RENFREW COUNTY CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
RCCDSB Support Staff Worker earns prestigious provincial award

Long-time Educational Assistant (EA) Sharon Yandernoll is a recipient of The Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan (OTIP) Support Staff Worker Award.

"Sharon has worked as an EA for our Board for the past 32 years and is one of only two recipients provincially to win the OTIP Support Staff Award this year," confirms Julia Graydon, Principal of St. John Bosco Catholic School in Barry's Bay.

The OTIP website states that the Support Staff Worker Award is to "recognize the vital role played by educational support staff in Ontario's schools. The awards seek to honour outstanding support staff who are integral in maintaining safe, clean and welcoming educational environments."

Teacher and co-worker Lizz Addicott said she led the nomination and application process because Yandernoll is a dedicated Educational Assistant who enters work every day ready, willing and prepared to make a difference in students' lives.

"I nominated Sharon Yandernoll because she is an extremely exceptional educational assistant and the single most optimistic and positive person I have ever encountered in my career. She treats everyone she encounters with the utmost respect and makes everyone who walks through the doors of the school feel welcomed and valued. Her inclination to help in all areas, high expectations of staff and pupils, willingness to learn, her effective strategies and depth of knowledge, and the commitment and love she shows to students are all reasons I chose to nominate her. She needed to know how truly thankful we are for her."

"Every day when she comes to work you can see there's an excitement for the new day and that she wants to bring that to the staff and the students," notes Principal Graydon.

Other staff added their endorsement to Sharon's nomination, describing her as outstanding, patient, caring and compassionate, creative, positive, and dedicated. They praised her genuine connection with students and families, her willingness to be involved in many projects and programs, and her ability to see the potential in everyone.

Director of Education Jaimie Perry remarks, "Our Board theme this year is to love unconditionally. Sharon, in her care and concern for her students, colleagues and community, is a shining example of what it means to love unconditionally. We are so blessed to have her on the RCCDSB team."

For her part, Yandernoll says she loves working in education for the reward of seeing students able to do what you've taught them.

"I'm so honoured to have received this award. Thank you to my nominator Elizabeth Addicott and the amazing staff and school community that I work with, who made this all possible."

Winners are presented with a monetary award and a certificate of recognition. A video tribute to Sharon can be found at: https://youtu.be/_7J7CgEkCFc

^{Superintendent of Educational Services, Mary-Lise Rowat, Director of Education, Jaimie Perry, Educational Assistant, and Penny Wachter COPE Union President, were on hand as Sharon Yandernoll, RCCDSB EA, received the OTIP Support Staff Worker Award.}