OTTAWA -- A New Brunswick woman has been elected the new president of the Canadian Teachers' Federation.

Heather Smith of Bathurst was voted president on Saturday at the group's annual meeting in Ottawa.

Smith takes over from outgoing president Dianne Woloschuk.

Smith has been a teacher for more than 30 years, and has held other positions on the federation's executive committee in the past.

In a release Smith said she looks forward to the challenge of the presidency.