Local custodian celebrated

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and Minister of Education Kathleen Wynne recently celebrated the Premier's Awards for Teaching Excellence.

There are 14 teaching awards and a new special recognition category titled ‘Exemplary Service in Education’ was introduced for local custodian, Dyson McLaren.

McLaren, the 56-year-old custodian at Dr. MacDougall Public School for the Near North District School Board, received the award for going far beyond his job description to support students.

In his free time, McLaren refurbishes old donated computers and gives them to elementary students whose families cannot afford them.

This week Nipissing MPP Monique Smith, Near North District School Board Trustee Eunice Saari gathered with the students of Dr. MacDougall Public School to celebrate McLaren’s achievements.

McLaren, who has a learning disability, told the children ‘never stop trying’, as his award is an example of what a person can do when they put their mind to it.