By James Matthews, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Innovation and adaptability are a teacher’s assets in a classroom.
The Trillium Lakelands District School Board recognized those prized qualities in staff members during its Dec. 5 public meeting.
“Innovation is the practice of developing and implementing new and relevant services or systems,” said Wes Hahn, the board’s education director, in a press release.
“Leadership is a set of behaviours used to help people align collective directions, execute strategic plans, and continually renew and improve an organization.”
The school board’s new Director’s Recognition for Innovation and Leadership Award celebrates individuals who have combined the characteristics of innovation and leadership to advance the goals of improving student learning, achievement, and fostering student and staff well-being.
The award will be presented at each monthly board meeting.
December’s recipient is Dwayne Raglin, the board’s cybersecurity and network infrastructure manager.
Raglin has led a small team of dedicated individuals through a thorough review of board cybersecurity practices and the implementation of innovative solutions.
“Raglin’s innovation and leadership has contributed to the establishment of a learning and working environment which is safe, equitable, and open to all, and also promotes excellence in learning outcomes for our students,” according to a press release.
Hahn also recognized three individuals with a Canadian Association of Communicators in Education (CACE) BRAVO! Award. They honour exemplary work in all aspects of marketing and engagement, communications, and school public relations each year.
CACE is the only Canada-wide awards program specifically designed to recognize excellence in school board communications. TLDSB put its work forward in the Communications Project category.
“Communications projects are full, complete projects that have a comprehensive, strategic communications plan with clear evidence of objective project/program evaluation,” Hahn said.
TLDSB was presented with an Award of Distinction at the 2023 BRAVO! Awards Gala on Oct. 29.
Congratulations to Carolynne Bull, communications manager, Sinead Fegan, communications officer, and e-learning design technician Bryce Huskilson.
Hahn highlighted the recent achievements and other work being done across the system to support the 2022-2027 Strategic Plan, including results from the annual parent/guardians fall survey, the creation of mental health champions in every TLDSB school, as well as the recent work of the G7 Student Senate who will be creating supports for student mental health.
Each of the superintendents of learning shared data from their 2022-2023 focus schools with trustees.
Focus schools are identified schools where the administrator and superintendent explore advances that can be made at the school level. The superintendent works alongside the administration and teachers to look at their school data and provide suggestions and resources that they can use to advance student achievement at their school.
Tanya Fraser, acting associate superintendent of learning, shared the Mental Health and Addiction Strategy, which focuses on caring conditions for learning; social emotional learning skills; mental health knowledge; mental health support; and strong service pathways.
Fraser also noted that there was a shift last school year from student success and attendance counsellors (SSACs) to mental health counsellors, as well as the implementation of a multi-tiered system of support.
Tim Ellis, superintendent of business services, shared updates from Business Services such as the modification in school budgets to reflect local need, carbon neutral changes that have been made, and the opening of the child-care centre at Glen Orchard Public School.
Traci Hubbert, superintendent of human resources services, provided trustees with some highlights from the department that included the work done to reach union agreements and ensuring staff are in schools to support in times of high staff absenteeism.
Jay MacJanet, superintendent of learning, presented trustees with the Math Achievement Action Plan, which is a directive from the Ministry of Education Bill 98, Better Schools and Students Outcomes Act, 2023.
MacJanet highlighted the three priorities:
Ensuring fidelity of curriculum implementation, including the intentional use of proven strategies that support academic math achievement;
Engaging in ongoing leaning on math content knowledge for teaching;
Knowing the math learner, and ensuring math tasks and interventions, and supports are relevant and responsive.
