Rose Burton Spohn Named New CCSTA Executive Director

Following a Canada-wide search, CCSTA is pleased to announce that Rose Burton Spohn has been named Executive Director of its Association, effective January 1, 2024.

“God has blessed CCSTA with good leadership in our executive directors over the years.” President Teresita Chiarella stated. “I am confident that Rose will continue this fruitful work not only with the leadership skills and experience she brings to the role but also with her deep Catholic faith.”

Ms. Burton Spohn’s extensive experience in Catholic Education will be a tremendous gift to CCSTA. From years of teaching in London District Catholic School Board to Superintendent of Education and later Director of Education at Huron Superior Catholic District School Board – she knows, first-hand, both the unique joys and challenges of our mission. Ms. Burton Spohn will be succeeding Julian Hanlon who is retiring from the position at the end of 2023. We thank Julian for his service to CCSTA and look forward to welcoming Ms. Burton Spohn to our Association.

Rose Burton Spohn looks forward to serving CCSTA and will officially step into her new role as CCSTA’s Executive Director in January 2024.  Upon her new appointment, Rose shared, “As a person of deep faith and a passionate Catholic educator with over three decades of teaching, administrative, and leadership experience, I am honoured to continue advocating for and supporting excellence in Catholic education that uniquely serves Canadian students, families, employees, schools, and school boards.”

Since its inception in 1960, CCSTA has had seven Executive Directors (in earlier years, the position was Executive Secretary). The Executive Directors have been John Middleweek (1960-1977), Fr. Patrick H. Fogarty (1977-1985), Dr. B.E. Nelligan (1985-1992), Dr. John Flynn (1992-2004), W. Gregory McNally (2004-2009) and John Stunt (2010 – 2015), Julian Hanlon (2015 – 2023).

CCSTA is the national voice for Catholic trustees, representing French and English boards in Canada which serve over 850,000 students in Catholic schools.