Members in the News

ETFO Members Receive Premier's Awards for Teaching Excellence

Four ETFO members have received 2008 - 2009 Premier's Awards for Teaching Excellence. The award recipients were honoured at a special ceremony that took place during Education Week (May 4-8, 2009).

• Kelly F. Smith - Teacher of the Year

  

  David Leeder Middle School
  Peel Teacher Local

  Whether on the volleyball court or in the classroom, Kelly Smith believes in helping students realize their potential.  He helps at risk youth by coaching volleyball and using innovative teaching methods, like producing an anti-racism video, creating a teen writing website and publishing books written by teen writers.  He keeps students engaged, inspires them to be good citizens and builds strong relationships with parents and the community.  A mentor to staff, his door is always open.  He has also contributed to the writing of curriculum and textbooks.

  
  
  
  
  

• Jonathan Hancock - New Teacher of the Year

  

  Glen Williams Public School
  Halton Teacher Local
  
  Jonathan is in his third year of teaching at Glen Williams P.S. In his first two years he taught grade 3. This year he is teaching a combined grade 3/4 class. Hancock as a special relationship with Glen Williams. His final teaching practicum was at the school in a grade two class. He is a life-long resident of Georgetown, where the school is located. His father's side of the family all attended Glen Williams and his grandfather was the school's first custodian.

  Prior to beginning his teaching career, Jonathan attended Brock University where he completed an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Child and Youth Studies as well as a Bachelor of Education degree.

The following five members ran for election in the October 14, 2008 federal election:

Russ Aegard
Green Party – Thunder Bay-Rainy River

Russ teaches for the Lakehead District School Board and is in his seventh year of teaching.  He is active in the community, including volunteering to coach children’s sports. A committed environmentalist, he has run both federally and provincially for the Green Party. 

Katy Austin
NDP – Simcoe Grey

Katy has taught for the Simcoe County District School Board for more than 20 years.  She recently retired as a full-time teacher and is doing occasional teaching when she isn’t running in elections.  She has represented the NDP in recent provincial and federal elections. 

Nigel Barriffe
Green Party – Etobicoke North

Nigel teaches for the Toronto District School Board. He is an active member of the Elementary Teachers of Toronto and is involved in the African Heritage Educators Network and the Canadian Alliance of Black Educators.  His extensive community involvement includes working with at-risk youth. This was his first time as a candidate. 

Myrna Clark
NDP - Barrie

Myrna has taught for the Simcoe District School Board since 1995. An active member of her ETFO local, she has worked with students to raise funds for international children’s organizations and to support literacy programs in Ontario’s fly-in reserves.  This was her first time as a candidate. 

Paul Dewar
NDP – Ottawa Centre

On leave from the Ottawa District School Board, Paul was first elected to the House of Commons in January 2006.  He was re-elected with a considerable plurality in this election.  Prior to his election, Paul served as vice-president of the ETFO Ottawa teachers local.  He worked on community health, international development, and immigrant service issues at the community level.

ETFO Members Receive Prime Minister's Awards

Congratulations are extended to the following members for receiving Prime Minister's Awards for Teaching Excellence (Certificates of Achievement) during the 2007-8 school year.

• Sheryl Johnston - Grade 3 teacher

  Roberta Bondar Public School
  Peel Teacher Local

  Sheryl Johnston has been teaching for 12 years and is presently a member of the "Dream Team" at Roberta Bondar Public School in Brampton, the Peel District School Board’s first Balanced Calendar School. She thrives in the collaborative teaching and learning environment at this school and with her team-teaching partner in a pod of Grade 3 students where she has been for the last two years. Sheryl left a position of added responsibility as an Early Literacy Teacher to open this new school in August 2005. She has also been on the inaugural staff of another new school in Peel. Even her first teaching assignment was an adventure. She began her career as an English Immersion Teacher to Kindergarten students in Finland. Sheryl has always been on the cutting edge of the art and science of teaching and learning. To read the media release about Sheryl Johnston, click here.

• Kim Redmond - Grades 4 and 5 teacher

  Codrington Public School
  Barrie Teacher Local

  Kim Redmond was born and raised in Barrie. She attended the University of Waterloo, and graduated as an Honour student with a Bachelor of Mathematics. She has been teaching for seven years, and three of the years have been in the gifted program. She currently teaches the grade 4 & 5 segregated gifted class at her school. Children and teaching have always been her passion, even during her time outside of education. She comes from a family of teachers, and her dad retired as the principal of her current school, Codrington P.S.

  She enjoys working with a diverse and unique group of students. Her best quality is her ability to make a special connection with each of her students and then use that connection to enhance their learning experience. She credits the staff, parents and students of her school for making teaching and learning thoroughly enjoyable! To read the media release about Kim Redmond, click here.

• Priyadarshini Sivarajah - Grade 2 teacher

  Hollywood Public School 
  Elementary Teachers of Toronto 

  Mrs. Priyadarshini Sivarajah has been an educator for over forty years. Her diverse teaching style can be attributed to her teaching experiences in Asia, Africa and North America. Mrs. Sivarajah’s classroom welcomes learners to an exciting, inviting, and warm environment. She is a strong believer in integrating the arts into the core curriculum and using hands-on materials. She encourages self-confidence in her students through the use of drama, music and/or dance. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Mrs. Sivarajah has also held the position of Primary/Junior Chair at Firgrove Public School and currently holds the same position at Hollywood Public School. To read the media release about Priyadarshini Sivarajah, click here.