TORONTO, ON – Gail Bannister-Clarke, a teacher and president of the Peel Elementary Teachers’ Local (PETL), has been re-elected to the provincial Executive of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO). Bannister-Clarke was first elected to the ETFO provincial Executive in 2015.

“This year, we have collectively fought against a repressive government that has failed Ontarians with their non-plan for the reopening of schools, disastrous COVID-19 response, and disorganized vaccine roll out. We have also witnessed the devastating effect of the pandemic on marginalized communities and the real consequences of the lack of paid sick leave. The united voice of education affiliates, community organizations and parent groups must demand safer schools, stronger social supports and change heading into the next election,” says Bannister-Clarke.

Bannister-Clarke began her teaching career with the Peel District School Board in 2006 after obtaining a bachelor of education from York University. She obtained a master of education from York in 2014. 

Before becoming the first Black president of PETL in 2019, Bannister-Clarke served as PETL’s vice-president for six years. She is just beginning her second term as PETL president. She has also served PETL as chief negotiator, chair of the status of women and constitution committees, and as a mentor in their Mentorship Program for Women. Bannister-Clarke is also a member of the Peel Regional Labour Council and is an alumnus of the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference (2017).  

Provincially, Bannister-Clarke has served as a member of the provincial Budget Committee, Teacher Education Faculty Liaison Standing Committee and facilitated several professional development/learning workshops. She is a member of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation Advisory Committee on Diversity and Human Rights, and has served as governor/alternate with the Ontario Teachers’ Federation. 

ETFO represents 83,000 elementary public school teachers, occasional teachers and education professionals across the province. Its Building Better Schools education agenda can be viewed at BuildingBetterSchools.ca.

Media Contact: Carla Pereira, ETFO Media Relations, 416-576-9074 or cpereira@etfo.org.