Awards

Tom Tittel Memorial Award

This award was established in honour of Tom Tittel, former head of Guidance at Downsview Secondary School and former Guidance Consultant for the York Region Catholic District School Board. His caring personality and positive approach in engaging students ‘to be the best they could be’ became his trademark. He was instrumental in the formation of the Ontario Guidance Leadership Association (OGLA) which has established this honour in his memory for his dedication to youth in our schools today.

This award is open to graduating students who :

• are pursuing post-secondary studies in the social services areas (child care, teacher, social worker, etc).

• attend a publicly supported secondary school in Ontario.  

• have demonstrated a commitment to their academic studies (have above average marks)

• have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the area of peer helping in the school.  

• have demonstrated leadership in one or more community organizations.  

The applicant must prepare a one paragraph overview of activities relevant to the social services area and which also demonstrates their suitability for this award.

The 2024-25 application window is now open.  Applications are due April 28, 2025. 

Any student in any school/school board represented in OGLA may submit applications. 

Joanne Twist Guidance Leadership Award 

Joanne Twist provided many years of important leadership in the field of Guidance in Ontario. She demonstrated the vision that a skilled, informed, compassionate Guidance teacher can have the most profound effect on both the student and the educational system. She modeled principled leadership based on coordinating and facilitating, always focused on team contributions, bringing together and motivating people with her expertise, sincerity, passion and energy. 

Presented annually to an educator who best exemplifies the contributions of Joanne Twist by demonstrating a significant number of the following:  

• Advocates for student success  

• Supports the development of teachers in understanding and supporting the guidance program as a vehicle for students to realize their full potential  

• Mentors future Guidance leaders 

• Provides leadership for the development and implementation of exemplary Guidance programs  Works actively with students, parents and teachers to provide suitable educational planning for students at the school level  

• Encourages administrators and other professional staff to understand and support Guidance programs as fundamental to the successful school experience of all students  

• Shares and communicates ideas through workshops, conferences or other professional experiences  

• Models collaboration and networking, recognizing and connecting expertise locally and/or regionally  

• Is recognized as a leader in their school community 

To be considered for this award, 2 nominators must each complete an application for the nominee.

Current members of the OGLA executive are not eligible. 

The 2024-25 application window is now open.  Applications are due April 28, 2025.