Meet the Team

YOUR CATALYST FOR COLLABORATION

Drawing on our diverse experience and expertise within the independent school world and beyond, we’re here for you, working with our member schools to promote a strong voice for quality independent school education.

Sarah Craig

Executive Director
scraig@cisontario.ca
647-302-8622

More About Sarah

More About Sarah

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

I love being part of such a dynamic and supportive educational community. Learning guides everything we do. I learn something new in every interaction with students from our member schools. At our inter-school student programs, I marvel at how our enthusiastically our students engage with learning, each other and the world around them. It’s powerful to see theatre students learning in a workshop led by a Stratford Festival actor or to see Middle School students tackle a design-thinking challenge around a social justice issue at the Future Prize Challenge.

How did you arrive at CIS Ontario?

In 2017 I was looking for a new challenge after more than 20 years playing a variety of teaching and administrative roles in three independent schools. After years of powerful and meaningful experiences within the CIS Ontario community of member schools, I saw the opportunity to serve as its executive director, as a way to give thanks and to continue the tradition of excellence. Now, instead of being a champion of one exemplary school, I am the chief promoter of 47 of them!

What's the one thing you want people to know CIS Ontario can do for them?
CIS Ontario is a welcoming community of learners who are passionate about their professional growth. The dynamic educators who work in our member schools are committed to excellence and innovation. And, they share this commitment through their volunteerism within the association. Our varied programs and events rely on the contributions made our member school volunteers. Members of our community know that when they connect through our inter-school events and networks, they will find like-minded peers and will gain powerful network of colleagues and new friends.

Jeremy Barr

Event Manager
jbarr@cisontario.ca
613-449-0226

More About Jeremy

More About Jeremy

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part of my job is the opportunity to positively impact the lives of students and educators. Seeing students grow, learn, and succeed, and knowing that I played a part in their development, is incredibly fulfilling. Additionally, working collaboratively with a dedicated team to create an enriching educational environment adds to the satisfaction of the job.

How did you arrive at CIS Ontario?

I joined CIS Ontario through a combination of experience and passion for professional development. With a background in event management in both the education and hospitality sectors, I was drawn to the mission and values of CIS Ontario. I began my career over 10 years ago with the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS), so I am excited to reenter a familiar sector I have always held in the highest regard. The association's commitment to fostering excellence in education and creating a network of independent schools prioritizing student growth and wellbeing resonated seamlessly with my personal goals and values.

What's the one thing you want people to know CIS Ontario can do for them?

One key aspect that CIS Ontario can offer is a supportive and collaborative community of schools and educators. Through networking, professional development opportunities, and shared resources, CIS Ontario enables schools to enhance their educational practices and create a positive impact on students. Being part of the CIS Ontario network can open doors to innovative teaching methods, best practices, and a community of like-minded educators, all dedicated to providing exceptional learning experiences.

Fariha Shakeel

Administrative & Membership Coordinator
fshakeel@cisontario.ca

CISO Connect login questions: members@cisontario.ca
Job Board questions: jobs@cisontario.ca

More About Fariha

More About Fariha

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my role as an Administrative & Membership Coordinator at CIS Ontario is the opportunity to foster meaningful connections and support a vibrant network of educational professionals. I take pride in ensuring that our members experience clear communication, efficient service, and timely access to valuable resources. It’s really fulfilling to know that the work I do behind the scenes helps our community thrive and stay engaged.

How did you arrive at CIS Ontario?
My journey to CIS Ontario has been shaped by over two decades of experience across diverse service, administrative, and coordination roles. Beginning as a store manager in the retail sector and evolving through hospitality, culinary management, and corporate administration, I have consistently built skills in customer service, operations, scheduling, and team support. I’ve always enjoyed learning new skills, supporting people and making things run smoothly so joining CIS Ontario felt like a natural next step where I could take what I’ve learned and apply it to a community that’s all about education, connection and inclusion.

What’s the one thing you want people to know CIS Ontario can do for them?
CIS Ontario is here to help. Whether you’re seeking job opportunities, networking connections, professional development, or simply a reliable place where your voice matters, CIS Ontario provides a responsive, member-first environment. Our team works hard to make sure members feel welcomed, informed, and part of something bigger.

Laryssa Tyson Lebar

Associate Director, Communications
ltysonlebar@cisontario.ca

More About Laryssa

More About Laryssa

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

I enjoy presenting information in ways that help people discover new opportunities for learning and connection. It’s always exciting to engage with our community across multiple channels. Whether through social media, email, or our website, communicating across various platforms allows us to reach people where they feel most connected. If something I’ve shared online makes your day a little easier or better, that’s incredibly rewarding.

How did you arrive at CIS Ontario?

Throughout my career, I’ve worked in Communications both in-house—at Havergal College, Upper Canada College, and Kingsway College School—and as an independent communications consultant for several other independent schools.

What's the one thing you want people to know CIS Ontario can do for them?

Community building. It’s amazing what can be accomplished by working together. Attend a networking event, join in on an online discussion, and connect with your peers. Your next opportunity could be one connection away.

Tim White

CISAA Director
twhite@cisontario.ca
905-373-9656

More About Tim

More About Tim

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

It is exciting to collaborate with our CISAA member schools and the larger CIS Ontario community. Prior to joining the team at CIS Ontario in September 2020, I was engaged with the association as member school athletic director since the inception of CISAA, in 1994. After all these years, it feels particularly rewarding to have an impact on the association’s growth and transformation for the future. — The future of school sport in our member schools is very bright.

An exciting new strategic priority for CISAA is the development of a comprehensive professional learning plan for all coaches and athletic directors. The process includes collaboration with a passionate and experienced team of athletic directors to align best practices and principles with provincial and national sport organisations to ensure a top-notch school sport experience for every athlete in our member schools. I am honoured to work with athletics professionals who are united by common goals and sport philosophy. At CISAA, our student athletes are our top priority. Sports are a powerful extension of the classroom where our athletes can learn, grow and excel; as individuals, as part of team and through the comradery of inter-school competition.

I sincerely appreciate this unique opportunity to provide leadership and direction for CISAA, the only independent school sport association in OFSSA.

How did you arrive at CIS Ontario?

Athletics has been a huge part of my life for the past 32 years, and my work as the athletic director at Trinity College School over that span of time involved considerable time working within the CISAA. The CISAA Director position combines my past work with some new elements that I find very intriguing and motivating.

What's the one thing you want people to know CIS Ontario can do for them?

CIS Ontario and the CISAA offer a unique school sport experience to students from grades 4 to 12. The association boasts 24 sports, 159 leagues, and over 1400 teams in a very active athletic program. The CISAA offers a diverse array of athletic opportunities for all students and endeavours to provide the opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the athletic experience of their choosing. The vast majority of young people experience sport through their school programs. The CISAA takes this responsibility to heart and is always looking to provide an excellent school sport experience.

On a personal note:
Meet “Babe “ our 1800 lb, 18.5 hands tall Percheron, and her daughter Annie. Annie was a surprise! We purchased Babe from a local farm one August and in January went to the barn in the morning and found little Annie sleeping in the stall with her mother. The previous owner of Babe had no idea she was carrying a foal so you can imagine our surprise on a Monday morning, cold January day to find a newborn in our barn. Our family stayed home that day to make sure little Annie got a good start in life. She is not so little now.
Read more about Tim, his family, and animal friends in this article.

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 574
Westport, Ontario, K0G 1X0

General Inquiries

admin@cisontario.ca

Members, this is the best way to stay up-to-date.

To receive timely information on our professional learning events, student experiences and news relevant to our community of educators, educational staff and administrators, please ensure you are listed as a member in our database. All employees of our member schools are automatically entitled to CIS Ontario membership.

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If you do not, please fill out this brief membership form.