2025 Shining Stars

We are trying something new for the 2025 Shining Stars Nominations!  Nominations will be open from now (May 1, 2025) until Wednesday, October 15, 2025.  If you are noticing the great work of an educator, take a minute to nominate them for the 2025 Shining Stars.

Educators working in our local early learning and childcare community will be able to nominate a co-worker, team member or colleague for any of the categories of Shining Stars.  All Shining Star nominations will be recognized in each category with a certificate and one person per category will be selected as the 2025 Shining Star.  

We will announce the Shining Star for each category at our Appreciation Event on Thursday, October 23, 2025; the person you are nominating does not have to be in attendance.  We will share the names (and photos of anyone present to accept their certificates at the dinner) on the blog.

The Shining Star categories are as follows:

• Continual Learner – these shining stars not only value on-going learning and professional learning opportunities, but their learning is observed to impact their work and practice.
• Mentor – these shining stars take the time help mentor other educators and staff in this profession.
• Leader – these shining stars stand out as a leader in our profession by inspiring and empowering those around them. Be sure to understand we do not mean only those in a leadership type of role, but this is an opportunity to see everyone has the potential to be a leader regardless of their position title.
• Advocacy – these shining stars take the time and effort to continue to advocate for our profession.
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice and Accessibility – these shining stars go above and beyond to incorporate inclusive and anti-bias learning/practices into their daily work.

In order to nominate someone for the 2025 Shining Stars, please read these few important points to ensure the nomination is eligible:

• nominations are open to any educator or staff member currently working in licensed childcare (centre or home child care), Authorized Recreation, EarlyON, Special Needs Resourcing and Children’s Services programs within the City of Kawartha Lakes and County of Haliburton
• nominations are made from someone working within our local early learning and childcare community
• each nomination must include a minimum a 100-200 word description of why the person you are nominating is a Shining Star in that category 
• all fields must be completed in full for your nomination to be accepted

You have until Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at 4:00 pm to submit your nominations.