Dear Nominating
Committee :
Please receive this letter of support for
two teachers being nominated for the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching
Excellence – Kathleen Paiger and Ellen Reid.
I am a parent at Manoah Steves Elementary
School with three daughters attending, one of whom is in Kindergarten taught by
Mrs. Kathleen Paiger. Layla McKay is a
bright, delightful, and sensitive little girl with special needs.
Mrs. Paiger, has introduced into her K
class a variety of creative, multi-modal methods and teaching techniques in
order to create a fulfilling and enriching kindergarten experience for my
little girl.
This little girl who is visually impaired,
non-verbal, non-mobile and wheelchair bound, and is fully dependent on all her
mobility and self-care needs. But there
is no woe is she. Not in this space, not
in this class. Not with this teacher.
There is no time for that. And she and
the children in the class make a point of embracing Layla as a capable and
equal member of the classroom.
Two classrooms actually. Kathleen along with Mrs. Ellen Reid, the K/1
teacher across the hall have allowed both classes to come together and
collaborate on their Kindergarten adventures.
Along the way, establishing extra benefits for Layla, with the children
across the hall embracing and including her with open arms also.
The spirit of community and “no walls” is
obvious with this collaboration of classes. I have always stood by the notion
that it takes a village to raise a child.
These teachers embrace this village mentality – almost like a sense of
family – two villages sharing experiences, stories, activities and
adventures. Reducing the likelihood of
cliques and any “me versus them” attitude.
Having a special needs daughter with such
great livelihood challenges creates much anxiety for me when it comes to her
future compared to her older two “typical” sisters. Starting Kindergarten was mighty scary – for
both me and her father. To the extent
that her dad was concerned that she go at all at this time. Fear for her wellbeing, and also how she will
be received, how she will be cared for, how she will be included.
What a year this first year of Layla’s
academic life has been. Kathleen and
Ellen have created a beautiful foundation for Layla’s social and academic
possibilities. I move forward with my
head held high because these two professionals have raised the bar for me. I see more possibilities for this child. There is no ceiling. She, with all of her
neurological unknowns, will develop. She
can be taught and she will learn. And
the children in these two classrooms will challenge me if I say that Layla is
not able – oh no, they will show me what she can do. Her peers will show me how Layla “talks” to
them, uses an iPad to do her work, and how she leads then through gym class
with “Layla Says”.
I knew that incorporating Layla into this
wonderful neighbourhood school would be no simple feat – what with equipment,
change tables, g-tube needs and all the rest of her care requirements – and it
had its stressors, for us, her team.
However, for this Kindergarten student, her transition into elementary
school has been very “typical”. Mrs.
Paiger and Mrs. Reid have risen to the occasion with a diligent, creative and
confident approach. Suddenly, my anxiety
sailed away into the sunset….
Layla’s future as a student will be bright
and filled with an empathetic and compassionate environment, with the
foundation laid in her Kindergarten experience.
Her beautiful school village.
With this letter, I am acknowledging these
professional’s extra efforts that go beyond the dictated curriculum, in my
humble opinion. This is something
greater that cannot be measured by a standard appraisal but by the richer
community that they are creating for all the children they guide. What they do in this school is huge. Far
greater than what we – the average parent – gives Kindergarten teachers credit
for. I hold them in high regard and
respect for opening up doors and bringing down walls, literally, for my
daughter, and creating an incredible model for inclusivity.
I am my daughter’s legs, these lovely
teachers have given her wings to fly.
Jennifer R McKay
Proudest Mom Ever ;)
