mr. Miles’ approach:
- Diversity is our greatest strength. “Our neighbourhood is rich with cultures, traditions and ideas. It helps us grow more empathetic and think critically.” He plans to integrate cultural celebrations into the curriculum to enrich learning.
- Happy children do well. “When kids feel safe and supported, they thrive in every way.” To foster this, he’s bringing back the school’s four-house system, named after Centennial figures like Brumwell, Miller, Tredway and Adams. “I was in Brumwell myself – it was such a positive experience. Whether it’s dodgeball or art, we’ll find ways to build community and reward kindness.”
- Innovative teaching strategies. With experience in global education systems, Mr. Miles brings fresh ideas. “I’m excited to share strategies that align with our curriculum and energize our teaching.”
One challenge Mr. Miles is already thinking about is technology, especially the rise of AI. “Kids get plenty of screen time outside school. Here, we need to focus on face-to-face problem-solving and social skills.”
As a former STEM coach, he’s no stranger to tech. “I taught robotics and integrated STEM into learning. But balance is key. As a parent, I see the impact of too much tech. Maybe no Wi-Fi during dinner makes them grumpy, but it helps when they’re learning math.”
After working around the world, Mr. Miles is thrilled to be back. “I’ve lived globally, but this neighbourhood, with the Rouge Valley, the beach, and the national park, is one of the best spots in the city. Maybe even the best.”