Hamilton Teacher Rian McLaughlin Re-elected as ETFO's Representative to Ontario Teachers' Federation

TORONTO, Aug. 12, 2013 /CNW/ - Delegates to the Annual Meeting of the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO) today re-elected Rian McLaughlin to be their representative at the Ontario Teachers' Federation (OTF). She will serve as first vice-president of the OTF.

McLaughlin, an occasional teacher with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, has been a member of the ETFO Executive for 10 years and the Federation's OTF representative since 2009. She served as OTF president in 2010-2011.

"Collective advocacy is important to build new partnerships, initiatives, infrastructure, and recognition of our profession in confronting critical social issues," McLaughlin told more than 800 meeting delegates. "I am proud to have helped bring OTF in as a founding member of the Coalition for Children and Youth Mental Health. Working through the office of the Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, OTF has also provided ongoing support for Aboriginal Literacy Camps, and been part of the activities of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission."

"OTF's role with pensions cannot be overstated. Our governance has been hailed as a template worldwide; however the unprecedented economic circumstances of the last few years have created challenges. I look forward to helping provide stability, thoughtful methodology, and knowledge to the management of the Ontario Teachers' Pension Fund."

A teacher since 1989, McLaughlin has served the Hamilton-Wentworth ETFO Occasional Teacher Local as president, chair of the professional development and communications committees, coordinator of public relations and political action, and chief negotiator. McLaughlin was named ETFO Local Leader of the Year in 2005 in recognition of her exceptional contributions to her local and to ETFO. She is an alumnus of the Governor General's Canadian Leadership Conference and a 2012 recipient of the Diamond Jubilee Medal.

McLaughlin is active in her community and has supported such causes as the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, Kids Help Phone, Womankind Addiction Service, and the Sexual Assault Centre of Hamilton and Area. Hamilton's mayor has twice cited her for her environmental work with Keep Hamilton Blooming!

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario represents 76,000 elementary public school teachers and education professionals across the province and is the largest teacher federation in Canada.

SOURCE: Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario

Valerie Dugale:
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Izida Zorde:
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Mary Morison:
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August 12-15
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