A Year Worth Celebrating
It’s hard to believe another school year has come to an end.
Over the past ten months, we’ve celebrated remarkable student achievements, opened doors to new opportunities, built bridges across our communities and shared countless moments that reminded us why Catholic education is so special. We’ve laughed together, learned together, faced challenges together and watched our students continue to amaze us every step of the way.
Through it all, one person has been there, cheering them on.
This year also marked an important milestone for Mary Donaghy, who became the Ottawa Catholic School Board’s first Chief Executive Officer (CEO). While her title may have changed from Director of Education, one thing certainly hasn’t: her commitment to students.
As another incredible school year drew to a close, one Grade 6 class at St. Catherine Elementary School decided there was only one thing left to do. Interview Mary.
Meet The Coyote Cast
As part of the school’s Building Bridges Project, Educator Teddy Charles challenged his students to think like journalists.
Calling themselves The Coyote Cast, after their school mascot, the students planned, filmed and edited a one-of-a-kind interview with OCSB’s new CEO.
And they didn’t hold back.
Questions Worth Asking
The students wanted to know where Mary grew up. What inspired her to become an educator. What book every student should read? The best and hardest parts of her job.
And perhaps the most important question of all…
“What’s the best dessert in Ottawa?”
Mary answered every question with warmth, honesty and plenty of laughter. She shared memories of growing up north of Toronto, explained how teaching swimming lessons inspired her career in education, reflected on the joy of visiting schools and admitted that long evening meetings can make for some very long days.
More importantly, she gave students something every great leader gives the people they serve: her time, her attention and the reassurance that their voices matter.
Bringing The Story To Life
The storytelling didn’t stop when the cameras stopped rolling.
Using creative editing, the students transformed the interview into a production entirely their own. When Mary mentioned those long days, a perfectly timed image of someone yawning appeared on screen. As each student asked a question, AI-generated versions of themselves helped bring the story to life.
Every visual reflected the creativity, humour and imagination that made this project uniquely theirs.
It’s thoughtful.
It’s funny.
And it’s wonderfully authentic.
Building Bridges Through Student Voice
In many ways, the interview captures everything the Building Bridges Project is about.
Students building confidence.
Learning to communicate.
Asking thoughtful questions.
Making meaningful connections.
And discovering that their ideas deserve to be heard.
Through research, question development, interviewing and digital storytelling, students were developing many of the skills that sit at the heart of deep learning, including communication, creativity and citizenship.
They weren’t simply interviewing the CEO of one of Ontario’s largest Catholic school boards. They were building a bridge between students and leadership and discovering that curiosity can open doors to conversations that matter.
A Conversation Students Won’t Forget
Watching the interview, it’s easy to understand why so many people across OCSB enjoy working with Mary.
Despite leading one of Ontario’s largest Catholic school boards, she took the time to sit with a classroom of curious students, answer every question with sincerity and remind them that leadership begins with listening.
As we wrap up another unforgettable school year, we can’t think of a better way to celebrate both our students and our leader.
Yes, Mary is now our CEO.
But she’s still the Mary our students were excited to meet.
And after spending a few minutes with The Coyote Cast, we think you’ll understand why this was a conversation the students won’t soon forget.
Enjoy the interview, and have a wonderful summer!
