She’s known as the “Angel of Whiteside elementary” — and for good reason.
Everyone at the multi-cultural South Arm school knows Charlotte Cheung as the lady who helps and, despite not being employed at Whiteside, is apparently as much of a fixture as the teachers themselves.
According to the school’s parents, Cheung, who has a son in Grade 6, devotes most of her free time to not just volunteering at Whiteside, but goes out of her way to make people smile and surprise them on a daily basis.
It’s for that reason that the elementary’s parent group — which boasts 27 languages — nominated Cheung to be “Canada’s Nicest Person.”
And, after making it into the final 10 of the Roots Canada competition, she will find out this weekend if she’s won a $10,000 donation to the charity of her choice.
“It’s an honour and, yes, I was very surprised; I’m not looking for something in return when I do these things. They must think I’m nice, I guess,” laughed Cheung, when asked why she thought she was nominated.
Cheung said that being an immigrant — she was a high school teacher in Hong Kong before coming to Canada in 1999 — she realizes how difficult it can be coming to a new country and learning a new language, compelling her to step in and help students and their family members at Whiteside.
“People inspire me and I always want to help them as much as I can,” she said.
“I think I’m a really good observer and I see what people need. I also love to surprise people.”
According to Cheung’s nominator, she doesn’t just talk about how to be kind and inclusive, but demonstrates it daily.
“Charlotte is there to translate for the Cantonese-speaking grandmothers who don’t understand the new rules. Parking lot too busy? She’s out there, reminding what needs to be done. New student struggling to understand in class? No problem, Charlotte will sit outside with him and translate in Cantonese...I believe Charlotte is without a doubt the nicest Canadian.”
Roots Canada is running the competition to mark Canada’s 150th anniversary.
