First VP - Lisa Lacaria (She/her/hers)

Lisa grew up in Red Rock, Ontario, attending St. Hilary Catholic School — the same board her parents worked for, with her mother as a librarian and her father as a Catholic principal and proud OECTA member. Their example inspired her to become an educator and union advocate. After attending Queen’s University, Lisa originally planned to teach high school, until her first placement in a Kindergarten classroom changed everything. She knew immediately that elementary education, particularly the early years, was where she belonged.

Lisa’s involvement with OECTA began in her very first year of teaching at Holy Name of Jesus School in Hornepayne. Encouraged by her father to get involved, she didn’t hesitate when asked if she’d like to attend a meeting in Toronto. That first step quickly led to others: becoming a voting member of the Council of Presidents and joining the local bargaining team — all within her first year.

Lisa eventually returned to Red Rock, where she taught at St. Edward School in Nipigon — the same school where her father had once been principal, and where she and her siblings had spent time playing in classrooms as children. Before becoming a full-time union leader, she taught Kindergarten; an experience that continues to shape her nurturing, relationship-based leadership style.

For the past 16 years, Lisa has served as Unit President of one of OECTA’s smallest units by membership, but one of the largest geographically. Her leadership has always been marked by a collaborative approach, a deep commitment to equity, and a belief in building trust through personal connection. Cookies are baked and brought to every school visit in her unit. Without fail for the past 16 years, and during the last round of bargaining, she baked approximately 1,392 cookies over 20 months at the table. For Lisa, the personal touch isn’t just a detail, it’s a priority. She is well known for showing up — whether it’s visiting every school in her unit, marching in Pride parades, attending retirement celebrations, or reaching out to fellow presidents across the province.

Lisa’s work at the provincial level includes serving on numerous committees — such as Personnel, Awards, LTD, and the Provincial Bargaining Team, where she most recently served as Chair. Lisa takes pride in being a strong female leader and a trusted voice for Catholic teachers, committed to transparency, empowerment, and building community across OECTA.

In 2025, Lisa was elected as OECTA’s First Vice-President. Whether baking cookies or offering heartfelt advice to a colleague, she leads with care and consistency. When she’s not working, Lisa is an avid reader and proud Lego builder — a pandemic hobby that became a full-blown obsession. As she jokes, “Nothing in my house is alive — even the plants are made of Lego.”