Councillor - Melissa Garrett (She/her/hers)

Melissa is proud to continue serving as a Provincial Executive Councillor for the 2025–2027 term. She brings extensive experience to the role, including training in conflict management and mediation, and ongoing professional development focused on student and teacher mental health.

Melissa began her teaching career in 1993 with the Waterloo Catholic District School Board after earning her Bachelor of Education at Western University. A long-standing member of the Waterloo Unit, she has been active in the Association for over two decades, taking on roles such as Association Representative, Recording Secretary, and Councillor on the local Executive, and serving on the Elementary Bargaining Committee.

At the provincial level, Melissa has served as Chair of the Finance Committee, the Teacher Education Network, and the OTF Teacher Education Liaison Committee. She has also represented the Association at several United Nations Commissions on the Status of Women and Canadian Teachers’ Federation Women’s Symposiums. Her work reflects a deep commitment to improving the lives of members and fostering a more inclusive and welcoming association environment.

Outside of her professional commitments, Melissa enjoys volunteering, travelling with her family, and spending time in nature with her dog, Bentley. She is also an avid vegetable and flower gardener who loves turning her harvests into homemade jams — gifts she shares with friends and family.

“The best gifts,” she says, “involve a bit of time and lots of love.”