Steven McDonald Cardwell

Consultant, Leader, and Supporter in both Parker Island and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Steven McDonald Cardwell

Consultant, Leader, and Supporter in both Parker Island and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

As a leading consultant, mentor, and advisor, Steve provides contracted service to the K-12 and post-secondary education sectors.

Steve holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership (SFU) with a focus on student engagement, and a Master of Arts and BSc. from UBC.

In 2022, Steve completed a five-year term at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) leading Student Affairs, Registrarial Services, International, Indigenous Services as Vice President, Students and, before this, AVP Academic at KPU. He previously served as Professor of Teaching and Director of Educational Leadership (founding the TELP program) at UBC.

Steve began teaching in Kitimat and, in 2015, concluded his 35-year K-12 experience having served for over five years as Superintendent/CEO with the Vancouver School Board and before this Superintendent/CEO with the Delta School District.

Steve is Chair for the Institute for Public Education (IPE/BC), recently joined the ArtStarts in Schools Board, serves as an advisor to the Technology Professionals BC Association (TPBCA), serves on the Quantum Algorithm Institute (QAI) PD advisory committee, and is an active participant on the BC Technology Education Careers Council (TECC) for ASTTBC.

In 2022, Steve completed a six-year term finishing as President for the international Learning Forward board. He is a former President of the BC School Superintendents Association (BCSSA), President of the BC Science Teachers Association (BCScTA), and has served on several other Councils including: BCCIE, and the UBC/BCIT Technology Teacher Education Advisory Committee, the Science World Board (6 years), BCCAT (2 terms), the EdCan Network Council (2 terms), and Vice Chair of the Senior Academic Administrators’ Forum (SAAF).

Early in his career, Steve was President of his local teachers’ union and a member of the BCTF provincial bargaining committee.

Steve was awarded the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal in 2013 for his outstanding service to public education. In 2015, he received the Distinguished Service Award from the BCSSA and was selected as one of UBC Faculty of Education’s top 100 Alumni. The KPU Foundation recently recognized Steve by creating a bursary in his name to support students who have met challenges, including Indigenous students, students of colour, and former youth in care.

Steve is known for his valuing of ethical leadership and responsibility, building and fostering strong working relationships, leading with empathy and demonstrating exemplary communications.

  • Work
    • www.myphronesis.com
  • Education
    • BSc (Biology), MA (Curriculum), EdD (Leadership)
    • UBC and SFU