One of the priorities of the GECDSB Strategic Plan is to engage communities in partnerships that respond to the needs of our learners and enhance student achievement. The Champions for Education Award supports this priority.
Generous individuals and organizations in our communities devote thousands of hours and donate financial and in-kind contributions that make a real difference to our students.
Champions For Education Award Recipients 2024
Build a Dream |
Build a Dream began as one. More than 10 years ago Nour Hachem-Fawas imagined an organization that would help expose young women to potential careers in the skilled trades and provide them with motivation and information to make their ambitions a reality. Some people believe that dreams are fanciful mental fabrications. The pre-frontal cortex does shut down when we sleep鈥hat鈥檚 the part of the brain that makes sense of the things we encounter while awake. But many neuroscientists and researchers think dreams are functions that build memory and help process things that we encounter each day. If you apply that reasoning鈥reams don鈥檛 come true鈥hey are a reflection of things that are already in development, mentally, if not tangibly. Now, generally, dreams that include hammers and saws are not pleasant. The unconscious can be a strange place! But the kind of well-tooled dreams we鈥檙e discussing at the moment have sunshine and rainbows. Build a Dream has evolved from an idea into a source of inspiration and action not just in Windsor-Essex County but throughout Ontario. The initial manifestation of the Build a Dream dream was a career discovery expo in Windsor and succeeding years saw bigger, more comprehensive events with more community industry partners. There are now thousands of young women who have traversed a possible career pathway that was, for all purposes, unavailable to them. Some of them now attend career fairs as presenters discussing their own experiences on the job. Build a Dream is a vehicle for consolidating the aspirations of young women into actions and possibilities. It also aids educators with new career resources and professional development. Less stress in someone鈥檚 life leads to better dreams. Build a Dream helps a lot of young women and industry partners - who require new skilled trades talent 鈥 sleep better at night. Sweet dreams from a Champion for Education.
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Jim Walker and the FedEx Group |
FedEx delivers! It鈥檚 one of the largest companies in North America. One of Canada鈥檚 best places to work and most reputable companies in this country. More than 13,000 employees, or team members, as they鈥檙e known (in-house), offering award-winning customer service. An outstanding corporate resume. But for our purposes, we鈥檙e concerned with the FedEx ground personnel at Roscon Industrial Drive in Oldcastle. They deliver for students of the 黑马磁力 and their families. But even if we had doorbell cameras -which we don鈥檛- you wouldn鈥檛 see what it is that they bring to our doorstep. It鈥檚 a wholly unpretentious and yet, remarkable partnership. For some time now, the FedEx folks have been anonymous benefactors for families at three different public schools during holidays and times of need. They have been like another mythical courier, except without the red suit or the reindeer. During COVID, when schools were closed and public interactions were potentially deadly, FedEx came through for students and families throughout the board. Learning was being done at home. Teaching was primarily on-line. But for families who did not have the technological capacity or preferred an alternate method, paper packages were created and there were hundreds who signed up from Windsor to Leamington. Those packages needed to be picked up and returned to the school for grading. It was the FedEx ground team we relied on to carry out the assignments. Jim鈥檚 employees did this on their own time, with their own vehicles and what would have been a difficult logistic ordeal for us went smoothly and we kept the students engaged during the greatest crisis ever facing public education. So we ask that they accept this delivery from us. And because they are Champions for Education, we won鈥檛 even ask them to sign for it.
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Katie Campeau and the Clinical Nursing Students - Faculty of Nursing, University of Windsor |
Nurse is one of those words in the English language with a grammatical duality, like bandage, cure and smile. It is a noun as well as a verb 鈥 an action and an object. Volunteer is another as are advocate and comfort. All, wonderful, dynamic words indubitably relative to the story of Katie Campeau and nursing students from the University of Windsor and their impact at James L. Dunn Public School. It begins with an opportunity for faculty of nursing candidates to gain experience promoting health at the school to primary students. There were some anticipated outcomes鈥 hidden ear infection was detected and 3 students got glasses after referrals to optometrists. Students also received important, basic health and hygiene instruction. Their success spawned more interest and further opportunities. The nursing students extended service to older children with interactive lessons about the importance of sleep, proper nutrition and the dangers of vaping. The novice nurses intended to learn but were now teaching. They also became involved in the breakfast program serving healthy food every Tuesday morning. And, since that鈥檚 when food is usually delivered, they wash fruit and vegetables, box cereal and make sandwiches. They鈥檝e also taken it upon themselves to organize a food drive at the university which replenished shelves of the nutrition room and helped create 20 food hampers for families during the holidays. Katie鈥檚 crew now help out in a wide variety of ways, even as extra bodies for yard duty on the playground. James L. Dunn often has an enviable 10 extra volunteers one day each week. The dichotomies of this relationship are pervasive, especially how you receive by giving鈥hat we refer to as Champions for Education.
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Kava Cafe & Bakery |
Flour, water, sugar, a pinch of salt鈥aybe a dash of spice鈥dd a healthy social conscience and you鈥檝e got some of the finest, best tasting, organic breads, cakes and confectionaries anywhere in Windsor and Essex County. They鈥檙e baked at Kava Caf茅 & Bakery in LaSalle by Le Cordon Bleu Chef Emily Bas. What she doesn鈥檛 augment her recipes with is any type of preservative, which limits the shelf life of her products. Since the caf茅 and bakery is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, that creates a problem for Emily, whose environmental ethos disdains unnecessarily throwing things out. That dilemma is a windfall for the students at James L. Dunn and West Gate public schools. Every Sunday, Emily and her staff pack up all the leftovers and deliver them, the next day, to the schools. Students enjoy French baguettes, Japanese milk bread, Italian focaccia, loaves of Challah and Babka, panini buns, old world sour dough, buttery croissants and homemade bagels. It鈥檚 been happening for 2 years at James L. Dunn, more recently at West Gate. Even if the kids might not know what they鈥檙e eating, it tastes good and they appreciate the variety it provides to their breakfast programs and occasional lunchtime sandwiches. It鈥檚 a lesson in gastronomy, but the fledgling gourmands are also learning about kindness and generosity. They may also not realize that the founder of their feasts, Emily and husband, Aaron Andary take great pride in their eco-conscious business that鈥檚 committed to supporting other area businesses by purchasing their ingredients locally. We cannot live on bread alone. Good works also sustain us and we (knead) people like Emily and Aaron. They are, to rephrase their company motto, 鈥渢ruly honest good hands who care鈥. They are Champions for Education.
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Mucci Farms |
It鈥檚 a sad, but familiar tale that due to cost and availability, fresh fruits and vegetables are a luxury in some households. And numerous young people in our district might be unfamiliar with some of these delicious and nutritious comestibles if not for the good folks at Mucci Farms. They are growers and purveyors of produce. (some say 鈥減ro鈥-duce鈥, others say 鈥減raw-duce鈥). We also won鈥檛 get involved in the perennial argument about what is a vegetable and what is a fruit, but, vegetables are, basically plant parts that are not fruits, seeds or flowers. Regardless, Mucci Farms pulls up to some of our county schools in Kingsville, Leamington and Essex each week with boxes of fresh produce 鈥 tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers, which, using certain definitions, could all be fruits, since they all develop from the flower of a plant. Some people argue that the real difference between a fruit and a vegetable is taste, with fruits being on the sweeter side of the spectrum. Rhubarb is technically a vegetable. Hundreds of students now have a real appetite for food that is not only good for them but tasty. They are also more prepared and able to learn. Mucci farms is a supplier of great, gateway veggies (or fruits). After sampling, and enjoying the pleasure of a juicy tomato, crisp cucumber or crunchy pepper, they might be more willing, eventually, to try peas, beans carrots, spinach or even turnip. And the regular deliveries help fuel the education and activities of young people throughout Essex County. About that, there is no debate! You can say 鈥渢om-a鈥-toe鈥 or 鈥渢om-ah-toe鈥, which is a dispute we can settle another day. We鈥檒l say with absolute certainty that Mucci Farms is a Champion for Education.
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Taryn Riley-Webb and Giant Tiger Store 257 |
Price check in aisle 4. The shelves at the Giant Tiger store on Huron Church Road are stocked with high quality, Canadian-made experience. Taryn Riley-Webb is the store owner and manager and she possesses many of the qualities and characteristics of the chain鈥檚 brand. For one, she鈥檚 a distinct individual. Like human fingerprints, no two tigers have exactly the same stripes. Though, we are hopeful that she is not an endangered species. We could use more people like her. Taryn has become a distinguished contributor to Westview Freedom Academy. She鈥檚 assists with the school鈥檚 Terry Fox run for cancer research and their Giving Tree holiday drive. But it鈥檚 what she has done at her store which is the most remarkable. Taryn welcomed 15 students from the school鈥檚 MAPS program to work in her store for 4 months during the first semester. M.A.P.S. is an acronym for My Achievement Pathway to Success. Students in the M.A.P.S. program have been identified with an intellectual or developmental disability. A critical element of success is participation in cooperative education opportunities. Taryn has put those on special and the experience has been life changing as detailed in one of many testimonials from parents, 鈥淪ince being at the store, with encouragement from her supervisors, she has become a different child鈥he鈥檚 happy鈥he鈥檚 confident. She鈥檚 ok with it being hard because they鈥檝e given her the tools to succeed.鈥 Tiger cubs stay with their mother for up to 2 years before they go out on their own. The mothers nurture and train their young鈥hey don鈥檛 head out on their own until they鈥檙e ready to look after themselves. Our students earn their stripes in an welcoming and inclusive environment at Giant Tiger in the care of Taryn Riley-Webb, a Champion for Education.
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United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County |
The United Way is not a member of our immediate family, but they are, very much, like an aunt or an uncle. We see them every now and then but they鈥檙e always around to support our kids. Parents鈥 siblings are valuable sources of knowledge and wisdom (my uncle taught me how to drive the ride-on mower blindfolded). They are, the cool adults in our lives. They can be a friend, rather than a disciplinarian, because they鈥檝e got no legal obligation. And, unlike grandparents, aunts and uncles are younger and have more stamina! However, as United Way celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2022, it may be more appropriate to refer to them as a Great Aunt or Uncle, but our affection for them remains the same. That because, under their umbrella of Cradle to Career, United Way invests in and supports communities based on supporting data. They help out in ways that we are sometimes unable to with programs such as Summer Eats for Kids, Backpacks for Success and On Track to Success. Since it was started in 2015, On Track to Success has helped dozens of our students get through high school and into a post-secondary field of study or profession. It 鈥渨raps support around a young person and their family to help them graduate high school.鈥 Students enrolled in On Track are eligible for up to $4000 for their post-secondary education or training. To reach that point, they receive tutoring, individualized support, recreational activities as well as social and career mentoring. In just 9 years there have been a lot of riders on this express train to achievement. Your many nieces and nephews: Aaliyah, Brayden, MacKenzie, Mikaila, Fadumo, Gracie, Rihab, Sindy and Skyler鈥.Thomas, Venessa, Zachary and all the others are surely very thankful and congratulate you on being named a Champion for Education.
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Vicky Young |
鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 cost me anything to be kind.鈥 Words of wisdom from that renowned philosopher, Paddington Bear. That has always been the doctrine of Vicky Young, who for more than 20 years has been a volunteer at Princess Elizabeth Public School. And like the introspective little bear Vicky has always had a fondness for books. Each day she would work in the school library. She鈥檇 tape broken spines or ripped covers, sort the returns and replace books on the shelves for the students to easily locate and enjoy them. Vicky also patiently worked with her student helpers to teach them the skills they鈥檇 need, should she not be there one day. Besides that, she trained students as lunch monitors, worked with the safety patrols, chaperoned on school field trips and generally helped around the school wherever she was needed. Some people believed she was an employee, when in fact it was all totally voluntary. While Vicki is admired for those practical contributions, she will always be remembered because she was always so nice to everyone. She knew everyone鈥檚 names, said hello to them in the hallways and shared laughs and treats (fortunately not marmalade sandwiches). Vicki knew who needed some special attention and she would do whatever she could to make their day better. For some, nutrition and lunch breaks were the best part of it, because they鈥檇 get a visit from Vicki. She had the ability to make kids feel important and safe. In the books by Michael Bond, Paddington Bear brought people closer together and had a wonderful sense of community. In addition to this award, we need a little card on a string for Vicky that reads, 鈥減lease look after this bear鈥 because she is a Champion for Education.
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VON - Ontario Student Nutrition Program |
There are few individuals or organizations that have a broader impact on students in the 黑马磁力 than the Ontario Student Nutrition Program. The numbers don鈥檛 require a Great Big Crunch鈥hey are impressive without analysis! In southwestern Ontario the OSNP has served more than 27 thousand students at 93 schools, 4 and a quarter million meals or snacks during the 2023-24 school year. They manage this on a grant of $4.29 per student, per year. The lead agency in this area is the Victorian Order of Nurses. They administer the funds, assist with local fundraising, help recruit volunteers, build community partnerships and support the schools with advice and program suggestions. The efforts of the staff and volunteers are incredible and appreciated. But this is not a good news story. The OSNP exists because otherwise, many young people would be going to school without breakfast, lunch or some nutritious snacks during the day. OSNP guidelines recognize: that good nutrition is important for healthy growth and physical development; healthy children are more prepared and able to learn; good nutrition at a young age reduces the risk of health problems later in life; and when students learn about healthy eating in their classrooms, they are more disposed to making healthier choices throughout their day and their lives. The educational element of the program may have the most enduring effect. With programs and events, such as the Great Big Crunch 鈥 where students chomp down simultaneously, at a predetermined time on locally grown apples 鈥 help etch the idea of healthy eating in their minds. American civil rights hero Cesar Chavez said, 鈥渢he people who give you their food give you their heart.鈥 Our students have certainly gotten both from the good folks who work for and with the Ontario Student Nutrition Program. They are all Champions for Education. |
Wendy's Leamington |
Wendy鈥檚 Leamington is a 10 minute walk or a 2 minute drive from Leamington District Secondary School. It鈥檚 a popular neighbourhood lunch spot for students and staff and not just because of the menu or the prices 鈥 it鈥檚 the people. They believe in the company鈥檚 motto, 鈥淕ood Done Right鈥 - which is about more than about just the quality of the food. The customers from LDSS truly appreciate the welcoming space Bonnie Porteous and the Wendy鈥檚 staff have created for them. 鈥淔resh not Frozen鈥 is another corporate catch phrase that Wendy鈥檚 staff has taken to heart, but with a slight twist from the intended meaning. There鈥檚 a friendly warmth that radiates in the store. During a cold spell this winter staff gave gloves and a jacket to some students who were cold and they began collecting more clothing to have on hand for other times when the need arose. Wendy鈥檚 has a solid history and reputation of community service and social justice throughout its more than 7000 restaurants. Internationally, they support education, foster care, adoption and animal welfare as well as climate action and sustainable development. In 2022 Forbes Magazine declared Wendy鈥檚 one of the world鈥檚 best employers. And there are some students from LDSS who can attest to that. The Leamington store gave 2 students in the My Achievement Pathway to Success (M.A.P.S.) program their first ever paying jobs. Wendy鈥檚 founder Dave Thomas would be proud of what they鈥檙e doing in Leamington. Their corporate values state that the company 鈥渟hould support the communities where it does business鈥. There are many places you can grab lunch in Leamington, but we think Wendy鈥檚 is a classic choice鈥 Big Classic鈥ecause Bonnie Porteous and her staff are Champions for Education. |
Person/Organization | Year |
---|---|
A | - |
Active Body Physical Therapy | 2018 |
Doris Armstrong | 2008 |
Oshiomogho Atogwe, I am Foundation | 2010 |
Rob Agnew, Circle of Seven | 2010 |
B | - |
Marie Bacon | 2007 |
Marie Bailey | 2012 |
BASF Canada, Fred Delisle | 2007 |
Betty Bedragon | 2012 |
Belle River Public School Parent Council | 2020 |
Constable Monique Bergeron | 2018 |
Big Brothers, Big Sisters | 2005 |
Leo Bissonnette | 2017 |
Elaine & Harry Bosveld | 2007 |
Dawn Boughner | 2009 |
Laurie Bradbury | 2017 |
Carol Brush | 1998 |
Build a Dream | 2024 |
C | - |
Calframax Technologies | 2010 |
Carpenters & Allied Worker Local 494 |
2018 |
The Campana Family | 2014 |
Katie Campeau and Clinical Nursing Students Faculty of Nursing University of Windsor | 2024 |
John Campbell Public School Parents' Association | 1998 |
Canadian Auto Workers Local 200 | 2012 |
Canadian Auto Workers Local 444 | 2012 |
Mary Caton | 2012 |
Cavalier Tool & Manufacturing Ltd. | 2013 |
CenterLine (Windsor) Ltd. | 2016 |
Arnie Charlton | 2012 |
John and Sophia Chisholm | 2020 |
John Coleman | 2016 |
Southern Collision | 2019 |
Community Living Windsor - Nutrition Crew at Herman Elementary | 2018 |
Bill Conely | 2015 |
D | - |
Danielle Richer and Paul Finlayson | 2023 |
Dr. Anil Dhar | 2012 |
Deer Run Church | 2020 |
Paul DiGiovanni | 2023 |
D.M. Eagle Kiss 'n Ride Volunteers | 2017 |
D.M. Eagle Public School Council | 2017 |
Al Douglas | 2018 |
E | - |
Essex County Black Historical Research Society | 2023 |
F | - |
First Baptist Church of Kingsville | 2008 |
Brenda Fletcher | 2013 |
David & Jennifer Fox | 2008 |
Friends of Fontainebleau | 2018 |
G | - |
Margaret Gallagher | 2015 |
John Garinger | 2010 |
Tara Geauvreau | 2019 |
General Brock Public School Breakfast Club Volunteers | 2017 |
General Motors of Canada, Windsor Engineers | 2006 |
General Motors of Canada, Windsor Transmission Plant | 2006 |
Joyce Gignac | 2010 |
Greater Windsor Homebuilders Association | 2007 |
Jodi Greige | 2011 |
Goodfellows | 2020 |
H | - |
Jhonny Hajjar | 2012 |
Shelley Harding-Smith | 1998 |
Home Depot Canada | 2006 |
Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital | 2008 |
I | - |
II Gabbiano Restaurant | 1998 |
J | - |
J & J Marine | 2015 |
K | - |
Logan Kane | 2023 |
Kava Cafe & Bakery | 2024 |
King Edward Home & School Association | 2011 |
Larry Koscielski | 2012 |
Sheri Lynn Koscielski | 2014 |
Marlies Kutz | 2020 |
L | - |
Sherry Lajoie | 2005 |
Lakepoint Homes | 2015 |
Leamington United Mennonite Church | 2007 |
Lana Lee | 2005 |
Michelle Lomazzo | 2014 |
M | - |
Tamye MacVicar | 2016 |
Lila MacVicar | 2010,2019 |
Helen Maisonville | 1998 |
Maryville Adolescent and Family Services | 2013 |
Janet Masse | 2018 |
Gordon McGregor Public School Advisory Council | 2008 |
Julie McInnis | 2006 |
Kim McKinley | 2005 |
John McQuire | 1998 |
Chris Meloche, No Frills Amherstburg | 2010 |
Janice Millar | 2009 |
Janet Mooney | 2012 |
Mucci Farms | 2024 |
Music Express | 2017 |
N | - |
Ann Nasser | 2009 |
The Neighbourhood Charitable Alliance | 2017 |
Northwood P.S. School Council | 2009 |
O | - |
Ojibway Nature Centre | 2020 |
Pat Ondracka | 2005 |
Lillian Othmer | 2015 |
P | - |
Andy Paling | 2023 |
Julie Parkyn, IBM Canada | 2006 |
Tom Payne | 1998 |
Parkwood Gospel Church | 2020 |
Mark Pellow | 2023 |
Thelma Percy | 1998 |
Wendy Pisciotto | 2008 |
Tina Poisson | 2005 |
Pure Flavor | 2023 |
Prestressed Systems, Inc. | 2013 |
R | - |
Chris Rabideau & Arts Collective Theatre | 2017 |
Bianca Radu | 2019 |
RBC Afterschool Project | 2015 |
Krista Regehr | 2020 |
Doug Romanek, Nana's Bakery | 2008 |
Reko International | 2015 |
Darrie-Ann Richard | 2018 |
Taryn Riley-Webb & Giant Tiger Store 257 | 2024 |
Roseland Lions Club | 2011 |
Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 201 | |
Rennie Rota, Sobeys Amherstburg | 2010 |
Michael Rvachov | 2006 |
Janice Ryall | 2005 |
S | - |
St. Aidan's Anglican Church, Windsor | 2009 |
St. Clair College | 2005,2014 |
Richard St. Denis | 2006 |
Danita Sadaka | 2007 |
Dr. Geri Salinitri | 2016 |
Wayne Samwell | 2013 |
Dave Santing | 2023 |
Mike Schlater | 2012 |
Scottish Rite & Masonic Lodge Windsor Essex | 2009 |
Barry Shaw | 2006 |
Manjit Shaw | 1998 |
Giselle Simpson | 2010 |
Dr. Elizabeth Southcott | 2011 |
Vicky Smith | 2010 |
Dave Snyder | 2007 |
Christine Stengel | 2009 |
T | - |
Judy Taiariol | 2007, 2011 |
Wendy Taylor | 2015 |
T.D. Friends of the Environment Foundation | 2009 |
T' Dye For Hair Salon | 2009 |
Tecumseh Shoreline Week Community Newspaper | 2011 |
Tepperman's Furniture | 2019 |
Thames Valley Childrens's Centre | 2008 |
Truax Lumber and Building Materials | 2020 |
Marsha Tterlikkis | 2012 |
U | - |
Unconquered Sun Solar Technologies | 2014 |
Unemployed Help Centre | 2013 |
Union Gas | 2014 |
United Brotherhood of Carpenters Local 494 | 2018 |
United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County | 2024 |
V | - |
Valiant Machine & Tool | 2014 |
Paul Vasey | 2005 |
Cathy Vendrasco | 2009 |
Petra Verweij | 2007 |
Viking Pump of Canada, Inc | 2018 |
VON - Ontario Student Nutrition Program | 2024 |
Philippa VonZiegenweidt | 2007 |
Kathy Vriesen | 2006 |
W | |
Jim Walker and The FedEx Group | 2024 |
Joanne Webb | 2008 |
Tom Weber | 1998 |
Mary Grace Weir | 2020 |
Wendy's Restaurant - Leamington | 2024 |
Daniel & Gloria Wilson | 2017 |
Windsor Downtown Lions Club | 1998 |
Windsor Essex Community Foundation | 2019 |
Windsor Essex County Health Unit | 2008 |
Windsor Express Basketball Team | 2019 |
Windsor Police Service | 2019 |
Windsor Public Utilities Commission | 1998 |
Windsor Regional Children's Centre | 2013 |
Windsor Roseland Rotary Club | 2006 |
Windsor Spitfires | 2009 |
Windsor Symphony Orchestra | 2023 |
W.F. Herman Secondary School Alumni | 2016 |
Jan Wright | 2005 |
Y | - |
Greg Yantzi | 2011 |
Alba Younan | 2018 |
Vicky Young | 2024 |