Russ, Yvonne, Pauline, and Denise

Russ, Yvonne, Pauline, and Denise
Posted on 11/19/2021
Celebrating Staff LogoEvery week we celebrate SMCDSB staff members who have been recognized by a parent, student or colleague.

This week we are celebrating Russ Clayton, Yvonne Herring, Pauline Keery, and Denise Monkman.

Russ is a teacher at St. Jean de Brebeuf Catholic School. Russ Clayton Russ was nominated by a colleague, who said:

“Through all the lockdowns Russ and his wife used their musical talents to play a compilation of songs to provide entertainment to those who needed it. In the darkest of times he was truly a light that I and many others looked forward to. It provided a break to the isolation and made long days shorter. Through his music he provided a connection at a time where connections were lost. Truly a kind and compassionate soul who should be recognized.”

Yvonne HerringYvonne Herring is a Special Education teacher at St. James Catholic School. Yvonne was nominated by a colleague, who said:

“A woman of strength, integrity, commitment and leadership. Words that describe our Special Ed. Teacher at St. James Catholic School. Yvonne has touched the lives of many students who have entered and passed through the doors of our school. Her career spans an amazing 37 years in education. She has blessed St. James with 33 of those years both as the Special Education Resource Teacher as well as many years teaching in the classroom. She has left indelible memories of learning on all of her students. Her strong work ethic has helped many of her students and peers alike.

With sadness for us, but immense pleasure for her, we all give her well-deserved CONGRATULATIONS on her retirement. It is St. James’ loss but her family's gain. From all of the students, past and present, staff, past and present, at St. James Catholic School, the “Small School With The BIG Heart”, gives her many blessings as she enters this next chapter of life - RETIREMENT and onto new adventures!! She will be greatly missed by all!”

Denise MonkmanPauline KeeryPauline Keery is a teacher and Denise Monkman is a DECE at St. Nicholas Catholic School. Pauline and Denise were nominated by a parent, who said:

“We could not have asked for two stronger educators for our son’s first year of school. Whether in-class or online, they have gone above and beyond to create meaningful and engaging learning opportunities for their students. Most recently, they created at-home learning packages to support their students during the pivot from in-person to virtual learning. They prepared a range of resources from manipulatives to crafts to literacy activities and sent it home with each child. The package has even included sunflower seeds, soil and a plant journal which allowed them to hold a virtual gardening session with the class. Our son is eager to watch his plant grow and measure it as it gets bigger (with the laminated paper ruler they prepared, of course). In a year of such uncertainty, we are certainly grateful for our son’s teachers!”

We would like to thank Russ, Yvonne, Pauline, and Denise for their commitment to Catholic education at our board.