Let me introduce myself.

I’m Greg Anderson and I write a regular column on a variety of education topics that will be of interest to parents of school-aged kids.

I am a superintendent of education with the Grand Erie District School Board. Over the last 13 years, at one time or another, I have supervised every school that the public board has in Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk counties.

There are currently many issues in education and over the next year I will be writing about them. Perhaps the biggest issue facing parents today is bullying. Some of the issues my column tackles include:

• Types of bullying

• Who gets bullied and why

•  Myths about bullying – Part  1

• Myths about bullying – Part 2

• What’s wrong with zero tolerance

• Tips for parents of bullied children

• Relational (girl) bullying

• Cyber-bullying

• How to deal with bullying

• What doesn’t prevent bullying

Prior to 13 years as a school superintendent, I was also a school principal in Halton county for 13 years, so I have been involved with issues of bullying for a long time. My goal is to help provide parents with a much better understanding of what bullying is, who needs to be spoken to about it and what needs to be done about it. The detailed information being offered in each column will be very useful for parents of both elementary and secondary school students.

Other education topics I plan to look at include:

• Split grades

• What is a good school?

• Next year’s teacher

• Back to school

• How to deal with a principal

• How to effectively complain

Whether your children or grandchildren attend public schools, Catholic schools or private schools, my aim is to offer advice this is suitable and applicable to all.

There are many “experts” speaking about education matters that have never worked inside a school, yet they offer their opinions about them anyway. While well-intentioned, frequently their advice is not helpful or relevant to what parents face each day in Ontario schools.

With close to 40 years experience as both an elementary and secondary teacher, principal and school  superintendent, my goal is to provide information that will be of immediate use and assistance in dealing with a wide range of school-related issues.

Everyone who attended school believes that they know what is wrong with education in this province.

My aim is to provide accurate, up-to-date insights on many school topics based on my years of experience working in our schools. It is my hope that you will find these columns of considerable help to you as your children navigate through the school experience.

Greg Anderson is superintendent of education with the Grand Erie District School Board.