Teachers Life Spirit Awards – 2025 Terms and Conditions

As part of Teachers Life’s commitment to its members, Teachers Life has established the annual Teachers Life Spirit Awards to show our support and appreciation for those teachers who go above and beyond.  

Purpose of Award

To recognize teachers who go above and beyond the requirements of their role every day and who demonstrate a commitment to the teaching profession despite the challenges facing the education community through their values and work ethic. 

The SPIRIT Award Program

Teachers Life offers one (1) award of $1,000 in OSSTF District 9 and one (1) award of $1,000 in OSSTF District 19 to Teachers Life members in those OSSTF districts who have demonstrated a commitment to the teaching profession despite the challenges facing the education community through their values and work ethic. In addition to the financial awards, Teachers Life recognizes the recipients by providing a plaque to commemorate the award.  

Amount and Number of Recipients

Provided that the recipients meet the eligibility requirements set out below, one (1) recipient from each District will receive: 

• a monetary award in the aggregate amount of $1,000, and  

• a plaque with the winner’s name and work location. 

Nomination Deadline

Forward the nomination package to your District Executive before noon (11:59 a.m. ET) on May 16, 2025.  

• District 9: Please email nomination packages to Erin Roy (eroy@osstf9.com) 

• District 19: Please email nomination packages to Toni Pellegrino (TPellegrino@osstfd19.ca) 

District Winners 

The District Executive will review the nominations for eligibility based on the Awards Eligibility Requirements set out below. 

The District Executive for each District will conduct a random draw for their District from among all eligible nominations received.  

The District Executive will provide the names and schools of each eligible nominee to Teachers Life. The winning nomination packages will be provided to Teachers Life for the fulfillment of the awards and recognition of the winners. 

The selection of winners by each District Executive and Teachers Life’s decisions regarding the administration and operation of the Teachers Life SPIRIT Awards are final and binding.  

Eligibility Requirements 

To be eligible to receive an award, nominees must:  

1. Be a full-time teacher employed in OSSTF District 9 (Essex) or OSSTF District 19 (Peel) who is a Member of Teachers Life. To be a member of Teachers Life, the nominee must have a disability insurance policy issued by Teachers Life under the OSSTF District’s group benefits plan.  
2. Demonstrate the altruistic spirit of the teaching profession. 
3. Act as a role model (inspiring, motivating, and communicating) with fellow staff and students. 
4. Contribute to the image of the school and/or school community. 
5. Consistently go above and beyond expectations, 
6. Be nominated by at least two (2) OSSTF Members within their District. 

Recognition

The winner for each District will be announced by their District Executive at their 2025 Annual Dinners. 

Award recipients will be highlighted on Teachers Life’s website and other social media platforms. Each recipient agrees to assist Teachers Life by, among other things, providing any necessary consents to use the recipient’s likeness in promotion of the program.