Huron Perth Catholic District school board names new director of education

The Huron Perth Catholic District school board didn’t have to look far for its new director of education.

Article content

Karen Tigani, the board’s current superintendent of education, will be officially filling that role when Chris Roehrig retires next February. While Tigani moves into her new role after 25 years in various leadership positions with the board, her relationship with the Huron Perth Catholic board actually dates back to being a student. A local, Tigani was a member of one of the first St. Mike’s graduating classes.

“I just really want to emphasize that I am from the community and I’m a graduate of the system, and I’ve been a very loyal employee in a variety of different roles in both counties, elementary and secondary. And I just feel so proud and excited to have the opportunity to lead as director here. (I’m) very invested in this community, and in this board and the people that we serve,” Tigani said.

Article content

Tigani, who earned her bachelor of education at Western University and her masters in educational leadership at Niagara University, previously taught English and drama, and then worked at the board office as learning co-ordinator. Her previous administrative roles include stints as vice-principal at St. Mike’s, Clinton’s St. Anne’s Catholic secondary school in Clinton and Seaforth’s St. James Catholic elementary school. She was appointed to her present superintendent role in early 2020

While Tigani knew “from a very young age” that she wanted to be a teacher, an administrative role was not something she considered when she first started her career. That changed as new opportunities came along, she said.

Article content

“I always wanted to have a positive impact in the lives of children and families in the community, and I felt at times in my career that perhaps I could have an even greater impact on even more people if I were to move into a position of leadership and greater responsibility,” Tigani said.

“In order to move into that position, I need to leave something else behind with the idea that all of those experiences I’ve had — all of those people — have informed me and I feel like I can have an even greater impact. (At least), that’s my hope.”

Tigani’s experience with leadership roles in both Huron and Perth counties is important, she said, as well as the fact that she’s worked in schools at all educational levels, she said.

“I’m coming with a perspective of students as young as even preschool, like early years, kindergarten, primary, and then all the way through secondary and moving into post-secondary,” she added.

Article content

While taking over any new role like this often comes with big shoes to fill, Tigani said she is looking to build on her work with Roehrig and, along with the board of trustees, develop a robust 2024-2027 strategic plan.

“I feel very confident that we will take the wonderful leadership and direction of Chris and the board of trustees and move that forward, certainly embracing what lies ahead. . . but wanting to build on the success of not only Chris but the legacy of wonderful leaders that we’ve had in our board,” she said.

Tigani said she’s eager to start while “taking on a spirit of service leadership.”

“I feel like I can hit the ground running, building on my path and current successes and relationships while, at the same time, counting on the people around me to continue to inform and support the work that I do as the new director,” she said.

Article content