‘Your impact has already been felt’: Here are the inaugural OISE Cultivating Community Award winners
May 7, 2021
By Perry King
Staff, faculty and students at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education are being recognized for their commitment to cultivating and enhancing the Institute’s sense of community.
The new Cultivating Community Award celebrates the achievements of staff, students or faculty members – individually or as a group – who have undertaken positive actions to influence and improve a sense of belonging, inclusivity and community within OISE or our external environment. The inaugural winners have shown these qualities at the height of the coronavirus pandemic and beyond.
“Our OISE community is so special because, in the face of great challenges, each member heeded the call to create a more inclusive, cohesive community for all,” said Professor Glen Jones, Dean of OISE. “This Cultivating Community Award is just a small token to acknowledge that massive contribution to our overall success as educators and community builders.
"On behalf of the OISE community, I congratulate all of the winners of this special, inaugural award. Your impact has already been felt.”
Two individuals and three teams have been recognized. Learn more about them below.
Cultivating Community Award (Individual)
Winners
Cherie A. Daniel
Doctoral Student
Department of Social Justice Education
Emma Sabzalieva
Alumna (PhD)
Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education
Cherie Daniel’s community-focused work is being acknowledged with this honour – especially for her dedication in establishing the National Black Graduate Network (NBGN), which has been integral in building community and collaboration among Black graduate students and students of Black Studies in Canada.
During her studies at OISE, Dr. Emma Sabzalieva was known as a caring and engaging colleague. OISE acknowledges that effort – specifically her work on initiating and organizing informal virtual coffee/tea sessions through the pandemic. Her efforts brought together OISE community students and staff, and provided a sense of togetherness during the pandemic.
Cultivating Community Award (Team)
Winner
Indigenous Education Network Team
- Lindsay DuPré, Indigenous Education Liaison
- Julie Blair, Indigenous Education Network Coordinator
- Alexis Daybutch, Indigenous Education Office Assistant
The Indigenous Education Network team is well known for their commitment to community spirit, togetherness, and the ethic of care. OISE is acknowledging their dedication and tireless efforts in keeping the Institute’s Indigenous community well connected and supported during the pandemic. They have done so through exemplary virtual programming centred on community wellness, connection, and support.
Winner
Master of Teaching Practicum Team
- Greg Boudreau, Practicum Coordinator
- Marguerite Campbell, Practicum Coordinator
- Anne Marie Chudleigh, Partnership Coordinator
- Lynette Lobo, MT Program Assistant, Practicum
- Susan London-McNab, Practicum Coordinator
- Ken McNeilly, Practicum Coordinator
- Phillippa Pothemont, MT Program Assistant, Partnerships
- Sherri SenGupta, Practicum Coordinator
The Master of Teaching (MT) practicum team has shown true commitment and dedication in operationalizing practicum placements for nearly 800 MT teacher candidates during the pandemic. The effort has had a positive impact on teacher candidates’ experience, and has strengthened connections with our partner schools and school boards during this last year.
OISE would like to take this opportunity to highlight Lynnette Lobo and Phillippa Pothemont’s outstanding service, professionalism and superlative support for the practicum process.
Winner
OISE Advancement and External Relations Team
- Sim Kapoor, Director, Advancement and External Relations
- Perry King, Communications Officer
- Marianne Lau, Marketing, Communications and Media Officer
- Courtney McNeillie, Advancement Associate
- Natalie Neumann Butler, Advancement Officer
Under the leadership of director Sim Kapoor, Advancement and External Relations team has many stellar accomplishments to be proud of. OISE would like to acknowledge the award-winning team’s hard work and dedication for developing and launching the OISE Stay At Home Club, a Twitter Live series created in March 2020 in response to the pandemic. The Club continues to bring learning and delight into the homes of thousands of local and global audiences at the University of Toronto and beyond.
Learn about the 2021 Staff Excellence Award winners
