Sandra Herbst

Educating for humanity requires tenacity, compassion, and courage—qualities Sandra has cultivated through her work in communities across Canada and around the world. She has served as coach, mentor, teacher, facilitator, keynote speaker, and collaborator with Ministries of Education, school boards, universities, and educational organizations. In every setting, she engages partners in reflecting on current practice, imagining long-term aspirations, and disrupting the status quo to achieve life-worthy learning.

At the core of Sandra’s work is a belief in the power of relationships. Whether sitting on the floor with a four-year-old, learning with Elders in northern communities, or working alongside teachers and leaders, she is guided by the conviction that the student–teacher relationship must flourish for education to thrive. Her writing—including books, articles, and research on leadership, systems thinking, and assessment—is grounded in practice and shaped by students, teachers, and leaders who challenge her thinking and co-design approaches to learning and flourishing.

Sandra’s career has been enriched by colleagues who encouraged her growth as teacher, leader, and past president of the Manitoba Association of School Superintendents. These experiences have deepened her commitment to equity in education and the role of schools in strengthening democracy. She now serves as Superintendent/CEO of River East Transcona School Division in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where returning to her roots grounds her in the belief that every person deserves to be wrapped in care, dignity, and love.