The UCDSB Service Excellence Awards are a peer-to-peer employee recognition program that was created in the 2015-16 school year. These awards were created to recognize exceptional service to our students, their families and our co-workers.
A selection committee determines the top nominees following a detailed review of how the nominees demonstrated the UCDSB’s Six Qualities of Service Excellence, showed leadership in the area of service excellence and made an impact within our system.
2024-2025 Service Excellence Award Recipients
Individuals
Sue Hart, Office Administrator, South Crosby Public School
Sue embodies the very best of service excellence. Her welcoming presence sets the tone for the school, making students, parents, and staff feel valued and supported. Her desk, covered in thank-you notes and pictures from grateful students, speaks to the deep connections she has built within the school community. Sue is the bridge between families and the school, fostering relationships that strengthen the community.
Stephen McGrath, Custodian, Oxford-on-Rideau Public School
Steve's greetings and daily check-ins create a welcoming atmosphere where students and staff feel valued and cared for. Whether ensuring classrooms are clean and safe, offering a helping hand, or simply sharing a kind word, Steve's positivity makes a difference every single day. His attention to detail, willingness to go above and beyond, and steadfast reliability make a meaningful difference in the daily experiences of staff and students.
Terri-Lynn Merpaw, Early Childhood Educator, Caldwell Street Public School
Terri-Lynn truly carries out the qualities of service excellence naturally by fostering a culture of care in her classroom, providing individual attention, seeing things through and going beyond the daily expectations. She brings out the best in every child by meeting each of them at their development level and providing the support and encouragement they need to thrive. She takes time to get to know each student - their interests, strengths and needs - creating engaging, play-based learning activities tailored to their passions. She approaches each day with enthusiasm, positivity, and with a wonderful sense of humour.
Lisa Seed, Early Childhood Educator, Rideau Vista Public School
Lisa greets her Kindergarten class with a bright demeanor every morning, and ensures students feel safe and secure while at school. She makes the effort to develop special connections with each student, ensuring they feel recognized and valued by praising their work, guiding them, and making corrections in a fun and humorous way. She is caring and empathetic in her communications with children, parents and co-workers, and she is steadfast in her support, with parents commenting that they have seen their children's confidence, emotional development and leadership skills grow with her continuous encouragement.
Sarah Harvey, Teacher, South Branch Elementary School
Sarah is an invaluable member of the South Branch family. Her ability to foster a culture of care is reflected in the joy her students feel whenever they see her. She doesn't just teach - she forms lasting connections, remembering the details that make each student feel valued. Time and time again, students say that Sarah is their favourite teacher - an undeniable testament to the impact she had on their lives. Beyond her role in the classroom, Sarah leads with unwavering dedication. Whether stepping up as principal designate at a moment's notice, revitalizing school resource space, or her tireless dedication to the school's inclusive intramural programs, she continuously finds ways to enhance the school community.
Pam Thompson, Special Services Counsellor
Pam is truly committed to creating a culture of care, seeing things through from start to finish, and being a leader in her area of expertise. Pam sees strength where others might see struggle. She listens without judgement, acts without hesitation, and always makes sure that every voice - no matter how quiet - is heard and respected. Pam supports a countless families each school year, holding their stories of hardship with compassion while delivering nothing but kindness.
Groups
Jill Miller, Teacher, and Nicole Dunn, Early Childhood Educator, Caldwell Street Public School
Jill and Nicole exemplify service excellence in every aspect of their work. Their classroom is a warm and inclusive space where students feel valued and supported. They go beyond simply teaching - they foster a culture of care, recognizing individual needs and providing tailored support, particularly for students with learning and health challenges. Both serve as true leaders in their school community: Jill's expertise in literacy education and commitment to improving reading instruction make her a valuable mentor to fellow educators, while Nicole's contributions to staff morale and community-building bring colleagues together, creating a positive and collaborative environment.