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Bowden teacher honoured by ATA Special Education Council

A Bowden teacher has won an Alberta award for her dedication to students with unique learning needs.

A Bowden teacher has won an Alberta award for her dedication to students with unique learning needs.

Danielle Ringheim has received the Sharon Armstrong Early Years of Practice Award from the ATA Special Education Council.

The award recognizes an Alberta teacher in the early years of their career who demonstrate outstanding practice and innovation in support of students.

This is Ringheim’s fourth year of teaching at Bowden Grandview, where she teaches high school English, Social and CALM classes. She is also the student services co-ordinator on the school’s learning support team.

“My hope for all students is that they achieve their individual goals and reach success as lifelong learners. I’m so honoured to receive this award, but I am more honoured to be working with these students,” Ringheim said in a news release from Chinook’s Edge School Division.

“My older brother had unique learning needs but, unfortunately, when we were in school there wasn’t an emphasis on inclusion and I think the consequences of that are everlasting,” said Ringheim.

“It is so gratifying to see how much we have discovered about inclusive education, assistive technologies, and community supports that help all students succeed,” Ringheim said.

“Every school in our division has a learning support team that is highly engaged with what each student needs to be successful in school.”

The Learning Support Team approach was introduced into each Chinook’s Edge school several years ago. The teams meet regularly with community resources that may be required, such as speech pathology or mental health professionals. The teams work together to ensure students receive the continuum of supports that will lead to success in school — and in life.

“It can be hard work, but it is incredibly gratifying. Because we are a K-12 school, I work with students of all ages. I support families whose pre-school children are in our community playschool, right through to graduates who are preparing to transition into post-secondary TVP programming.”

Chinook’s Edge includes public schools within Red Deer County and Mountain View County.