EDUCATION
PASSION
LEARNING
INSPIRATION
Change Perspective, not just Practice
BIO
District Principal in the Surrey School District (British Columbia)
I am the district representative for Mental Health and Wellness Programming and serve on Interagency/ Intergovernmental Committees for programs dealing with students with mental health issues. I also oversee programs for youth at risk, vulnerable youth, students with mental health issues, and Summer Learning.
Additionally I am an Instructor in the Master of Arts in Leadership Program as part of the TWU Global Department at Trinity Western University.
Most importantly, I am the proud father of 2 awesome kids and have the best life partner anyone could ever have.
UPDATES & RESOURCES
MENTAL HEALTH, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND OUR KIDS
January 1, 2025
This is a presentation I made to the PAC at Ecole Armstrong Elementary, in the Burnaby School District
THE CAUSAL LINK BETWEEN MENTAL HEALTH AND EATING DISORDERS
May 18, 2022
Until recently, society has viewed eating disorders and mental health struggles as separate
health issues. However, as professionals examine why people struggle with eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, they have been discovering a definite connection between eating disorders and mental health – with mental health issues often being the underlying cause of the eating disorder. This hour-long session will dive into the causal relationship between these two health issues and, hopefully, spark discussion on how we can identify these issues early in our international students and help them have success in overcoming these two
very real and life hindering health issues.
COMMUNICATING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES TO PARENTS
May 18, 2022
In the last five years, North American Society has had an increased focus on Mental Health and Wellness. In nearly every segment of society a person’s mental health has been brought to the forefront of discussion when it comes to identifying issues that affect overall health and wellness.
Unfortunately, while international research has come to understand that mental health and wellness struggles affect all ethnicities and cultures – there are many people both locally and abroad that have a lack of understanding as to how their own families are affected by these very real issues. This session will explore why some families tend to not see mental health affecting personal wellness and how we can communicate these very real issues to the parents
of our international students when they arise in our schools and districts.
SURREY SCHOOLS MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS YOUTUBE CHANNEL
October 1, 2020
This is a professional development channel for the Surrey School District, in British Columbia, Canada, focusing on Mental Health and Wellness. Monthly, there is a live broadcast, the Surrey Schools Mental Health and Wellness 40 aimed at giving Surrey School District Staff and Partners "snapshots" of professional development in the area of Mental Health and Wellness.
They are hosted on Youtube live so district staff and district partners can log on and participate in this opportunity.
The monthly sessions are hosted by Daniel To, District Principal, Education Services (Specialty Programs)
Coralee Curby, School Psychologist and Mental Health Lead
This channel also hosts other Mental Health and Wellness Resources produced/ co-produced by the School District.
THE LINK BETWEEN VISION AND MENTAL HEALTH - RESOURCES AT MYVISION.ORG
January 23, 2023
Medical researchers have found close links between eye health and mental health. People with vision impairments often develop mental health problems like anxiety and depression because of the stress of living with their condition. People with mental health problems are also more likely to develop vision issues later in life. If you have vision problems, it is important to take care of your mental health as well. Seeking help from your doctor, a counselor or an advocacy organization can help you manage the impact of your condition and protect your mental well-being.
If you would like to learn more about the close link between mental health and your vision you can check the following links:
https://myvision.org/guides/mental-health
https://www.wellnesstogether.ca/
Contact Information:
MyVision.org is an effort by a group of expert ophthalmologists and optometrists to provide trusted information on eye health and vision.
75 Enterprise STE 275,
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND MENTAL HEALTH 2020 PRESENTATION
November 26, 2020
A presentation about International Students, mental health and membership.
INSPIRE-ED MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS PRESENTATION
November 12, 2020
This is the Mental Health and Wellness Presentation I did for the InspireEd Conference November 12, 2020.
INSPIRE-ED LEADERSHIP PRESENTATION
November January 23, 2023
This is the Leadership Presentation I did for the InspireEd Conference November 12, 2020.
STIMGA FREE SOCIETY YOUTUBE CHANNEL
September 1, 2020
Hey everyone! Check out the Stigma Free Society's Youtube Channel. It hosts all of the videos from the Facebook Live events. Super informative resource!
STIGMA FREE SOCIETY COVID TOOL KIT
March 29, 2020
This is the site for the Stigma Free Society run by Andrea Paquette - otherwise known as Bi-Polar Babe. A really great site with resources for individuals, companies and schools focusing on reducing stigma in social environments.
EXPERIENCING LEADERSHIP: BY DR. CRISTINA EFTENARU
July 08, 2020
An AWESOME Doctoral Thesis from one of my colleagues Dr. Cristina Eftenaru (SFU).
"This qualitative interpretive study aimed to discover what aspects of leadership theory were found in the practice of educational leaders and implications for the design and the development of leadership education."
Please click the link to check it out!
COVID - 19 RESPONSE - SURREY SCHOOL DISTRICT
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
March 30, 2020
During this COVID-19 crisis, it is so important to take care of one's own mental health. The Surrey School District priorities the mental health of its staff, students, and families. My team created this resource for its community.
WORK BC FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES DURING COVID-19 CRISIS
April 9, 2020
Thanks to Zach Blumke and his team at WorkBC for creating this resource for families!
SURREY PUBLIC LIBRARY COVID-19 RESOURCES
April 1, 2020
Awesome resources from the Surrey Public Library in response to the COVID-19 Crisis
COVID - 19 RESPONSE - BRITISH COLUMBIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
March 31, 2020
British Columbia Ministry of Education's Mental Health Resources: a response to the COVID-19 crisis.
RESPECTFUL FUTURES PROVINCIAL RESOURCE
September 01, 2016
The Respectful Futures – Shaping Healthy Relationships resources consist of six modules, which may be used in schools and the community with the various modules being delivered to all ages but with an age-relevant approach. The modules are presented in a manner of progression that allows younger children to address relationships in a more global way, while giving older youth opportunities for a more specific and focused examination of relationships.
This project was made possible by funding from the Civil Forfeiture Office. We are appreciative of their ongoing support and guidance. We are similarly grateful for the senior staff made available for the Steering Committee by Stroh Health Care, the Ministry of Education (Student Wellness and Safety Branch), the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General ( both the BC Corrections Branch and the Community Safety and Crime Prevention Branch), and the Surrey School District.
THE COUNTERSTORY BY: DR. NATHAN TO
August 1, 2018
The Counselling and Consulting Website for Dr. Nathan To.
Dr. Nathan M. To has dedicated 3 interdisciplinary psychology degrees and devoted nearly 10 years of his life researching intergenerational trauma, grief, and our human capacity for grit and resilience--not just how we survive our painful losses, but how we thrive, create, and transform our lives on a new path.
TEEN MENTAL HEALTH
January 01, 2014
By Dr. Stan Kutcher: a program used by educators and social service agencies Canada (and North America wide) on how to recognize mental health issues in teenagers and how to walk with them as they work towards health and wholeness.
MY SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY DOCTORAL THESIS
Spring 2017
Parental Support for Students Who Participate in High School Athletics: An Exploration of the Perceived Influence of Parents and Its Effect on Student Self-Efficacy and Academic Success
This mixed method study explored student athletes' perception of parental involvement in their high school athletic endeavours and how this perceived involvement affect their self efficacy and academic success. The notions of membership and engagement are also heavily explored.
On the SFU site for the abstract here
http://summit.sfu.ca/item/17207 or click below for PDF download.
WHAT'S BEING SAID...
Thanks for the Comments!
Paul Gill, Teacher & Owner/ Operator of Science Talk Surrey
"Having had the pleasure of working with Daniel To, I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, this man is pure eloquence in education of all facets. He strives for the best in himself, his job as an educational leader and as a family man. Dr. To is at the forefront of our Surrey District educational plans and with him at the helm, we are headed in the right direction.”