Congratulations to the 2024 Award Recipients.
Dr. Elena Merenda
Instructor Appreciation Award
Dr. Elena Merenda has been part of the ECS community for many years as Assistant Program Head and recently returned as Faculty.
Students have described Elena as "going above and beyond to strip her lectures of the power dynamic that most professors have with their students. She always recognizes the needs of the students and as someone who very rarely speaks in class because of anxiety, I feel very seen in her classroom and have slowly gained the ability to raise my hand because I know Elena’s classroom is safe and judgement free space.”
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Christine Zupo
Instructor Appreciation Award
Christine is a familiar face and name to the program, with many students being taught by her in courses such as Introduction to Indigenous Studies, Heath & Safety, Field Practicum and Social Justice.
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Christine's described as "an outstanding professor and is always there for us. Through the Indigenous Studies course it has taught me the importance of including Indigenous perspectives and I wouldn’t be here today with this knowledge without Christine."
Neve Roffey
Student Leadership Award
Neve is one of the few international students in the program, and from the start of her first year, she's displayed an innate ability to foster community and lead by example.
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Neve’s peer nominated her and shared, "Neve’s presence in life is a beacon of light, radiating kindness and compassion wherever she goes. What sets Neve apart is not just her innate goodness, but also her unwavering willingness to lend a helping hand or a listening ear to anyone in need. She embodies the true sprite of our community, always eager to support and uplift those around her."
Elise Nemeth
Student Leadership Award
Elise's nomination followed a conversation she had with Chair Dr. Nikki Martyn. Elise raised a concern within the school about a displayed project with neurodiversity bias and inaccurate information.
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In her practicum journals, Elise writes, "The idea of warmth, comfort and care as something that is clear and evident as you interact with the children. In my personal opinion I believe that the love and care that we show for one another is more valuable than any curriculum or milestone. I believe that love is what truly creates beauty in the world.”
Brenley DiFranco
Professional Appreciation Award
Brenley is one of two Academic Advisors for Early Childhood Studies. Brenley cares, she puts students first and always advocates for them and has everyone’s back, supporting what is best for them.
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Brenley's nominator describes her as "an essential member of the ECS community at Guelph-Humber who works so hard to support each student’s individual pathway. She is caring and supportive, answers all of my questions without making me feel bad about myself. She works very hard among the ECS team to support every student as an individual with care, compassion, empathy and respect. Working with her has shown me all the things that are our there and helped me feel supported in pursuing things outside of the standard pathways presented. Brenley is a true example of an unsung hero."
Northwest Childhood Learning Centre
Professional Appreciation Award
Northwest Childhood Learning Centre is one of the program's practicum sites consistently supporting our students and creating a beautiful ripple effect into the world.
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In the words of the nominator, "At Northwest, caring for children isn't something that have to do, it's something they get to do. This is evident in the ways the educators go out of their way for the needs of each child in the room and beyond only what is standard practice. The biggest take away for my future as an Early Childhood Professional is that each child you care for is a gift. In any field I choose to explore next there will be children, and my experience at Northwest will stay with me beyond the setting of early learning and care.”
Dr. Nikki Martyn
Professional Honorary Award
Dr. Nikki Martyn, Chair of Early Childhood Studies is the heart of the program. In one of her nominations, she's described as "leading with her heart and with love. She comes from a place of kindness and deep caring for all those she meets. Her relationships and communications with students foster a sense of love, safety and security, which will trickle into the field throughout our students – creating high quality care and outcomes for children and families.
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"Nikki founded a therapeutic early learning and care center and private elementary school which was truly inclusive focused on supporting all children, focusing on individual needs and ensuring that all children are successful and cared for. She also created the ECS curriculum that has pushed limits of the field and awaited a ripple of appreciation and support for the invaluable knowledge of early childhood educators."
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Thalia Acosta
Alumni Bloomer Award
Thalia is a 2019 graduate of the program and now works as an Educational Resource Worker for Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board. Thalia's mentorship and connection with our community is a true celebration of the beautiful cycle of our ECS community uplifting each other on their journeys.
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A current student whose recently completed her practicum with Thalia shared these words: “Thalia is outgoing and always wanting to lend a helping hand to others. She is a role model to me as she is always there offering support, gives 110% and wants what’s best for the students who do placement with her in the school board.”
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Linda Valeria Garcia
Alumni Bloomer Award
Linda is a 2023 graduate of the program and has remained involved in the Resource Room while studying Immigration and Settlement Studies at Toronto Metropolitan University.
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In the words of her nominator, "Linda has continued to visit Guelph-Humber and the Resource Room to continue to mentor and support the current students. She deserves the award to recognize that she leads by example with having a big heart, possessing perseverance and a lot of integrity. Linda will do great things in her life.”
Erika Gonzalez
Professional Appreciation Award
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In the words of Erika's nominator, "Erika has created an amazing environment for me to learn and practice in the field. Erika is deeply committed to creating an inclusive classroom environment. She ensures that all children, including those with behavioural challenges and exceptionalities, are supported in their growth and development. Erika’s ability to captivate children’s minds and make learning engaging has inspired me to strive for similar creativity and innovation in my own teaching practices."