Outstanding Service Awards

It’s astonishing how well Alisha Lebert lives up to her name.

Alisha is derived from German, meaning “of noble kind” and a noble person is of high or elevated character.

Lebert is also German in origin. The basic translation is “leopard” which was a traditional nickname for a brave and vigorous person.

So…Alisha Lebert is a majestic jungle cat…NO, sorry, I don’t think that’s the point…

Rather, it is that she is a ferocious protector of Roseville Public School’s most vulnerable students.

However, you’ll almost never hear her growl. She is described by her colleagues as very warm, caring and enthusiastic who uses fun and laughter to create a positive learning space. It has been said that Alisha “has the sunniest of dispositions.”

A guardian to one of her students told the principal, Alisha “is 100% the reason” her grandson has been successful in school. A parent of another student stated, “Alisha is exactly what my son needs.”

But she is not only revered within the walls of her own classroom. She has strong relationships with students from Kindergarten to Grade 8. Alisha has created a Mindfulness Corner in the building where students can take a break, reset their day and identify their emotions. She uses yoga, restorative justice and the zones of regulation to help all students learn resilience and perseverance.

Alisha also supports the school snack program and the “Caught Ya” draw that rewards students when they’re caught displaying acts of kindness.

Her dedication is not limited, though, to just young people. Alisha is a mentor to her newer colleagues. She is a leader at Roseville in the area of programming strategies for consistency in primary classrooms.

Alisha has said of herself, “I’m super passionate about my job. I just love the job so much and want to be part of the solution.”

Alisha Lebert upholds the literal meaning of her given and family names. She is also, most certainly, defined by her Outstanding Service.

It’s difficult to imagine that someone who frequently dropped his gloves on the ice can possess such an incredibly soft touch.

Scott Lehman had his share of hockey altercations during 4 years in the Ontario Hockey League and 7 professional seasons…he racked up some great numbers: 175, 189 and 189. Those are his penalty minute totals during his junior hockey career.

But now, he has young people saying things about him like, “I love Mr. Lehman’s cooking and him letting me make pancakes.”

Ya…he’s a tough guy!

Scott is an EA at Ford City Public School. He’s as determined in the classroom as he ever was on this ice…though with a lot fewer infractions! Scott never takes a shift off, tirelessly creating a vibrant array of initiatives to foster both the academic and personal growth of students. He’s dedicated to having opportunities for students in Special Education programs to take on leadership roles within the school.

One day he spotted an SK student with coins taped to the bottom of his shoes. An odd episode, indeed. But Scott recognized it for what it was and purchased him tap shoes – fulfilling the child’s interest and need with a simple gesture.

Scott also stirs up excitement at the school with his Tuesday after-school cooking club. He also puts his culinary skills to good use slicing and dicing together some pretty impressive snack trays.

His passion for cooking has rubbed off on one of his Grade 5 students, who founded the Ford City Chili Cookoff.

But once a hockey guy, always a hockey guy. Scott coaches floor hockey at Ford City, imparting a lifetime of wisdom, teaching slapshots and stick handling as well as the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship. He’s even been drafted to play some goal due to an injury.

Scott’s hockey career may not have worked out as maybe he had hoped, though he did make it to the NHL. Their loss! We got an MVP who keeps producing season after season of Outstanding Service.

Dave Little has been around for a long time. For more than 30 years he’s served the students of the Greater Essex County District School Board as a Learning Support Teacher and that’s long enough for his colleagues at David Maxwell Public School to refer to him as “an institution”.

At first blush, that might not always be a compliment, but others do say he is “one of a kind”.

But, Google “Dave Little” and you’ll find dozens of them…a salesperson, a horse racing announcer, a professor and a lacrosse player at the US Naval Academy are some of them.

Few things are truly unique in this world apart from the Sphinx or the Mona Lisa. Of the incredibly rare things you can still find more than one white peacock or bismuth crystal or rainbow eucalyptus tree. They’re not as particularly distinctive as our Dave Little.

It’s a combination of things that make him unlike any of the 5000 employees in the GECDSB or the 8.1 billion people on earth.

His co-workers rely on him for his expertise, guidance and support! Students gravitate to him because he’s kind, conscientious and trustworthy.

Dave has made an indelible impact on hundreds of young people, many of whom are now productive adults, who refer to “that one teacher” who made the biggest difference in their success. That person is often Dave Little.

It might have been in the classroom or in a sporting arena because Dave has frequently volunteered his time and effort to instill values of teamwork, discipline and sportsmanship.

Dave can always be relied upon. Good weather or bad, regardless of the time of day, he’s ready to take charge or assist.  He remembers birthdays, celebrates achievements, shares good news and offers reassurance during difficult times.

Dave Little is more unique than a total solar eclipse (which happens every 18 months), a 4 leaf clover (1 in every 10 thousand) or the 1 in 5000 people who live to 100. He’s that one person who sets an example that we should all follow with his Outstanding Service.

Shannon MacArthur is, as described in her nomination, “a beacon of strength, commitment and integrity…. Her care, compassion and leadership skills inspire confidence…”

She’s a Learning Support Teacher which means she works primarily with students who have Individual Education Plans. She is passionate about the academic success and well-being of every student she works with. A colleague says, “Shannon is a guiding light for families and students in our school community.” Another remarked, “I won the lottery and lucked out when I started working with Shannon.”

She works hard! Always willing to take on pretty much any task…allegedly unable to say “no”! What she does say is, “just tell me what you need me to do!” So many programs, meetings, services and interventions run smoothly at Northwood because of Shannon’s professional effort and skill.

But don’t think for a moment that Shannon is all work and no play. She’s not dull, by any means.

Most of her good times involve running, jumping and throwing. Basketball is one of her games, using her enthusiasm and organizational talents as coach of the boys’ team.

But where she really shines is at the track. Shannon not only coaches the school teams that compete at city and regional events, she assumes the immense responsibility of organizing and running the Northwood track and field day, through which the school teams are chosen.

It’s a mammoth undertaking coordinating coaches, volunteers and transportation and each year it’s gold-medal worthy.

Shannon goes the distance! Especially when it comes to kids. A student moved to Toronto…she contacted the receiving school not make sure he’d get the proper accommodations. Two years later the family came back to Windsor. Shannon helped make sure everything was ready.  After Grade 8, she did the same at Massey. Simply put, his mother said, “We are thankful for Mrs. MacArthur.”

As are we, for her Outstanding Service.

A favoured theme of these tributes each year is to draw comparison with a figure from popular culture – often a fictional character – to graphically illustrate the real-life contributions of our recipients.

Karen Morris, a Grade 8 teacher, is highly respected at James L. Dunn Public School primarily for her concern and consideration for others. It almost seems she knows how someone else is feeling.

Which reminds us of Deanna Troi from Star Trek – the Next Generation that ran on TV from 1987-1994.

Counsellor Troi was a psychologist to the crew and advisor to the captain. She was a human / betazoid hybrid with psionic ability to sense emotions. 

The Greater Good Science Center at the University of California Berkley calls empathy “the building block of morality”. Karen is as close to an empath as we know. And not just empathetic but altruistic.

She shows up every day for work with a smile for everyone, always willing to help colleagues, students or their families.

Karen is a particularly passionate ally for raising awareness about marginalized groups in our community. She enthusiastically shares her expansive knowledge and experience with her peers, students and their families about: indigenous peoples and truth and reconciliation; black history; 2SLGBTQ2IA; various cultural celebrations; and bullying prevention.

As well, Karen serves on the James L. Dunn Equity Advocate Support Team – or EAST, as it’s known – and SEE Space – the school Gender and Sexuality Alliance.

Some of her other activities include coaching basketball and volleyball, helping run the school store, the Cardinal Café, participating in the Winter Concert and spirit days – at which she often wears quite conspicuous outfits.

Karen may not be a Star Trek character, but she does boldly go where no on has gone before.

As a skilled empath Karen knows exactly how we feel about her. We are amazed by and truly appreciate her other-worldly outstanding service.