Recipients from 2025-26

Terry Osborne

School Crossing Guard

The Banbury Heights community describes crossing guard Terry Osborne as a superstar. Terry’s dedication in this role has made a lasting impact on the lives of students, families and neighbours. Each day, Terry is stationed at the cross walk at the front of the school. Through her warm presence, attentiveness and unwavering commitment to safety, she creates a space where children feel seen and supported, and are greeted by name. More than guiding traffic, she builds trust and reassurance, turning the streetscape into a place of care and connection. As a community partner, she carries out Grand Erie’s goals of creating safe, welcoming environments that set the tone for the rest of the school day. The Learn Lead Inspire award recognizes Terry’s exceptional ability to foster both safety and community, and the positive difference she makes with every smile, wave and watchful eye.

Meghan Daley

Jarvis Public School 

Violet Lamont

Paris District High School 

Over the course of her secondary school career, Violet Lamont has contributed more than 1,100 hours of community service throughout the Paris community, generously supporting organizations such as the Royal Canadian Legion, the Salvation Army and a variety of local food initiatives. Her commitment to service reflects both compassion and an unwavering sense of civic responsibility. She has balanced this commitment with valuable contributions to her school community; Violet has been an integral member of the music program, performing with the symphonic band for three years and representing the school at national competitions and sharing her musical talents with schools and local retirement homes. This fall, Violet will continue her educational journey at Trent University, pursuing a degree in Conservation Biology, undoubtedly carrying forward the same spirit of leadership and service that has distinguished her thus far. Her commitment and leadership are testament to the values of the Learn Lead Inspire award.

Christopher Bailey and Robin Perry

Onondaga-Brant Public School

At Onondaga-Brant Public School, the passion and leadership of two exceptional educators embodies the spirit of the Learn Lead Inspire award. Robin Perry, a core French teacher who consistently goes above and beyond the curriculum, creates a learning environment that is uplifting and inclusive. Her innovative teaching practices, deep commitment to student success and active involvement in extracurricular activities have made a lasting impact on everyone around her, students and colleagues alike. Equally inspiring is Christopher Bailey, whose visionary leadership in educational technology has revolutionized learning at Onondaga-Brant Public School. His commitment to integrating digital tools into daily instruction ensures students are not only engaged but equipped with the skills they need for a rapidly evolving world. His leadership extends far beyond the classroom as he champions key school initiatives and coaches multiple sports, motivating students and staff through his dedication. 

Lisa-Marie Monteiro and Janetta Rogers

Walter Gretzky Elementary School

Grand Erie schools are inclusive, welcoming places, thanks to staff members committed to understanding the learners we serve, and the diversity of backgrounds and experiences they bring to the community. At Walter Gretzky Elementary School, two educators have taken an exemplary lead in sharing this commitment with all learners. In recent years, Lisa-Marie Monteiro and Janetta Rogers have collaborated, planned and shared several initiatives and events centered around building opportunities to learn from each other. They’ve developed educational content for days of significance, brought in resources from the larger community, and supported students in furthering their own efforts to build a culture of learning, well-being and belonging. These engaging activities and educational events have helped create supportive spaces in which students and families see themselves reflected and have gone a long way in fostering a responsive, inclusive school community. 

École Confédération Volunteers

It takes a village to learn, lead and inspire, and at École Confédération, an incredible group of volunteers has come together to support literacy learning in the school community. Joann Alho, Correen Kloostra, Monique Morrey, Mulki Noor, Isabelle Rourke, Matthew Sackrider and Amanda Woodare a dedicated group made up of parents/caregivers, grandparents, retired educators and community members making a positive impact each week, working with more than 70 students in kindergarten to Grade 8 to improve reading and writing skills in French and English. Each volunteer works with a smaller group in the learning commons, and the consistent, focused support over the months has made a lasting impact on learners’ confidence, academic achievement, and love of learning. This group of individuals selflessly dedicate their time each week, a commitment that makes a meaningful impact on students’ learning journeys. 

Corey Mehlenbacher, Simcoe Composite School 

In his role as a secondary teacher, Corey Mehlenbacher exemplifies the transformative power of education. Whether in his math and vocational classrooms or in the larger school community, he cultivates a culture of high expectations, promoting student achievement through measurable and meaningful methods. By fostering a sense of belonging and supporting students’ social-emotional learning, he addresses their needs holistically. A reflective learner himself, he adapts and evolves his teaching practices to best serve his students. Through modelling what successful strategies look like, he empowers his students to work through barriers and challenges. He also prioritizes building strong connections between home and school, inviting and fostering family involvement in students’ success. Mr. Mehlenbacher’s dedication shapes futures, ignites passions and transforms his students’ educational experiences, capturing the spirit of the Learn Lead Inspire award.