After a long and successful career in Catholic education, which spans 35 years, Laura Callaghan has announced her retirement as Superintendent of Education, effective November 1, 2023.
Mrs. Callaghan began teaching French with the former Kent County Roman Catholic Separate School Board at École St. Francis in Tilbury, in 1988. She also taught at St. Joseph, Tilbury; Ursuline College; Monsignor Uyen; and the former Our Lady of Fatima before moving to the Catholic Education Centre as a Catholic Curriculum Consultant, with primary responsibility for French and the Arts.
She was appointed to her first principalship at Holy Family, which was followed by appointments at St. Joseph, Chatham and Christ The King. Her time as a school principal was interrupted with a return to the CEC, when she was appointed to the role of Assistant to the Superintendent. In 2015, Mrs. Callaghan was appointed to serve as Superintendent of Education. Most recently, she helped lead the school community consultation for the new Gregory A. Hogan Catholic School, which is currently under construction in Sarnia.
Provincially, Mrs. Callaghan served as President of OCSOA (Ontario Catholic Supervisory Officers’ Association) during the 2022-2023 school year and has sat as a member of the organization’s Board of Directors for several years. She is currently Chair of the Catholic Curriculum Corporation, a consortium which provides curriculum services to 17 Catholic school boards across central and western Ontario.
“For 35 years Laura has faithfully and lovingly served students, families and colleagues, both at St. Clair Catholic and across the province, with wisdom, grace and a gentle spirit,” says Scott Johnson, Director of Education. “Her love of Catholic education and its mission to provide faith-filled learning in the formation of young people to become disciples of Christ has been at the centre of her life and her career.”
“Now, she leaves to take on a new role, perhaps the best ever, as Grandma to two new grandbabies. Although we join in her excitement as she embarks on this new chapter in her life, we do so with a measure of sorrow, for the loss of a loved colleague and the tremendous knowledge and experience that she will take with her,” says Mr. Johnson. “Laura, on behalf of us all, God’s blessings to you and your family, for a rich and rewarding retirement!”
Members of the Board of Trustees expressed their thanks and appreciation to Laura for her service to St. Clair Catholic and Catholic education in Ontario, at tonight’s Regular Board Meeting.