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Director’s Citation and Employee Recognition Awards 2022-2023

At the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, our gifted and caring staff commit themselves each and every day to the growth, well-being, and achievement of our students. Our annual Director’s Citation and Employee Recognition Awards are an opportunity to show appreciation to the talented, dedicated, and exemplary employees who constantly go out of their way to make sure our students are reaching their full potential.

The Director’s Citation Award recognizes outstanding and significant staff contributions to the District and its students, over an extended period of time, showing a level of imagination, enthusiasm, and professionalism that constitutes a worthy model for others. It is intended to be a recognition of staff, by their colleagues, honouring those who are in the midst of their careers.

The Employee Recognition Awards recognize outstanding and significant staff contributions, specifically in the areas of equity, health and safety, innovation, and mentorship. These include the Excellence in Equity Award, the Health & Safety Award, the Innovation Award, the Mentoring Award, and the Ronald K. Lynch Memorial Award.

Please continue reading to learn about the incredible employees who have earned these recognitions in the 2022-2023 school year.

Director’s Citation Awards

Lisa Achter

Teacher, Avalon Public School

For more than twenty years, Lisa Achter has demonstrated dedication, imagination, a commitment to students, and an unwavering desire to put others first. Her engaging classroom lessons and commitment to extracurricular activities truly enriches the student experience at Avalon Public School. Whether she is co-directing the school choir or leading a musical production, Lisa inspires students to strive for excellence. She always looks for new ways to improve her teaching practice, regularly seeking workshops and opportunities that can bring a new level of joy and creativity to her students. What truly sets Lisa apart, however, is her unwavering dedication to students and their families. She is always willing to go the extra mile to ensure that each student has the support and resources they need to succeed. She truly is an exceptional teacher and leader who has made an indelible impact on the school community!

Trent Clarke

Vice-Principal, Trillium Elementary School

As Vice-Principal of Trillium Elementary School, Trent Clarke is kind, hardworking, dedicated, and enthusiastic about all areas of school life. His mild-mannered approach puts everyone at ease, and staff feel supported by how visible and present he is throughout the school. Trent works to get to know every student, connecting with many of them daily to let them know that they matter. He listens to feedback from staff and parents and always does his best to support them. Trent also works closely with the School Council – initiating student representatives, supporting parent-led initiatives, and covering the role of teacher representative. Trent is a master at making certain that all classes and duties have staff coverage, and if required, he readily fills in for a teacher, EA, or ECE. Trent is a wonderful role model who approaches every situation with an unwavering positive attitude.

Dianne Dreef

Acting Vice-Principal, Bell High School

Dianne is a conscientious educator who cares deeply about students, fellow educators, and the OCDSB as a whole. As a classroom Math teacher, Dianne teaches with empathy and creativity, models collaboration, and goes above and beyond to make sure students feel safe, cared for, and heard. As a Destreamed teacher, Dianne understands the importance of building relationships and meeting students where they are at. In her role as Math Instructional Coach, she spearheaded the Destreaming team and led the district in shifting their practice. She was also highly impactful in a hybrid role as part-time math teacher, Department Head, and Instructional Coach. Dianne recently stepped into the role of Acting Vice Principal and has done amazing work in supporting teachers and office staff, championing equity, and working in teams to create resources for teachers. Skilled at simultaneously holding a vision and bringing a practical approach, Dianne turns big ideas into classroom strategies!

Liana Gallant

Educational Assistant, Frederick Banting Secondary Alternate Program

Liana Gallant focuses on the relationships she builds with her students – she never gives up on them and never lets them give up on themselves! She provides consistency, stability, and the wonder of learning. Having spent most of her career working with vulnerable and often misunderstood youth, Liana is a champion for every student who comes into her classroom. She laughs with them, works through their frustrations, advocates for them, explains the “why” to them, and never lets them settle for anything but their best. Liana is an Indigenous woman who shares her lived experiences with students and staff, broadens understanding of the experiences of Indigenous people, and provides stories of strength, healing, and shared truths. Liana is active in developing educational resources and participated in a working committee on integrating Indigenous learning into the secondary curriculum. She shows up every day to listen, answer, care, comfort, accept and inspire!

Kristel Gauthier

Itinerant Educational Assistant, Learning Support Services (LSS)

Kristel Gauthier has been a highly-valued and respected Educational Assistant with the OCDSB for the past 17 years. In the classroom, she has demonstrated leadership through extracurricular activities, encouraging students to participate in order to foster a sense of belonging and contribution. Her commitment to building community extended to her colleagues as well, where she worked tirelessly to support others and create a true team environment. For the past seven years, Kristel has been part of the LSS Mental Health Services IEA team, and has supported many schools and students as a Behaviour Management Systems Trainer. She regularly goes above and beyond her responsibilities, like providing professional development to school based staff teams. She supports students and staff in some of the most challenging situations within the Tragic Events Response Team (TERT), and has become an invaluable mentor to her colleagues. Kristel looks at challenging situations as learning opportunities, always working from a place of curiosity and compassion. She is a true advocate for students, supporting them in having their voices heard. She is a true model of how to see each student as a whole person, capable of reaching their full potential!

Stacey Grenier

Vice-Principal, Robert Hopkins Public School

Stacey Grenier is an outstanding Vice Principal at Robert Hopkins Public School, where she models professionalism, kindness, and innovation. Always solutions-driven, Stacey is determined to help any student in need. She is ever present on the school yard, in the hallways, and in classrooms to check in with students who struggle to self-regulate. Stacey also created a ‘Lunch Bunch’ to help students learn to build and apply social skills, and has implemented a weekly shout-out system that highlights the importance of demonstrating the OCDSB’s “Community of Character" attributes. Students cheer for each other as their names are called over the announcements, and Stacey visits each class to hand out a special sticker for being a positive member of the school. She also created a positive reinforcement system to promote a schoolwide reading program, which recognizes students who show initiative and gives them the encouragement they need to be successful. With staff, Stacey is warm, approachable and knowledgeable, always acknowledging workload challenges and striving to boost morale. She is quick to offer guidance and practical solutions, and works with staff to implement them swiftly. Her calm leadership style and her ability to think on her feet make her a role model within the school and community!

Stephanie Hiel

Program Manager, Early Learning

Stephanie Hiel has served the OCDSB since 2013 as an educator, program supervisor, and program manager within Early Learning. She has been instrumental in building better programs and delivering excellent support to educators, as well as to children and their caring adults. Stephanie’s can-do attitude has helped expand delivery of the Extended Day Program (EDP), and she has co-created the new educator andragogy model and supported her team in getting all 66 EDPs licensed so families can access the Canada Wide Child Care funding rebates. Stephanie's success is rooted in her strong willpower and her passion for work - her colleagues describe her as a calming influence, a reliable leader, and a respectful collaborator who is always willing to help. She continues to exceed expectations as she works to ensure the Early Learning Department’s success, always committed to strengthening programs by ensuring they are centered on the child and the family. Stephanie is a role model to others and has had an incredible impact on her department, colleagues, and the children and families she serves!

Mariana Hammoud

Office Administrator, York St Public School

Mariana Hammoud has been an exemplary leader throughout her career, highly respected by the colleagues, students, staff and communities she has served. While she is currently the Office Administrator at York Street Public School, she is also being recognized for her decades of work with the International and Indigenous Languages Program, the Family Resource Centre (FRC), Adult ESL, and Continuing Education. Mariana received multiple nominations, all celebrating her positive outlook, kindness, compassion, and perseverance. Mariana has represented the OCDSB with care, respect and dignity, continuously showing her support and dedication to the community, and particularly towards new Canadian families being welcomed into the system. Referred to as the heart and soul of the FRC over many years, families often return to thank Mariana for her work and share their childrens’ successes with her. She understands how important it is to be as helpful as possible to those who have limited experience with a formal education system, instilling confidence at a time that would otherwise be very stressful. Mariana builds and maintains strong peer relationships, with the understanding that teamwork and collaboration allows us to provide our best service to others! Mariana holds strong ethical values in education and maintains a high standard of practice in her work environment, and yet is famous for her sense of humour and infectious laugh. Congratulations, Mariana!

Steve Jackson

Principal, Woodroffe High School

Steve Jackson has served many school communities in his time with the OCDSB, consistently demonstrating compassionate, skillful, and thoughtful leadership. In his current role as Principal of Woodroffe High School, Steve has worked hard to cultivate a positive and inclusive school environment. He leads by example, exhibiting composure, empathy, and a genuine concern for the well-being of each and every one of his students. He is supportive of school staff and works to create an environment where all educators can be wholly dedicated to their students' success, and where many go above and beyond their duties each day in order to support their students. Steve has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a steadfast commitment to creating a safe and supportive learning environment for students, and a collaborative and energetic environment for staff. Steve’s impact as a Principal is nothing short of exceptional!

Lindsay Matessz

Learning Support Teacher, Lakeview Public School

Lindsay Mattesz has demonstrated the incredible impact a person can have when they are generous with their time, eager to share their professional knowledge, and enthusiastic about showing up with their own creativity! Lindsay consistently makes an effort to get to know the students who need the most support so she can better serve them. Whether it’s Beyblades or Pokemon, she happily starts up new student interest groups to help students develop their social skills, celebrate their interests, and support older students in taking on leadership roles. Lindsay always takes the extra time to check in with a student, teach them a new skill, or coach them through a challenge. Last year, she noticed an unmet area of need and started organizing school-wide learning opportunities with the OCDSB Trans and Gender Diverse Student Support Coordinator. She led students in creating positive space posters using Canva, teaching design skills while sharing the message that everyone belongs. If a staff member encounters a difficult situation with a student, they reach out to Lindsay because they know they’ll be supported in finding a solution! Lindsay’s positivity is infectious and makes everyone feel like they belong, and her dedication to her school community is truly inspiring.

Sandy Owens

General Manager, Business and Learning Technologies

Sandy Owens has demonstrated a true commitment to excellence over the past six years as Manager of Business and Learning Technologies. Sandy played a key role in transitioning the District to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she worked closely with many stakeholder groups to ensure technology was available to students, mobile wifi was provided to those who required it, and support was available for staff. She was instrumental in the creation of Ottawa Carleton Virtual (OCV) school, with over 17,000 students enrolling in the first year, and her ongoing support has allowed OCV to continue to thrive. Sandy has also been the driving force behind the department’s technology plan, Transforming how we Learn and Work. She has worked collaboratively to engage a variety of groups in the development of the plan, which has transformed how technology is used in learning and business. Sandy is also a trained educator, so her pedagogical background and technical expertise have truly accelerated the effective use of technology throughout the District. She is a true professional who strives each day to ensure the needs of all students in the District are met!

Adrian Peterkin

Chief Custodian, Sir Robert Borden High School

Adrian Peterkin has been a humble, tireless, respectful, and dedicated member of the Sir Robert Borden school community and the OCDSB for over 20 years. As Chief Custodian at SRB, Adrian excels in his care, compassion, and commitment to the well-being and safety of students and staff. He mentors new care staff, supports special events, and takes on big projects beyond his core duties, like overseeing contractors for the expansion of the school. He has also led his team through many difficult situations, working with school administration, facilities staff, and District staff with tact, discretion, and perseverance. Adrian is always happy to mentor co-op students and Focus on Youth students during the summer, and ensures his team members are supported in their professional growth. He is an inclusive, positive advocate for students, as seen in this excerpt from a student leader: “Adrian is dedicated to supporting all students, working tirelessly to provide us with the means necessary to achieve our ambitions. His enthusiasm and passion for his work have played a vital role in the creation of a welcoming and tight-knit community at my school. No matter what problem we may face, I have seen Adrian find a solution countless times. He has been a pillar of our school community for years.”

Leslie Rafferty

Teacher, Gloucester High School

Leslie Rafferty’s distinguished teaching career at Gloucester High School has spanned from 2001 until her retirement this year. She has always been a leader, both in the classroom and amongst her colleagues. Early in her career she was a coach and supervisor for field hockey and rugby, where she championed the importance of mind-body connection and taught transferable skills like perseverance, team play, and leadership. Later, as the GHS liaison with the UOttawa Faculty of Education, she provided candidates with individual mentorship and support. As a lifelong learner, she continued her education while teaching and obtained her Master's in Education, using new knowledge and skills to coordinate workshops on critical thinking and improve student engagement. However, among Leslie’s many professional accomplishments, the highlight has always been her time in the classroom. As a teacher in Humanities and Business, her drive to get students to probe issues, think deeply and critically, and connect with the world and each other resulted in students thinking about their learning long after the bell rang. Staff morale is always buoyed by her presence; from her witty one-liners to her nurturing spirit, she has made a huge impact on everyone at GHS!

Brittany Stephenson

Chief Custodian, Shingwàkons Public School

Brittany Stephenson has been the Chief Custodian at Shingwàkons Public School since July 2022, where she has taken great pride in her work and the facilities show it! She accepted the position knowing she would need to manage two sites at once, and with a very tight deadline, took on the challenge of turning the D. Aubrey Moodie COVID testing site into a safe and welcoming temporary home for staff and students. When she wasn’t at Moodie, she spent weekends and evenings managing tradespeople and working alongside the central contractor at the school’s permanent location on Cope Drive. In December she welcomed staff late into the night and helped them move their classrooms into the new building. She is always ready to adjust to the daily challenges associated with a new building, but regardless of her workload, she always focuses on the person in front of her. She is a calm and caring individual who exudes positive energy, sharing it with everyone she meets, and can often be seen sitting with a child on the hallway floor just making sure they are okay. In her email signature she writes, ‘Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.’ Shinkwàkons appreciates Brittany and the trail she leaves for all!

Stephen Van Rumpt

Chief Custodian, Stephen Leacock Public School

Helpful. Patient. Kind. Cheerful. Dependable. Welcoming. Phenomenal. Amazing! These are a few words that staff and students have used to describe Stephen Van Rumpt, Chief Custodian at Stephen Leacock Public School. His willingness to help and enthusiastic school spirit bring joy and optimism to the school; whether he is opening a thermos for a student, building furniture, renovating the library, helping to carve a pumpkin, or doing any other task, he always goes above and beyond his official duties to help keep the school running smoothly. There are too many occasions where Steve has saved the day to count; he once had to shift a class to the gymnasium and was able to recreate the classroom with the exact same seating plan, projector setup, and teacher workspace. Students remember Stephen just as fondly as they remember the teachers they’ve spent every day with. His wall is covered with cards and pictures! Stephen empowers the students to help take care of the school, and he is respected by them. He takes pride in his job and genuinely cares about the school and the community, making him a big part of the heart and soul of Stephen Leacock!

Ivana Vijackic, Tanis Haggerty, and Lyle Morrison

SWAC Teachers, Innovation and Adolescent Learning
Ivana Vijackic
Tanis Haggerty
Lyle Morrison

During the 2020-2021 school year, Tanis Haggerty and Donna Frame set out to create a new educational experience that would re-engage students who had struggled to find success in secondary school. It began with the reimagining and building of learning experiences personalized to each student and driven by student voice, and as it expanded and welcomed the vision of Lyle Morrison and Ivana Vijackic, an incredible new learning environment began to flourish. This team’s goal to re-engage more students and focus on supporting those who have been historically underserved has allowed them to connect students’ life experiences to their learning with incredible results. They have helped students rediscover their own genius, working diligently to help them establish and maintain community partnerships, celebrate their learning, and realize their contributions to society. In the first two years of the program, 67 students who had left school prior to graduating completed their high school diploma, and built and implemented a post-secondary plan. This year, 45 additional students are on the road to completing their high school diploma and are taking steps to realizing their dreams! These educators have not only improved graduation rates, they have changed the lives of young people and expanded students' belief in their own potential, all to help them achieve their goals. Note: Donna Frame is a member of this outstanding team and was also nominated for a Director’s Citation Award this year. However Donna has already received the Director’s Citation Award in the past, in recognition of her excellent work, and is therefore not eligible to receive the award a second time.

Employee Recognition Awards

Excellence in Equity Award

Jennifer Domey

Social Worker, Ottawa Technical Secondary School

Jennifer Domey is receiving the Excellence in Equity award for her steadfast support of racialized and marginalized students at Ottawa Technical Secondary School. Social work done well is synonymous with equity work, and Jennifer’s very existence is a challenge to inequity! Jennifer has stepped in to meet the needs of OTSS students in many different ways. A standout in Jennifer’s work this year has been her leadership in several traumatic violent threat risk assessments (VTRAs), where she has centered the needs of each student while shining a light on the impact on the oppressed communities represented. She has worked to ensure caregivers have a voice in the process by visiting families at their homes and ensuring transportation to neutral sites so they can participate fully in the process. Jennifer always seeks out the students who most need her compassionate, results-oriented approach and is always focused on what is in their best interest. Jennifer takes on some of the most complex situations and never shies away from a difficult conversation, doing all she can to recognize and respect dignity. She continually disrupts and addresses systemic barriers and inequities through her human rights-based approach, and her support for students truly helps them to develop resilience in the face of oppressive circumstances!

Health and Safety Award

Nicole Morley

Teacher, Featherston Drive Public School

Nicole Morley has demonstrated a true commitment to health and safety over the past few years. Not only is she the health and safety representative for her school, she also works to promote discussion on a variety of health and safety topics and carefully coordinates with school and custodial staff to ensure all protocols are being followed. Nicole always ensures that any issues are promptly and properly addressed, basing her approach on a foundation of prevention and personal responsibility. Nicole often devotes her prep times and breaks to helping a student or staff member with their health and safety concerns, in order to ensure she is helping to create a positive and safe climate. Nicole’s calm and knowledgeable approach is comforting to all around her, especially when she is able to keep her cool when unexpected situations arise. Her colleagues are thrilled to see her recognized with the 2023 Health and Safety Award!

Innovation Award

Juwain St. John

Outdoor Education Administrator, OCDSB Outdoor Education Centres

Juwain St. John is a talented, dedicated educator who has enriched the OCDSB’s Outdoor Education Centres since 2006, first as an Outdoor Education Instructor and now as the Program & Site Administrator. Juwain ensures every student who visits the OCDSB’s 502-acre outdoor classroom has a positive, safe, fun, educational outdoor experience that aligns with Ontario Curriculum. Juwain is a mentor to other instructors and is quick to step in and take over someone else's class whenever necessary. Since 2015, Juwain has also been instrumental in incorporating Forest School programs into the Centres’ educational programming, and is now working with five elementary schools to allow students and volunteers from diverse backgrounds to learn outdoors and develop a positive relationship with nature. She has also developed workshops to help educators incorporate outdoor learning into their classrooms in all subjects, and has facilitated them for partners within and outside the OCDSB. When the pandemic closed the Outdoor Education Centres, Juwain quickly learned to plan, film, edit, and publish YouTube videos and virtual field trips for teachers to use. Juwain and the Centres’ Instructors hosted over 258 free virtual field trips for OCDSB schools and CHEO until the Centres could reopen in-person. The OCDSB’s Outdoor Education Centres attribute much of their recent success to Juwain and her talent, leadership, and loyalty to students!

Mentoring Award

Jennifer Moule

Educational Assistant, Vimy Ridge Public School

Jennifer Moule is the recipient of the 2023 Mentoring Award for her many years of work supporting and empowering fellow Educational Assistants, colleagues, and students alike. Her advice and guidance to contact and supply EAs has helped many achieve term contracts or permanent positions, and has helped co-op students and countless others grow in their work. Jennifer is always quick to help anyone who needs assistance or to take extra initiative around the school, whether she is acting as a union representative for EAs, taking the lead on snow day drop off and pick up procedures, organizing bus seating plans, facilitating the body break room, running the laminator, or any other job that needs to be done. School administrators often look to Jennifer for help, feedback, and expertise, as she is widely known to be an amazing supervisor and role model!

Ronald K Lynch Award

Amy Rempel

Educational Assistant, Ottawa Technical Secondary School

In the level three Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) program, Amy Rempel is guided by her core belief that every student can learn and achieve success! Amy is receiving the Ronald K. Lynch Memorial Award for her professionalism, sense of purpose, leadership, positive team approach, and ability to uplift those around her. Amy constantly seeks out opportunities to support the students with the greatest needs and is active in the development of behaviour plans for students with significant behaviour and safety needs. She invests in the future of the program and of students by sharing meaningful insight with visiting professionals, and by mentoring new Educational Assistants. As a result of Amy’s unwavering belief in her students, many who have shown challenging behaviours have grown to become active participants in their school communities and take on independent challenges. Amy has played a significant role in developing sensory, literacy, and numeracy programs for students. She inspires others to strive for excellence in their own work, and her faith in students continues to transform the lives of students and their caregivers!

Technology Excellence Award

Technology and Skilled Trades Department, Ottawa Technical Secondary School: Laura Fedak, Shawn Blais, Dzevdana Ahmetovic, and Francess Ngegba (Educational Assistants) and Maureen Craven, Graham Anderson, Mike Ford, Anthony Morgan, Ammanuel Yohannes, Adrianna Sustar, Jannie Johnston, Taylor Campbell, David Hubbard, and Henry Byrne (Teachers)

Left to right, from top: Adrianna Sustar, Ammanuel Yohannes, Anthony Morgan, David Hubbard, Dzevdana Ahmetovic, Graham Anderson, Henry Byrne, Jannie Johnston, Laura Fedak, Maureen Craven, Mike Ford, Shawn Blais, Taylor Campbell. Not pictured: Francess Ngegba.

The Technology and Skilled Trades department at the Ottawa Technical Secondary School is awarded this year’s Technology Excellence Award, in recognition of their work to implement The Third Path within technology and trades. As educational assistants and teachers, they have provided incredible learning experiences to students who most need equitable access to opportunity. Some of their accomplishments include implementing a Farm to Cafeteria program where students can receive free healthy meals using produce that grown by students in the Green Industries program, earning grants from the Canadian Welding Bureau and the Canadian Tooling and Machining Association for state-of-the-art equipment and safety resources, and implementing the use of multi-racial mannequin heads so that all students are able to practice hairstyling on hair that reflects their identity. They have also worked with the Indigenous Graduation Coach to support Indigenous construction students in using high quality equipment to create culturally relevant frames for Indigenous art and wooden signs for the Lodge. This team’s commitment to an education that supports student wellbeing and achievement is truly exemplary! In every class, they ensure students feel like their voices matter and their narratives have value, whether they are expressing themselves with metal, wood, food, plants, make-up, digital media, or 3D printers. Thanks to the hard work of this team, students learn not only the skills and tools of the trades, but also that they are makers and creators of incredible products and inspiring futures!