TORONTO, ON – The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) has presented Diane Dewing with its 2021 Honorary Life Membership Award. Honorary life memberships, the Federation’s highest form of recognition, are given to members who have retired from the education profession and have given outstanding service to the Federation at the provincial level or as a member of the provincial ETFO staff.

Dewing began her teaching in Chibougamau, Quebec, where her specialist certificate in Morals and Ethics was used in the classroom, the guidance office and as head teacher. While there, she built and taught a program to close educational gaps for Cree students, aged 10 to 17, who were returning to school following a prolonged absence due to medical issues or family responsibilities. She also began a school-wide program based in the knowledge of elders. She worked to build ties between the school and community following the harms of the residential school system. 

During Dewing’s career, she served as president of the Upper Canada Occasional Teacher Local for 18 years and as an ETFO provincial Executive member for 12 years. At ETFO, she served on 10 task forces, two work groups and seven provincial committees. Dewing was also a member of the Ontario Teachers’ Federation (OTF) Executive for four years and served as its president in 2018-2019. She was also a board member of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF) and served on both CTF’s human rights and nominations committees. In 2019, she received CTF’s Meritorious Service to Public Education and the Teaching Profession Award.

Beyond federations, Dewing worked on the boards of Community Living North Grenville and Lanark County Interval House. Community Living Ontario frequently called upon her to develop education policy, serve as a conference facilitator and to represent them during government meetings. In 1994, she became part of a team at Community Living Ontario, working to develop policy around the full inclusion of persons living with a disability. She is also a founding member of ETFO’s Disability Caucus. She was, and continues to be, a strong advocate for an inclusive education system that is community-based, well-resourced and meets individual needs. In 2018, she was awarded the Carol McGregor Disability Activist Award by the Canadian Labour Congress.

“As a teacher unionist for over 36 years, Diane is known for asking questions that prompt action. We are fortunate that she has used skills and passion for teaching to reach beyond the classroom and affect change,” says ETFO President Sam Hammond. “Diane’s optimism is contagious and her belief in the power of the collective continues to inspire us all as we seek to build a more just society.” 

ETFO represents 83,000 elementary public school teachers, occasional teachers and education professionals across the province. Its Building Better Schools education agenda can be viewed at BuildingBetterSchools.ca. 

Media Contact: Carla Pereira, ETFO Media Relations, 416-576-9074 or cpereira@etfo.org.