Maureen was nominated by a colleague, who said:

“There isn’t a more deserving coworker and candidate than Maureen Partridge for our Everyday Hero.
She has played a crucial role in the education and lives of our ASD students for many years. She has excelled as an ASD worker in our CASA programs, an ASD itinerant for the board and is currently in the SBAP program, always making positive changes and empowering our students daily.
Maureen has guided and inspired numerous staff members with her expertise and innate ability to see the present and future potential of all the students we support.
She has always gone above and beyond in her career as a supportive, passionate team member. We want her to be recognized as the valuable coworker she has been to so many of us for so many years. We see you!!
It has been an honour and blessing to work alongside this deserving candidate and friend.”

Trevor was nominated by a colleague, who said:

“The professionalism and compassion shown by Mr. Poechman are beyond words. His dedication and passion for the field of education can clearly be seen by his impressive qualifications and selfless service spanning many decades of diligent sacrifice and work. My nomination is from a colleagues perspective. As a new teacher at this board and to his school he has shown me kindness and the responsiveness to questions were truly unparalleled.

During the many snow days Mr. Poechman’s emails would be sent bright, and early; teachers never had to check the bus situation because Mr. Poechman always had the entire snow day already planned and shared to all staff.

Lastly, it may seem small but getting complete Staff Meeting minutes for each staff meeting is so reassuring not only because you get to know what you missed, but because you feel like you belong to the school. You are included, I want to thank Mr. Poechman sincerely for making everyone at his school feel included and he exemplifies what school inclusion is all about!. Thank you Mr. Poechman!”

Tara is a Teacher at Holy Trinity CSS in Courtice.

Tara was nominated by a colleague, who said:

“Tara is just an overall rock star at Holy Trinity. As our Teacher-Librarian, Tara makes it her goal to connect with each student that walks into her door. She reaches out and frequently ensures that students who are working in her space are always feeling welcome and safe to learn in the Learning Commons. Students will frequently come to Tara when they have a problem – whether it is technological, academic, or even personal. Students and staff alike recognize her kindness and empathy, and that is why it is always so easy to seek help and guidance from Tara.

When she is not working hard at building a fun and engaging learning space, Tara devotes so much of her free time to extracurriculars at our school. She helps to run our Link Crew and Grade 9 Orientation each year, as well as coaching Swimming and Track and Field. She also spearheads our United Way campaign each year, and is fiercely passionate about getting staff involved in things like lunch fundraisers – even making the 50 meatball subs herself.

Tara is such an excellent example of an uplifting staff member who makes you want to come to school. Her energy, enthusiasm for learning, and passion for helping her students and fellow colleagues, is noticed and appreciated by those around her. She truly epitomizes the Everyday Hero that helps to make our schools better places for our students and our staff.”