Y OUR FEDER A TION - ANNU AL MEETING 2021 KAREN BROWN ACCLAIMED ETFO PRESIDENT


affiliate union in Ontario and the first Black president to be elected to a provincial teacher affiliate union in Canada.


ETFO PRESIDENT KAREN BROWN’S CLOSING REMARKS


K


aren Brown was acclaimed president of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario at the Annual Meeting. Brown


has served as ETFO’s first vice-president since 2015 and was first elected to the provincial ex- ecutive in 2009. Brown is the first Black person to be elected president of a provincial teacher


Incoming ETFO President Karen Brown started her remarks by thanking President Hammond for his years of dedication and commitment to ETFO, its members and public education. She also thanked the members of the provincial ex- ecutive for their years of service to the students, parents and educators of the province during some very challenging years. President Brown outlined her vision for


public education in Ontario and spoke about the challenges the federation must face in the coming months and years. “Without a doubt, our biggest challenge


ahead will be ensuring a safe return to school, one where vaccines cannot be the only plan of


Provincial Executive Elections


Provincial Executive elections were held on the second day of annual meeting. Voting was over- seen by Returning Officer Susan Ritchie.


ETFO PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE FOR 2021-2023:


President: Karen Brown, Elementary Teachers of Toronto Teacher


First Vice-President: David Mastin, Durham Teacher Local


Vice-President (Open): Shirley Bell, Kawartha Pine Ridge Teacher Local


Vice-President (Women): Monica Rusnak, Ontario North East Teacher Local


OTF Table Officer: Nathan Core, Waterloo Region Occasional Teacher Local


Executive Members (Open):


Amy Chevis, Simcoe County Occasional Teacher Local


Mario Spagnuolo, Greater Essex County Teacher Local


Andrew Chittka, Bluewater Occasional Teacher Local Julie Stanley, Bluewater Teacher Local


44 ETFO VOICE | FALL 2021 E


TFO recognizes the extraordinary contri- butions of individuals to social justice and education. Each year awards are granted


to selected ETFO members and non-members. This year’s award winners are listed here.


Congratulations 2021 Award Recipients


Anti-racist and Equity Activism Award: Rabia Khokhar


Children’s Literature Award: Brock Greenhalgh


Honourary Life Membership: Diane Dewing


Honourary Life Membership: Tim Cunningham Local Humanitarian Award: Jenn Wallage


Member Service Engagement Award: Waterloo Region DECE Local New Member Award: Naomi Graham Political Activist Award: Vickita Bhatt Rainbow Visions Award: Diana Andrews Writer’s Award: Colleen Elep, Chad Mills


Executive Members (Women): Gail Bannister-Clarke, Peel Teacher Local


Sylvia van Campen, Upper Canada Occasional Teacher Local Gundi Barbour, Upper Grand Teacher Local


Executive Member Designated Group (Open): Juan-Yahya Gairey, Peel Teacher Local


Executive Member Designated Group (Women): Shideh Houshmandi, Hamilton-Wentworth Teacher Local


action, for our members and our students es- pecially given that children under twelve are not yet eligible for vaccination.” “This year we are focused not only on the health and safety of our members and our students but also on the June 2022 provincial election.” President Brown highlighted the impor-


tance of working together to replace the cur- rent provincial government. “Every ETFO member must act to get rid of this govern- ment. It’s our best hope for adequately funded public schools and a pandemic recovery that values communities and the public services we all rely on. I know it’s been a difficult year and the fall still looks uncertain, but together we will continue to fight to ensure every student in Ontario receives a world class public educa- tion, centred on equity and inclusion, and that every educator has the working conditions and the respect they deserve.”


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52