Frances Poleschuk Award Recipients 2011

The Frances Poleschuk Award is named in honour of Frances Poleschuk for the tremendous contribution she has made to Primary Education in Ontario. For this reason, each year at the Annual General Meeting, C.A.P.E. presents the Frances Poleschuk Award to recognize an educator(s) in Ontario who has made an exemplary contribution to the education of young children. This award celebrates an individual(s) whose efforts go above and beyond what is expected.

On occasion, two awards have been presented in the same year to candidates who have had significant impacts in Primary Education. This year we are fortunate to have to two recipients of the Frances Poleschuk Award. Jim Grieve, Assistant Deputy Minister of the Early Learning Division and former Director of the Peel DSB and Lisa Kuyper, Elementary Consultant with the BHNCDSB are two very deserving recipients of the 2011 Frances Poleschuk Award!

Jim Grieve
Assistant Deputy Minister
Early Learning Program Division

Jim Grieve was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister of the Early Learning Division for the Ontario Ministry of Education in November of 2009 to lead the provincial implementation of full day learning for 4 and 5 year old children in all Ontario schools.  Jim recognizes this initiative as one of the most significant investments in the future of our children and the province.  He is dedicated to significantly increase the percentage of children who have the developmental and literacy skills to be ready to move successfully into grade one.  Jim is a passionate advocate for early child development and has always been deeply involved in developing the strongest possible supports for children and their families.  He is deeply honoured to have been given the opportunity to lead the implementation of full day learning for 4 and 5 year olds in Ontario.  Jim developed a strong advocacy for the early years through his direct work as one founding member of the Council for Early Child Development.  Over the last 15 years, along with Dr. Fraser Mustard, Dr. Dan Offord, Dr. Magdelena Janus and countless talented leaders in the field of early child development, he has worked to develop strong multi-sectoral initiatives designed to help young children and families in Canada thrive.  He contributed to the development of two highly recognized Success by 6 organizations in Ottawa and in the Region of Peel. Following an exemplary career as a teacher, school administrator and superintendent in the North York Board, Jim served as Director of Education in Ottawa Carleton for four years and in October 2009 completed seven years as Director of Education in the Peel District School Board, Canada's second largest school board. Jim holds a Masters Degree from OISE/University of Toronto along with undergraduate degrees from York University and Victoria College of the University of Toronto. Known as a highly visible and approachable leader, Jim will continue his long standing tradition of spending several days each month visiting Ontario's many diverse communities to view exemplary programs, engage Best Start, child care, municipal and education leaders in order to assess and improve the implementation process.

Lisa Kuyper
Elementary Consultant,
Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic DSB

Lisa Kuyper is an exemplary primary teacher and passionate advocate for the education of young children. Lisa’s extensive experiences working in Early and Primary Education have afforded her many opportunities to organize and implement child-centered programs as well as provide supportive educational leadership within the BHNCDSB and the communities of Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk.
In her current role as Elementary Program Consultant with the BHNCDSB, Lisa has been instrumental in the development, organization and implementation of several child-centered programs in our system. Currently, Lisa is responsible for the facilitation and co-ordination of the EL-KP program for our system. She has worked diligently with principals, classroom teachers and early childhood educators to foster a collaborative professional learning environment that supports and values the development, implementation, and evaluation of a coherent Full-Day Early Learning – Kindergarten Program.
Lisa has organized and facilitated learning sessions that value and support the practice of kindergarten teachers and early childhood educators. She has worked with the Superintendent to implement policies and practices that respect all learners, staff, families and community members. Lisa has been instrumental in establishing links with Nipissing University, Schulich School of Education, Brantford Campus’ kindergarten course instructor. This community partnership hosted at Nipissing’s onsite to Early Learning Kindergarten teaching room, has resulted in the development of several early learning sessions for kindergarten teachers, principals, early childhood educators and childcare supervisors to share perspectives and practices.
Lisa’s extensive knowledge of Primary Education Issues have made her a welcome member on a variety of system and community committees whose mandates are affiliated with Early Learning. Lisa’s system responsibilities include chair of the BHNCDSB Kindergarten Committee, chair of EL-KP Program and Professional Development Committee, member of the 21st Century Teaching and Learning Primary Teaching and Learning Technology Project, board representative for the Catholic Curriculum Corporation and elementary board representative in C.A.P.E.
Lisa also provides supportive educational leadership to the Brant and Haldimand Norfolk Family Literacy Committees and the Best Start Committees in both regions. She is well known in both communities as a passionate advocate for children and early learning. Her dedication and commitment to the early learning community is readily acknowledged throughout our region.
As an instructor of pre-service teachers and current educators in various courses at Nipissing University, Lisa has responded with genuine care and concern for the learning of all. Learners enthusiastically attend Lisa’s sessions as they know they will be engaged by her animated presentation style and delivery of important material. She consistently encourages and facilitates change, growth and improvement in the education of all children. Lisa has provided future and current teachers with a strong foundational knowledge of teaching pedagogy and an extensive tool-kit of strong instructional strategies.

Jim Grieve Assistant Deputy Minister Early Learning Program Division	Lisa Kuyper Consultant, Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic DSB

PAST RECIPIENTS OF THE FRANCES POLESCHUK AWARD

1989		Jessie Enge, Atikokan Bd. of Ed.
		Helen Gaston, Etobicoke Bd. of Ed.
1990		Joy Brown, Dryden Bd. of Ed.
		Ron Benson, Scarborough Bd. of Ed.
1991		Sister Valerie Canwenberghe, London RCSSBD
	N/A	Helen Smith, Hastings Bd. of Ed.
1992		Josie Richter, York Region Bd. of Ed.
		Barbara Rogers, York Region Bd. of Ed.
1993		Joy Fulford, Etobicoke Bd. of Ed.
1994		Carol Hara, City of York Bd. of Ed.
		Susan Pearson, City of York Bd. of Ed.
1996		Sharon McPhail, Lambton County Bd. of Ed.
1997		Josie Vallee, Sault St. Marie Bd. of Ed.
1998		Dr. Pat Dickinson, Halton Bd. of Ed.
1999	N/A	Mary Francone, Toronto CDSB
2000	N/A	Louise Sygrove, Avon Maitland DSB
2001	N/A	Betty Goulden, York Region CDSB
		Melanie Greenan, Dufferin Peel CDSB
2002		Gabrielle O’Reilly, Simcoe Muskoka CDSB
2003		Dr. Maria Cantalini-Williams-Waterloo Catholic DSB
		Lynda Pilipishen -Keewatin-Patricia DSB
2004		Lyn Vause, Simcoe Muskoka Catholic DSB
2006		Kathy Thompson District School Bd. of Niagara
2008		Lynn Howarth Hamilton Wentworth DSB
2008		Dianne Riehl Toronto DSB
2009		Cathy Hutson Teacher Halton DSB
2009		Mary Marshall Coordinator Halton DSB
2010		Pam Rao Teacher DSBN   Joanne Pizzuto Teacher Greater Essex DSB