It’s not enough to cram your brain with knowledge just to score high marks. International Baccalaureate (IB) educator David Mindorff encouraged Branksome students to use knowledge to expand their critical thinking. Then, equipped to ask critical questions, they could work toward what David believed in: creating a better world.
When David joined Branksome in 2003, the school had already qualified for the IB’s Diploma Programme (DP). “It was David, as DP Coordinator, who helped us really understand the IB mission,” says Heather Friesen, Head, Academics and Professional Learning. “Many schools approach IB as a journey of examinations, but David engaged us in connecting with its higher goals: what it could mean to be an IB World School, grounded in developing internationally minded young people.”
And in turn, relates David’s wife, Michèle Mindorff, “he received continuous support from the Branksome Hall team and from the significant professional development the school provided.”
Michèle says David took the practice of involving, engaging and enlightening staff “when he went on to head his next two schools. David firmly believed that we could always learn.”
Born in Stratford, Ontario, David grew up in Fort Erie. He earned his bachelor of arts and sciences degree at McMaster University, a B.Ed. at the University of Ottawa and a master’s in science at the University of London.
As Michèle notes, David himself was a true lifelong learner. He later obtained an educational doctorate in learning and teaching, with a dissertation on data mining in biology, from the University at Buffalo. “I think it is significant,” says Michèle, “that he was a published author and had most recently completed his eighth IB textbook in biology shortly before completing his doctorate.”
David’s most recent position was as Principal at Lyford Cay International School in the Bahamas. At Lyford Cay, says Michèle, “one of David’s students shared that he would ‘wander and wonder with you,’ which I thought was so powerful. David would also say to his leadership team that they must do research until all possibilities had been excluded, in order to have a full mind to make a sound decision.”
Sara AKBARI’09 remembers dreading science, “until I joined Mr. Mindorff’s biology class. A soft-spoken yet wildly intelligent teacher, he didn’t see my struggles and stubborn mindset as something to solve. He saw a frustrated student with the potential to do well if given a little more support and encouragement.
“Mr. Mindorff cracked the code to help me understand, and dare I say enjoy, the subject he held so dear. It was through listening to
the joy in his voice when talking about a simple scientific occurrence that I learned not only about biology, but also what it means to be an educator.” Inspired by David, Sara now teaches at the Cambridge Friends School in Massachusetts.
For Hubie YU’08, “Mr. Mindorff emphasized the importance of studying both the arts and sciences, as it would make me a more well-rounded individual and thinker. Thanks to him, my passion for both arts and science continued in law school.”
Hubie went on to achieve her “dream job” of commercial counsel at Toronto-based 1Password, which helps companies protect employee passwords and other sensitive business information. She also gives back to Branksome as volunteer Treasurer/Member at Large of the Alumnae Association.
David had another much-appreciated attribute: “He let us have fun!” says Alex MORTON’09, an RBC Capital Markets change manager specializing in technology-product rollout. Alex also volunteers as a mentor for young leaders, and as President of Branksome’s Alumnae Association.
The fun went both ways, she says. As Alex’s Grades 7–8 group Advisor, David wrote in her yearbook that they always kept him laughing.
“I was then fortunate enough to have Mr. Mindorff as my teacher in my final years at Branksome,” Alex says. “He believed in each of us. Whatever work you were doing, or struggling with, he’d be right there with you.”
David’s parents were significant influences, says Michèle. “They taught their 11 children through modelling and by service to others. David, in turn, served others all the time, as a leader, teacher and someone who shared his vision, care and listening ear.”
Michèle adds that, with his combined humility and dedication, “David never missed an opportunity to help if he could. He always said that any interaction we have in a meeting or one on one should leave the situation better. David’s own presence made any situation better.”
Along with Michèle, David is survived by their sons Nicholas, Michael, Benjamin and Jonathan.
