2022 Excellence Recipients

Congratulations to the 2022 TDSB Excellence Award Winners!

This year, the Excellence Awards were refreshed to align with the shared system priorities of everyone in the TDSB and include nomination categories which reflect our focus on student achievement, engagement, and wellness all centered by our commitment to equity, anti-racism, anti-oppression and human rights.

Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination and congratulations to all nominees and award recipients!  

Student Achievement and Engagement

This award recognizes individuals or groups that have demonstrated excellence through a specific focus on activities, programs, or an initiative to enable high student achievement and engagement that supports under-served students. Innovation and creating positive student learning experiences are essential for this award. Award recipients in this category:

• Todd Kobe, Teacher, James S Bell Sports & Wellness Academy
  Recognized for working to ensure stellar programming for students in an Intensive Support Program.
• Mary Lopreiato, Educational Assistant, John Polanyi CI
  Recognized for commitment to supporting students and going above and beyond the duty of care to ensure deep and meaningful contact with students during school closure.
• Amy Yu, ACL – Math/Science/Technology, Heydon Park SS
  Recognized for engaging students in rich equity focussed STEM practices through Pathways and Life Skills courses.
• Mary Katsis, Educational Assistant, John McCrea PS
  Recognized for commitment to providing exemplary Reading Intervention Programming at John McCrae PS.

Enhancing Belonging and Wellbeing
This award recognizes an individual or group that creates outstanding collaborative environments where others feel safe to share thoughts and feelings, and contribute to discussions and/or initiatives. They enhance well-being by acknowledging uniqueness, removing barriers, and supporting mental health initiatives and practices. Award recipients in this category: 

• Linda Cheng, Teacher, Parkdale CI
  Recognized for organizing Mental Health Awareness initiatives and having an overall positive impact on wellness at the school.  

Strengthening Inclusion
This award recognizes an individual or group that has significantly advanced inclusion by demonstrating leadership in removing barriers to equitable opportunities. They establish an environment that enhances access to participation in culturally responsive ways, creating spaces and opportunities where diversity is celebrated, and everyone is able to thrive. Award recipients in this category:

• Jennifer Kil, Assistant Curriculum Leader, David & Mary Thomson CI
  Recognized for ongoing advocacy for inclusion of ISP DD students.
• Dr. Deepinderjit Kaur Labana, Assistant Curriculum Leader, Emery CI
  Recognized for ongoing commitment to student success, equity and wellbeing and leadership in helping to create a safe, caring, inclusive and equitable school climate.

Driving Innovation
This award will recognize an individual or group that has championed outstanding innovation. They have demonstrated leadership in innovation by implementing an innovative project, practice, technique, or tool that positively enhances student achievement, staff experiences, and/or service delivery. Award recipients in this category: 

• Chey Cheney, Teachers, Beaumonde Heights JMS
  Recognized for taking the lead to develop student-led podcasts to amplify student voice and build the capacity of staff to incorporate students creating media into their own teaching practices.  

Combatting Hate and Racism
This award will recognize an individual or group that has demonstrated outstanding practice in confronting hate and racism within the TDSB. Award recipients in this category:

• Kevin D’Souza, Assistant Curriculum Leader, Central Toronto Academy
  Recognized for ongoing commitment to combatting hate and racism within the TDSB and for being an incredible mentor and leader amongst staff.
• Colin MacLellan, Teacher, Albert Campbell CI
  Recognized for being a leader in the school community addressing issues of discrimination and hate and for advancing anti-oppression throughout the school community.
• Lorelei Eccleston, Principal, Rawlinson Community School
  Recognized for leadership and ongoing efforts to transform Rawlinson Community School through focussing on closing achievement gaps and ensuring the most under-served students sit at the centre of decision making.

Digital Leadership
This award will recognize an individual or group that has demonstrated outstanding strategic and/or operational leadership to improve the adoption and use of digital technologies in classrooms, schools, or administrative departments. Award recipients in this category:

• Dave Ramnaraine, Teacher, Downsview SS
  Recognized for commitment to student success and work with Sharda Veoli to implement successful initiatives between Spring 2020 and now. 
• Sharda Veoli, Teacher, Downsview SS
  Recognized for commitment to student success and work with Dave Ramnaraine to implement successful initiatives between Spring 2020 and now.