Christina was nominated by a colleague, who said:

“Christina is new to St. Stephens and has truly hit the ground running. From the moment she joined our school community, she has demonstrated initiative, compassion, and a deep commitment to student well-being. Her involvement with the Multicultural Club has helped foster an environment of inclusion, celebration, and belonging, giving students a meaningful space to share their identities and feel seen and valued.

Christina is a bright light in any room she enters. She builds authentic connections with both students and staff, making people feel welcomed and supported. Through her enthusiasm and dedication, she has already made a lasting impact on our school culture. Her willingness to step up, lead, and care for others exemplifies what it means to be an Everyday Hero. She has already made a lasting impact on our school culture.

Her willingness to step up, lead, and care for others exemplifies what it means to be an Everyday Hero.”

Charlie was nominated by a colleague, who said:

“Most teachers teach French. Charlie makes Quebec and France arrive.

Not with boring textbooks or repetitive conjugation drills, but with stinky cheese that makes noses wrinkle before they fall in love with something new. A carload or two of wind instruments hauled from Peterborough to Cobourg because he saw something in kids that they hadn’t yet seen in themselves. Funky sweaters that announce to the smallest learners: Mr. Glasspool is here, this is going to be fun!

Here’s what we miss about everyday heroes: they don’t transform lives through grand gestures. They do it through cheesecake, charcuterie and insightful conversation around the staff room table. They do it through custom made t-shirts that make a group of budding musicians feel like a band. And they do it through taking their time in the hallway for a quick chat, whether student or staff they authentically connect to the person in front of them.

Charlie teaches two subjects but practices a third: radical noticing. He notices which student needs to hold the tuba to feel powerful. He notices that inclusion isn’t merely a policy, it’s a bass line that every student deserves to play. The blueberry cheesecake isn’t about dessert. The melodica lesson isn’t about music theory. The cheerful greeting isn’t about politeness.
They’re about this: You matter. This moment matters. Let’s make something worth remembering together.

Charlie doesn’t overlook his impact because he’s humble. He overlooks it because he’s too busy creating the next one. That’s what everyday heroes do—they’re already arranging the next lesson, sourcing the next instrument, planning the next moment of unexpected joy.

He doesn’t teach French and music. He teaches kids that learning can taste like Oka and Roquefort and sound like possibility, and that someone sees them – really sees them – exactly as they are.

That’s not everyday work. That’s everyday magic.”

Melissa is a Secretary at Immaculate Conception CES in Peterborough.

Melissa was nominated by a colleague, who said:

“Melissa does so much more than is required in her role.

She is a safe person for all of our students. She makes sure that our students are fed, and warm. She ensures that staff feel respected, heard, and important. Melissa runs a Craft Club at the school and is often seen carrying in resources that she’s sourced herself. She is one of the most loving, caring, kind, and selfless people that I have met at PVNC Catholic.

She is such an asset to our organization and I am so happy that I get to work with her every day.”