Winners

Long after his 30-year career as an educator and coach ended, André Parisien's impact as a mentor and advocate remains as vibrant as ever in the hearts of his former students. From guiding athletes to victory to ensuring no student ever felt overlooked, Mr. P proved that a great teacher's guidance can shape an entire community for generations.

Kristen creates a vibrant, barrier-free classroom complete with flexible seating, class pets, and daily routines that make every student feel valued. She fosters a learning environment where student voice and emotional well-being truly flourish. She has left an invaluable mark on her students—proven by the generations of alumni who continuously return to visit her.

Dennis is a patient, approachable problem-solver and the cornerstone of support for his school. Beyond his daily classroom leadership, he donates countless hours to community projects to foster school spirit and community pride. As he approaches retirement, his quarter-century legacy of creative dedication, humble service, and unwavering support remains deeply engraved in his school and city.

Brandon's visionary drive touches every corner of his school community. He is known for having co-created new vocational classrooms, leading several fundraising initiatives for school improvements, overseeing a multitude of student success programs, and much more. His boundless energy as an advocate and mentor ensures every student is empowered to discover their potential.

Charlotte's deep love for her culture and heritage has driven her to tirelessly support Native Language revitalization across northern communities long into her retirement. She serves as an inspiring teacher, mentor, and beacon of hope for generations reclaiming their voice; from sharing vibrant, game-based learning tools to telling her powerful story of language reclamation.

A leader in LGBTQAI+ advocacy, Colin has successfully turned learning spaces into places of dialogue and belonging. He has inspired provincial change in inclusivity by leading high-impact initiatives and workshops, and maintaining a support blog to help mentor and support community members. He leads with profound empathy to ensure every student feels celebrated on their journey of self-discovery.

Whether caring for injured little ones, coaching volleyball, or carefully tailoring lessons to her students' unique interests, Colleen puts her young learners first—no matter what obstacles stand in her way. Even while enduring intense personal hardships without complaint, her boundless energy, resilience, and heart continuously inspire those around her to be better educators.

Deandra goes far above and beyond the classroom, volunteering countless hours to ensure every student can experience the joy of music regardless of budget limits. Her extraordinary dedication—which has inspired local businesses and neighbours to rally behind her—has fostered a thriving music program that has made it onto local television screens and sports arenas.

Gemma has built classrooms and school culture rooted in connection and belonging. She brings contagious energy, deep empathy, and creative joy to everything she does—from the chemistry lab, to the staff room, to the soccer field. A champion for students and teachers alike, her unwavering dedication and belief in others make her a true light for her entire school community.

Haley continuously goes above and beyond to ensure every student feels understood and motivated to learn. Through creative activities, personalized reward systems, and thoughtful, daily care, she tailors lesson plans, activities, and her classroom setup to accommodate for students with diverse needs. Her commitment inspires her colleagues to continuously elevate the classroom experience.

Jenny never says no when it comes to supporting her school family. She is always ready to help out with a smile; whether that be planning new and innovative lessons, covering for overwhelmed staff, or organizing school-wide celebrations. Her boundless energy and generosity make her an irreplaceable hero, mentor, and friend to everyone.

Both inside and outside of her school, Jonelle advocates for equitable access to technology and resources, encouraging students and teachers alike to challenge their existing biases and lead with compassion. An ambassador for diverse representation and intellectual freedom, she has been a powerful voice for resisting the erasure of marginalized voices in media.

Kara has gone above and beyond for the students at her school, revolutionizing the drama program with an innovative curriculum that provides students with unique opportunities for leadership and creative exploration. She goes out of her way to individually recognize students for their talents and contributions, and creates open spaces for students to unwind, connect, and receive academic support.

In her role as OSSTF District Officer, Kathi often works beyond her contracted hours to guide educators and support staff through their darkest moments of crisis and health battles with unwavering integrity. From advocating on labour and political action committees to championing 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion and bilingual training, her deep-seated compassion ensures no member ever stands alone.

Laura's commitment to her students' well-being shines through her willingness to navigate difficult, highly personal conversations with honesty, respect, and care. From advocating for families in need to modeling practical ways to support complex learners, she sets high standards to those around her while providing the support needed to reach them.

More than a custodian, Larry is a trusted anchor who continuously stays late and steps up to support the emotional well-being of his entire school community. Having an extraordinary dedication to human connection, he takes time every day to listen, offer guidance, and check in on those in need. His quiet compassion makes him an irreplaceable source of comfort for students and teachers alike.

Lia continuously inspires students to dream bigger and to take pride in who they are. From guiding 12 students to perform onstage with Coldplay, running the school's most unforgettable musical, and partnering with York University to deepen Afrientric connections in dance, her leadership has helped shape memorable and inspiring experiences for her students.

Through her work at the PDSB's Welcome Centre and across numerous schools, Lilly has supported hundreds of newcomer families by seamlessly bridging academic needs with settlement resources. Frequently using her own funds to ensure no child is left behind, her proactive advocacy removes systemic barriers so every student can thrive.

Having dedicated decades to educational missions across Cuba, Haiti, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Peru, Linda brings life-changing teaching methods to some of the world's most remote communities. By equipping local leaders and teachers with engaging storytelling and communication techniques, her compassionate outreach creates sustainable educational opportunities that uplift families for generations.

Operating in the shadows without ever seeking recognition, Lynn is the anchor who keeps her school board running smoothly and safely. She handles logistical puzzles with extraordinary grace, patience, and warmth. Whether organizing complex events from behind the scenes or creating festive traditions that brighten her colleagues' days, her selfless generosity elevates everyone around her.

Marc exemplifies transformative educational leadership through his French language learning advocacy, system-wide teacher mentoring, and innovate university-school board partnerships. Whether coaching student-athletes to national championships or providing meaningful advice to his colleagues, his dedication leaves an invaluable mark on French education, and on the entire educational community.

Putting her students' mental health at the forefront of everything she does, Marina offers an unwavering anchor of emotional support and care, even through the heaviest of community losses. From coaching six different sports teams to create an Athlete of the Week program and personally funding classroom essentials, her profound selflessness has made her a true hero in her community.

Megan chooses her students first every single day. As a teacher and guidance counselor, she meets teenage struggles with serious respect, building deep trust with students through hundreds of small, quiet morning check-ins. She keeps her door open every morning, offering a rare mix of real-world wisdom and zero judgement that turns her guidance space into a true lifeline.

Merola devoted countless unpaid hours into grant writing to build a custom swimming program for learners with unique needs. Her selflessness continues through her countless philanthropic initiatives, including coaching multiple sports teams, organizing several fundraising initiatives, and advocating for those experiencing food insecurity.

Mike is known for his ability to connect. He listens with intention, responds with understanding, and adapts his teaching to meet diverse needs. Mike has shaped his school culture by running a myriad of programs from juggling and chess club to flag football, intramurals, and woodworking. He uses every corner of his role to connect with each student, doing so with quiet intention and patience.

Nadine turns perseverance into a radical act of courage, showing up for students and families every day with unmatched positivity and professionalism, no matter the hardships she faces outside of the school walls. She handles complex situations with remarkable poise and radical honesty, making her the dependable anchor that students, staff, and families rely on.

From her hands-on classroom teaching to her role as President of the Upper Grand ETFO Occasional Teachers, Nkese leads with equity, transparency, and a talent for connecting day-to-day teaching with big-picture planning. Even while balancing board committees, community workshops, and her family, she leads by example and makes every organization she joins stronger and more welcoming.

As the first teacher to arrive at school each morning and the last to leave, Pauline gives an unbelievable amount of her personal time to supporting her students. From running the school breakfast program and keeping her classroom stocked with snacks for hungry kids to leading fundraising and planning for enriching cultural fieldtrips, her care reaches far beyond her timetable.

Rachel's career is defined by an unwavering belief in her students, spending countless hours after school mentoring youth, leading clubs, and opening doors for future leaders. Rachel has created innovative tutoring programs and has led system-wide equity initiatives. Her 23-year legacy is measured by her many benevolent endeavours and the thousands of lives she has inspired and transformed.

Richard co-founded Ontario's only school-based classic car restoration program, turning scrap vehicles into show-stopping cars that regularly win trophies against professional builders at the Toronto Motorama. Dedicating countless unpaid hours to sourcing parts and finding sponsors, he gives students a reason to stay in school, build a real-life craftsmanship, and take pride in their work.

Robert turns service into a daily practice, taking on the heavy emotional lifting of provincial union advocacy while spending countless unpaid hours mentoring youth through local wrestling and martial arts programs. His quiet humility, combined with an unwavering drive to protect and uplift those around him, creates safe, empowering spaces across classrooms, union halls, and gyms.

Roger sets the standard for educational leadership at SDSS through his steadfast reliability and integrity. His steady work ethic and humility, coupled with a personal resilience that refuses to give up in challenging times, has earned him the deep respect of his entire school community.

Sally is a natural, "take-charge" leader who goes above and beyond to make West Oak a warm, connected place to work and learn. From creating team bonding activities to welcoming new staff and supporting students with diverse needs, her initiative and kindness lift up the entire school.

Stephanie meets every young child where they are, helping families navigate learning assessments and giving students the tools they need to succeed. Her ability to instill self-belief in young students sets them up for a lifetime of success. Decades of alumni return to credit her early support for their resilience and academic achievement, proving the lasting power of her patience and guidance.

Serving as the sole administrator at his school, David leads his community with integrity, compassion, and inclusivity. In a school with diverse needs, he ensures that everyone has the resources to succeed. From organizing local food drives and holiday gift card collections, to leading his school through an exceptionally successful literacy program, his leadership puts equity into daily action.

A two-time Canadian Olympian and Hall of Fame Cyclist, Susan uses her athletic platform to create free sports and extracurricular opportunities for her students at her school. Giving up her breaks to coach intramurals and recruit community volunteers, she ensures that newcomer and low-income kids have the support, resources, and encouragement they need to thrive.

Vanessa works tirelessly behind the scenes to remove academic, financial, and personal barriers for her students. From co-founding a staff-funded graduation bursary for thousands of deserving students, to directing jazz ensembles and fostering rescue animals at her own expense, her selfless dedication enriches her entire community.

Yin turns complex high school math into clear, accessible lessons through thoughtfully curated worksheets and step-by-step homework help videos. While many people charge thousands of dollars for such materials, his decision to share his curriculum for free with other students and educators reflects a rare professional generosity and integrity that supports classrooms well beyond his own school.

As a substitute teacher, Yveline turns the uncertainty of a temporary classroom into a positive, safe experience by taking the time to individually connect with every student. Yveline represents substitute teachers at the AEFO to improve working conditions, and goes about her days with an infectious enthusiasm that makes every space brighter.