SRCE Celebrates Education Week 2024: April 14 to 20 - Ten (10) Staff Recognized for Their Contributions
Education Week, April 14 to 22, 2024, provides an opportunity for school communities to share in celebrating the achievements of students and staff, and to acknowledge the contributions many people, in supporting roles, make to our public education system. This year’s Education Week theme is Connections to Community.
One of the features of the Provincial Education Week Committee’s activities is the recognition of staff and partners who have made outstanding contributions to their work relative to the theme. The Strait Regional Centre for Education congratulates the following recipients who have been formally recognized for their outstanding leadership and commitment to supporting student well-being, achievement and success:
- Jyl Boyle, Teacher, East Antigonish Education Centre/Academy
- Crystal Chisholm, School Secretary, St. Andrew Junior School
- Jennifer Desmond, African Nova Scotia Student Success Teacher, St. Andrew Junior School
- Tera Dorrington, Vice Principal, Chedabucto Education Centre/Guysborough Academy
- Leah Duggan, School Secretary, St. Andrew Junior School
- Nikita Jarvis, Lead Early Childhood Educator, H.M. MacDonald Elementary School
- Paula Landry, Home Learning Support Teacher, Programs and Student Services
- David MacDonald, Teacher, St. Mary’s Education Centre/Academy
- Neil MacQuarrie, Teacher, Inverness Education Centre/Academy
- Phillip Prosper, Mi’kmaw Support Teacher, Whycocomagh Education Centre
“Congratulations and thank you for your significant contributions to meeting the needs of all learners through your intentional efforts to build strong relationships and connections between the school and the community,” said Paul Landry, Regional Executive Director of Education for the Strait Regional Centre for Education.
Please access a copy of the celebration posters at:
Education Week 2024 Award Recipients: Connections to Community
Education Week 2024: April 14 to 20 School Activities Celebrating Connections to Community
NOTE: Please see below for respective biographies of the SRCE 2024 Education Week Award Recipients.
Jyl Boyle, Teacher, East Antigonish Education Centre/Academy
Throughout her teaching career, Jyl has demonstrated true community involvement by developing solid connections in her school community. Each day, Jyl strives to promote and build positive relationships in a culturally responsive learning environment focused on supporting student well-being, learning and success. She is readily available to support all students in her school and the broader community as a whole and has worked extensively with indigenous youth through school programming and community support. Jyl lives in the school catchment area and volunteers on a regular basis. She is consistently applying for programs, grants and professional development to further enrich students’ learning experiences. Jyl is an advocate for students and members of her union local, and volunteers as a school representative.
Crystal Chisholm, School Secretary, St. Andrew Junior School
Crystal and her colleague and co-Award recipient, Leah Duggan, are described as very committed, caring and capable staff members. They are further described as an amazing team who work collaboratively to ensure the school is welcoming and accessible for parents, guardians, visitors and all members of the school community.
Crystal takes care of school accounting, bus requisitions and purchase orders very capably and efficiently, as well as facilitating bookings for school events in the community and relieving Leah at the front desk. While her role places her slightly behind the scenes, Crystal’s friendly rapport with students, staff, parents and guardians and willingness to take on all tasks serve to further enhance the school’s connections to the school community.
Jennifer Desmond, African Nova Scotia Student Success Teacher, St. Andrew Junior School
As African Nova Scotia Student Success Teacher at St. Andrew Junior School, Jennifer is a great support to students and staff. She dedicates time both in and out of school to enhance the mental, physical, spiritual and emotional wellness of students. She has high expectations for students, ensuring they know their inherent value and encourages them to challenge themselves to work harder. Jennifer understands the unique needs of each student and gives them opportunities to shine. She facilitates community-based groups that promote cultural awareness for African Nova Scotian students. Jennifer makes conscious efforts to know the students and families she supports. She is an advocate for students, maintaining connections and communication between parents, guardians and the school. Jennifer’s community connections are of tremendous value. She is always willing to work with colleagues and share her expertise so they can better understand how to connect with each student and help them succeed.
Tera Dorrington, Vice Principal, Chedabucto Education Centre/Guysborough Academy
As Vice Principal, Tera provides opportunities and builds strong relationships both in and out of school to support students, families and community. She has been integral in bringing X-Project back to the school. X-Project is a student-led society through St. F.X. University that provides educational assistance, recreational and leadership experiences for African Nova Scotian students. Tera works with community partners including the Black Educators Association to provide learning opportunities for African Nova Scotian youth and shares her expertise supporting students with post-secondary planning. As Lead Teacher for the Afrikan Canadian Heritage and Friendship Centre, Tera provides opportunities for students and visitors to explore and celebrate the community’s strong African Canadian heritage. She is an outstanding leader whose passion and work ethic in equity and culturally responsiveness are positively impacting student success.
Leah Duggan, School Secretary, St. Andrew Junior School
Leah and her colleague and co-Award recipient, Crystal Chisholm, are described as very committed, caring and capable staff members. They are further described as an amazing team who work collaboratively to ensure the school is welcoming and accessible for parents, guardians, visitors and all members of the school community.
Leah is the first face students and visitors see when they enter the school. Her friendly and welcoming presence is well known to all in the school community. She routinely facilitates connections between the school and larger community, was integral in piloting the SafeArrival Program, is a member of the School Advisory Council, and developed a virtual booking system for parent/teacher meetings that has greatly helped to ensure all parents and guardians have access to their child’s teacher(s).
Nikita Jarvis, Lead Early Childhood Educator, H.M. MacDonald Elementary School
As Lead Early Childhood Educator at H.M. MacDonald Elementary School, Nikita’s connections to the community begin with an open house which gives future families a glimpse of the warm and welcoming environment she strives to provide every day in the Pre-primary Program. Nikita is intentional about building community with families. She involves them in supporting their child’s social-emotional learning by sharing strategies and resources from the Pyramid Model, the framework used in Pre-primary Programs to promote healthy social emotional development in young children. Nikita sends home resources and invites parents to visit the classroom to share examples of their community. Nikita has also encouraged families to be more involved in the school community by inviting them to volunteer on field trips to farms, museums and on community walks.
Paula Landry, Home Learning Support Teacher, Programs and Student Services
Paula exemplifies a commitment to enhancing and empowering school communities by leveraging her role as Home Learning Support Teacher. She supports families and students who have significant medical and/or other concerns that have made it difficult for students to attend regular school on a full-time basis. Through her deliberate efforts, Paula has fostered strong relationships with families, educators and community partners. Paula's approach, rooted in a strengths-based model, ensures students receive tailored support to thrive academically. Paula's approach also builds enduring professional and positive relationships. Her flexibility in thinking allows her to adapt strategies to meet diverse student needs. By actively involving families and community members, she creates a collaborative environment that prioritizes student well-being and academic success.
David MacDonald, Teacher, St. Mary’s Education Centre/Academy
David is positive, enthusiastic and works hard to meet the needs of students. Being from the school community, he knows many of the students and their families, which helps him make genuine connections and develop relationships.
David works hard to generate school spirit and build community connections. He designs logos for school clothing and volunteered time to paint the lobby to reflect the school colours of green and gold, helping members of the school community celebrate what it means to have a connection and sense of belonging at St. Mary's. David is also active in the Old Fashioned Christmas in Sherbrooke, has coached school sports and has been instrumental in coordinating Graduation Week activities, including the ceremony, banquet, prom and Safe Grad - more excellent examples of how David enhances his connections with students and families.
Neil MacQuarrie, Teacher, Inverness Education Centre/Academy
As a teacher at Inverness Education Centre/Academy, Neil is an active member of the school and community who knows every student, their family and has a wealth of knowledge about the history of Inverness. He manages the school’s senior boys’ hockey team, coaches senior girls’ softball and is the liaison for the Celtic Colours International Festival Concert hosted annually at the school. As a member of the local Royal Canadian Legion, Neil takes a leadership role during the school’s Remembrance Day Ceremony and maintains the Veterans' Memorial Wall dedication. He organizes the annual Lilith Fair Tribute concert, bringing together student musicians from Inverness County schools to perform a spring concert for community members. Neil is an active volunteer serving as President of the Inverness Arena Board, executive committee member for Inverness minor basketball, coach of Inverness minor baseball and hockey, and one of the organizers of the annual Broad Cove Scottish Concert.
Phillip Prosper, Mi’kmaw Support Teacher, Whycocomagh Education Centre
As Mi’kmaw Support Teacher, Phillip is an integral member of the Whycocomagh Education Centre school community. He serves as a connection between students and parents/guardians in the communities of Whycocomagh and Waycobah First Nation. He has organized many activities including inviting elders to share the importance of preserving the Mi’kmaw ways of doing and learning and worked with both Mi’kmaw and non-indigenous students to teach them how to make rawhide drums. Phillip also organized a presentation with elders who were residential school survivors. Phillip's leadership connects the school community with knowledge to support the path to truth and reconciliation.
Phillip exemplifies the philosophy of Two-Eyed Seeing and is spreading the word throughout the school and surrounding community.