Our teacher, Denise Squizzato, BA, RECE (registered Early Childhood Educator) has received the National Award for Excellence(2011) in her field. We know she is clearly outstanding and were very pleased when the Prime Minister's Award team concurred. Following are excerpts from the nomination:
Denise is a person, employee, team member, educator and caregiver who exhibits the highest standards in all she does. Her quiet drive is palpable. She inspires others to be the best that they can be, too. Her overall commitment to the field of early childhood education and care profession is seen in her daily actions. From her exemplary practice and innovative projects and approach, she is walking the talk every day of supporting others in our diverse society. She is inclusive of all, and shares her expertise within the profession of ECE and special needs willingly. She is an agent of change, influencing the next generation of educators, as well as her own children. She teaches by example and is a seemingly unflappable, very generous and open individual. It is a privilege and joy to work with Denise, and this is best expressed by the faces of the children in her care. Her contribution through her work as an ECE is making a positive change in the lives of children and families every day.
It is not taken lightly by this nomination team to put forward Denise Squizzato as the best candidate for this prestigious award. Her work as an ECE at Silver Creek, with some of the most effective program plans, creatives and circle curriculum, set the standard for our specialized school. She is a strong, quiet leader who manages the most active classrooms with grace and seemingly with ease. This is possible because of the proactive efforts Denise puts into planning and organization, her thorough knowledge of child development and significant experience with children who require different supports and strategies to learn.
The best example I have of Denise’s ability to do all of this is the tremendous response I received when I complied a list of parents who I thought might do a letter of support for this prestigious award. First, the list was long. It included families of every race, SES, Moms and Dads of typically developing children and children with challenges, families from 10 years ago and present families. I did not have to go far down the list. The first 3 families I asked responded Yes immediately. This is the continuing testimony to Denise’s profound affect on children and families.
Denise is the quintessential teacher that every parent hopes his/her child will experience. She is an amazing team member who inspires-by her work ethic, calm voice, caring attitude, and knowledge. Denise embodies all of the attributes for the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education, in the estimation of her team, parents and especially as seen through the eyes of the children.
Parent letters of support also point out why this team member at Silver Creek is the face of Excellence:
The challenges as parents of a child with special needs can be absolutely overwhelming especially when there are very few answers to your many questions.
Then we became enrolled at Silver Creek Pre-School.
Then we met Denise .
The kind of work Denise does everyday is critical to any child, but particularly for those with special challenges like Marasia. Thinking on your feet becomes paramount in order to maximize the opportunity to learn. I truly believe that educators like Denise do so much behind the scenes and humbly never require any praise other than what they receive from the children that they work with.
Having the opportunity to write such a letter about someone that I think so highly of has been a pleasure. I ask that you strongly consider Denise for this acknowledgement with such a high honour.
I know that she has already received it in my child’s eyes.
(Townsend-Nunes Family)
*****
Denise est une éducatrice extraordinaire mais encore plus que ça, elle est une personneextraordinaire. Denise n’est pas quelqu’un qui cherche de la reconnaissance pour son travail mais elle touche tous les enfants et leurs familles depuis plusieurs années à la façon spéciale à Denise. Nous sommes parmis les familles fortunées à avoir une ange comme Denise sur notre chemin.
Nous aimons Denise de tout coeur. Elle nous a touché d’une façon très profonde dont nous, comme parents, l’oublierons jamais. Nous ressentons un pincement au coeur quand nous pensions que Noémie, à cause de son jeune âge, va peut être oublier ce temps précieux avec sa Denise. Ceci dit, sa relation avec Denise lui restera toujours. Denise a eu un gros impact sur Noémie - qui elle est aujourd’hui, participante dans sa communauté ainsi que l’adulte qu’elle deviendra.
Pour tous les points et les exemples notés ci-haut ainsi que toutes les choses que Denise fait qui changent le monde mais qui passent inaperçues, nous croyons fortement que Denise mérite le Prix du Premier ministre pour l’excellence en éducation de la petite enfance.
Respectueusement vôtre
Elia Edwards et Nadine D’Aigle
CONGRATULATIONS, DENISE, FROM ALL YOUR FANS AT SILVER CREEK AND BEYOND.
