The end of an era: Superintendent Jordan Tinney retires from Surrey Schools

Grade 1 students from Bear Creek Elementary read to Dr. Jordan Tinney on Tuesday as part of a series of surprises from students and staff in his last week at Surrey Schools.

It's Dr. Jordan Tinney's final days as Superintendent of Surrey Schools, signalling the end of his time at the helm of B.C.'s largest school district.

For almost a decade, Tinney has held the highest leadership role in the district, joining Surrey Schools in August 2012 as Deputy Superintendent before moving to Superintendent in January 2014. He has overseen rapid growth in the form of 1,000 new students per year, supported dozens of new and expanding capital projects, launched the district vision of Learning by Design, encouraged innovation and out-of-the-box thinking and navigated myriad challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years.

"In working closely with our board, Jordan has exhibited tremendous leadership skills and an unwavering dedication to guiding our district through some of the hardest times," said Laurie Larsen, Chair of the Surrey Board of Education. "He has done so with immense capability and transparency, positioning Surrey Schools as not only the biggest district in the province, but, in my opinion, the best."

Tinney got his start in education on Vancouver Island after attending the University of Victoria, earning a Bachelor of Education, Masters of Administration and a Ph. D. in Curriculum Studies. Prior to Surrey Schools, he worked as an Assistant Superintendent in Saanich and was Superintendent in Comox before moving to the Lower Mainland and taking the Deputy Superintendent position in Vancouver.

Students from North Surrey Secondary's Polaris choral group performed for Dr. Jordan Tinney on Monday, kicking off a week of student surprises for the departing superintendent.

Since becoming Surrey's Superintendent in 2014, Tinney has seen the construction of eight new schools and facilities, including (in order of opening) the Resource Education Centre, École Salish Secondary, Douglas Elementary, Edgewood Elementary, Maddaugh Elementary, Grandview Heights Secondary, and the ongoing work Regent Road Elementary and Ta'talu Elementary. He also oversaw 16 school additions and seven seismic upgrades to existing schools, as well as six more capital projects currently in the design phase.

Tinney has worked extensively with the Surrey Board of Education, senior team, principals and vice-principals, Surrey Teachers' Association, CUPE Local 728, the Exempt Professionals Employees Group and the District Parent Advisory Council throughout his time with Surrey Schools, in addition to serving as a director of the BC School Superintendent Association, the BC Council for International Education and The Learning Partnership.

We offer our sincere thanks for all Dr. Tinney has brought to our district and wish him all the best in his retirement.