Twenty-one individuals, including seven from Wellington County schools, have been named “Everyday Heroes” by the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB).
The board’s annual Everyday Hero Awards were presented during a Guelph ceremony on May 29 that also featured entertainment by the cast of Annie from Erin Public School.
The Everyday Hero Awards honour individuals who “go the extra mile to make learning and teaching … worth celebrating.” Board officials state the selection committee had a difficult job choosing the winners from a field of 27 nominees.
UGDSB spokesperson Maggie McFadzen said the winners this year come from all across the board in terms of both geography and their respective roles.
“I just find they’re all amazing people,” McFadzen told the Advertiser.
“I think it’s a testament to all of them that they’re nominated by their peers and [also by students] … They bring tears to my eyes.”
The seven winners from the county, in addition to two individuals recognized for their work throughout the board, are as follows.
Jane Beaudoin
As chair of the Salem Public School council, Jane Beaudoin has always been a strong supporter of the school and school life.
“It’s a school I went to as a kid and my dad went to and my kids are third generation,” she said.
She joined the school council as its fifth member and today the council has 16 members. Beaudoin can be found at the school each morning before heading off to work. She says it gives her an opportunity to stay up to date on council work and upcoming events.
“It was a big, wonderful surprise,” she said of receiving the award.
Her nomination form stated, “Jane set herself apart as a school council chair from the moment she took on the role three school years ago.”
“Her enthusiasm and warm and inviting nature has encouraged a significant number of kindergarten parents to join council and become part of the school community early on at Salem. She has always been involved with the school community and the community at large, giving hundreds of volunteer hours.”
Nicole DeBeyer
Teacher Nicole DeBeyer, or “Chef D” as she is affectionately known at Centre Wellington District High School (CWDHS), was nominated for her dedication not only to the Wake Up Wellington program, but also as a student mentor.
Launched last year, Wake Up Wellington is the school’s Wednesday morning breakfast program that feeds approximately 200 students in the morning. In her role as a hospitality teacher and coordinator of the program, DeBeyer leads a group of student volunteers through the prep and presentation of the breakfast.
“I’m very honoured and touched that another colleague of mine would have nominated me for this award,” said DeBeyer. “I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. I love my program, I love Wake Up Wellington and I like being able to serve the kids.”
Her work is helping to provide awareness about conscious food choices and quality food throughout CWDHS.
In DeBeyer’s nomination, organizers state, “She believes all students can be successful, rise above any adversity with support and often seeks assistance for the social, emotional well being of students in guidance.”
DeBeyer, humbled by the acknowledgements, just considers her efforts as part of her role to enhance the school.
“I think it helps to build a better community of students here at the school,” she said. “I’m very pleased and touched that somebody would think me worthy of getting an award like this.”
Cathryn Dykstra
Cathryn Dykstra is a Grade 6 teacher at Erin Public School and leads the school’s “green team,” which mobilizes the entire student body to “live green” in everything they do at school.
In 2012 she initiated 39 environmental projects at the school which ultimately led to a Gold Eco School status. One of her biggest accomplishments is reducing the waste at the school by encouraging litter-less lunches.
In 2013, Dykstra initiated a week for the school called Erinspiration, with each day having a theme (setting goals, bullying, Me-to-We, and the environment) with related speakers and interactive activities for the students.
All of Dykstra’s programs have had a trickle effect into the daily lives of students and staff at Erin Public School.
“To be recognized publicly for doing something I love is really thrilling,” Dykstra says.
“Me to We is a really neat avenue educating students and teachers on social justice issues, that kids can connect to. That made me look at how I teach in a totally different way.”
Dykstra said it helps that the principal is also extremely supportive of bringing in guest speakers on a wide variety of topics.
“We are teaching the whole child. It is worth it to take a break from the classroom programs to try to offer some really fantastic and inspiring assemblies.”
Marg Finlayson
A special education consultant, Marg Finlayson was recognized for her “outstanding dedication” as a mentor for special education teachers and consultants throughout the UGDSB.
A bio read at the May 29 ceremony credits Finlayson as an excellent problem solver with “a special touch … that guides teachers towards their own action to support students who are struggling.”
The bio continued, “Marg’s ability to always see the fair and bigger picture of which needs are greatest in schools, makes her invaluable to our system.”
Finlayson said her work involves a lot of collaboration between herself, teachers and other educators.
“I don’t do it by myself so I was a little overwhelmed by this,” she said of receiving an Everyday Hero Award.
Brenda Jongkind
An administrative office assistant at Wellington Heights Secondary School, Brenda Jongkind has worked in the education field for almost 40 years.
She first worked in the Toronto area before moving to the Mount Forest area, where she has worked at the board office and at the local public school and high school.
“It was a great honour,” Jongkind said of receiving the award. “It was a wonderful thing.”
She was nominated for the award by two students at the high school who described her as “an inspiration to staff and students alike.”
“As the front line contact for parents, students and visitors, Brenda always has a friendly smile and a helpful approach,” the students said. “She knows the workings of the administrative side of how the officer runs, and in direct connection, the school itself.”
“As the ‘voice’ of WHSS, making announcements in the mornings, Brenda is a calm, soothing presence in her learning community. Her ever present smile and bubbly personality accurately personifies the WHSS motto of Pride, Respect and Friendship,” the students added.
Sharon Michael
Known for going beyond the scope of her job, Sharon Michael is passionate about what she does for the students and staff at Ross R. MacKay Public School in Hillsburgh.
She supervises bussing, is a lunchroom and yard duty supervisor, assists with Breakfast Club, is a reading tutor to primary students, provides accommodations to students, is an emergency supply secretary and is the first to volunteer her time and support to school and school council functions and activities.
Last winter school principal, Anita Lagundija-deFreitas, told Michael that she wished that the school had mittens for children who have none. The next day Michael had a box of hand knitted mitts. She went out in to the community and found some grandmothers who wished to volunteer to make mitts.
Lagundija-deFreitas says, “Sharon will make sure she goes the extra mile for our students. No matter what they need, Sharon is there to help out.”
Of the nomination, Michael thought the recognition was wonderful.
“Somebody has to do it,” she said. “Help is always needed and it is good to have a positive.”
Brenda Sherry
A technology coach throughout the UGDSB, Brenda Sherry is described by her peers as “an inspiring leader.”
At last week’s ceremony she was credited for working quietly every day without recognition, despite making a hug difference in the lives of both students and teachers in the board. A winner of a recent international award for technology in education, Sherry also made a recent international list of the 100 most influential edicators on Twitter.
A nomination bio for Sherry states, “She inspires her colleagues to think critically about our practice and she is always smiling. Her enthusiasm and positive energy is contagious.”
Sherry credits teachers and other school board staff for the success she has had.
“It was such an honour,” she said of receiving the award. “To be recognized by my peers like that was amazing.”
Tyson Smith
Norwell District Secondary School teacher Tyson Smith was recognized for his effort outside of school hours to coach the Norwell Girls’ Curling Team.
As coach, he laid the groundwork for the team to become provincial champions, earning a gold medal at the Ontario Federal of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) competition in Ottawa in March.
“Tyson’s positive attitude as a coach, as well as his ability to bring the absolute best out of the girls, make him an exemplary coach and Everyday Hero,” Norwell principal Scot Bishop said in a nomination letter.
Smith, who is also teaching at Westside Secondary School in Orangeville this year, said he anticipates being at Norwell full time next year. He has coached numerous other sports, including soccer and rugby, at the high school level, but this was his first shot at coaching a curling team.
“The team brought the skill. I just made sure we had fun,” said Smith. “As a teacher and coach, I just tried to keep in mind that if we have fun competing – then we win.”
Brigitte vonNeiderhausern
Though she was unavailable to speak to the Advertiser in time for deadline, Brigitte vonNeiderhausern’s nomination speaks volumes about the dedication she shows in her job as a custodian at Centre Wellington District High School (CWDHS) in Fergus.
“Brigitte always goes beyond what is expected to make our school a great place to learn and work,” states her nomination. “She is a dedicated professional, and keeps classrooms and the LifeSkills kitchen spotless.”
Her work ethic has earned her the respect of the student population, the letter states.
“Indeed, she takes great pride in how clean her section is, and if she sees a student marking the walls or floors, she will stop them to ask that they clean it up. Because she is so cheerful and well-liked, it is rare a teenager would disrespect her or refuse. The fact they will clean up after themselves is a testament to Brigitte’s popularity.”
Adding to the greater school community, vonNeiderhausern participates in staff events, such as spending Saturdays sewing with a group of teachers and staff who create quilts for charity. She also bakes food to help out with charity bake sales, and knits scarves to donate for silent auctions.
“Needless to say, when her nominator … spoke with other staff about nominating Brigitte for the Everyday Hero Award, there was resounding support for the idea.”
