Educator and author Rhodora Meliton-Vanderpool receives the Community Service Award

Rhodora Meliton-Vanderpool, BA’98, BEd’99, is the 2026 recipient of Western Alumni’s Community Service Award. She has spent more than 25 years serving students and families in Toronto’s Rexdale neighbourhood, and has taught every grade from kindergarten to grade eight with the Toronto Catholic District School Board.

Music runs through her work. She sits on the board of Women in Music Canada and is host and executive producer of The Class Act Podcast. During the pandemic she created Learning with Mrs. Vanderschool, a television program for students and families that was recognized by the National Film Board of Canada, where she also served on its education and media advisory board.

She co-wrote the children’s book Stick to Your Vision: Young Maestro Goes to School with Juno Award-winning artist Wes “Maestro” Williams, and a second book, Ajay’s Dreams, with Juno-nominated artist DJ Charlie B. At Western she serves on the education advisory council and mentors current education students.