The Association runs three awards programs, which recognize the contributions and achievements of individuals or groups connected to the Association or Catholic education.
AGM Awards
Presented at the Annual General Meeting, these awards honour individuals who have served the Association with distinction and/or who have made outstanding contributions to the Association or to Catholic education. Nomination forms are available by emailing awards@catholicteachers.ca and must be submitted no later than October 15 of each year, for recognition the following March.
The Member Engagement Awards
The Member Engagement Awards program honours achievement among OECTA units for their unique and innovative approach in engaging members and helping to spread the good news about our amazing teachers and our Catholic education system. Information and entry forms for Communications Awards are distributed to units in January, for submission by April 19. Awards are distributed at the June meeting of the Council of Presidents.
The Young Authors Awards
We are proud to sponsor the annual Young Authors Awards/Prix Jeunes Écrivains. The awards celebrate the writing talents and accomplishments of students, who submit short stories, poems, nonfiction articles, and reports in either English or French. Information about Young Authors Awards procedures are distributed to Association representatives in schools early in the school year. Award winners are announced at the June meeting of the Council of Presidents.
Fintan Kilbride Memorial Award
The Fintan Kilbride Memorial Social Justice Recognition Award honours an OECTA member who demonstrates significant personal commitment to the achievement of social justice and has inspired students to engage in activities focused on social justice objectives.
Honorary Membership
The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association may confer honorary membership on those who have made an outstanding contribution to the Association or to Catholic education. An honorary member is not an OECTA member, but has all the rights, privileges and responsibilities of an active member except those of voting and holding office. It is with the gratitude of Catholic educators throughout Ontario that OECTA bestows this honorary membership on individuals who have made such outstanding contributions.
Life Membership Award
OECTA has the privilege each year of honouring retired members who have given distinguished service at the provincial level. A life member has all the rights, privileges and responsibilities of an active member except that of voting and holding office. The members receiving the award have devoted their professional lives with generosity and dedication to the service of Catholic education in Ontario.
Marion Tyrrell Memorial Award of Merit
Marion Tyrrell (1896 to 1982) was active in creating OECTA. She became its second General Secretary, the first to fill the role once it became a full time position, and she oversaw its rapid expansion. She promoted Catholic education and the collective bargaining interests of members. The Marion Tyrrell Memorial Award of Merit honours an OECTA member who has made an outstanding contribution to education in Catholic schools or to the Association. The award is open to members who have contributed to the good of teachers across the province. Nominations may also extend to members who have distinguished themselves through community service. Nominees must be approved by the Provincial Executive.
Pearse Shannon Memorial Association Service Award
Pearse Shannon (1945 to 2006) was a tireless crusader for teachers for more than 30 years at the school, unit, provincial, and national levels. As OECTA’s OTF Table Officer and later OTF President, he was instrumental in strengthening the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. The Pearse Shannon Memorial Association Award honours a current or past OECTA president or an occasional teacher bargaining unit president who has made an outstanding contribution to the Association. Nominees must be approved by the Provincial Executive.
25-Year AGM Service Award
Members who have attended 25 or more AGMs will be recognized with a 25-year Annual General Meeting Recognition Service Award.
Award recipients will receive a certificate that acknowledges their 25 years of participation and contribution to the AGM.
Members who meet this criteria should submit a completed nomination form to their local unit executive to be considered for this award. Names will be forwarded to the provincial Awards Committee, no later than October 15 of each year.