Henry Contant, MEd
Biography
Henry’s 40 year commitment to Christian education began as a high school teacher and curriculum writer (first decade), then as a school principal (second decade), and director of development (third decade). He then served as Executive Director of the Society of Christian Schools in British Columbia (SCSBC) for 12 years, retiring in 2015. SCSBC is a group of 40 Christian schools, 12,500 students, 1000 teachers & support staff and 100 principals and assistant principals committed to working together in community.
Henry remains passionate about Christian school leadership development evidenced his decade of involvement as a faculty member in the Christian Schools International Educator Leadership Development Institute (ELDI); a part-time instructor teaching within Trinity Western University’s M.Ed. Leadership program since 2009; and joining Calvin College’s Van Lunen Center-Executive Management in Christian Schools faculty in 2014.
For the past 30 years Henry has also served the Ministry of Education in British Columbia inspecting independent, faith-based, and offshore schools. To date, he has inspected over 110 schools in British Columbia, China, South Korea, Qatar, and Thailand. He has also worked for about a year among Christian schools in Australia and South Africa.
Henry has served and continues to serve on several boards including Christian Schools International (vice-chair), Christian Schools Canada (chair), Federation of Independent School Associations-BC. He has led numerous workshops, seminars, and retreats on such topics as Strategic Planning, Board Governance, School Leadership, Teacher Evaluations, HR & Employment Issues, Parent Partnership, Rethinking Admissions Policies, Promotions & Marketing, Capital Campaigns and the Establishment of Development programs.
Henry is married to Jan Oosterhof-Contant and they live in Abbotsford, British Columbia. Jan is an associate professor in the continuing education program of the University of the Fraser Valley. They have two adult children and one daughter-in-law, all graduates from a Christian college. Their son is in business, their daughter a high school teacher, and their daughter-in-law a middle school teacher. Two preschool granddaughters entering school have again personalized Henry’s passion for what Christian schools and 21st century learning ought to look like.