Educators want to make a difference. This week, two staff members at Huntsville Public School were recognized for doing just that with the Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) announcement of the winners of their 2016 Impact and 2016 Character awards.
Ross Jewiss, Principal at Huntsville Public (HPS) received the Board’s lone Administrative Leadership Impact Award of Excellence; grade seven French immersion teacher Joanne Lea was one of three teachers within the school district to receive a Teaching Impact Award of Excellence.
Impact Awards of Excellence are given to TLDSB staff members who are recognized by peers, as well as students, parents, and the community as having a significant impact on their school. Nominations are submitted by a group and nominees aren’t told the names of those who have recognized them.
Jewiss said he was humbled to have been nominated and to receive the award. “I feel so lucky that I have a job to go to where I can have a positive influence on someone’s life. I don’t do it for the accolades but it is nice to receive them. I’m grateful.” He had planned to retire at the end of this school year but has decided to stay on at HPS another year.
He was also thrilled that Joanne Lea was recognized for her contributions to the school. “She is constantly giving to the school community and never asks for anything in return, never wants acknowledgement. She is a master teacher and we get many requests for her as students enter grade seven. She has touched thousands of lives.”
Lea, too, seemed humbled by the recognition. “All the teachers I know are dedicated to their students and all are deserving of a character award,” she said. “I appreciated that someone acknowledged my part in it.”
The school recently presented a production of the Magical Land of Oz, which Lea co-produced with Jolene Martin-Padfield. “It was a wonderful vehicle to give every student a chance to shine. It’s an opportunity for them to do what they are good at or to find out what they are good at.”
Jewiss and Lea, along with the other Impact Award winners will be celebrated at the TLDSB Evening of Excellence at the Rene Caisse Theatre on May 18.
Other local staff and community members received Character Awards, which are presented to staff or school community members who are nominated by a staff member, student, parent, or community member. The winners from the Huntsville area are:
Scott Creasor, Teacher, Pine Glen PS
Kevin Collins, Member of Dwight Lions Club, Irwin Memorial PS
Susan Fillmore, School Secretary, Pine Glen PS
Lesley Grainger, School Community Member, Riverside PS
James Hunt, School Community Member, Huntsville PS
Ross Jewiss, Principal, Huntsville PS
Joanne Lea, Teacher, Huntsville PS
Melanie Maxwell, Teacher, Irwin Memorial PS
Kent Maxwell, Teacher, Irwin Memorial PS
Darlene Rudd, Teacher, Irwin Memorial PS
Sharon Stahls, Principal, Irwin Memorial PS
Michelle Sutherland, Educational Assistant, Pine Glen PS
“We are so proud to see all of the nominations this year,” says Louise Clodd, TLDSB Chairperson in a release. “It’s a perfect example of how our board is filled with people that are making a better world through character development and engagement.”
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Kathy and Dan Patterson says
Congratulations to all of those receiving the Character Awards in the Huntsville area. As retired teachers, having worked at both HPS and Irwin, we have had the privilege to work with many of the recipients and know beyond a shadow of a doubt how hard these individuals work and how committed they are to their students. They do this not to receive recognition but because they truly care. We are so happy to see these contributions recognized!