Vernon Farrell cared deeply about students and staff

August 8, 2021

Vernon Farrell, who became a Toronto school principal 50 years ago, has passed away.

He died on July 16 at age 87.

Farrell secured his Principal’s Teaching Certificate in 1971 and a Master’s in Education five years later from the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). He was a Toronto District School Board (TDSB) Principal for 27 years until 1998.

Lloyd McKell, who spent 34 years with the TDSB before retiring in 2011 as Executive Officer, Student & Community Equity, said Farrell is part of the cadre of Black educators who shed light on the challenges facing Black students in Toronto’s public school system.

“Vernon was a pioneer and the educators of my era looked up to him to provide leadership and direction in advocating for Black youth, something that was absent prior to his rise to leadership in this city,” McKell said. “We stood proudly on his shoulders.”

International Education Adviser Dr. Avis Glaze worked closely with Farrell when she was a Superintendent in the former North York District School Board.

“He was a mentor to many educators,” she pointed out. “He had a strong sense of who he was and what was expected of him as one of a few Black Principals at the time. He wanted so much to close achievement gaps and to give Black children, parents and communities a sense of pride in their heritage and achievements, confidence in their ability to effect systemic change and motivation to redouble their efforts to achieve their full potential.”

Retired teacher and community organizer Lennox Farrell (no relation) said Farrell was an educator extraordinaire.

“He was very knowledgeable without being pompous, dignified, approachable, communicative, steadfast and always willing to share information,” he said. “Very passionate about education, he was also deeply committed to ensuring that Black students were in Math and Science streams.”

Vernon Farrell became a Toronto high school principal 50 years ago (Photo contributed)

Born in Trinidad & Tobago where he completed high school at Fatima College, Farrell migrated to Canada in 1965 after a period of study in Westchester, New York.

Motivated by the belief that ‘All students can learn and validation of students’ life experiences and culture enables them to see themselves as subjects rather than objects’, he was committed to ensuring that no student was left behind.

“Vernon cared deeply for every student with whom he worked,” said retired TDSB Principal Marlene Kelly in a post on the funeral home’s Memory Wall. “He poured so much of himself into ensuring that doors were opened for all his students, especially those who were marginalized. He touched many souls and was that hand that pulled many of us up the ladder towards our own light.”

At Woodbine Junior High School from 1987 to 1990, Farrell introduced a mini-school system to bring staff, students and the community together to renew enrollment.

In his last three years at Brookview Middle School, he restructured the school’s focus to include high academic expectations. As a result, the North York school’s benchmarks rose above the system’s grade averages in Math and Literacy.

Farrell was an integral part of the Community Zion Intervention Program, helping underachieving Black students and he developed a motivational program for Black honours students. He also founded and edited the African Heritage Educators’ Network ‘Focus’ newsletter and was the founder of ‘Project 90’, a Saturday Morning tutorial program for Black students.

In addition, he presented and facilitated numerous curriculum development and anti-racism workshops.

Canadian Alliance of Black Educators President Kirk Mark said Farrell was a forward-thinking educator who saw education as a gateway for success.

“Firmly believing that the success of students is situated in their ‘book bags’, he fostered and created many avenues for them to achieve a high level of accomplishment,” said Mark. “Also, the wisdom that he displayed and shared with the community produced capacity development to enhance the voices of the African Diaspora and other racialized bodies to combat and dismantle anti-Black racism.”

After retiring in 1998, he took short-term contracts with the TDSB, worked on the Board’s Cross-Cultural Communications Project and was an Educational Consultant with InclusiveEd Associates.

“Vernon will be remembered as an inspirational educator and community leader,” said Ontario Alliance of Black School Educators President Warren Salmon.

Vernon Farrell on his retirement at Brookview Middle School in June 1998 was presented with golf clubs by his successor Barbara Taylor (Photo by Ron Fanfair)

For his outstanding leadership, Farrell was the recipient of a Harry Jerome Award in 1996 and Skills for Change Pioneers for Change Award the following year. He was also recognized by the Town of Markham with a Community Service Award in 1998.

Vernon Farrell with his daughters Laurian (l), Jacqueline & Michelle (Photo contributed)

An avid golfer and cricket fan, Farrell is survived by his partner, Lorna Wiggan, daughters Michelle, Jacqueline and Laurian and three grandchildren.

Such was his love for golf that Barbara Taylor, his successor at Brookview Middle School 23 years ago, presented him with golf clubs on behalf of the school community at his retirement ceremony.

Vernon Farrell was an avid golfer (Photo contributed)

A private funeral was held on July 28.

In lieu of flowers, the family requested that donations in Farrell’s name be made to the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community & Diaspora at York University.

Donations can be made through https://bit.ly/VernonFarrell.