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Grace McCallum has nearly two decades of experience teaching in and leading International Baccalaureate schools across four continents.
Grace joined Branksome Hall from the Principal role at the American School of Brasilia in Brazil. She is passionate about educating girls in STEM, leadership and entrepreneurship to empower them with the skills and confidence to drive positive change, shape industries and create innovative solutions for a more equitable future for all. She particularly finds joy in mentoring aspiring leaders and is dedicated to ensuring that girls have the support and mentorship they need.
BA, St. Thomas University
B. Ed., University of New Brunswick
M. Ed., University of New Brunswick
Grace's family has a four-year-old Spoodle (a Cocker Spaniel-Poodle) named Maggie.
While she and her husband, Chris, and their two daughters have thrived travelling the world and developing as global citizens, they are proud Canadians at heart, with deep connections to their family and friends in New Brunswick.
A relationship-builder and strategic thinker committed to driving transformational change in the schools she leads, Grace has successfully led forward-thinking building projects and master planning, community-driven strategic planning and innovative student programming. Intercultural competency is an anchor in her leadership approach, as inclusion and belonging are core personal values.
A career-long IB educator, Grace values an inquiry-based approach to education where students have authentic agency. She is passionate about moving beyond differentiation to create personalized pathways for each student to achieve individualized success.
Grace taught in New Brunswick and has led independent schools in China, Germany and Brazil. She has served as vice president on the executive board of the American Association of Schools in Brazil (AASB) and as a board member on the EU-based board for Pioneering Schools.
She has in-depth experience with IB and CIS accreditation, including serving as a New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) accreditation team visitor.
Grace served on the Women in Leadership Committee of the American International Schools in the Americas (AMISA) to design mentorship opportunities for female leaders in Latin America and abroad.
She is a contributing author to the book, What Should Canada's Teachers Know? Teacher Capacities: Knowledge, Beliefs, and Skills, and she has also written articles for publications including School Rubric.
An experienced public speaker, Grace has addressed the 2019 Association of German International Schools (AGIS) Conference in Germany, the 2020 Association for the Advancement of International Education (AAIE) Conference in New York City, the 2021 Women's Ed Conference in Germany as the keynote speaker, the 2022 AMISA Conference in Sao Paulo and the 2023 AAIE Conference in Washington, D.C.
Her speaking topics have included:
You asked, Principal Grace McCallum has the answers! Last fall, we asked our community members what they wanted to know most about our incredible new Principal, Grace McCallum! She answers your questions on a walk with Grade 10 student Olivia through campus.
Interested in girls’ and women’s success? And in hearing from people who are invested in advancing girls’ education today and helping to shape its future?
Listen Here
Branksome Hall is once again at the forefront of educational innovation, as highlighted in the Season 2 premiere of the PrincipalED podcast. The episode, titled "Innovation in Action: Building the […]
In a recent episode of the LearnIt Podcast, Branksome Hall Principal Grace McCallum shared the story behind her leadership journey.
In the final episode of Season 1 of PrincipalED, Grace McCallum welcomes Hayley AvRUSKIN’87— Branksome Hall alum, long-serving school counsellor, dedicated coach and co-founder of Let’s Grow Learning and Living Hub for adults with complex disabilities.
In the latest episode of PrincipalED, Grace McCallum sits down with Senior & Middle School Science teacher Mujib Ahmadiy.
The PrincipalED podcast has just released its fifth episode, "Fertility Education and Empowerment with Dr. Kaajal Abrol."
For episode four of the PrincipalED podcast, Principal Grace McCallum is joined by the inspirational Lori-Ann Muenzer, two-time Olympian.
In this latest episode, Principal McCallum is joined by Branksome’s very own Owen Williams, English Instructional Leader and teacher and debate coach.
The PrincipalED podcast has officially dropped its second episode, “Hockey Day with the Branksome Highlanders,” featuring a candid conversation with Branksome Hall’s very own hockey stars.
A new Branksome Hall podcast, PrincipalED: Conversations with Grace McCallum, launched today—an exciting first for the school and its host, Branksome’s Principal Grace McCallum.
This year’s event carried special significance, as it was not only the school’s 96th Installation, but it also marked the installation of Branksome’s 8th Principal, Grace McCallum.
Branksome Hall
10 Elm Ave, Toronto, ON, Canada
M4W 1N4
Land Acknowledgement
We wish to acknowledge this land on which Branksome operates. For thousands of years, it has been the traditional land of the Wendat, the Seneca and most recently, the Mississaugas of the Credit River. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work and go to school on this land.*
*The Land Acknowledgement may evolve as we honour our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation in partnership with Indigenous communities.
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