The Legacy Builders: Meet Olga McElroy
Welcome to The Legacy Builders — a special feature series I’ve created as Co-Editor of BE Magazine’s Work section. I launched this series to spotlight women who are doing more than showing up for a job — they’re leading with conviction, building with purpose, and using their work to leave something that lasts.
You’ll hear directly from women influencing boardrooms, raising families, launching ideas, leading classrooms, and shaping culture — each sharing how faith and purpose show up in the work they do. Through these candid Q&As, you’ll find insight and encouragement to bring your beliefs to the front lines of whatever you’re building — from your business to your daily life.
This series is a reminder that Monday isn’t something to survive — it’s a space to show up with vision, faith, and fire. Whether your work already flows from what you believe — or you’re still finding your way there — you’re in the right place.
Read on, be inspired & let’s get to work!
Amanda
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Meet Olga McElroy
Wife, mother of 2 young adults, teacher, dog lover, bookworm, Olga is an introvert whose job requires her to be an extrovert! She grew up with three siblings on the south shore of Montreal and graduated from McGill University with a B.A. in Modern Languages and Mathematics, and a Diploma of Education. Her heart is for the kids who “don’t fit in”, believing strongly that they have just as much to offer to this world if not more!
What first sparked your passion for the work you’re doing today — and how did your values or faith influence your decision to start?
I was that kid who grew up playing teacher. Honestly, I think it was in my DNA! There are lots of teachers on my mother’s side. Nevertheless, it was not my first choice of studies in university. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but the subjects I chose for my undergraduate degree ended up being my ‘teachables’.
In my relationship with God, He has guided me through every big decision of my life. Sometimes, this has been without me realizing it until later. Other times, it has been through wrestling and even agonizing before ultimately submitting to Him. The conviction that He is in control of my life was formed in me at a young age and has only grown over the years. In this sense, I believe teaching picked me more than the other way around.
Was there a defining moment when you felt guided or supported in your journey?
I began my career as a high school math teacher and did that for 5 years. When I started thinking about having a family and my role as a mother, I wanted to pivot to something less demanding and more flexible. I ended up teaching adults part-time at a learning center for 15 years.
A big God-directed moment for me was when I decided to go back to the school board. Since I am bilingual, the fastest way back in was to apply to the elementary panel. I accepted a position at a school with a crazy schedule of subjects and grades. I really had no idea what I had gotten myself into! I remember crying out to God for help, and he literally opened a new door. Within a month, I was at a different school with a part-time position. It was one of my best years of teaching. I had so much fun! After that, God parachuted me into my current school where I was moved into a Special Education Resource Teacher (SERT) role. Once again, this was because of circumstances beyond my control. I would have never dreamed of being a SERT, but I love it. And more importantly, that’s where God sent me. And he knows me better than I do!
How do you stay connected to what really matters while growing your career?
Honestly, as counter-cultural as it sometimes feels, I believe that working an 80% position has given me the right work-life balance. Even with kids who are now young adults and living on their own, my role as mother and wife means I carry the heart of my family. I once had a picture of keeping a fire lit in the living room of my house. I felt like God was telling me that my priority was to always keep the hearth burning in my home.
In terms of my walk with the Lord, I can say without hesitation that prayer is the most important part. I have a book of my daily prayers that I have written down, often tweaking and rewriting them every year of so. Lately, I have been reminded of the power of praying out loud, sometimes with declarations and tongues, but also just in conversation with God, literally chatting with him about things that are going on. Added to that is reading scripture, ideally on a daily basis, and journaling. My head can become overrun with my thoughts, especially if there are problems in my life without obvious solutions. I find order in the chaos by committing those thoughts to paper.
What kind of impact do you hope your life and work will have — on your community, the world, or future generations?
There is a social justice element to my work. I believe strongly in the human rights of those who learn differently. I hope that over my years in Special Education, I have helped to change the assumptions about kids with learning disabilities. They are often the students who are underestimated and undervalued. My job has been to advocate for them in the school system, but more than that, I have believed in them, spoken that into their lives, and cheered them on.
How would you describe your personal purpose?
I feel that God has written on my heart that there is no such thing as “the haves and the have-nots” in his Kingdom. This is one of my core values as a citizen of Heaven, and it drives everything I do. It is how I can be Jesus in the school system. He pursued the outcasts and those who were considered less important. He challenged the social stigmas of his day. He saw those who were overlooked or rejected and treated them as precious and important.
Connect with Olga: on LINKEDIN
#TGIM
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📩 Know a woman who's leading with conviction and building something that lasts?
We’re on the lookout for Legacy Builders — the women living their purpose in the boardrooms and communities across the nation. Nominate someone (or yourself) to be featured in an upcoming spotlight. Email Amanda at: Editorials@Bemagazine.ca
🚀 Want more bold insights at the intersection of faith, purpose, and leadership?
Explore other stories in the Work section and follow Amanda @buildwithbizu or @amandastassen for more strategic insights to help you lead with clarity, grow with intention, and build what matters.
