AGM Awards
Fintan Kilbride Memorial Award
The Fintan Kilbride Memorial Social Justice Recognition Award honours an OECTA member who demonstrates significant personal commitment to the achievement of social justice and has inspired students to engage in activities focused on social justice objectives.
Honorary Membership
The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association may confer honorary membership on those who have made an outstanding contribution to the Association or to Catholic education. An honorary member is not an OECTA member, but has all the rights, privileges and responsibilities of an active member except those of voting and holding office. It is with the gratitude of Catholic educators throughout Ontario that OECTA bestows this honorary membership on individuals who have made such outstanding contributions.
Life Membership Award
OECTA has the privilege each year of honouring retired members who have given distinguished service at the provincial level. A life member has all the rights, privileges and responsibilities of an active member except that of voting and holding office. The members receiving the award have devoted their professional lives with generosity and dedication to the service of Catholic education in Ontario.
Marion Tyrrell Memorial Award of Merit
Marion Tyrrell (1896-1982) was active in creating OECTA, she became its second general secretary (the first to fill the role when it became a full-time position), and oversaw its rapid expansion. She promoted Catholic education and the collective bargaining interests of members.
The Marion Tyrrell Memorial Award of Merit honours an OECTA member who made an outstanding contribution to education in Catholic schools or to the Association. Eligible for the award is a member who contributed to the good of teachers across the province. Nominations may also extend to members who have distinguished themselves through community service. Nominees must be approved by the provincial executive.
Pearse Shannon Memorial Association Service Award
Pearse Shannon (1945-2006) was a tireless crusader for teachers for over 30 years, at the school, unit, provincial and national levels. As OECTA’s OTF Table Officer and later OTF President, he was particularly instrumental in strengthening the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan.
The Pearse Shannon Memorial Association Award honours an OECTA current or past president or occasional teacher bargaining unit president, who has made an outstanding contribution to the Association. The provincial executive must approve nominees.
25-Year AGM Service Award
Members who have attended 25 or more AGMs will be recognized with a 25-year Annual General Meeting Recognition Service Award.
Award recipients will receive a certificate that acknowledges their 25 years of participation and contribution to the AGM.
Members who meet this criteria should submit a completed nomination form to their local unit executive to be considered for this award. Names will be forwarded to the provincial Awards Committee, no later than October 15 of each year.
2025 Award Recipients
Fintan Kilbride Memorial Social Justice Recognition Award
Life Membership
- Gino Di Ciocco
- Gian Marcon
- John Pecsenye
Marion Tyrrell Award of Merit
Pearse Shannon Memorial Association Award
- Michael Ennett
- Peter MacDonald
25-Year AGM Service Award
Candidate Requirements
The nomination of a candidate shall be made:
- By a unit after approval by its members at a general meeting
- By the Provincial Executive after approval by its members at a Provincial Executive meeting
- By the Council of Presidents after approval by its members at a meeting of the Council of Presidents (Any member may forward a name of a nominee to any one of the aforementioned bodies)
- By a unit executive after unanimous approval of its members at a Unit Executive Meeting
The Awards Committee shall consider all nominees and make recommendation to the November meeting of the Provincial Executive.
For the 25 year AGM Service Award, OECTA members who meet the criteria should submit a completed nomination form to their local unit executive to be considered. Names will be forwarded to the provincial Awards Committee.
The Association has the privilege each year of honouring former and active members who have given distinguished service at the provincial level and at their local units, as well as individuals who have made significant contributions to the Association and/or Catholic education.