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Every week we celebrate SMCDSB staff members who have been recognized by a parent, student or colleague.
This week we are celebrating Katy Funston, a teacher at
Our Lady of the Bay Catholic High School. Katy was nominated by a colleague, who said:
“Katy gives her all in everything she does. As a high school math and geography teacher, she takes the time to get to know each of her students and she quickly figures out what they need to reach their highest potential. She makes herself available for math help every morning providing extra assistance. She coaches the school's large swim team and runs the Relay for Life every year. This year she led the 12-student team along with a Collingwood high school in the Relay and collectively collected a total of $165,000 for cancer research. They were #1 in Canada for RFL last year with CCI. She is exemplary in her support for indigenous studies working it into her geography curriculum bringing awareness and appreciation of a better understanding of our Canadian past. In each hallway of OLB you will see murals reminding us of the beauty of Indigenous art. Her passion for teaching goes beyond the walls of the school as she ensures that each of her classes whether it be math or geography, go on a field trip and her students then have a chance to learn and connect with real-world situations outside the school.”
This week we are also celebrating Julia Pecchia, a teacher at St. Paul’s Catholic School. Julia was nominated by a colleague, who said:
“Ms. Pecchia is a positive influence in our school. With her kind smile and supportive nature, both staff and students appreciate her presence. Ms. Pecchia is involved in many co-curricular activities, from preparing the school band for their OCSOA performance to her tireless work in our "Down Through the Decades" show. Her efforts continue to make St. Paul's an amazing school, and we thank her for everything she does.”
We would like to thank Katy and Julia for their commitment to Catholic education at our board.