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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nToronto District School Board teacher Natasha Mansouri said Sunday that well-respected educator Richard Bilkzsto\u2019s untimely passing is a \u201csignificant loss\u201d to everyone who knew him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a touching and eloquent tribute, Mansouri told a group gathered at Mel Lastman Square that Bilkszto had a \u201ccompassionate and unshakeable commitment to enhancing the quality of public education\u201d \u2013 that he was a rare commodity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite the chill and rainy skies, about 100 friends and former colleagues came out to pay tribute to the 60-year-old principal, who took his life<\/a> in mid-July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He was an educator who promoted \u201cstrength rather than victimhood,\u201d who \u201cdared to question\u201d and who viewed \u201cobstacles as opportunities,\u201d said Mansouri, one of a half a dozen trustees, teachers and community members who gave touching tributes to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am troubled by the scarcity of people like Richard who confront bullies whether they\u2019re in the schoolyard or the bullies who stand in front of the class,\u201d she said. \u201cI wish there were more individuals like him, brave and tireless who take a stance and speak up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf you\u2019re out there, please speak up, you are not alone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was clear she was speaking about the circumstances that led Bilkszto to take his own life in mid-July. https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Ujn6KTzpCbY?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1<\/p>\n\n\n\n His lawyer Lisa Bildy and his family have both said it was the bullying by a Black Lives Matter-supporting Diversity, Equity, Inclusive (DEI) trainer in the spring of 2021 and the ongoing harassment by TDSB anti-racism executives that led to his death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I have requested financial information under FOI legislation on the cost to the TDSB of the DEI trainer \u2013 Kike Ojo-Thomson of the KOJO Institute \u2013 but have yet to receive it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In late July, both Education Minister Steven Lecce and TDSB education director Colleen Russell-Rawlins announced reviews of the situation leading up to his unfortunate death. But, after almost three months. we\u2019ve heard nothing from either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In my view, the TDSB review \u2013 being conducted by the King Advisory Group \u2013 is the furthest thing from independent and merely an attempt to sweep the harassment by TDSB executives and their preferred contractors under the rug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The two teachers who spoke announced an award and scholarship in Bilkszto\u2019s name. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The award will recognize an educator who exemplifies the qualities the principal embodied, said TDSB trustee Weidong Pei.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c(He embodied) a dedication to excellence in education and devotion to his students and their well-being,\u201d he said. https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4iyxjKCRVtQ?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1<\/p>\n\n\n\n The scholarship will be awarded to an undergraduate accepted at a teachers college in Ontario who embraces the same qualities, the teachers said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Teacher Jon Roberts, who was involved with Bilkszto in a chapter of the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism (FAIR), said as a gay man who came of age in the 80s, Bilkszto knew about bigotry and hatred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But he never insisted the intolerant get with the program or else, said Roberts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe was calm and caring\u2026a beacon of positive change,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pei said he was a teacher who insisted everyone have equality of opportunity no matter \u201cwhat they look like.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n After Bilkszto helped Pei win the trustee election in 2022, he told him with a smile he better keep his promise to fight for children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRichard, I know you now look from the sky\u2026I hope I made you proud fighting for the children you love,\u201d the Willowdale trustee said, getting emotional. https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4gmQHJY8qIc?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe are all better for knowing you and we are poorer for your loss.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ragini Sharma of the Toronto Asian Parents Association said Bilkszto was an ally for Asian students \u2013 \u201csensitive and sympathetic\u201d to such students \u201cbeing sidelined\u201d in the TDSB system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She said he appreciated that Asian students were considered \u201cprivileged\u201d and labelled \u201cwhite adjacent\u201d by the anti-black racism focus of the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe understood that Asian students do well because their parents value education and work hard to help the children succeed in school,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe shared his concern about school boards becoming more divisive in how they handled diversity and equity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She added that she knows Bilkszto would have liked the board to do more to bring more belongingness and compassion among students and staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMay his soul rest in peace,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMay his legacy never be forgotten,\u201d added Mansouri.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The tribute ended with a moment of silence in his honour.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Richard Bilkszto, principal bullied in DEI session, honoured at Toronto memorial By Sue-Ann Levy – October 17, 2023 FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsAppLinkedin Toronto District School Board teacher Natasha Mansouri said Sunday that well-respected educator Richard Bilkzsto\u2019s untimely passing is a \u201csignificant loss\u201d to … Continue reading