2012 Excellence Award Winners On May 10, some of the TDSB's most outstanding staff individuals and groups were honoured at the third annual TDSB Excellence Awards - congratulations to all of our winners! You are truly inspirational and we thank you for your ongoing commitment to the TDSB and our students. Kitty Leung, Facility Permitting Coordinator, TDSB Permits Office
Kitty identified a need to change TDSB permit procedures and worked with the Chief Facilities Officer to change fee structures and help keep TDSB pools open. Her commitment has helped thousands of people reap substantial benefits, contributing greatly to student success across the Board. John Caldarone, Communications Officer, Communications and Public Affairs
John serves as guiding support to hundreds of schools in the western half of Toronto, helping communications flow clearly and timely to parents and the community. From good news stories to high profile media issues and tragic events, John manages each situation with appropriate sensitivity, Lisa Rodopoulos, English Curriculum Leader, Forest Hill CI
Lisa has implemented up-to-date policies and procedures to support student development at FHCI, including book circles, roundtable discussions and role-playing presentations. She is utterly passionate about her work and everything she does is for her students. Melissa Seco, Teacher, Maryvale PS
Melissa is a dedicated and caring teacher whose exceptional communications skills (including a blog) keep parents up to date on what their children are learning. Her creation of a family Math Night at Maryvale made math fun for both students and parents. Steven Solomon, Social Worker
Steven is a constant and reliable resource at numerous schools, advising on Gay-Straight Alliances and his Human Sexuality Program. He has helped the Northern SS GSA gain Association status, much like athletic associations and his contributions to TDSB Pride Week and Black History Month have had a profound impact on a wide variety of schools. Nina Pan, Teacher, North Preparatory JPS
Nina is a cornerstone of the North Preparatory community, organizing the school's Wizard of Oz musical and leading the school's cross-country team and choir. Her exemplary work ethic brings an inspiring and infectious positive attitude to the entire school. Andrzej Pienkowski, Teacher, Albert Campbell CI
Andrzej is a pioneer in math assessment and evaluation, conducting many clinics for his fellow teachers and enabling the ACCI math department to become a leader in education technology. During his tenure, the department has seen a steady improve in both credit accumulation and EQAO results. Mike Milligan, Assistant Curriculum Leader of Phys. Ed., Georges Vanier SS
Mike dedicates hours coaching and mentoring his students, leading to a very inclusive gym and field environment. His Sports and Winter Extravaganzas have helped get more students involved in making sports accessible to all. Susie Neves, Parenting Worker, Parent & Family Literacy Centre at Flemington PS
Susie constantly reinvents the PFLC at Flemington, making it a better learning environment for all children. She has allowed community members to take ownership of the space, helping the diverse population of Lawrence Heights grow comfortable sending their children to JK in the TDSB. Office Staff at Dr. Norman Bethune CI
Angela Tuzi, Karen Tenn, Brenda Kelly, Krishna Ladwa, Arina Kazakova, Susan Schiralli, Michael Motayne and Namrata Mathrani
Bethune's office staff are second-to-none! They act as amazing role models at the eco-friendly school by recycling paper and equipment and conserving energy. Nicknamed the BEAR (Bethune's Extraordinary Administrative Resource) team, they are supportive, understanding, caring and welcomign to all students and staff.
ISO Certification Team, Accounts Payable and Purchasing Distribution Services
This volunteer group has reviewed TDSB purchasing processes to look for ways to improve the system, increasing Board efficiency, employee morale and overall quality of service. The Accounts Payable, General Accounting, Risk Management and Purchasing Services departments successful recertified their Quality Management System to ISO 9001:2008 this year. Living Library Program, RH King Academy
Lois Lorimer Nunn, Peter Robertson, Maria Carey, Brian Wilkinson and David Michaud
This ongoing partnership between RH King's teacher-librarians, Careers and Co-op teachers, students and the external community has allowed "living books" to share their experiences with students. Adults from various jobs and professions are "reserved" by students through the library to informally discuss their careers. Frances Potvin-Schafer, Teacher-Librarian, Edgewood PS
Frances goes beyond the call of duty every day, running an exemplary library program and engaging students by integrating technology in the curriculum. The Ontario Library Association used her program and library as part of their Super Conference this year. Celebrating Diversity Program, Danforth Gardens PS
Connie Hammond, Kelly Pollock and Dr. Lauren Dade
Danforth pioneered an initiative to make the entire school more accepting of diversity, following a potentially difficult entry story of a newcomer boy with a rare genetic syndrome that caused him to be blind, much smaller than average and with physical issues most students had never seen before. A series of sensitivity workshops were created for 500 students to encourage openness and acceptance of difference among all students. Caretaking Team at Forest Hill CI
Darren Lewis, Chief Caretaker, Maria Lima, Dave Marshall, Shift Leader, Kevin Pollard, Carmen Scarfo, Robert Sturino and Colin Shen
At FHCI, there is no vandalism or graffiti, largely because of the efforts of the caretaking team. The caretakers don't just clean the school - they make it a safe and friendly environment. Donna Shewman, Office Administrator, Forest Hill JSPS
Donna has dedicated 25 years of service to Forest Hill, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for all who enter the building. She sits on the Board of the school's childcare centre, represents staff at every parent council meeting, runs the student yearbook committee and often organizes trips for groups of 300 students. William Lyon Mackenzie CI Partnership with Baycrest Geriatric Health Care Centre and Yorkdale Mall
Mary Grace Graham and Corina Martin-Lordache
The Baycrest Geriatric Health Care Centre has benefited greatly through student volunteers, assisting with statistics, research, therapeutic recreation and IT. The Yorkdale partnership has given students real-life practical experiences, transferring their classroom theories to the business world. Students receive internship, job shadowing and blogging opportunities at the Yorkdale shopping centre. Joyce PS Teaching Staff
Helen McEwan, Nicole Hoang, Rhea Perreira-Foyle, Lillian Tsim, Farah Rahemtula, Andrea Brown, Brian Chandrapal, Michelle Spencer, Chris Lee, Andrew Schmitt and Syd Wong
The Joyce PS teaching staff are fantastic and work hard to make the school extremely effective, creating class websites that host assignments and resources to help children and parents find success at school. Since 2003, EQAO reading achievement has jumped from 30 to 76 per cent and math has gone from 42 to 89 per cent. Patrick Knight, Principal, Westview Centennial SS
Patrick's vision and leadership have increased parent and community engagement at Westview Centennial SS and created positive working relationships with a wide variety of local community agencies. During his time as Principal, suspensions have decreased from 115 in 2009 to 27, as of January 2012 and literacy pass rates have increased nine per cent. He also introduced the Brothers and Sisters Unlimited programs at the school.
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