TORONTO, ON – The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) has presented Waterloo Region Designated Early Childhood Educator (WRDECE) Local with its 2021 Member Service and Engagement Award. The award recognizes the excellence of ETFO locals in engaging and involving members, providing outstanding service, and employing innovative strategies to communicate with and involve members in the Federation.

WRDECE prides itself on consistently providing outstanding service and support for members.

Led by President Jenn Wallage, WRDECE holds monthly Executive meetings (more if needed) to keep updated on member, board, local and provincial issues. They work at being proactive in addressing the potential needs of members and established DECE stewards in schools to help share information with members, and to hear back from members. WRDECE has also established Instagram and Twitter accounts, and a Facebook group, to better connect with members. Newsletters are also sent out four times a year, in addition to the members having access to an interactive website with many resources. 

Five years ago, WRDECE created an award to recognize five years of employment as a DECE. This year, they created a 10-year recognition award. It is given to each permanent member when they reach the milestone. The local also recognizes retirements of permanent and occasional members. In addition, there are five WRDECE awards that members can be nominated for annually: Equity and Inclusion; Environmental; Excellence; Volunteer/Community Service; and the President’s Award.

WRDECE members work over the winter and spring school breaks. As such, released officers ensure they are available should there be questions or concerns from members or the board. This is done on their own time without remuneration. The additional support also extends to summer months when members require support for issues that are time-sensitive, such as long-term disability applications and return-to-work meetings. WRDECE also liaises regularly with teacher and occasional teacher locals, as well as the Educational Assistants Association to ensure the working environment is improved for all.

“WRDECE uses a wide variety of strategies to engage and involve members. Released officers’ availability during school breaks is just one example of the local’s above-and-beyond efforts to better serve their members. By empowering their members with knowledge and providing consistent support, they have created a local that is accessible and welcoming to those they serve,” said ETFO President Sam Hammond.

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.