Each year, Inclusion Saskatchewan collects nominations for two Inclusion Education awards, Inclusive Teacher of the Year and Inclusive School of the Year. Inclusion Weyburn forwarded two nominations for Inclusive Teacher of the Year, Tracey Kiliwnik and Deanna Schwindt.
They did not win this year, but are being recognized for being nominated to the provincial Inclusion organization.
The following is the submitted information for these two teachers.
TRACEY KILIWNIK - WEYBURN
Tracey has the important role of overseeing 47 Learning Support Teachers within her school division. Tracey has come up with many ways for educators to teach children about being accepting of one another which includes creating modules to educate the children and promote acceptance.
For example, one module is about someone with vision needs and another is about what it means to have autism. Tracey believes in a team approach and has created a Collaborative Planning Team to review students’ needs to help ensure each student is well supported.
Tracey is incredibly passionate about her work and believes all students should have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
DEANNA SCHWINDT - ST. MICHAEL SCHOOL
Deanna, a Learning Facilitator for Grades 1-3, has come up with many creative solutions to ensure that children are not only present in the classroom, but actively engaged.
For example, one of the children uses a wheelchair so she had a physiotherapist come to the school to give ideas on how to adapt the Phys. Ed games so that he could play.
Deanna also works closely with teachers to implement strategies that promote inclusion.
Deanna believes that modelling is a powerful tool and she is proud to be part of a team that has created an environment in which the children are accepting and positively engage with one another.
