Today

On Monday April 23rd, over 100 parents and concerned citizens gathered at Halifax West to take part in the Minister's Special Education Review. EEANS made a presentation and a written submission to the review panel. Parent after parent passionatley talked about how Designated Special Education Schools and the help of the Tuition Support Program was making a difference in the lives of their children. One of the most moving statements came from a teacher of Bridgeway Academy, Lynne Fielder. To you and all of the dedicated people who work with our kids in both public and private schools, thank you for being a teacher.

Today I was a teacher.
Today I taught individualized instruction to students with learning disabilities.
Today my largest class size was 6 and my smallest was 2.
Today I visited every single student at his or her desk.
Today I read every single students work.
Today I know that every single student understood their homework assignments before leaving the classroom.
Today I emailed a parent because their son wrote 7 sentences in his journal compared to the 3-word single sentence he was writing in September.
Today I listened as a 16 year old student advocated for herself because she
needed an extension on her assignment.
Today I connected with every single student in my care.
Today I taught kids who “got it.”
Today I know that every student in my classroom experienced success in his or her learning.
Today, when the dismissal bell rang, I saw 97 students with learning disabilities leave Bridgeway Academy with a sense of dignity.
Today I was a teacher.


By Lynne M. Fielder
Teacher, Bridgeway Academy

Presented on April 23, 2007 to the Minister’s Review of Services for Students with Special Needs.