2011 Nominations

Congratulations to Doreen Norgaard and Kim Stevenson who received the Award of Excellence in 2011.

Nomination / Remarks by Colleen Egan, Principal, Island Lake Public School

I am honoured to have been asked to share some thoughts about Kim Stevenson. Impressions about the exceptional giftedness of Kim have been gathered from several sources. Some of the individuals who have shared their thoughts with me not only have known her through her teaching career, but also as musicians.

Kim’s mom will tell you that Kim has always loved music. Like most children, she listened to Raffi and Sharon, Lois and Bram. She was in Karen Orme's grade 3 choir at school, Parkinson I believe, and discovered instrumental music in grade 6. The flute was her chosen instrument. She continued with her flute in high school but it wasn't until about grade 12 that her mom and dad realized that this was her passion. Until that time, she had never had private lessons. So, to prepare for university, Kim started taking lessons from Stan Elliotson.

In her teens, Kim began playing with a local classical guitarist, Daniel Labrash. They have played at weddings and special events throughout the years. Recently, Kim and Dan have been doing some concerts together.

Kim attended Wilfrid Laurier University in their music programme. She received her degree in Music Therapy and completed her internship in Edmonton, Alberta. She began a music therapy business. Some of her clients included St. Michael’s Hospital; palliative care and oncology unit, the Avalon, D.A.C.L. and Adam's Place.

The following year, Kim decided to attend U. of T. to obtain her Bachelor of Education. Her teaching career began in Grand Valley where I was the principal. This is when I first met Kim. Music was very much a part of her teaching career right from day one. You could always count on hearing some kind of music coming from Kim’s room. Unfortunately I only had Kim for one year after which she was moved to Credit Meadows. She is presently teaching music and drama to the primary students at Montgomery Village. She is self taught on the guitar and uses it daily in class.

One of Kim’s colleagues at Montgomery shared these thoughts: 'The kindergarten students at MVPS love having music with Mrs. Stevenson. Her talents, (singing, guitar, and flute), have the students singing along in awe. She is so patient and enthusiastically shares her love of music with the students. They sound angelic."

Kim’s Principal, Tracey Lindsay, would like us all to know that Montgomery Village Public School is very lucky to have such a dedicated and caring teacher such as Kim Stevenson.  Kim is a good teacher - there is no doubt - she loves children and her commitment to her profession is always evident. What makes Kim a GREAT teacher is that she has a passion for music and she shares her passion with her students. Her students LOVE music - singing, dancing, making music with instruments - all of it - they LOVE when she comes to the room.

This is what the kids say about Mrs. Stevenson:
"What we like about Mrs. Stevenson is that she is really kind and she is a beautiful singer and she teaches us all about music and we love music!"

We are very fortunate to have Kim who not only brings music to the classroom - she brings it to the halls, the library, the gym, in front of the school and behind the school - and sometimes on the road.

Her passion for music and her expertise have translated to excitement and engagement on the part of all our students.
From the staff and students at Montgomery Village – thank you Mrs. Stevenson!

Susan Penfold, a grade 7 teacher at Montgomery would tell us that although she and Kim do teach at the same school, she can't really tell you much about Kim’s ability in the arts because Kim works in the Primary division and Susan works in the Intermediate division. However, Susan is here because they are friends. “I can tell you that Kim is truly one of the loveliest and sweetest people I know. Her kindness and consideration for those around her instantly put people at ease. When I see her around the school the primary students clearly adore her. With both adults and children, she is so sensitive to others' feelings that she always knows the right thing to say to make each person feel special and appreciated. Congratulations Kim, on your Dufferin Youth Festival of the Arts, Award of Excellence in the Arts. “

Those of us who have taught or worked with Kim in a school setting, know and appreciate how much she brings to education. But we are not the only ones who recognize the contributions Kim has made to the world of music. Earlier I mentioned the name Daniel LaBrash. Daniel shared these thoughts with us:

When you were just 16 years old you had the courage to get on stage with me and play for a large audience at the Orangeville Medieval festival. Since then we have played many concerts, recitals, gigs and charitable events.

Playing music with you has been, and continues to be one of the great joys in my life. I especially appreciate the interest that you have maintained over the years in my original music. Your support has helped to inspire me to keep writing and believing in myself as a composer.

We are very fortunate to have your caring presence here in our community, sharing with us, your music, creativity and laughter.

Your friend and music partner, Daniel LaBrash

Mary Runciman, a retired teacher and now one of the DYFA coordinators has shared with us many of the contributions that Kim has made to the Arts. Last year Mary accompanied Kim at the DYFA Excellence in the Awards ceremony. Kim is a musically gifted flautist. She is a valued member of Orangeville Community Band, a band lead by John Wervers, Kim’s former high school band leader. Kim is an encourager and advocate for music and the arts as shown in her daily lessons at Montgomery Village; she understands and promotes literacy through music; she attends the annual Ontario Music Educator's Conference each year and she is always seeking ways to enrich her lessons. Mary and Kim both love music, and have worked together over the years, often sharing good ideas about teaching.

My final comments come from Wendy Carter. Here is what Wendy has to say about Kim.

I'm not sure I can remember a year when Kim did not bring whatever school she was teaching at, to the DYFA. There's something simply lovely about the way she relates to her students. She obviously brings a gentle, musicality out of them. It's clear by the rapt attention they give her, that they adore her and the material her students present, is amazing. Often teachers and volunteers remark as they leave the celebration that Kim's classes are beautifully prepared and reflect a school arts experience that is well taught.

At times, Kim further amazes me. She would send in her school's registration with a simple closing line - Is there anything I can do to help? And these words are from a mother of two very young children. I am humbled to work with such a selfless, beautiful human being. Whatever Kim would have chosen to do as a career, she would have done well. But the fact that she chose education means she is impacting the future of children in this county in ways only an exceptional teacher can. Kim believes in her students. She has set a high bar professionally and encourages her students to meet it as shown when she teaches them the Music Monday anthems sung across Canada on the first Monday of May.  As an education community we are simply blessed that she serves in the arts. The arts can engage our imaginations in ways that no other discipline can. Thank you Kim! 

And from all of us, in education, the community and beyond, we thank you for all that you do to bring music to life! Congratulations Kim.

2010 Nominations

Congratulations to Karen Orme and Laurie Heimbecker who received the Award of Excellence in 2010.

• The first time I had the pleasure of attending the DYFA was 6 years ago when my daughter, Rachel, who was in grade 6 at the time at Princess Margaret Public School, was performing with the PMPS junior band under the direction of Laurie Heimbecker. I was blown away - I recall returning to Princess Margaret after the morning of the festival - we were new in the community at that time -and trying to express (with tears in my eyes) to Laurie and her sister, Karen Orme, senior choir director, how overwhelmed I was at the caliber of the festival (I really thought it was just going to be another school concert!) and particularly, how impressed I was with the little Princess Margaret Band. It was then that I learned that PMPS was the only elementary school in the Board at that time that had a band at all - let alone two bands! I have learned, of course, that this is a testament to the team of Laurie & Karen and their commitment to the arts. This spoke volumes to me as I feel the arts play an integral role in the lives of our children - it so enhances their education. My three children have all developed a love for the arts - whether it's watching performances on stage at Theatre Orangeville, singing in the Theatre Orangeville Youth Singers, painting, watching ballet, or enjoying the visual arts.
  
  I haven't missed the DYFA since that first time - I have had a child perform each year since (and sometimes two!)Rachel played for two more years, our second daughter, Bekah played for three years in the band, and our son Samuel sang in the choir in grade 5 and played in the band for the last three years. And the festival just grows and grows and grows. Every year as I am attending this event, I am wowed by the organization to put this together and the incredibly talented young people that eagerly participate. What an opportunity for these young people from all over Dufferin county to come and participate and watch and listen. The atmosphere is electric - and the energy in the building is phenomenal. It is always a privilege for me to sit there and listen to these young folks. Bravo to the organizers and participants - a standing ovation to you all!!
  
  
• Mrs. Heimbecker is a grade 7/8 teacher at P.M.P.S, one I have been over joyed to have as my homeroom teacher. She is truly wonderful!!!!! She encourages everyone so much with anything they want to do. Whether it be Art, sports, writing and especially music. She is an amazing music teacher, and has, for at least 7 years taught P.M.P.S\'s Junior band. Speaking from experience, I can say, she takes kids who cannot even make a squeak from their instrument, and turns them into some amazing musicians. She teaches us to read music, different music theories, and even had us write our own music. Not to mention she does this with over 8 different instruments. All on top of this, she is an WONDERFUL trumpet player herself, and I myself heard a lot of my friends in grade 5 telling me that after hearing her playing the last post, are going to play trumpet. I play flute for 2 years now, and almost everything I know, I learned from her, and that is why I want to nominate her the Excellence. :) She deserves to win.

• Mary Runciman has been involved with the DYFA since its inception. Year after year, she gives her time to ensure that the arts are celebrated in Dufferin county. As a teacher, Mary's focus is often on music education. She leads choirs, assemblies and is THE staff 'expert' on music education. She has and has entered classes and choirs in the DYFA on many occasions. This year, Mary's role as Grade K-6 music teacher (along with her regular Grade 6 teahcing assignment)brings life to music at Mono-Amaranth. She spends the latter part of each school day spreading 'sounds of delight' through the halls at MAPS. Her greatest strength is probably her contagious nature. It's hard not to love music when she's teaching it. As her principal and 'music teaching partner', it is my pleasure and honour to nominate Mary for her contribution to excellence in local music education.

  - Peter LeBlanc
  
  

• My name is Marilyn Logan from Theatre Orangeville but stepping back a few years, I was involved into the Dufferin Arts Council, Dufferin Parent Coundil and the Dufferin Youth Festival of the Art as Co-coordinator. There are many community partners - Partners in the arts in this room today that exist to fulfill the cultural dreams of our community and of special individuals. Those individuals are the Mary Runciman’s of the world who speak up often enough and with enough commitment to be heard. Who are sought out, listened to and heard, because she has earned the repose of us all. Who stand behind their commitments and follow through when ever the answer is YES, I will do that. Mary has supported , promoted, and participated in the arts in our community as long as I have known her. She has opened the hearts and souls of countless youth through music in her career as a teacher – and how many of our young aspiring actors have had her assistance through the audition process! We are a richer community because of Mary, and to her, on behalf of Theatre Orangeville I say, ‘Thank you’.

  - Marilyn Logan