The Dr. Harry Paikin Award of Merit is awarded to an Active or Retired Public School Trustee for outstanding service as a public school trustee. Dr. Harry Paikin served as a trustee for the Board of Education for the City of Hamilton from 1944 until his death in 1985. This award was initiated in Dr. Paikin’s memory in 1987 by his colleagues and friends who appreciated his visions of learning and life. During his 41 years of service on the board, Dr. Paikin was known as a dedicated supporter of learning and is remembered for his love of poetry and oration.
Learning’s achieved through head, hand and heart,
And the greatest of these is heart.
Learning is not to be exploited or hoarded,
It must by all be ably afforded.
Learning’s not meant to feed the fires of strife
Linked only to peace can it build a happy life.– from Hall of Learning by Dr. Harry Paikin
Terms of Award
All nominees must be active or retired public school trustees.
The successful candidate will be selected on the basis of outstanding service as a public school trustee.
In the event of a tie, the Jury may award to more than one recipient.
Nomination may come from school boards, unions/federations, school councils, education and municipal authorities, or individuals interested in education.
A detailed account of each nominee’s accomplishments as a public school trustee, along with a background profile must accompany each nomination.
Nomination Information Checklist
To create a complete submission package outlining the candidate’s accomplishments, please ensure they meet the above criteria and include the following information.
Criteria
Outstanding service as a public school trustee.
Information Summary (Maximum Two Pages)
An information summary in point form of Record of Service, as a complete profile of the candidate.
Aspects of career, community service, and personal accomplishments may be included here.
Supporting Nominators List (Maximum One Page)
A separate list of Supporting Nominators, where appropriate.
Trustee Accomplishments List (Maximum Two Pages)
A detailed account of the nominee’s accomplishments as a public school trustee.
List and briefly describe all accomplishments that specifically relate to the terms of the award.
Supplementary Information (Maximum Three Pages)
Any additional information which illustrates the influence of the candidate on the field of education. Media clippings, etc may be included. Audio visual material is inadmissible.
Recipients
2024 | Arlene Morell | Trustee, Thames Valley DSB |
2023 | Doreen Dewar | Trustee, Rainbow DSB |
2022 | Judith Brown | Trustee, Limestone DSB |
2021 |
Colleen Schenk Ted Martin |
Trustee, Avon Maitland DSB Retired Trustee, Waterloo Region DSB |
2019 |
Gerri Gershon Jan Johnstone |
Toronto DSB Bluewater DSB |
2018 | Janet I. McDougald | Peel DSB |
2016 | Roy Wilfong | Kawartha Pine Ridge DSB |
2015 | Howard Goodman | Toronto DSB |
2014 | Helen M. Brown | Limestone DSB |
2013 | Peter Adams-Luchowski | York Region DSB |
2011 | John Hendry | Waterloo Region DSB |
2008 | Dalton Clark | DSB of Niagara |
2007 | Beth Cooper | Greater Essex County DSB |
2006 | Lynn Graham | Ottawa-Carleton DSB |
2005 | Jennifer Waterston | Upper Grand DSB |
2004 |
Ethel Gardiner Dave Parry |
Halton DSB Limestone DSB |
2003 | Bob Willsher | Kawartha Pine Ridge DSB |
2002 | Doris Monahan | Trillium Lakelands DSB |
2001 | Joyce Bennett | Thames Valley DSB |
2000 |
Cheryl Murdoch Walter Gowing |
Trillium Lakelands DSB Waterloo Region DSB |
1999 | Mae Waese | North York Board of Education |
1998 | Fiona Nelson | Toronto District School Board |
1997 | Bill Brock | London Board of Education |
1996 | Elizabeth Witmer | Waterloo County Board of Education |
1995 | Roy Edwards | Simcoe County Board of Education |
1994 | Edwin Woodbridge | Essex County Board of Education |
1993 | Arthur J. Charbonneau | Renfrew County Board of Education |
1992 | Arlene Wright | Grey County Board of Education |
1991 | Twyla Hendry | Waterloo County Board of Education |
1990 | Sam J. McLeod | Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry County Board of Education |
1989 |
May Parkinson Arnold Townsend |
London Board of Education Dufferin County Board of Education |
1988 | Clare Farrow | Etobicoke Board of Education |
1987 | Dr. Taylor Evans | Wellington County Board of Education |