Everyday Heroes: Sarah Shisko, Matthew Bonisteel, and Claire Blahnik
June 5, 2026
We are honoured to present this week’s Everyday Heroes for the 2025-2026 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 Sarah Shisko, Matthew Bonisteel, and Claire Blahnik.
Sarah Shisko
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Sarah is a Secretary at Good Shepherd CES in Courtice and St. Francis of Assisi CES in Newcastle.
Sarah was nominated by a colleague, who said: “In one word Sarah is “amazing”. Sarah divides her time between two schools, and both St. Francis of Assisi and Good Shepherd are blessed to have her on staff. Managing the complexities of two different schools with such grace makes her an absolute hero, as she brings a seamless sense of stability to our team the moment she walks through the door. Sarah brings a calming influence to the office; her quiet composure supports the needs of staff and students alike. She is friendly, gracious and kind to coworkers, parents and students. She is organized and knowledgeable about all things that make a school run. Sarah is an everyday hero for the way she dives into the heart of the community of both schools with 100% of her energy, making her halftime presence feel like a full-time blessing to us all.“ |
Matthew Bonisteel
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Matthew is a Teacher at St. Mary CSS in Cobourg.
Matthew was nominated by a colleague, who said: “Mr. Bonisteel has shown a tremendous passion and a light for hundreds of students at our school. Students look forward to his classes and lessons each day, and when they see his course on their timetable the positive momentum lasts the entire academic year long. We are truly very fortunate to have Mr. Bonisteel at our school and Board! “ |
Claire Blahnik
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Claire is a Teacher at St. Joseph CES in Bowmanville. Claire was nominated by a colleague, who said: “Claire is a vibrant and caring educator at our school who is loved and appreciated by all. She is always welcoming students into her classroom, helping out colleagues or offering a safe space for students to visit. She is an amazing advocate for the French Immersion program, and is always working beyond the expectations to build resources for the program, and share her knowledge and resources with those around her. She researches and implements strategies to support all of our learners, and is inclusive to all of her students ensuring that every child is supported in their learning. She is often celebrated at school with our “Dress like Mme Blahnik Day” and deserves recognition board-wide for all her efforts and dedication, to not only her classroom and colleagues, but also for her dedication in supporting French language learners. Claire is always baking, gardening and more, to which she brings her creations to work to share. If there is anything you need, she is always there!” |
We would like to thank Sarah, Matthew and Claire for their commitment to creating a culture of faith, hope and love to ensure equity and well-being at our board.