B.Sc., University of Toronto
1992
About David
A teacher's habit of showing up.
For more than three decades, David Parmer has done the same two things: explain complicated ideas clearly, and show up for his community. This is his story.
Photo: David candid, a Stouffville location
Why I'm running
To confirm · pending voice session with David
[Origin story — approximately 200 words covering: how David came to Stouffville, why teaching, and why local service. To be written from David's own words after the content session.]
Three decades in the classroom
David has taught science with the Toronto District School Board since 1993 — biology, mathematics, and English as a Second Language across four Toronto schools, including more than a decade at Dr. Norman Bethune Collegiate Institute.
Beyond his own classroom, he has written curriculum, presented at the Science Teachers Association of Ontario, served on the TDSB's assessment and evaluation team, and twice facilitated provincial summer institutes for the Ontario Teachers' Federation. For over twelve years he mentored new teacher candidates through OISE at the University of Toronto.
With his federation, the OSSTF, David served as branch president, branch vice-president, political action representative, and on the staff workload committee — advocating for the people who do the work.
A classroom where every student belongs
David's commitment to equity isn't abstract. In 2019, the Ontario College of Teachers' magazine Professionally Speaking featured him in a story on creating LGBTQ-inclusive classrooms:
I'm fully aware of the statistics that show suicide rates among LGBTQ youth is very high, and it's important to me to create a safe and welcoming space. I strive to have my students feel represented in our classroom.
Small changes matter, he told the magazine — starting class with "Good morning, everyone," asking students their pronouns, and teaching the history of marginalized communities within the science curriculum.
That same commitment carries into Stouffville: David serves as Vice-Chair of the Stouffville Pride Committee — which organized the first Pride event in the town's history — sits on the Town's Diversity and Inclusion Working Group and its Education Sub-Committee, and serves as a Moose Hide Campaign steward.
B.Ed., University of Toronto
1993
Home is Stouffville
David and his family have made their home in Stouffville, where his volunteer record spans the library, the arts, the schools, and the sports fields. [To confirm: years in town and family details David is comfortable sharing — pending voice session.]