BSD names Sawa assistant superintendent

The Brandon School Division has appointed Michelle Sawa as its new assistant superintendent of curriculum and human resources, effective July.

Sawa will replace Jon Zilkey, who is expected to assume the role of superintendent for the division in July.

The announcement, made by the division’s board of trustees, brings an experienced education leader to Brandon, with Sawa offering more than 25 years in K-12 education, including over seven years as a senior administrator in Ontario, where she most recently served as a superintendent.

Sawa said both professional alignment and personal connection drew her to the role.

“Brandon School Division’s strong, student-centred and collaborative approach really aligns with how I lead,” she told the Sun. “There’s also a personal connection, returning to the prairies feels like coming home, and it’s meaningful to contribute to a community that reflects many of the values that shaped me.”

At this stage in her career, she said, she was seeking an opportunity to contribute at a system level while maintaining close ties to schools.

In her first year, Sawa said relationship-building will be central to her approach.

“My priority will be listening, building relationships and understanding the strengths already in place,” she said. “From there, it’s about supporting staff and keeping a clear focus on student success and well-being.”

Sawa brings significant experience in literacy development, having led K-12 literacy initiatives in Ontario. She said adapting that work to Brandon will begin with understanding local needs.

“Every community is different, so I’ll start by learning what’s already working well,” she said. “… plan to support evidence-informed practices tailored to local students and educators.”

Her approach to data in education will emphasize practical classroom impact.

“Data is a tool to support decision-making, not drive it in isolation,” Sawa said. “The focus is making it meaningful for educators so it directly informs classroom practice and improves student outcomes.”

In addition to curriculum, Sawa will oversee human resources, an area she said comes with ongoing challenges in recruitment and retention.

“People stay where they feel supported and valued,” she said. “That means strong onboarding, ongoing learning, and creating a culture where staff feel heard and connected to their work.”

She also emphasized the importance of effective professional development, describing it as collaborative and grounded in classroom realities.

“When it’s relevant and respectful of educators’ expertise, it becomes something that empowers rather than adds pressure,” she said.

According to the division, Sawa has worked across three Ontario school boards, building collaborative relationships with students, families, and staff, while leading the development of comprehensive literacy plans and using data to guide evidence-informed practices.

Her academic background includes a master’s degree in educational administration, along with multiple education and arts degrees.

The board said it looks forward to welcoming Sawa to the senior administration team this summer.

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