Educational Assistant Reid Rowe-Young Receives Kingston Young Professionals 40 Under 40 Award

Reid Rowe-Young, an Educational Assistant at Calvin Park Public School in the Limestone District School Board, has been recognized with a 2026 Kingston Young Professionals 40 Under 40 Award. 

"When I got the first e-mail, I thought it was spam," he laughs. "It came as a total surprise." 

Reid was nominated in secret by colleagues and family members who, together, prepared an application and submitted it to the Kingston Young Professionals Network.  

According to its website, the Kingston Young Professionals 40 Under 40 Awards celebrate the exceptional achievements and contributions of individuals under the age of 40 who are making a significant impact in their profession and the greater Kingston community. This initiative aims to recognize and honour talented, innovative, and inspiring young leaders who are shaping the future of Kingston. 

In August, Reid received an e-mail informing him that he had been nominated for the award. A few weeks later, he learned he was one of 40 young professionals selected for recognition in 2026. 

"I told my wife and she giggled," Reid recalls. "She said, 'Don't delete that e-mail! It's real.'" 

"Last year, we noticed some gaps at the school when it came to clothing and hygiene product needs," he says. "So, I contacted some other educators at different school sites to see what they were doing, and I decided to piggy-back off a couple of ideas and create a free 'thrift' store where people can donate clothing and hygiene products, and students can get what they need. 

"We take donations from a variety of groups, including families, friends, community members and community partners," he adds. "We also have a strong understanding of who may need something but may not want to come forward to ask. We can help them in a discreet way. The whole school knows Calvin's Closet, and they know that if they are ever in need, they can talk to me or other staff members who will connect them with resources." 

In addition to the Calvin's Closet initiative, Reid has led other initiatives, including developing a mind model and reflection mind map for educators to help navigate moments in crisis which he has presented during a board-wide P.A. Day, as well as at Queen's University for teacher candidates. 
 
Principal Margaret Connelly says Reid is especially deserving of this recognition because he turns compassion into meaningful action. 

“Whether he is ensuring that students can access clothing and personal-care items with dignity, creating spaces that support student well-being, or sharing his learning with fellow educators, Reid consistently strengthens our school community,” she says. “His ability to see a need, respond with purpose, and help every student feel valued and supported is truly exceptional.” 

Before becoming an EA, Reid worked in carpentry and custom cabinetmaking and later studied criminology and policing. At the same time, he was supporting young people through coaching youth and high school football. 

"I realized I had a knack for connecting with kids," he says. "My coaching philosophy was always trying to prove to the players how awesome they were, more than focusing on winning games." 

From work with Pathways to Education, to Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Reid realized his next career move was to become an EA, so he could further support students. 

"It's always my goal to make learning communities stronger, and I want to be able to impact as many students and families across the board as I can," he says. "My dream with Calvin's Closet is for it to be the start of something much bigger. I'm trying to figure out how we can put together Family of Schools closets so that certain resources and events can be shared. 

"It can be Limestone students supporting Limestone students," he adds. "Schools helping out other schools." 

Reid says he believes that schools are for more than academia – although still very important. He says schools are also for students to learn about themselves, others, and life. Sometimes school is a place to go to feel safe, to be supported, and to be cared for. 

"I get to go home each evening with my hands in the air because I have a great job," Reid says. "The students are great, the people I work with are great, and what we're doing is great.” 

"I put my heart and soul into being the person who positively impacts students, helps to take care of them, and just make school an awesome place to be." 

To learn more about the Kingston Young Professionals 40 Under 40 Awards, please visit investkingston.ca/youngprofessionals.