2012 National Inclusive Education Awards

Inspiring a world where everyone belongs

February 13 — 19, 2012

What is inclusive education?

Inclusive education means ensuring that all students are educated with their peers, have equitable access to learning and achievement, and are welcomed, valued and supported in the education system. Inclusive education promotes participation, friendship and interaction.

Why do we celebrate?

To highlight National Inclusive Education Week and to bring attention to the many positive examples of inclusive classrooms and schools across the country, the Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL) has created a national certificate of recognition to be bestowed upon recipients who have made positive contributions to inclusive education in their province or territory.

Three awards will be selected (one in Eastern School District, one in French and one in Western School District. Winners will be announced during Inclusive Education Week (February 13 - 19, 2011).

What is the nomination criteria?

An individual, non-profit group or organization that goes above and beyond what is expected in their role to initiate, inspire, promote, implement, support, advocate, develop or create unique opportunities that result in the enriched lives of students, with and
without disabilities.

What are some indicators of successful inclusion?

Students are unconditionally accepted into all aspects of the life of the school, preschool, public school or the post-secondary education system. School is the foundation for inclusion.

The appropriate support to students and educators are provided to ensure that students can participate fully with their peers.

All students are seen for what they can do and build on that rather than focusing on what they cannot do. Limitations based on labels are removed.

The presence of strong leadership for inclusion and partnerships with parents and educators. The recognition and understanding that students achieve goals in different ways. Educators are knowledgeable about different ways of teaching so students with varying abilities and strengths can learn together.

 

Help the PEI Association for Community Living Celebrate!

NATIONAL INCLUSIVE EDUCATION WEEK February 13 — 19, 2012

Click here for the nomination form. English or French

 

Education Watch Newsletter for Spring 2011 - Click here to view the pdf file.

 

Prince Edward Island Association for Community Living was pleased to take part in Inclusive Education Week in February 2011. It was most rewarding to see the high caliber of educators who were nominated for inclusion awards. Five inclusive education awards were presented on February 18 by Doug Currie, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development.

The following are some of the testimonials for these deserving award recipients:

Rebecca Knauff, Rainbow Daycare: “Rebecca is a strong advocate for not only children with Autism, but all children. She has a gift for teaching and remarkable insight into the multifaceted learning styles of children with Autism.”

Marcia Pridham, Resource Teacher Westisle Composite High School: “Marcia has worked hard at bringing non resource-based students into the Resource Room and has helped resource-based students to join the larger community. She is a one of a kind teacher.”

Alanagh MacDougall, Parkdale Sherwood Headstart: “Alanagh adapts activities so that everyone can participate. Any adaptation Alanagh would do would be invisible, never drawn attention to, all in the run of daily activities.”

Rachelle Gauthier, Principal Ecole St. Augustin and “ Dream Team “: “ When a young student with autism entered grade one this small Francophone school welcomed him and has been a community of caring ever since. The Principal often volunteered to support during recess and help him learn new social skills during play”

Kevin Stonefield, Principal Montague Intermediate School: (as written by present and former students and parents): “He cares about where all students go after intermediate and tries to keep in touch with everyone. “ His door is always open. He has the type of leadership qualities where he leads by example rather than authority.”

There have been strives made in this province in Inclusive Education over the years. There is much more to do. PEI ACL collaborates with Education Partners on best practices and together promote full community participation.

Inclusive education means that all students attend and are welcomed by their neighborhood schools in age-appropriate, regular classes and are supported to learn, contribute and participate in all aspects of the life of the school. To assist families, teachers and members, we:

• Participate in development and maintenances of Individual Education Plans (IEP) as requested by parents/family members.
• Participate in and offer panels, forums, workshops and training sessions.
• Provide speakers to schools, organizations, agencies, and other interested parties.
• Strengthen the capacity of local, provincial/territorial and national family disability organizations and coalitions for inclusive education
• Working towards advancing policy proposals and framework in such areas as teacher and teacher assistant training, curriculum design and evaluation, funding for supports, classroom design.

We are currently working on the transitions….. To find out more, check our family supports link.

For more information on inclusive education in Canada, please visit this website. It has information broken down into three main categories: Advocate –Learn –Engage.