NEWS RELEASE

OCSTA Announces New Director of Catholic Education

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association is pleased to announce that Anne O’Brien has been selected as the new Director of Catholic Education, effective January 6, 2020. Anne replaces Brian O’Sullivan who recently retired.

As the current Director of Education with the Durham Catholic District School Board, Anne brings over 30 years of experience in Catholic education leadership. Her span of professional experience includes serving as Superintendent of Education managing several portfolio assignments including Special Education, Student Services, Student Success, Safe Schools, Student Mental Health, and Alternative and Continuing Education.

“As the past president of the Ontario Catholic Supervisory Officers’ Association and a past Vice-Chair of the Institute for Catholic Education, Anne has the provincial perspective that will enhance her role as OCSTA’s Director of Catholic Education. In this role Anne will be responsible for supporting our members in promoting, advocating and developing distinctive Catholic programs for students and families across the province,” explained OCSTA President, Beverley Eckensweiler.

Anne’s exceptionality as a Catholic educator has been widely recognized. She was awarded the Ron Ste. Marie Award from the Council of Exceptional Children in 2013 and received the Distinguished Catholic Educator Award from the Durham Catholic District School Board.

A graduate of St. Francis Xavier University and Acadia University, Anne has completed a Masters of Education Degree from the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). She also has certificates of leadership from the Rotman School of Management, Western University’s Ivey School of Business, Queen’s University’s Smith School of Business and Harvard University’s Executive Coaching Program.

On assuming this new position, Anne explains, “As outlined in our Catholic Graduate Expectations, we are preparing students “to be discerning believers formed in the Catholic faith community” and intent upon being caring and contributing citizens and stewards of our world. I am honoured to have the opportunity to support the goals of our Catholic school boards by serving in this provincial capacity over the next several years.”

A member of the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Pickering, Anne’s family includes husband Mike, their four children and dog Caper.

The Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association is the provincial voice for publicly funded Catholic education. Founded in 1930, OCSTA represents the interests of Catholic school boards that collectively educate approximately 570,000 students in Ontario, from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12.

For more information, please contact:
Sharon McMillan, Coordinator, Communications and Media Relations
Tel: 416-932-9460 ext. 232/Cell: 416-460-7937/E-mail: smcmillan@ocsta.on.ca