Every day, Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) members and other individuals make outstanding contributions to curriculum development, the arts, science and technology, children’s literature, 2SLGBTQ+ realities, humanitarian causes, and other areas. To recognize this, ETFO offers an annual Awards Program. 

"The ETFO Awards Program honours members and other individuals for their outstanding academic successes, service, and significant contributions to public education, their communities, and their union,” says ETFO President Karen Brown. "The award recipients play a crucial role in advancing the cause of public education in Ontario and beyond. Their dedication is commendable."

Honorary life memberships, the Federation’s highest form of recognition, are given to members from the education profession who have given outstanding service to the Federation at the provincial level or as a member of the provincial ETFO staff.

This year, the following recipients received Honorary Life Membership Awards: 

• Doris Duni, Elementary Teachers of Toronto Local
• Monica Rusnak, Past ETFO Vice-President, Ontario North East Teacher Local
• David Wildman, Ottawa-Carleton Teacher and Occasional Teacher Locals

The following ETFO Awards were presented this year:

Anti-Bias Award

Ryan Richards, Elementary Teachers of Toronto Local

Anti-Poverty Award

Sezgin Nalsok, Halton Teacher Local

Anti-Racist and Equity Activism Award

Megan Watson, Kawartha Pine Ridge Teacher Local

Anti-Racist and Equity Activism Award – Women’s Program

Nkiru Azza, Elementary Teachers of Toronto Local,

Kathryn Lagerquist, Peel Teacher Local

Arts and Culture Award

Mark Ouellette, Elementary Teachers of Toronto Local

Children’s Literature Award 

Brenda Lee Gladman, Elementary Teachers of Toronto Local

Environmental Education Award

Haley Higdon, Toronto Occasional Teacher Local

Health and Safety Activist Award

Lynn Buckley, Waterloo Region Teacher Local

Member Service and Engagement Award

Simcoe County Teacher Local

New Member Award

Kevin Watson, Elementary Teachers of Toronto Local

Outstanding Role Model for Women Award – Women’s Program

Pamela Downward, Durham Teacher Local

Political Activist Award

Jeff Pelich, Waterloo Region Teacher Local

Professional Learning and Curriculum Development Award 

Jonathan Pitt, Near North Teacher Local

Professional Learning and Curriculum Development Award – Women’s Program

Asha Nagpal, Peel Teacher Local

Women Working in Social Activism on Behalf of Women and Children – Women’s Program

Chantel Butterfield, Non ETFO-member

Writer’s Award  

Chey Cheney and Pawan Wander, Elementary Teachers of Toronto Local

Writer’s Award – Women’s Program 

Sylv Chiang, Elementary Teachers of Toronto Local

To learn more about each award recipient, visit etfo.ca.  

ETFO represents approximately 84,000 members, including public elementary teachers, occasional teachers, designated early childhood educators, education support personnel, and professional support personnel. Visit BuildingBetterSchools.ca.