The Strait Regional Centre for Education held the Strait to Excellence Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, recognizing 20 staff members for their outstanding dedication to students and their contributions to schools and communities in the Strait Region.
The awards celebrate employees who excel in student well-being, school performance, and workplace quality.
This year’s winners include teachers, janitors, bus drivers, and early childhood educators, showing the variety of roles within the education system.
2024-2025 Strait to Excellence Award Recipients:
- Sean Barker, Vice Principal, Antigonish Education Centre
- Kerri-Lyn Brown, Learning Support Teacher, Antigonish Education Centre
- Ann DeCoste, Janitor, East Antigonish Education Centre/Academy
- Terry Desmond, Janitor, Antigonish Education Centre
- Margaret Gracie, School Counsellor, East Richmond Education Centre
- Bill Hadley, Building Operator, St. Andrew Junior School
- Scott Hudson, Teacher, St. Mary’s Education Centre/Academy
- Susanne Kelly-MacPhie, Teacher, Antigonish Education Centre
- Chris Lumsden, Learning Support Teacher, St. Andrew Junior School
- Jennie MacDonald, School Counsellor, Fanning Education Centre/Canso Academy
- Kelly MacDonald, Bus Driver, SAERC and Tamarac Education Centre
- Pauline MacDonald, Janitor, Bayview Education Centre
- Deanna MacGillivray, Teacher Assistant, Chedabucto Education Centre/Guysborough Academy
- Shelley MacLean, Student Services Consultant, Programs and Student Services Department
- Heather Savoury, Lead Early Childhood Educator, Tamarac Education Centre
- Eryn Sinclair, Reading Recovery Teacher Leader, Programs and Student Services Department
- Bhreagh Snair, Learning Support Teacher, Tamarac Education Centre
- Annamarie Talbot, Coordinator of Student Services, Programs and Student Services Department
- Lindsay Watson, SchoolsPlus Community Outreach Worker, Programs and Student Services Department
- Carolyn Webber, Pre-Primary Program Lead, Programs and Student Services Department
Paul Landry, the Regional Executive Director, called the winners passionate leaders who make a difference for students and their schools.
“Your commitment and leadership impact the success and well-being of students,” Landry said during the ceremony.
Community members, including parents, school advisory council members, and students, nominated candidates for the awards.
A committee chose the nominees based on their contributions to cultural understanding and safety.
These awards highlight the dedication and important work of staff across schools in the region.
