Colette Marie Chapeskie

CB

As a student, and as an educational advocate, I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly of Ontario's education system in two school boards. Ms. Colette Chapeskie is by far the most superior educator I've had the honour of learning from. Ms. Chapeskie worked with the Ottawa Catholic School board at a secondary school in Ottawa's downtown core, as an educational assistant. She was assigned to provide assistance to over fifteen students who were individually located in different sections of the large campus. Ms. Chapeskie's portfolio of students was extremely diverse, but frequently included youth with developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, Pervasive Developmental Disorders and Dual Diagnosis. She demonstrated significant knowledge of the challenges these youth faced and was extremely successful in adapting curriculum to being challenging and educational for students with varied learning needs. Her role as an educational assistant didn't end at the moment the dismissal bell rang. Nearly every day, Ms. Chapeskie stayed behind to assist students with their work, as well as to discuss issues that many of the youth she assisted were facing. She founded a homework club for students facing barriers to success, and provided an extremely positive environment for students to learn in. At a school with a teaching staff of over 100, and a non-teaching staff of 17, Ms Chapeskie was known by the students as one of the most youth-friendly members of the staff. This helped her connect with even the most challenging students, and made her a respected figure among students. I can remember when there were significant cut backs to special education staff at the school in 2008, Ms. Chapeskie was assigned to more students, and yet, she was still able to offer the high quality support that her students needed. I feel that Ms. Chapeskie demonstrates significant strength as an educator, and I am hoping that she has made as powerful an impact on other students as she made on me. CB

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