Every year on May 16, World Education Support Personnel Day is celebrated to acknowledge and show appreciation toward education workers in our schools and worksites whose contributions are essential to student success and well-being.
With this date falling on Saturday in 2026, we encourage students, staff, families, and others in our Bluewater District School Board (BWDSB) communities to take a moment today, or in the days ahead, to thank an education worker. As outlined below, these individuals span several employee groups and represent a diverse range of skills and expertise.
Educational Support Professionals: educational assistants, early childhood educators, child and youth workers, outdoor education specialists, and sign language acquisition student support workers
Office Professionals and Technicians: school office and system support staff, who work on the frontlines and/or behind the scenes in our schools and worksites
Professional Student Services Personnel: behaviour expertise and behaviour intervention professionals, communication disorder assistants, mental health leaders and workers, speech language pathologists, student support attendance counsellors, and psychological services staff
Canadian Union of Public Employees: custodians and maintenance workers, who are responsible for the safety and upkeep of our facilities
THANK YOU to all our outstanding BWDSB education workers on World Education Support Personnel Day, and year-round, for the varied and complex functions they perform daily to ensure excellence in our system for the students and families we serve.