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The Catholic school board is on the hunt for a new director of education.
Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board chair Kevin MacKenzie announced the news during Tuesday (March 28) night’s board meeting where Joan Carragher, who joined the board in December 2020, said she will retire from her position effective Aug. 31.
MacKenzie noted Carragher’s steadyfast leadership was instrumental in leading the board through some of the most challenging periods of the pandemic and into recovery. Carragher also led the development of the board’s current multi-year strategic plan, which will continue to guide its direction for years to come.
“We thank Joan for her leadership, her mentoring, her calm demeanor in the face of many challenges and her unwavering commitment to our students, staff, families and school communities,” said MacKenzie.
Carragher sincerely thanked the board of trustees for entrusting her “with this important work,” adding she “did not take this privilege lightly” and is grateful to have had the opportunity.
“This has truly been an inspiring role. Every day I am amazed by the abilities and passions of our dedicated staff in schools and at the board office, and I have had the pleasure of working on behalf of our students, which gives me so much optimism for the future,” said Carragher.
Born and raised in Prince Edward Island, Carragher moved to Ontario in 1990 to begin her career in Catholic education at the Toronto Catholic District School Board. Carragher joined the local board as a teacher in 1999, and after serving roles as vice-principal and principal, was promoted to superintendent in 2012. She served roles as superintendent of schools/special education and superintendent of learning/leadership and human resources before taking on the education director role.
In addition to the renewal of the board’s multi-year strategic plan, which included an extensive consultation process that engaged students, staff and stakeholders, Carragher is also proud of the major strides the board continues to make toward fostering equity, diversity and inclusion, supported by data collected from student and staff censuses.
“The work we have been engaging in to ensure all our students and staff feel valued and feel a sense of belonging in our vibrant Catholic schools is among the most rewarding of my 33 years in education,” said Carragher.
Carragher intends to return to Prince Edward Island with her husband Michael Montgomery, with whom she has raised two daughters, Charlotte and Emma — PVNC graduates who tuned into the meeting all the way from Australia.