TORONTO, ON – June 22, 2021 — On Sunday, March 14, 2021, Delegates of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) participated remotely in part one of their two part annual general meeting. This meeting included the election of provincial leaders to represent the over 60,000 members of the educational union. The elected officials will start their two-year term on July 1, 2021.

Those elected were Karen Littlewood, President; Paul Caccamo, Vice-President; Martha Hradowy, Vice-President; Jeff Denys, Treasurer; Hayssam Hulays, Executive Officer; Malini Leahy, Executive Officer; and Colin Matthew, Executive Officer.

Karen Littlewood, was elected the 67th president of OSSTF/FEESO. From District 17, Simcoe, Karen brings with her a variety of experiences as an educator, including starting her career as an elementary teacher, working two years as a provincial Executive Officer and as Vice-President for an additional two years. Karen brings to the position a long history of advocacy beyond the classroom and the Federation. She is prepared to move the Federation forward by opening new doors, by strengthening relationships, and by being a powerful voice that represents, respects, and honours our members’ diverse experiences. 

Paul Caccamo, a teacher from District 6A, Thunder Bay, was re-elected as Vice-President. He was first elected as an Executive Officer in 2017. Caccamo has also served as Ontario Teachers’ Federation (OTF) Governor and locally as District and TBU President in District 6A. He has also been a member of many provincial work groups and committees.

Martha Hradowy, a developmental service worker from District 9, Greater Essex, was elected as Vice-President. Hradowy was first elected as Executive Officer in 2017. Hradowy served as President of the Educational Support Staff Bargaining Unit in District 9 and has served provincially as chair of the Finance Committee. 

Jeff Denys, a teacher from District 8, Avon Maitland, was elected as Treasurer. Denys has served as District President, District Treasurer, and TBU President in District 8. Denys has participated on several provincial committees, including Communications and Political Action, Finance, and Protective Services.  

Hayssam Hulays, a teacher from District 12, Toronto, was elected as Executive Officer. Hulays has served provincially as the Chair of the Human Rights Committee, and was the District Communications and Political Action Committee (CPAC) Officer, Executive Officer, and Human Rights Officer in District 12. Hulays has also served as an OTF Governor. 

Malini Leahy, a teacher from District 2, Algoma, was re-elected as Executive Officer. Leahy was first elected as an Executive Officer in 2019. Leahy has also served as an OTF Governor, and as District 2 TBU President, Benefits Officer, Treasurer, and Vice-President.  

Colin Matthew, a teacher from District 15, Trillium Lakelands, was elected as Executive Officer.  Matthew also served as OTF Governor, both District President and Teacher/Occasional Teacher Bargaining Unit President in District 15, and has served on the provincial Communications and Political Action Committee.  

OSSTF/FEESO, founded in 1919, has over 60,000 members across Ontario. They include public high school teachers, occasional teachers, educational assistants, continuing education teachers and instructors, early childhood educators, psychologists, secretaries, speech-language pathologists, social workers, plant support personnel, university support staff, and many others in education.