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.

“ETFO’s Awards Program celebrates members and other individuals whose achievements, service, and leadership strengthen public education, their communities, and their union,” says ETFO President David Mastin. “These award recipients are champions for public education in Ontario and beyond. Their commitment doesn’t just inspire us; it moves our entire system forward.”

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:

• Karen Brown, Past ETFO Provincial President
• Mary Karchemny, Past ETFO President, Waterloo Region Occasional Teacher Local
• Erin Blair, Past ETFO President, Upper Canada Teacher Local

The following ETFO Awards were presented this year:

Anti-Bias Award

Stephanie Sadownik, York Region Occasional Teacher Local

Anti-Poverty Award

Yalda Schwartz, Elementary Teachers of Toronto Local

Anti-Racist and Equity Activism Award

Natasha Carter, Durham Teacher Local

Josh Hails, Simcoe County Teacher Local

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

Jessica Bloomfield, Durham Teacher Local

Devinder Panesar, Durham DECE Local

Arts and Culture Award

Kathleen Moll, Elementary Teachers of Toronto Local

Children’s Literature Award

Tamla Young, Elementary Teachers of Toronto Local

Environmental Education Award

Sheila Ducheck, York Region Teacher Local

Local Humanitarian Award for a Non-ETFO Member

Andrea Vasquez Jimenez

Member Service and Engagement Award

Niagara Teacher Local

Trillium Lakelands Occasional Teacher Local

New Member Award

Alexandra Trinier, Greater Essex County Occasional Teacher Local

Professional Learning and Curriculum Development Award

Patrick Johnson, Simcoe County Teacher Local

Professional Learning and Curriculum Development Award – Women’s Program

Michelle Vidad, Peel Teacher Local

Women Who Develop Special Projects in Science and Technology Award – Women’s Program

Nicole Netherway, Niagara Teacher Local

Writer’s Award

Anika Guthrie, Lakehead Teacher Local

Writer’s Award – Women’s Program

Dr. Audrey Littlejohn, Peel Teacher 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.