Collaborative Education Alliance

A New Charity Supporting Meaningful Education

CEA supports schools and initiatives that develop the whole child - building character, agency, creativity and real-world capability alongside strong academics. We began with one founder school and are building toward a wider network committed to more meaningful education.

Why This Matters Donate Now

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Our Mission

Every child deserves an education that prepares them for life, not just exams. CEA exists to strengthen learning environments that build character alongside curriculum, give students meaningful responsibility and ownership, and recognize that who a child becomes matters just as much as what they achieve.

We are beginning with direct support for students and educators at our founder school while creating initiatives that bring this philosophy to the wider community. Over time, our goal is to connect and support aligned schools that are rethinking what education can be.

What CEA Is Building

Three commitments that guide every decision we make.

Founder School Support

We support student access and learning at Evergreen Leadership Academy through tuition assistance, educational equipment and classroom resources.

Whole-Child Education

We champion learning environments that develop character, creativity, communication, resilience and practical capability alongside academics.

A Network Over Time

Our long-term vision is a connected community of aligned schools that can learn from one another, strengthen their work and expand their impact.

Young participants working together during the Games of Excellence

A CEA Initiative

A Different Kind of Challenge

On October 25, young people from across the community will come together for the first Games of Excellence, a team competition where success is not measured simply by what you know, but by what you can do with what you know.

Think • Move • Build • Create • Communicate

October 25, 2026 1:30–3:30 PM

Improve Canada Vaughan, Ontario

Ages 7–13 Teams of 5

12 Teams Selected $1,000+ in Prizes

Interested in supporting excellence in young leaders?

Become a Sponsor →

Applications open September 8 at 5:00 PM

Discover the Games

Where It Began

June 16, 2026 • CEA Inaugural Fundraising Gala

On June 16, families, educators and community supporters came together for CEA's first fundraising gala - turning a shared belief in better education into direct support for students. Funds raised through the campaign are dedicated to student access, educational equipment and classroom resources at our founder school.

Inaugural Gala June 16, 2026

Beneficiary Evergreen Leadership Academy

Funds Support Student Access And Classroom Resources

Host Collaborative Education Alliance (CEA)

Get in Touch Continue Supporting

Students learning together in an outdoor classroom setting

"Designed around how students truly grow."

Our Story

Built for How Students Actually Grow

CEA grew from a simple conviction: strong academics matter, but education should develop far more than academic performance. Children also need opportunities to build character, confidence, judgment, creativity and independence.

Our work began with Evergreen Leadership Academy, our founder school, where this philosophy is being put into practice every day. CEA was created to help make learning environments like this more accessible, better resourced and increasingly connected - while bringing meaningful educational challenges and opportunities to the wider community.

Our Values

The principles we look for in the learning environments and initiatives we support.

Ownership

Students take responsibility for their learning

Agency

Students have real choice and voice

Growth Through Challenge

Real development comes from meaningful struggle

Character First

Who students become matters more than what they complete

Intentional Design

Learning environments are built with purpose, not tradition

Voices from Our Founder School

Families and community members at Evergreen Leadership Academy on what this kind of education means to them.

“

Nothing makes me happier than seeing my kiddo's personality and accomplishments celebrated. Thank you for all you've done for our kids the past year!

Evergreen Parent

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There's no better feeling than dropping your kids off at school and them running in with smiling faces. The comfort that brings to me as a mom means so much.

Evergreen Parent

“

The sense of community at Evergreen has been incredible. From the moment we joined, our family felt welcomed and supported. Our child looks forward to school every day, and that's something we never take for granted.

Evergreen Family

“

What stands out most is how much emphasis is placed on character, leadership, and critical thinking. We've seen our child become more confident in expressing ideas and asking thoughtful questions.

Evergreen Family

“

The teachers genuinely know and care about each student. Our daughter feels encouraged to be herself, which has made a tremendous difference in her confidence.

Evergreen Parent

“

We wanted an education that focused on more than academics, and Evergreen has exceeded our expectations. The growth we've witnessed in our child has been remarkable.

Evergreen Family

“

One of the things we appreciate most is the strong partnership between the school and families. It truly feels like we're all working together to help our children thrive.

Evergreen Family

Leadership & Governance

CEA is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors responsible for strategic oversight, responsible stewardship and accountability for the charitable use of funds.

Board of Directors

Simon Wolfson

Founder & Chair

Simon Wolfson is the founder of Collaborative Education Alliance and serves as Chair of the Board. With over 25 years of experience in education, Simon has worked across multiple school initiatives focused on developing holistic, meaningful learning environments for children. His work emphasizes autonomy, skill development, and helping students learn how to learn in a rapidly changing world. He brings extensive experience in school leadership, curriculum development, and educational governance.

Lana Cianfrini

Director

Lana Cianfrini is a community leader, event strategist, and fundraising professional with more than 20 years of experience in the developmental services sector. She is dedicated to advancing inclusion, strengthening communities, and improving opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. With extensive experience across the corporate and nonprofit sectors, Lana has successfully planned and delivered meaningful events and fundraising initiatives, from large-scale galas to intimate community gatherings, bringing creativity, professionalism, and a strong commitment to connection and impact to every endeavour.

Tammy Vallieres

Director

Tammy Vallieres is an educator and creator dedicated to supporting children's social and emotional development. She is the creator of the Hero Intelligence philosophy and the STAR model, as well as a co-founder of Raising Empowered Kids. Tammy is also the author of Harmony Hare and Her Three Voices, a children's storybook that uses character-based storytelling to support emotional literacy and well-being. As a practicing teacher, she brings valuable classroom insight and a whole-child perspective to the Board.

Looking Ahead

We are starting with one founder school, but the opportunity is much larger.

Across our communities, educators are creating learning environments that build character, creativity, resilience and ownership while giving young people meaningful agency in how they learn.

CEA's long-term goal is to identify aligned schools and initiatives, help strengthen their work, and connect them into a network that can learn and grow together.

Stay Connected

The Vision A vision of meaningful, whole-child education in action