Award Winning Inclusive Education
From the Winter 2011 Edition of the Torch, River East Transcona School Division
Award-winning inclusive education
Congratulations to Dawna Hales-Massé, a teacher at École Margaret-Underhill, and Marjorie Millman, former principal at emu and now principal at Salisbury Morse Place school. Ms. Hales-Massé and Ms. Millman were chosen as recipients of the President’s Award for Inclusion Education, presented by Community Living Winnipeg*, an organization dedicated to people with intellectual disabilities and their families. They were nominated by the parents of an EMU student who is academically gifted, has Asperger disorder and experiences elevated anxiety. Ms. Hales-Massé taught the student in grades 3 and 4 and worked with the parents and emu staff to adapt routines and methods to suit his and his parents’ needs. He responded very well to the plan that was put in place and enjoyed success in the school’s French Immersion program.
One of the main reasons for his success, said Ms. Millman, was that they, as a school, treated him as their student—not just Ms. Hales-Massé’s student. They all supported him whether it was in the gym, the music room, outdoors, in the lunch program or in the classroom. All staff were aware of his needs and the plan that was put in place was followed by everyone. “It was the teamwork between home and all school personnel that led to his success,” she said. “And we tried at all times to see his ability instead of
his disability. We hope that the start we gave him at emu helped him to see himself as a student who can do anything with the right supports in place.”
*Correction – the award is given by Community Living Manitoba
Celebrating Abilities | CharleneW August 1, 2012
