The 2016-2020 Strategic Plan for Avon Maitland District School Board was set by the board of trustees after a year of extensive consultation. Engage, Inspire, Innovate…Always Learning became our mission as we considered the potential these concepts have in shaping a student’s education. Still the plan needed to be more than just three words. There were established philosophies from prior years that we wanted to continue to work with: Equity, Character, and Stewardship, and these were included as principles within the plan.
At its core, a board of education’s main purpose is to educate students, and we desire to do this well. In order to do so, we determined two priorities. They are creating positive inclusive learning environments, and maximizing outcomes for students.
The most important part of any plan is the people. Our students, staff, families and communities all have roles to play in the plan. This evening, in presenting 8 Always Learning Awards, we are showcasing just some of the great work that is being done in the Avon Maitland District School Board.
Alice Bundrea, Teacher at North Easthope Public School
*Alice was not in attendance and no photo is available*
Alice emulates the Board’s strategic plan in all that she does each and every day in her Grade 1 / 2 classroom. Alice creates a positive, inclusive learning environment for all of the students in her classroom. Alice not only helps her students reach their full potential she also welcomes family members into her circle of caring and works to provide resources wherever they maybe needed. Alice has led the school’s Dance team at the Annual Dance Showcase for as long as this event has taken place and she ensures that all students have a chance to participate no matter what their skill level may be. Alice meets her students where they are in their learning journey and moves them forward socially, emotionally and academically. She is truly a Champion teacher in everything she does.
Cynthia Carlow, Teacher at Romeo Public School
Cynthia has created a positive and inclusive learning environment where everyone in the class is accepted and feels comfortable in their learning space. She provides exciting opportunities for the students that are inquiry based and she is always thinking of ways to stretch their little minds. She makes sure that the students are exposed to technology and often incorporates the iPads and Smartboard into her lessons. She provides activities that are engaging for the students and Cynthia often has the students involved in the community and learning outside of the classroom. The students have multiple opportunities to be creative, and most importantly are always learning. The parents of the children that are in Cynthia’s class are always speaking about her excellent teaching strategies and communication skills with home.
Anne Guay, Teacher at FE Madill Secondary School
Anne inspires other teachers through her efforts that she quietly shares with everyone. Anne is participating in two school PLC groups (Inclusion and Numeracy) and sharing her learning in both with the other participants. She is an active, engaged participant in the PLC groups and models to the other participants how to be an open-minded learner while asking critical questions. During the week, she leads an Inclusion Club within the school for students. In addition, she is in a true partnership with a Learning Coach and is readily willing to share what she is learning in this partnership with any staff that will ask. She is modeling to others that opening the door to your classroom is positive. Students can take risks in her class because they trust that their teacher is not asking more than they can do and they can achieve success in her classroom.
Heather Hawley, Teacher at South Huron District High School
Heather is passionate about literacy and has worked countless hours identifying and working with students at risk, tirelessly providing literacy support and coordinating preparation for all students. She is incredibly dedicated to the students at SHDHS, spending her preparation period, lunches and time after school providing remediation. Through her work with student success and as a teacher for locally developed students, she has shown a great deal of compassion for those hardest to serve students. She has a manner that makes students feel valued in the classroom and contributing members of their school community. She is always interested in expanding the approaches she uses and is part of the new pedagogies P.L.C. this year. Heather is an incredibly driven and dedicated teacher always aiming to ensure the personal and academic success of her students.
Cara Horan, Teacher at Shakespeare Public School
Cara is a valuable part of the school team and has contributed greatly to the positive learning that takes place. She is always searching for new ways to engage them and make learning fun. Cara coaches numerous extra curricular activities within our school. She encourages every student to tryout for this team or that club, wanting the best school experience for all students. She recently attended the Tim Horton’s Leadership Camp with her classes. They took on the role of raising money for the school flowerbeds and she assisted them in selling, making and distributing popcorn within our building. The students loved this and gained great confidence and learned valuable math and social skills.
Savanna Gulutzen, Abby Gemmell & Gracie Kinsmen, Mighty Recyclers from Huron Centennial Public School
These 3 students have definitely shown others the mantra of engaging, inspiring, innovating and ‘always learning with their friendly, caring personalities and continuous positive attitudes towards their dedicated role as “The Mighty Recyclers” a name they have taped to the large blue bins they push around twice a week. When they began in Grade 2, their jobs included the recycling of milk cartons, compost collection and helping with some of the recycling on a smaller scale. They have inspired others to assist them and learn the routines of the job. They are always willing to include all students with fairness and respect. They worked on an innovative system of using an IPad and timer to ensure that they complete each hall in a certain time frame. They are an inspiring group of individuals who take a stand against pollution and think of Earth Day as every day.
Kevin Nethercott, Community & Volunteer at Listowel District Secondary School
Kevin’s kind, thoughtful and firm approach to interacting with the young people in our school community provides the optimum balance between education, role modelling and parenting. His dedication to the students at Nexus and the wider Listowel community has made a true and measurable impact. Kevin has recently spearheaded a local initiative to fundraise monies to finish a gymnasium at the school site. The students are happy to use this facility and Kevin is proud to honour the diversity of all NEXUS students and provide them with one of the best physical places of learning at this point in their lives. He has also made a significant impact on the volleyball and soccer players he has coached.
Nigel Saunders, Parent Volunteer at Shakespeare Public School
As a parent volunteer Nigel has assisted with numerous events such as cross-country, classroom programs and many other activities. He faithfully conducts band practice twice a week before school, preparing the members for informal school presentations as well as showcasing their developing skills at Kiwanis. Nigel patiently mentors them along and respectfully allows each child to choose an instrument of his/her liking. Nigel welcomes any member of our school community to participate in the band – including staff, other parents and children of all ages and abilities. His inclusive and respectful philosophy is evident in his welcoming approach and thoughtful interactions which incorporate student voice.
Service Recognition Awards
Each year at the Awards Presentation the Board also recognizes employees for their years of service. Celebrating these milestones in service by staff was initiated by trustees in 2007.
Employees at every 5 years of service, 5, 10 and 15 years, are recognized at the school level, while those who have served 20+ years are recognized at the district level at this event. It is the Board’s way of showing how much it values the long term commitment and contribution of our staff.
40 Years of Service
- Florence McArthur, SNWSS
30 Years of Service
- Melissa Askin, North Perth Westfield ES
- Heather Barclay, Stratford Northwestern SS
- Paula Bentley, AMDEC
- Karen Butson, Stratford Central SS
- Derek Farr, Stratford Northwestern SS
- Linda Finlayson, Brookside PS
- Jane Elizabeth Gregg, Downie Central PS
- John Hindley, Stratford Central SS
- Alexandra Hutchison, Howick Central PS
- Marlene Lightfoot, South Huron District HS
- Brenda Pincombe, South Perth Centennial PS
- Linda Plaetzer, Clinton PS
- Katherine Rae, Little Falls PS
- Craig Scales, Listowel District SS
- Gina Wise, Clinton PS
25 Years of Service
- Janet Baird-Jackson, Education Centre
- Marilyn Beuerman, Seaforth PS
- Thomas Bishop, Howick Central PS
- Debbie Blum, Stratford Northwestern SS
- Barry Brohman, AMDEC
- Leonard Dow, Central Perth ES
- Freda Hill, Hullett Central PS
- Shannon Hughes, Elma Township PS
- Robert James, Stratford Northwestern SS
- Andrew Jaunzemis, Listowel District SS
- Lois Kennedy, Stephen Central PS
- Marianne Keller, South Huron District HS
- Cheryl Lynch, Goderich District CI
- Sherry Mason, Stratford Northwestern SS
- Nancy Matthews, AMDEC
- Lauralee McCormack, Exeter ES
- Mark McIntosh, Avon PS
- Jerry Quance, St. Marys DVCI
- Mary Lou Rae, FE Madill SS
- Pamela Rowell, Stephen Central PS
- Lee-Anne Shaw, ED Centre
- Alice Sikma, Goderich District CI
- Philip Vousden, Mitchell District HS
- Chris Wilson, Stratford Northwestern SS
Retirees
Please see the Recognition Programme for a complete list of names. We wish all our retirees all the very best in retirement.