Johnathan Durand announced as 2024 Joseph and Anna Marie Karaffa Award for Excellence in Education Recipient
Superintendent Maureen Taggart presented the 2024 Joseph and Anna Marie Karaffa Award for Excellence in Education to Johnathan Durand. Mr. Durand has been employed by the Toronto City School District since 2013. He is a high school Math teacher at Toronto Jr.-Sr. High School. Mr. Durand is a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville. He has also served as the junior varsity baseball coach, the facilitator for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the Math Department Chair.
According to the award nominators, Mr. Durand is known for positive energy, professionalism, and devotion to helping students. He is a really good teacher who seems to like his job. Mr. Durand is willing to help student understand the subject matter no matter how much additional time it takes. One student nomination summed up his feelings about Mr. Durand as follows: “I used to hate this subject until he was my teacher. Now I enjoy it because I actually know what I am doing.”
The Joseph and Anna Marie Karaffa Award for Excellence in Education is presented annually to a teacher or administrator active in Toronto City Schools. The award was established to recognize the efforts of an outstanding teacher or administrator for creating an environment where teaching and learning are valued. Past recipients include: Kayla Mosti (2023), Bill Stone (2022), Amanda Speece (2022), Annie Silverthorn (2021), Tim Fisher (2019), Michelle Blazek (2018), Rick Hlivko (2017), Cindy Hinerman (2016), Kirk George (2015), Sally George (2015), Jane Brower (2013), Jennifer Dickinson (2012), Donna McCasland (2011), Ellen Hughes (2010), Mary Jo Kuhn (2009), Lynda Glenn (2008), Charlene Starr (2007), Linda Blair (2006), Linda Antonucci (2005), Gary Fisher (2004), Maureen Taggart (2003), James Ray (2002), Susan Buckham (2001), Barbara Carter (2000), Kirk George (1999), and Barbara Pritts (1998). Nominations for the award were accepted from students, teachers, administrators, parents, and alumni.