For this month’s Episode of Schooled!, NACTV had the opportunity to talk to the Neepawa Middle School teachers, students and Sander, their only deaf student, in the school. They shared an inspiring story of how an inclusive environment of learning provided an opportunity for him to achieve his full potential. It also highlighted the initiatives of teachers and students to learn and incorporate American Sign Language (ASL) in their curriculum and programs to make sure that Sander could actively participate in the classroom and school-wide activities.

Moira Woods, their Resource Teacher mentioned that she worked with Sander since he came to Canada and that the School Division hired an Educational Assistant (EA) to be his interpreter in class. During that time, Mrs. Woods, the EA and the teachers received some ASL training. As a Resource teacher and Case manager, she made sure that adaptations were in place for Sander and they emphasized working on his literacy skills as well.

Sylvie Tomoniko, a Grade 5 Teacher at NMS said that as a French teacher, it helped her to communicate with Sander through gestures and ASL because the French program somewhat uses gestures. Hence, she decided to use ASL instead of using gestures and she was able to incorporate it in her lessons. “So the Grade 5s and I! So it was all the Grade 5s since I was teaching French to everyone along with my colleagues. We had probably over a hundred kids that went through the Grade 5 French program that all learned I would say a couple of thousand words of signs—just learning it through our French classes and learning it through songs and gestures and with Sander’s help. It was a wonderful experience!”, said Tomoniko.   

The School also has a program called Tiger TV where students from all Grade levels would be featured showcasing their talents which started during COVID. It was also just during that time when Joann Freeman, a Grade 6 teacher, thought of doing the “Signs with Sander” segment on Tiger TV.  “We thought that what a great platform to have Sander being able to be not just a participant in the school but as a leader. It’s very exciting to see him start off with the very basic signs and to see where he is now.  And it’s so fun to see the growth that has occurred with him and the confidence.”, said Freeman. Through Signs with Sander, the students from all Grade levels were able to learn how to do basic ASL and this has not only helped Sander but as well as all the students to learn another language and to communicate with the deaf student.

When the teachers were asked what other possible resources or interventions could be done for the deaf student, the teachers mentioned that there needs to be more visual resources, especially for Reading, Social studies and Math. The teachers also mentioned that the regular visits of the Deaf Coordinator from the Province are a very valuable resource for them, especially for Sander.

“I did have the Coordinators from Winnipeg come out one time. I’m pretty sure that I found them fascinating. They can only visit us once and I don’t know how they schedule their other time. But I really see that as a valuable resource for educational settings to have them involved and say ‘What can we do better here like what resources?’. ‘Come and observe us as teachers!’ and see ‘What are your recommendations?’. And then maybe we can start to get some help that way as well because they are the ones who would have the best idea. Like for me I wouldn’t know where to begin but to consult with people or even other schools who have had successes and other programs, what kind of activities are being offered for students who are hard of hearing to make sure that can actively participate in everything that’s involved and feel really like they are really contributing and a part of that community. So that’s something I think is a resource right in Manitoba that we could be accessing more.”, said Tomoniko.