Everyday Heroes: Deanna Feeney, Martha Crooks, and Rachael Vieira

May 23, 2025 

We are honoured to present this week’s Everyday Heroes for the 2024-2025 school year.

Our everyday heroes are the epitome of compassion, devotion and care, transforming everyday tasks into extraordinary impacts.

Their subtle yet powerful actions not only elevate the experiences of colleagues but also enrich the lives of the students we proudly serve. They are more than just supportive adults or empathetic peers; they are the vibrant pulse of our educational community, profoundly touching the lives of all they encounter.

Our everyday heroes come in all forms, quietly making a difference in our schools and board offices, yet very often they overlook or downplay their own actions.

This week we are celebrating Deanna Feeney, Martha Crooks, and Rachael Vieira

Deanna Feeney

Deanna Feeney Deanna is a Registered Early Childhood Educator at St. Elizabeth CES in Bowmanville.

Deanna was nominated by a colleague, who said:

“Deanna is an exceptional kindergarten educator. Working alongside her has been an absolute privilege, and we believe her dedication and passion for teaching deserve to be acknowledged.

Deanna consistently goes above and beyond in every aspect of her role. Her commitment to creating a vibrant and engaging learning environment is evident in the thoughtful and creative activities she plans each day. She has a remarkable ability to transform ordinary lessons into extraordinary experiences, making each day special for our students. Deanna is able to connect with each student on an individual level. She fosters a warm, nurturing, and inclusive classroom where each child feels valued and supported.

Deanna is collaborative, supportive, and always willing to share her expertise and resources. Her dedication to teamwork and her willingness to assist in any way possible are truly commendable. We believe Deanna should be recognized and celebrated in teaching. Her contributions will continue to enrich the lives of our students and our school community for years to come!”

Martha Crooks

Martha Crooks Martha is an Educational Assistant at St. Paul CES in Peterborough

Martha was nominated by a colleague, who said:

“Martha (Marti) has one of the biggest hearts at our school. She always arrives at work with a positive attitude and a smile. Marti has such a high level of respect, compassion, care and devotion towards both her students and co-workers. She is a truly remarkable and extraordinary Educational Assistant and an amazing co-worker.

Marti is always willing to go the extra mile and lend a hand to ensure both staff and students have a great day at work/school. She has such an incredibly positive impact on all those she encounters and always provides a safe learning environment for her students.

Marti has always made me feel acknowledged, accepted, appreciated and valued as a co-worker. I am extremely proud and thankful to work with this lady. She is very deserving of this nomination and recognition as a PVNC Everyday Hero.”

Rachael Vieira

Rachael Vieira  

Rachael is an Autism Spectrum Disorder Worker (ASDW) at St. Mary CES in Campbellford.

Rachael was nominated by a colleague, who said:

“Heroes are kind, compassionate and patient. They also are humble. At St. Mary’s Campbellford we have our very own unsung hero in Rachael Vieira, our ASD worker. Mrs. Vieira, builds relationships with staff and students. When someone is having a difficult day and they are feeling dysregulated, she immediately steps in and finds a way to help us all find our way back.

Need a student to become engaged in their learning? Rachael will tap into their strengths and interests in order to provide programming that engages her students. She even has been known to share her 3D printer with students to engage them in their creativity and imagination.

Rachael is a believer in finding the good in everyone no matter their age, size or capabilities, she finds a way to make those around her shine. She shares her positivity with students, staff and families. This can be seen when she celebrates an achievement of one of her students or cheering on a staff member when they are working to overcome a challenge.

A hero is defined as a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. Rachael is an inspiration for all who have the honour to work with her. At St. Mary’s Campbellford we are truly thankful that God sent us such a compassionate and caring ASD worker and friend.”

We would like to thank Deanna, Martha, and Rachael for their commitment to creating a culture of faith, hope and love to ensure equity and well-being at our board.