Blackville teacher receives national inclusive education award

Blackville School teacher assistant Tammy Donovan received one of 12 national certificates recognizing ongoing commitment to inclusive education.

She received an Inclusive Teacher Award “for her ability to gently guide and support her students and by promoting inclusion through her passion for sharing knowledge with others.”

She and other recipients were honoured at a special ceremony at Government House Feb. 17. Awarded by the Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL), the certificates recognize teachers, students, schools and those who work every day to include all students in education and school life.

Lieutenant-Governor Graydon Nicholas hosted the event and Education Minister Jody Carr conferred the awards. The ceremony was the cornerstone celebration of National Inclusive Education Month for the event’s organizers, the New Brunswick Association for Community Living (NBACL).

“2011 marks the 25th year of Inclusive Education legislation, which means that there is a full generation of people in New Brunswick who were raised in a fully inclusive school system,” said NBACL president Marlene Munn.

“It fills me with great hope that this generation will lead the charge to ensure that all people, including people with a disability, are valued and have the supports to contribute as valued members of their communities.”