CUPE Local 3260

CUPE Local 3260 recently held its 33rd Annual General Meeting on May 6th, 2022. This year marks our third virtual general membership meeting. It was during this meeting that our fourth recipient of the Making A Difference Award was announced.

The Making a Difference is a celebratory award. Nominations are submitted by fellow members. The criteria involves the individual going above and beyond for their students, expressing a caring attitude and love in the lives of the students with whom they work.

L to R CUPE 3260 President Carolyn Vandaele, Making A Difference Committee member Marion Hendrickson, 2022 Making A Difference Award recipient Darlene Norton, Rose-Lune Goulet and Susan Frost Arsenault Making A Difference Committee members. Missing from photo Kelly Watts Executive Liaison to committee.

We are pleased that the 2022 CUPE Local 3260 Making A Difference Award recipient is Darlene Norton! Ms. Norton is an Educational Assistant in Charlottetown. Congratulations to you and thank you for the love and dedication you show to students each day!

The following is the nomination letter submitted by Jennifer Lee, Educational Assistant at Birchwood Intermediate.

Darlene Norton is truly one of a kind. She has been doing this job for over 25 years and still has the drive to go above and beyond for her students. She is a team player and always willing to lend a hand when needed. She never comes to work without a smile on her face and is the first one to check in how your day is going.

Her compassion and caring attitude toward her students never goes unnoticed. Over the years she had had many difficult students and worked so hard to make sure they were able to reach their full potential. She never gives up on anyone. Even though she may be having a hard time with a student she always approaches the situation with such optimism. She has made a difference in so many students' lives.

When it comes to coworkers she is the exact same. She would literally do anything for anyone. Whether it be a tragedy or celebration she is the first one picking up a card and small token to show her support for her coworkers. When I first started at Birchwood she was the first smiling face I met. She took me under her wing and showed me what it was like to be a Birchwood Cobra. From that day on I knew I had met a true friend.

When I started thinking about how I would write this I knew there was one family I had to reach out to. Darlene made such an impact on their family. I asked them if they would write a little note on their time with Darlene and I couldn’t have written it better myself. Here is the letter that I have been given permission to share.

We had the pleasure of having Ms. Norton on Breanna's support team when Breanna started Grade 7 at Birchwood in the Fall of 2017.

Breanna had a goal of learning alongside her peers in an inclusive learning environment and Ms. Norton went above and beyond to support Breanna in achieving this goal. Ms. Norton held Breanna to task and encouraged her to work to her fullest potential which led to Breanna being quite successful during her years at Birchwood.

Darlene is very much a cherished and valued member of Team Breanna. Darlene is a skilled, experienced, supportive and caring educator and we were so blessed to have her support during Breanna's Birchwood years.

Darlene made a positive difference in Breanna's life and in the lives of any student, colleague or family who have been fortunate enough to have her as an educator. I can't think of anyone more deserving of this award.

Congratulations Darlene ~ thank you for all you do to ensure our loved ones have the support and opportunities they deserve to learn to their fullest potential.

Kind regards,
Heidi Bernardi aka Breanna's Mom...

I could reach out to countless students and families but the message would be the same, Darlene Norton is truly remarkable at her job. If anyone deserves to be recognized it is Darlene. She would never expect to be, but I know she would be very honoured.

Jennifer Lee