Monday, 15 May 2017
2017 TDSB Excellence Awards!
The 2017 TDSB Excellence Award
 |
| Some images courtesy of TDSB. |
Thank you to the Toronto District School Board for the incredible honour.
It's feels so good and a bit crazy to be honoured by my employer like this.
I've been working with the TDSB for four years now. Some people go entire 40 or 60 year careers and never even get nominated. I am honoured to be not only the youngest nominee ever, but also the youngest recipient in history to receive this award.
Everything I do, I do for my students. Today I received The 2016-2017 TDSB Excellence Award. An award that can only be bestowed upon TDSB staff members when they are nominated by people who want to take the time to appreciate them and say 'thank you'! It was so surreal getting this award today.
It was even more surreal and humbling to meet and shake the hand of the Director of Education for the Toronto District School Board, Mr. John Malloy. It was an honour and a privilege to finally get a chance to meet him, to be thanked for all I do by him, and get such a rousing endorsement for it all.
Thank you, Mr.Malloy!
It was wonderful to be in the same room and presence of Mr.Malloy, my superintendent and trustee, my mom, and one of my nominators. My Grade 8 principal from CV Mr.Ennis, who is now currently a superintendent also happened to be there, as well as the current principal of CV Ms.Eccleston. It was so great seeing them all there!
I want to thank Mr.Grewal and Mr.Alexander for their thoughtfulness and the nomination.
They are both not only fellow TDSB employees and wonderful Board colleagues, but also former teachers of mine from Carleton Village Public School when I was a student there years ago, and I now also consider them very good friends!
Mr.Grewal, had this to say at the ceremony:
“It is an honour to be up
here today presenting this award to not only a fellow TDSB employee and colleague, but also a
former student.
Vickram Bachan champions our school board’s
values of equity, student achievement and wellbeing, and service excellence. He does so in spite of the adversity that he
himself has experienced, growing up in a single-parent household in the
socio-economically challenged neighbourhood served by Carleton Village Sports
and Wellness Academy. I have known
Vickram for well over a decade now, and have seen him grow from a tentative,
discouraged student into a resilient young man, and an exemplary employee at
McMurrich Junior Public School.
Vickram’s example of service excellence is second to none. He has nearly perfect attendance at work. Beyond his exemplary punctuality and reliability for the lunchroom students, Vickram lovingly gives countless additional hours and effort to McMurrich and Carleton Village. He has contributed to the organization and setting up of school events, assemblies, and fundraisers, and has voluntarily helped teachers with supervision and preparation. Vickram has donated toys and books to McMurrich, and to Carleton Village before that. He has also generously contributed his own money to The Harry Potter Fan Club. Vickram Bachan does all of this to make school an absolutely magical, memorable, and educational experience for the students.” - Paul Grewal
This is what the TDSB has to say:
“We are proud that our staff are among the most dedicated and qualified in Canada. Every day, nearly 39,000 committed professionals support our students and help them achieve their very best. Their focus, enthusiasm and dedication help build strong and healthy relationships and allow our school communities – and students – to thrive.
It’s important that we recognize the great work of our outstanding staff across the system. Recognizing our staff not only celebrates their accomplishments and efforts, it inspires others to excel in their own roles. Our work is guided by the Vision of Learning, Integrated Equity Framework and Service Excellence.
Every year, we invite staff, students, parents and community members to nominate a TDSB staff member or team whose effort to go above and beyond has made a difference in their lives.
This year, we recognize 14 individuals who’ve done just that. We celebrated them at the Excellence Awards Recognition Event on May 15 and here is who they are:
Vickram Bachan - Lunchroom Supervisor and Childcare Attendant - McMurrich JPS
Vickram Bachan is a champion of equity, student achievement and well-being and, of service excellence. A TDSB alumni, Vickram first came to the TDSB as a volunteer and for the last three years, has worked at McMurrich JPS. In all of his roles, he has made a positive contribution to school life. He is an equitable, reliable and compassionate employee who engages with students on a personal level, including knowing the birthdays of all students in the lunch program. His efforts to engage and support students include launching “The Lunchies” to recognize students who exhibit excellent behaviour and cooperation during lunch, to creating the Harry Potter Fan Club to promote literacy, and organizing school events. Vickram has helped bring enthusiasm and fun to the school communities he has been a part of.” - TDSB
http://www.tdsb.on.ca/AboutUs/Innovation/Excellence.aspx
To my fellow recipients and TDSB colleagues, congratulations!
Keep doing what you do for your schools and more importantly, students. We are a team working together in all different areas across the great city of Toronto to help educate and shape the next generation and their futures. You make your students' lives better, more fun and exciting. Never stop doing what you do, keep it up!
It is an honour to be working with all of you and stand by your side to receive this recognition, hear stories of all the great things you do, and to share this moment with you.
As Mr.Grewal alluded to in his speech, I have faced a lot of negativity and adversity both professionally and personally, and in many cases still do. But my McMurrich students are what help me get through a lot of it. Working and volunteering at McMurrich and doing initiatives such as The Harry Potter Fan Club has been such a positive thing for me, it has given me a sense of escape; and seeing the looks on my students faces, I know it has been a positive experience for them too. It also gives me a sense of satisfaction, accomplishment, and fulfilment.
It's feels so good and a bit crazy to be honoured by my employer like this.
I've been working with the TDSB for four years now. Some people go entire 40 or 60 year careers and never even get nominated. I am honoured to be not only the youngest nominee ever, but also the youngest recipient in history to receive this award.
Everything I do, I do for my students. Today I received The 2016-2017 TDSB Excellence Award. An award that can only be bestowed upon TDSB staff members when they are nominated by people who want to take the time to appreciate them and say 'thank you'! It was so surreal getting this award today.
It was even more surreal and humbling to meet and shake the hand of the Director of Education for the Toronto District School Board, Mr. John Malloy. It was an honour and a privilege to finally get a chance to meet him, to be thanked for all I do by him, and get such a rousing endorsement for it all.
Thank you, Mr.Malloy!
It was wonderful to be in the same room and presence of Mr.Malloy, my superintendent and trustee, my mom, and one of my nominators. My Grade 8 principal from CV Mr.Ennis, who is now currently a superintendent also happened to be there, as well as the current principal of CV Ms.Eccleston. It was so great seeing them all there!
I want to thank Mr.Grewal and Mr.Alexander for their thoughtfulness and the nomination.
They are both not only fellow TDSB employees and wonderful Board colleagues, but also former teachers of mine from Carleton Village Public School when I was a student there years ago, and I now also consider them very good friends!
Mr.Grewal, had this to say at the ceremony:
As a lunchroom supervisor at McMurrich for
the last three years, Vickram has earned a reputation for being equitable,
reliable, and compassionate toward all others.
For Vickram, this starts with fervently memorizing the full names of all
of the students in the lunch program and beyond, as well as all of their
birthdays. Vickram cooperates and communicates
with his fellow staff with kindness, politeness, and respect. Vickram practices inclusion by showing
impartiality in his supervisory duties, by purposely recognizing students’
individuality and uniqueness, and by his intolerance toward bullying behaviours. What’s more, Vickram is known to edify
students with wise advice regarding their personal behaviour and goals. It’s no wonder that students are always happy
to see “Mr. Vickram.”
Vickram has
always worked hard to promote student achievement and wellbeing, both in his
years as a volunteer and now as a colleague.
For two years now, he has made notable contributions to school life and
literacy through a beloved afterschool extra-curricular program that he
founded: the McMurrich Harry Potter Fan Club.
The group of over twenty junior students encourages the avid reading and
re-reading of books from the series, as well as other materials. In addition to measurably improving literacy
among the group’s members, Vickram has successfully organized school events
based upon the series, such as a Yule Ball, a wizard tournament, and an
excursion to see the latest movie in the HP universe [Fantastic Beasts]. Another example of Vickram’s contributions is
the “Lunchy Awards,” or simply “The “Lunchies.”
He created this innovative award three years ago to recognize lunchroom
students who exhibit excellent behaviour, cooperation, and positive examples to
peers. The certificates are presented
with a small gift every June. During his time volunteering at Carleton Village, Vickram demonstrates great
empathy and patience toward the students in the LEAP program. The students responded with improved confidence
and achievement.
Vickram’s example of service excellence is second to none. He has nearly perfect attendance at work. Beyond his exemplary punctuality and reliability for the lunchroom students, Vickram lovingly gives countless additional hours and effort to McMurrich and Carleton Village. He has contributed to the organization and setting up of school events, assemblies, and fundraisers, and has voluntarily helped teachers with supervision and preparation. Vickram has donated toys and books to McMurrich, and to Carleton Village before that. He has also generously contributed his own money to The Harry Potter Fan Club. Vickram Bachan does all of this to make school an absolutely magical, memorable, and educational experience for the students.” - Paul Grewal
Thank you Mr.Grewal for all the kind words in that wonderful speech, and thank you to Carleton Village Public School along with its amazing staff, students and parents for being so appreciative and grateful of all my volunteer work and the time spent at the school doing it over the past nine years and counting. I truly enjoy those hours working with you!
This is what the TDSB has to say:
“We are proud that our staff are among the most dedicated and qualified in Canada. Every day, nearly 39,000 committed professionals support our students and help them achieve their very best. Their focus, enthusiasm and dedication help build strong and healthy relationships and allow our school communities – and students – to thrive.
It’s important that we recognize the great work of our outstanding staff across the system. Recognizing our staff not only celebrates their accomplishments and efforts, it inspires others to excel in their own roles. Our work is guided by the Vision of Learning, Integrated Equity Framework and Service Excellence.
Every year, we invite staff, students, parents and community members to nominate a TDSB staff member or team whose effort to go above and beyond has made a difference in their lives.
This year, we recognize 14 individuals who’ve done just that. We celebrated them at the Excellence Awards Recognition Event on May 15 and here is who they are:
Vickram Bachan - Lunchroom Supervisor and Childcare Attendant - McMurrich JPS
Vickram Bachan is a champion of equity, student achievement and well-being and, of service excellence. A TDSB alumni, Vickram first came to the TDSB as a volunteer and for the last three years, has worked at McMurrich JPS. In all of his roles, he has made a positive contribution to school life. He is an equitable, reliable and compassionate employee who engages with students on a personal level, including knowing the birthdays of all students in the lunch program. His efforts to engage and support students include launching “The Lunchies” to recognize students who exhibit excellent behaviour and cooperation during lunch, to creating the Harry Potter Fan Club to promote literacy, and organizing school events. Vickram has helped bring enthusiasm and fun to the school communities he has been a part of.” - TDSB
http://www.tdsb.on.ca/AboutUs/Innovation/Excellence.aspx
To my fellow recipients and TDSB colleagues, congratulations!Keep doing what you do for your schools and more importantly, students. We are a team working together in all different areas across the great city of Toronto to help educate and shape the next generation and their futures. You make your students' lives better, more fun and exciting. Never stop doing what you do, keep it up!
It is an honour to be working with all of you and stand by your side to receive this recognition, hear stories of all the great things you do, and to share this moment with you.
As Mr.Grewal alluded to in his speech, I have faced a lot of negativity and adversity both professionally and personally, and in many cases still do. But my McMurrich students are what help me get through a lot of it. Working and volunteering at McMurrich and doing initiatives such as The Harry Potter Fan Club has been such a positive thing for me, it has given me a sense of escape; and seeing the looks on my students faces, I know it has been a positive experience for them too. It also gives me a sense of satisfaction, accomplishment, and fulfilment.
I have never asked for or expected anything in return, I do it all happily freely and willingly. All I ever get are the smiles on my students faces, and that makes it all worth it which is enough. But getting this award this afternoon means so much. I am so humbled and thankful to be one of eleven recipients this year out of the hundreds that were nominated.
When I became employed by the TDSB four years ago, I vowed that I would be the change in a new era and a new regime. After what I went through in high school, the living hell, all the nonsensical traumatic drama, the bullying and harassment by both students and some staff, the inequality inequity and unfairness; I promised I would make a difference in the TDSB and never become like those type of staff. I know what it feels like to go through BS and be treated like garbage; feeling worthless, like your life doesn't matter and has no meaning, and be a victim of bias, prejudice, and favouritism.
It was time to make some changes happen.
Today this tells me that I have stayed true to my word, lived up to my vow, and more than kept my promise.
So, thank you to the TDSB for their consideration, acknowledgement, and praise of all my "hard work, dedication, and efforts", thank you to Mr.Grewal and Mr.Alexander from Carleton Village for the nomination, and most of all, above all the thanks, a huge ginormous THANK YOU to some of my amazing and wonderful McMurrich students who are the reason I do what I do every single day at that school, the reason get-up and drag myself out of bed in the morning. Everything I do is for you, and without you this probably would not be possible, if it wasn't for you kids I might not be getting this incredible award and honour or even be eligible for nomination. So thank you most of all to those students, and their parents, who care, love, support, and appreciate The Harry Potter Fan Club and everything else I do.
It doesn't matter to me whether what I do is recognized or not, but it is always nice to know that some people actually notice, appreciate, and acknowledge what is done for their children by other people who are willing to put their own unpaid free time and effort into doing special things.
And, finally, there is of course Carleton Village, the nominators and ultimate reason I am getting this award. Thanks once again to the staff, students, and parents of CV for being so appreciative, grateful, and thankful. I value the relationships we have with one another, never having any conflicts and always working together as a team, truly a well-oiled-machine. Win, lose, or draw, our sport-teams are always a cohesive unit; our school events are always enjoyable, fun, and exciting. The Carleton Village school community is unique and special place. Whether I got the award or not, this nomination meant a lot to me knowing you put the time, effort, and thought, into showing me appreciation and acknowledging what I do for you. Thank you CV for putting so much thought, time and effort into this surprise nomination! Even if I hadn't ended up getting this award, thank you. I truly appreciate the thought; the fact that you even thought of me means more than the award itself! Thank You!
Today this tells me that I have stayed true to my word, lived up to my vow, and more than kept my promise.
So, thank you to the TDSB for their consideration, acknowledgement, and praise of all my "hard work, dedication, and efforts", thank you to Mr.Grewal and Mr.Alexander from Carleton Village for the nomination, and most of all, above all the thanks, a huge ginormous THANK YOU to some of my amazing and wonderful McMurrich students who are the reason I do what I do every single day at that school, the reason get-up and drag myself out of bed in the morning. Everything I do is for you, and without you this probably would not be possible, if it wasn't for you kids I might not be getting this incredible award and honour or even be eligible for nomination. So thank you most of all to those students, and their parents, who care, love, support, and appreciate The Harry Potter Fan Club and everything else I do.
It doesn't matter to me whether what I do is recognized or not, but it is always nice to know that some people actually notice, appreciate, and acknowledge what is done for their children by other people who are willing to put their own unpaid free time and effort into doing special things.
And, finally, there is of course Carleton Village, the nominators and ultimate reason I am getting this award. Thanks once again to the staff, students, and parents of CV for being so appreciative, grateful, and thankful. I value the relationships we have with one another, never having any conflicts and always working together as a team, truly a well-oiled-machine. Win, lose, or draw, our sport-teams are always a cohesive unit; our school events are always enjoyable, fun, and exciting. The Carleton Village school community is unique and special place. Whether I got the award or not, this nomination meant a lot to me knowing you put the time, effort, and thought, into showing me appreciation and acknowledging what I do for you. Thank you CV for putting so much thought, time and effort into this surprise nomination! Even if I hadn't ended up getting this award, thank you. I truly appreciate the thought; the fact that you even thought of me means more than the award itself! Thank You!
Wednesday, 4 January 2017
2017 New Years poem: "My New Year Wish"
Well, here it is, as promised, better late than never right!?
This is my brand new poem and my first poem posted in 2017! I just finished it. I hope it brings courage and strength to any and all who need it. Enjoy!
This is my brand new poem and my first poem posted in 2017! I just finished it. I hope it brings courage and strength to any and all who need it. Enjoy!
My New Year Wish
By: Vickram Bachan
It's a New Year with new beginnings,
I wish everyone the best, with cheer and good tidings.
I hope everyone can learn to be kind to one another, that is my wish for all,
And I pray you always find light, when darkness comes to call.
It is my hope that all bad deeds shall not rise but fall,
and all good things shall always stand tall.
My wish is that there will be no need for appall,
but instead have freedom, peace, and equality for all.
The world can be a scary place, but don't drop the ball,
Ignore the hate, negativity, and fear, and always stand tall.
Receive your hearts desire, meet your goals, break down the wall,
Make your dreams and fantasies come true, accomplish them all.
Realize and reach your potential; always dream big and never small,
The road ahead awaits you, as your destiny calls.
So the very best of luck to all, I wish you good fortunes and blessings,
It's a New Year full of promise and hope for new beginnings.
Sunday, 1 January 2017
Happy New Year! 2017
Happy New Year!!!! 😊
2016 is now over and 2017 has just begun. This is a New Year with new beginnings and I hope everybody will learn to be kind to each other.
I have a brand new poem for New Years, but it will be posted a bit late. Don't worry though, it's coming soon! It's a New Years themed poem and I hope you'll enjoy it!
It's meant to give people strength and courage to take on the New Year and any though times that may be ahead.
In the meantime, while you wait, feel free to look back on two of my most popular poems
"I Am Who I Am" and "Who We Are: We Are One" as well as My message for the start of 2017.
My message for the start of 2017 is this:
No matter who you are, you are somebody. Don't ever feel like you are nothing. It does not matter who other people are or who they think they are, or what they say. Everyone has their own opinion which they are entitled to, it does not mean that it's also your opinion or that you have to agree with it; never let what others have to say affect you, especially if it's negative. We are all human-beings cut from the same cloth with the same perfections and imperfections. We all experience the same emotions and feelings as everyone else. We all have a purpose in life. Brush off any and all hate and negativity. Do what makes you happy and finds you solace.
Don't treat people like garbage because of their positions or situations, nobody is higher or better than anyone else. There is no one above or below us, all humans are and should be treated equally and people should respect and treat all others as they would want to be treated. Being bullies and using/abusing power on others doesn't make you more important than them, it makes you look like the complete jerk that you are.
Remember, what goes around comes around. You know what they call karma. Don't take advantage of others. We're all on the same level. None of us are God.
Equality is not just a word it should be a way of life. Every human deserves to be treated with the same respect and regard, no matter their position, race, religion, gender, ethnicity, colour, creed, social class/status, lanuage, age, culture, style, etc...
Whatever the case may be, and whoever they may be, they are entitled to the same rights everyone else is. All lives matter! Every person has a right to free-speech and expression, and nobody should ever be penalized and punished for voicing their opinions or using and exercising their rights; especially if it does no harm in any way to anyone else.
So, Happy New Year to all! I hope you had a nice Christmas and Holiday season, I hope your 2016 was great and your 2017 will be even better!
2016 is now over and 2017 has just begun. This is a New Year with new beginnings and I hope everybody will learn to be kind to each other.
I have a brand new poem for New Years, but it will be posted a bit late. Don't worry though, it's coming soon! It's a New Years themed poem and I hope you'll enjoy it!
It's meant to give people strength and courage to take on the New Year and any though times that may be ahead.
In the meantime, while you wait, feel free to look back on two of my most popular poems
"I Am Who I Am" and "Who We Are: We Are One" as well as My message for the start of 2017.
My message for the start of 2017 is this:
No matter who you are, you are somebody. Don't ever feel like you are nothing. It does not matter who other people are or who they think they are, or what they say. Everyone has their own opinion which they are entitled to, it does not mean that it's also your opinion or that you have to agree with it; never let what others have to say affect you, especially if it's negative. We are all human-beings cut from the same cloth with the same perfections and imperfections. We all experience the same emotions and feelings as everyone else. We all have a purpose in life. Brush off any and all hate and negativity. Do what makes you happy and finds you solace.
Don't treat people like garbage because of their positions or situations, nobody is higher or better than anyone else. There is no one above or below us, all humans are and should be treated equally and people should respect and treat all others as they would want to be treated. Being bullies and using/abusing power on others doesn't make you more important than them, it makes you look like the complete jerk that you are.
Remember, what goes around comes around. You know what they call karma. Don't take advantage of others. We're all on the same level. None of us are God.
Equality is not just a word it should be a way of life. Every human deserves to be treated with the same respect and regard, no matter their position, race, religion, gender, ethnicity, colour, creed, social class/status, lanuage, age, culture, style, etc...
Whatever the case may be, and whoever they may be, they are entitled to the same rights everyone else is. All lives matter! Every person has a right to free-speech and expression, and nobody should ever be penalized and punished for voicing their opinions or using and exercising their rights; especially if it does no harm in any way to anyone else.
People are just so judgmental because it's so easy to criticize. I hate when people just jump to their own stupid ridiculous made up conclusions without understanding the reasons behind things. People do what they do for reasons, things are the way they are for certain reasons. People need to learn to accept certain things for what they are and stop trying to enforce unnecessary or unwanted changes. People like to stick their noses where it doesn't belong and get involved in things that do not concern them, without understanding why people do what they do. Sometimes people need to know when to mind their own business and just back off. There are bigger problems in the world to worry about, don't make huge fusses about little things.
Help each other, love each other, support each other, encourage each other, because you never know which day will be our last. Fairness should be for everybody, it's called equity.
God forbid you don't always get your own way, it's not the end of the world. Everyone needs to learn to give and take, things can't just be one-sided all the time. Don't take life and people for granted, enjoy them while you have them because you don't know what you have until it's all gone. We're only here for a little while, life is too short so enjoy it, because when it's gone it's all gone for good.
So whether it's your friends, family, co-workers & colleagues, classmates, neighbors, the homeless person on the street, or the king and queen of the world; show them all the same courtesy, appreciate all fellow humans, and be grateful to have the people that you know around you.
Everything is left behind when our souls leave this earth, only our deeds go with us, both the good and the bad. We all need to do good in this crazy world. We only have one life to live, and because we all only live once there's no point in making other people miserable, depressed, or causing them unnecessary pain and grief. Everyone finds hope, solace, peace, and comfort in their own way, so let them do what they want and need to do in peace, and just leave them alone.
We need to enjoy whatever little time we have. Live life to its fullest and enjoy every second because you don't know how long you'll have it. Don't waste time putting other people down. There is absolutely no need to make things difficult or impossible for others. Don't be in peoples way, just like you wouldn't want them in your way. Life is too short for politics and drama, no one wants to deal with nonsense. Enjoy life the way you want, and let others live and enjoy it how they want.
God forbid you don't always get your own way, it's not the end of the world. Everyone needs to learn to give and take, things can't just be one-sided all the time. Don't take life and people for granted, enjoy them while you have them because you don't know what you have until it's all gone. We're only here for a little while, life is too short so enjoy it, because when it's gone it's all gone for good.
So whether it's your friends, family, co-workers & colleagues, classmates, neighbors, the homeless person on the street, or the king and queen of the world; show them all the same courtesy, appreciate all fellow humans, and be grateful to have the people that you know around you.
Everything is left behind when our souls leave this earth, only our deeds go with us, both the good and the bad. We all need to do good in this crazy world. We only have one life to live, and because we all only live once there's no point in making other people miserable, depressed, or causing them unnecessary pain and grief. Everyone finds hope, solace, peace, and comfort in their own way, so let them do what they want and need to do in peace, and just leave them alone.
We need to enjoy whatever little time we have. Live life to its fullest and enjoy every second because you don't know how long you'll have it. Don't waste time putting other people down. There is absolutely no need to make things difficult or impossible for others. Don't be in peoples way, just like you wouldn't want them in your way. Life is too short for politics and drama, no one wants to deal with nonsense. Enjoy life the way you want, and let others live and enjoy it how they want.
So, Happy New Year to all! I hope you had a nice Christmas and Holiday season, I hope your 2016 was great and your 2017 will be even better!
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