"It is with great excitement and a lot of prayer-filled meditation that I take this on," said Gauthier. "I look forward to working with all of our partners and to the challenges ahead. We are a great organization strongly committed to nurturing Catholic education."

The announcement, made early July 16, comes just 15 days before Gauthier will take over the position from Bruce Rodrigues, who leaves the board to become the CEO of the Education Quality and Accountability Office.

Until that time Gauthier will continue to hold her position as the board's associate director of academic affairs, which she's held since 2008.

During the past five years Gauthier has worked hand-in-hand with the board's directors of education focusing heavily on the board's 21st-century learning strategy and improving access to technology. That experience will aid her as she takes over as director of education, said Ann Andrachuck, chair of the board.

"Angela is very passionate about how we can better support the academic achievement and well-being of our students," Andrachuck said. "She is the right person at the time with a clear understanding of the gains already made by this board and how we can move forward together with innovative, new ideas that support learning and deal with the challenges ahead."

A Toronto Catholic school alumni herself, Gauthier received her Bachelor of Education from the University of Ottawa as well as a Bachelor and Masters of Arts from the University of Toronto.

Fluent in both French and English, Gauthier is a respected linguistics specialist in the education community.

Despite her vast experience and knowledge of the Toronto Catholic board, Gauthier said there is still much for her to do before taking on her new role.

"The next 15 days will be kind of planning out who I should sit down with," she said. "So making those key contacts."

Gauthier's first big event will be the Director's Annual General Meeting scheduled for Aug. 27.