Everyday Heroes: Lisa Alves, Shawna Haywood, and Adam White
Every week we celebrate PVNC staff members who have been recognized by a parent, student or colleague as an Everyday Hero. Every school and every department in our Board has an Everyday Hero who expresses their kindness, courage and love through simple, ordinary actions that uplift the lives of the people around them and the students we serve. An Everyday Hero is a caring adult, an empathetic colleague, somebody who simply makes going to work each day worthwhile.
This week we are celebrating Lisa Alves, Shawna Haywood, and Adam White.
Lisa is a SERT Teacher at Monsignor Leo Cleary CES. Lisa was nominated by a colleague, who said:
“Lisa is an incredibly dedicated educator and a supportive colleague at Monsignor Leo Cleary. She truly makes a difference in the lives of the students and staff here at MLC. She is a relationship builder and helps every child to see his or her full potential.
Lisa has given so much of her personal time over the years to help out wherever needed. She is a coach, math mentor, teacher in charge, has created beautiful dramatic presentations for school celebrations, and is our teacher representative for school council, just to name a few of the extra hats that she wears. As well, Lisa has been a mentor to several new teachers, always offering new ideas, a different perspective on situations, and a warm smile with comforting words. Lisa makes MLC a wonderful place to spend the day.”
Shawna is an Autism/Spectrum Worker in the CASA classroom at St. Mary CSS. Shawna was nominated by a colleague, who said:
“Shawna is the safe person/place for many students in out CASA room. She sees each student’s strengths, unique needs and God given gifts each day- even at the most trying of times. She approaches problems from the student’s level and always has the student’s best interests in mind. She is a hero in our special education department from co-organizing the entire school breakfast program, coordinating the school laminations, preparing the CASA classroom and many activities within it, etc. all while maintaining professionalism, staff morale and a smile. Shawna is a hero at SMCSS, PVNCCDSB and especially in our special education department. Thank you Shawna for all you do, each and everyday!”
Adam is a Learning Consultant for French, English Language Learners, New Teacher Induction Program, Social Studies & Canada and World Studies at the CEC. Adam was nominated by colleagues, who said:
“Adam is always dedicated to his job, the staff he serves and has clear integrity and purpose. He has brought many positive changes for the board and continues to support all. Adam has been a consultant focussing on French for the past four years. He was a French Immersion teacher for many years at St Catherine in Peterborough. Adam’s work with the DELF is an example of his dedication to the promotion of French in PVNCCDSB.”
Another colleague added: “When I think about the description of an Everyday Hero, somebody who simply makes coming to work more enjoyable for those around them, Adam is a perfect example. Adam is so knowledgeable in his areas of expertise, but so generous with his time to both colleagues and the students who he serves. He shares his talents widely as a community volunteer. Adam uplifts those around him and I am so grateful that he went out of his way to recommend me for a community role that I have thoroughly enjoyed and that I would not have considered without his encouragement.”
We would like to thank Lisa, Shawna, and Adam for their commitment to creating a culture of faith, hope and love to ensure equity and well-being at our board.