Wednesday is an historic day at the Toronto District School Board.

Carlene Jackson takes over as interim director of the TDSB. She is the first black woman to hold the position.

“That makes me feel incredibly proud and incredibly grateful to have this opportunity, and not so much for myself, but for others who will come after me. I don’t have to have come from a very affluent home or a very affluent community or have things handed to me in order for me to get to where I need to be. I will work hard and I will get there,” Jackson explained of her new post.

Jackson has worked for all three levels of government over 20 years, and served as the TDSB’s associate director of business operations and service excellence, for three years.

Carlene Jackson will serve as head of the TDSB until a permanent director is found.

She takes over for John Malloy.