Jenn Wallage, a designated early childhood educator (DECE) and president of the Waterloo Region DECE Local, has been elected to the provincial Executive of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO).  

“I became involved in ETFO at the grassroots level in 2010, building one of the first DECE locals and becoming the first president of the Waterloo Region DECE Local,” says Wallage. “I have a lived understanding that a ‘one size fits all’ approach isn’t practical, realistic, or reflective of the uniqueness of the 76 ETFO locals that represent 83,000 members. I work hard, speak out, and am absolutely committed to representing and advocating for every member.”

Wallage obtained a diploma in early childhood education from Conestoga College in 1996 and a bachelor of applied arts in early childhood education from Ryerson Polytechnic University in 1998. She has served as president of the Waterloo Region DECE Local since its inception in 2011, and has grown its membership from 50 to almost 880 members. In 2021, the local received an ETFO Member Service and Engagement Award.

Provincially, Wallage has served as a member of the collective bargaining and budget committees, Representative Council Steering Committee, Employee Life and Health Trust Benefits Advisory Committee, as well as Collective Bargaining Advisory Council. She has also been a board member of the Association of Early Childhood Educators’ Ontario since 2017 and is a founding member of the Early Years Coalition | Waterloo Region. Wallage is the recipient of the 2021 ETFO Humanitarian Award and the 2023 ETFO Arts and Culture Award.

ETFO represents approximately 83,000 members, including public elementary teachers, occasional teachers, designated early childhood educators, education support personnel, and professional support personnel. Visit BuildingBetterSchools.ca.