Jane Cutler retired from 32 years in education in 2008. She taught music at the elementary and secondary level with the former North York Board of Education and the York Region District School Board and spent 15 years in the Curriculum Department of YRDSB as music consultant, arts coordinator and curriculum coordinator before becoming the Student Success Administrator.

Jane is a graduate of the Faculty of Music, and the Faculty of Education, U. of T. and holds a Masters of Education degree from OISE/UT. She has been a professional flute player and sings with the Bell’Arte Singers. Jane is an adjudicator at local music festivals and provides workshops across Canada on music advocacy.

Jane is the Past-Chair of the Coalition for Music Education in Canada, and has been a Director of both the Ontario Music Educators’ Association (1990 – 2006) and the Canadian Music Educators’ Association (2001 - 2009).

Jane has been involved with OELC since 1983, first as a teacher-facilitator, then Course Director, before joining the Board of Directors in 1993.

Bev Comfort is a retired teacher currently living in Dundas, Ontario with her husband Jim. She started teaching Physical Education and Math at Parkside High School in Dundas. After 13 years, she moved to Waterdown District High School to teach Physical Education and work in Guidance. Bev retired in June of 2009 as Head of Student Services.

Bev’s first exposure to OELC was as a grade 11 student at John F. Ross CVI (Guelph) when she attended the then Girls’ Athletics Course. So taken by the experience, she vowed to return as a Teacher Facilitator. That goal was reached in 1983 working as a TF in the girls’ athletic course for the month of July. She was part of the administrative team that merged the girls’ and boys’ courses into the current Secondary Athletics Course. She left OELC in July 1992 having been Course Manager for Secondary Athletics.

Bev Comfort has assumed several roles in her many years as a director including alumni representative and Secretary Treasurer before being elected to her current position. She is passionate about OELC and committed to providing the life-changing experience that it provides for the staff and students alike. Bev rows in a Masters’ Women crew with Leander Boat Club and sits on the Board of Management for the rowing club. She enjoys golfing, working out at the gym, reading, playing bridge (with OELC friends) and travelling. An OELC quote that Bev relates to is: Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.

Rock Lachance attended the University of Ottawa where he graduated from the Faculty of Sciences, Physical Education Department and the Faculty of Education. He attended the University of Toronto/OISE where he received his Honours Specialist in Physical Education.

Rock is a teacher currently living in Sturgeon Falls, Ontario with his wife and two children. He started his teaching career at the elementary level with the Simcoe County Catholic School Board, French Language Section in Lafontaine. He went on to teach Physical Education and French as a Second Language at St-Theresa’s Catholic Secondary School in Midland. He presently teaches at École Secondaire Catholique Franco-Cité as a Coop, Religion and Physical Education teacher. He is also the head of Physical Education at Franco-Cité. He is very involved in his community as a coach, volunteer and missionary leader.

Rock has been involved with CASO/OELC since 1992 as a teacher-facilitator, Course Coordinator and Course Director. In 1998, he was honoured by being appointed a Director on the Board of Administration for CASO/OELC where he has been an active member ever since. Presently, he is Secretary-Treasurer on the Board of Executive. He continues to be a champion for Franco-Ontarian causes across the province. Rock is very passionate about leadership and always strives to inspire students to develop their leadership skills by sharing his knowledge in a positive fashion so they can apply them in their everyday lives.

An OELC Board member since 1997, Tony is one of the few Board members from outside the field of education. He has served variously as Vice President and Treasurer on the Board as well as a member at large. He comes from a background of technology executive management within the financial services sector and has provided technical leadership and expertise for most of the major banks in Canada.

Tony joined the Board after witnessing his daughter’s participation in the music course final evening banquet concert. On hearing of the financial challenges faced by OELC as Government pulled back from its financial support, Tony volunteered to help and subsequently joined the Board. Tony’s key focus has been, and continues to be, to ensure OELC remains financially viable and independent in order to preserve the opportunity for this unique OELC experience for generations of students to come.

Tony lives with Gillian, his wife of 36 years, in Unionville, Ontario. They have two children, Sarah and Richard. Gillian is a Registered Nurse, Cardiac Specialist and Certified Diabetic Educator and currently works at York Central Hospital, Richmond Hill. Sarah is Acting Dean of Students at the University Of Toronto and currently completing her masters degree in education. Richard is a Medieval Linguist and currently completing his doctorate at Boston College in Boston.

Paul Richard was introduced to OELC at the age of 17 when he attended the Student Council leadership program. His week at OELC left a lasting impression and showed him what motivated and inspired people can do when they work together to make a positive impact on a project, organization or in a community. Years later, after becoming a teacher, Paul again joined the OELC team, first as a teacher facilitator and then as a program coordinator.

Leadership development has always been a focus in Paul's professional career. As a school administrator, Paul works with teachers and students to build leadership teams that help motivate students to succeed. Paul also works as a consultant in the private sector. He offers project management and advice on industrial plan development. This role provides countless opportunities to see the effectiveness of good communication and excellent project leadership. He also works as a community volunteer, and is a hockey and soccer coach.

Paul lives in Guelph with his wife Heather and their three children Olivia, Lucie, and Sophie. He is proud to be a member of the OELC family and as a board member is dedicated to ensuring that OELC continues to offer programming which allows both students and staff opportunities for personal growth through leadership.

Lisa Wallace has grown up with OELC as a part of her life. Over the years, Lisa has attended numerous Elementary and Secondary Athletics at OELC in the roles of leader, leader counselor and teacher facilitator. Through each of these roles, Lisa understands and has embraced the exceptional learning environment that is fostered at OELC.

As a qualified teacher and sport administrator, Lisa has combined her passion for education and youth development through sport in her current role as Manager, Education, Youth and Community Outreach at the Canadian Olympic Committee. Through work and play, Lisa is committed to promoting the values of excellence, leadership and respect embodied by OELC.

Lisa is honoured to sit on the Board of Directors and is committed to the continued development of OELC with the best interest of leaders, leader counselors, course administration and professional staff in mind.

Mr. Jean (Pierre) Sauvé has been teaching Physical Education and Social Sciences since August, 1986. He has coached swimming at the High School OFSAA level since 1990 and is a Track & Field official and an active member of the Cultural and Linguistic Southwestern Ontario Community.

Jean is a graduate of the faculty of Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa and Teacher's College at the Université du Québec en Outaouais. He has been a counsultant for CLÉ, AFOEEP, CFORP and MEO. Jean is a selected member of the book "Who's Who amongst America's Teacher's" (2002 Edition)

Mr. Sauvé is the past regional president of AEFO Teacher's Federation of SWO. He was the leading negotiator for the Federation overlooking more than 600 teachers from 2003-2006. Jean has been involved with OELC since 1991, first as a teacher facilitator, then Course Assistant Director for two years.

Len’s OELC experience began in 1987 when he attended the Secondary Athletics Course as a student leader. He attended Lakehead University where he completed undergraduate and graduate studies (School of Kinesiology). He was a Teacher Facilitator with the Elementary Fine Arts Course in 2001-02. Recently, he has participated as a Teacher Facilitator with the Ministry of Education’s Speak Up Student Forums and as a Course Administrator with the Intermediate Student Leadership Course.

Len is a teaching administrator (VP) with the Simcoe County District School Board. In his role, he is focused on building capacity via mentoring students to lead by example and get involved within their school and community (academic, intramurals, clubs and athletics). Positive school environments, character recognition, student leadership and the promotion of active / healthy living are key attributes when pursuing student success.

Judy Blaney currently teaches in the Master of Teaching Program at OISE/University of Toronto. She has worked in Teacher Education for the past 11 years, both coordinating programs and teaching a range of courses. Her particular areas of interest are inclusive, culturally responsive educational practices, restorative approaches and professional learning communities.

Judy previously worked for 20 years as a teacher in both elementary and adult education in a range of diverse geographical, cultural and social educational contexts throughout Canada. She is presently enrolled in Ontario Institute of Education’s PhD Program with a research focus on Teacher Education and Development.

Judy recently completed her contract as OELC’s Consultant of Staff and Program Development where she had the opportunity to coordinate a variety of Ministry of Education initiatives in support of student engagement/student voice. Her bio would not be complete without acknowledging the essential role of family and friends in all parts of her life.