president's corner
President's Report

Fellow Teachers,

In her farewell address to the Board of Governors, President Rian McLaughlin made the following comments.

I am proud of our work together to renew our commitment to the Lt. Governor’s Aboriginal Literacy Camps. Also, I am proud of the unanimous support given by all Affiliates and OTF to the documentary, Heartspeak, about Shannon’s Dream and the Youth Day of Action to support the broadening of that dream. I am especially gratified by the broad commitment of all of us to the newly-formed Coalition for Children and Youth Mental Health. As well, I am also appreciative of the support I received to put Taylor Gunn of Student Vote forward as a nominee for the Order of Ontario. These items speak to our collective values.

Our province, our country and our world need the leadership that only teachers and educational workers can provide. We know that what we do in our classrooms, in our schools, in our communities and in communities around the globe is critical to the progress of humankind. Our relationships with each other, with OTF, our partners, our brothers and sisters in the labour movement and well beyond bind us together.

We all share the same commitment to social justice and progress. Recently, in Egypt, a groundswell movement for liberty, dignity, self-determination and justice had us enthralled. We can take away some pride and some lessons from that. Did you know that the majority of the movement were girls and women standing as equals with their brothers, fathers and husbands. We know that the education of girls is easily the most transformative social factor anywhere. We have much to do and the envelope of opportunity is closing. I am committed to joining with all of you in building a compassionate, just society for all citizens and in providing a model for others to follow.

As I leave office as OTF President, I do wish to take this opportunity to express my thanks to all of the OTF support staff for their diligent and professional service to our members.

Thank you for the remarkable experience and opportunity you have allowed me to have as your President.

Rian McLaughlin
President