In her role as Student Support Team Coordinator at H.E. Bourgoin School in Bonnyville, Vonda Worthman works with students, teachers and families to ensure students have the learning supports they need to succeed. But her passion for equity and inclusion extends far beyond the classroom.
“Vonda gently leads others with kindness, whether it’s leading our team of educational assistants, organizing a school event, or working with our school council,” said H.E. Bourgoin Principal Tracy Casselman. “She is the heartbeat of our school and a fierce, compassionate advocate for our students.”
Ensuring all students have access to healthy meals and snacks throughout the day is a priority for Worthman. She volunteers to organize and purchase food for the school’s breakfast program and has developed a system for distributing lunches to students in need that is inclusive and discreet. Casselman said this has led to an increase in the number of students who access the program regularly. In addition, Worthman has spearheaded food drives connected to the school’s spirit days, encouraging students to support families in need of food. Last year, students also collected enough food and to support several families with Christmas hampers during the holidays.
Worthman is also passionate about student voice and encouraging students to be active in their community.
“Student leadership development is close to my heart,” said Worthman. “Encouraging students to have a voice is so important.”
Throughout her time at HEB, Worthman has supported many student leadership initiatives and clubs. One highlight was the year her Grade 6 class wrote a letter to town council advocating for a Santa Claus parade. They were successful in convincing the town to hold a parade and it has been an annual tradition ever since.
Last year Worthman came up with an idea to get students more involved in the school by having them sign up for leadership opportunities. Students who are interested complete a form, similar to a job application, where they express interest in volunteer jobs such as helping in the concession, making announcements or delivering hot lunches.
She also initiated a new check in/check out system not just for students who need inclusive education supports, but any student who may need to some extra support from an adult at the school.
“They check in and set goals for the day and strategies for how they will meet those goals,” she explained. “Then at the end of the day they check out to see if they were successful and how their day went. It’s a way of deepening connections and becomes part of their day that they look forward to.”
Casselman said this has become integral to the school’s strategies to address student mental health, as well as a subtle way to keep an eye on things when parents have alerted staff that a student may be struggling with something.
Worthman is a huge supporter of the school’s Terry Fox Run, the original organizer of the annual Colour Run, and is a “lifer” on the staff social committee, making sure there are lots of opportunities for staff to get to know each other and participate in fun activities together.
“She is the person all of our staff go to for ideas to support students and families, support each other and just make this school a great place to be,” said Casselman.
Vonda Worthman is the Northern Lights Public Schools Staff Shining Star for October. Each month during the 2024-2025 school year, NLPS is featuring different Shining Stars and celebrating their contributions and accomplishments.