Steve Marshall, Deputy Minister of Education

Steve Marshall became Ontario’s Deputy Minister of Education on March 31, 2008.

He was previously Director of the Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills with the Welsh Assembly Government. In that role, Steve initiated an extensive rebuilding of the department so it could better deliver on its priorities, and he also improved its business and management systems. Those actions brought greater efficiency, effectiveness and accountability across the education system.

In addition, he championed tri-level reform that leveraged education improvement efforts in schools, communities and at the national level, and ensured the student was firmly placed at the centre of all decision making. This was reflected in many of the policies taken forward by the Assembly Government, including the School Effectiveness Framework and the Pedagogy Initiative.

Prior to taking up this role, Steve was the Chief Executive of the Department of Education and Children’s Services in South Australia for three years. In this role, Steve initiated major reforms that led to improved literacy results and student retention.

Steve also has a substantial background as a senior executive in education in Australia, where he is regarded as an innovator and reformer. He has a Master of Educational Administration and a Master of Business Administration from Deakin University. Currently, he is completing a PhD at Melbourne University. He is married with three children.