The Council for Exceptional Children Annual Spring Banquet 2025

In his heartfelt speech, Nick shared the following inspiring words about Noah:

“Noah’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. I had the pleasure of working with Noah for two years as his Vision teacher, starting when he was in Grade 10. He was part of the MAPS program, navigating challenges that many would find overwhelming. But Noah didn’t let those obstacles define him. Instead, he chose to rise.

Through determination, resilience, and a growing sense of purpose, Noah transformed his path. He found his motivation, and that spark led him from where he started to where he stands today—college bound, full of ambition and possibility. He leaned into his passion for computers and technology and  will be attending St. Clair for computer programming in the fall!

Noah, your growth is a testament to your strength, your heart, and your commitment to your future. You’ve shown us all what it means to believe in yourself and to keep going, no matter the odds.

Congratulations, Noah— I can confidently speak for everyone who has had the pleasure of being a part of your academic journey in saying that we are all incredibly proud of you.”

Kristin shared the following inspiring words about Luke in her touching speech:

“Luke has faced challenges that most of us can only imagine. Living with a nonverbal learning disability and navigating the world with other difficulties meant that every day at school came with unique obstacles. But instead of backing down, he faced those challenges head-on with courage, grit, and an unwavering commitment to personal growth. He has worked very hard on his treatment goals and is using his strategies. He advocates for himself and asks questions when unsure.  There were moments of struggle, of frustration, of feeling misunderstood—but Luke never gave up.

Today, we celebrate Luke’s tremendous growth. His journey is a reminder that the path to success is not always straight, but with heart and effort, any obstacle can be overcome.

Congratulations, we are so proud of you and know you will be successful at whatever you put your mind to.”

Here are just some of the kind words they shared about Frank:

“When Frank was in Grade 11, I became one of his Learning Support Teachers. I discovered more about his physical challenges including double vision, and hearing impairment. I observed his kindness towards others, his determination and his positive attitude. He is not one to complain or look upset but instead shares a smile that lights up the room!

Frank is currently taking 5 classes this semester, and one of them is a night school course. He is working towards completing the University prerequisites required for applying to Social Work at the University. His calm demeanour, resiliency and positive attitude are traits that will be valued in whichever area he decides to pursue. Congratulations on receiving this award! We look forward to hearing about your future endeavours as you graduate.”

Amy had the following words to share about the privilege of working with Suhaan:

“As the Learning Support Teacher at North Star High School, I have had the privilege of working with Suhaan over the last three years.  Suhaan is one of the most hardworking, compassionate, inspiring, and best-dressed students I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know.  Suhaan was born with a degenerative condition which not only impacts his physical capabilities, but also his vision, speech and immunity.  Currently, Suhaan is wheelchair bound and benefits from the support of his educational assistant, Ms. Nicole Goggin.  Ms. Goggin is instrumental in assisting Suhaan on a daily basis to complete not only academic tasks, but daily living tasks as well.  They are a true dream team in every sense of the word; working together in unison, collaborating on outfits for spirit days and Alpha games, and relying on each other for the sharing of ideas and mutual respect.  Despite these challenges, Suhaan is motivated to attend school and learn at an academic level.  He willingly collaborates with peers and adults, is not afraid to self-advocate when necessary, and can communicate his needs to his support staff and teachers. 

Suhaan is an inspiration to many of his classmates and staff at North Star.  His positive attitude, calm nature, natural humour, and the ability to befriend you in a matter of seconds with his sly smile are examples of dedication and perseverance like no other.  Suhaan continues to achieve academically and has received numerous academic awards throughout high school for his hard work.  Suhaan looks to continue to challenge himself by participating in cooperative education next year and is looking forward to crossing the stage at graduation this year.”

Margaret Fournier, a Student Support Worker/DSW at Essex Public School was one of this year's recipients of the Council for Exceptional Children's Educator and Community Partnerships Award. The award was presented at last week’s banquet and celebration by Joe Oldridge.

Here are some of the kind words that Joe had to share about Margaret:

"Margaret demonstrates an unparallelled combination of skill, experience and care for students. She demonstrates this everyday in the fun and caring interactions she has with her students, in her willingness to problem solve unique ways to meet the needs of our most challenging students, and in her vast knowledge of all things Special Education.

Several years ago, we had a very challenging student start at our school. In the weeks before school started, the student came in for a visit. Margaret, who was here helping a colleague set up her classroom, jumped in and assisted in setting up a safe area for this student who would not even be in her program. This is only one example of the many acts of kindness that happen regularly where Margaret goes above and beyond to help school administration and her colleagues. From her late Thursday nights helping teachers in the primary and kindergarten areas, to the countless hours she spends setting up programs for her GAINS students, Margaret always goes the extra mile."

Taryn Riley-Webb, the Manager at Giant Tiger Store 257 was one of this year's recipients of the Council for Exceptional Children's Educator and Community Partnerships Award. The award was presented at last week’s banquet and celebration by Lisa Balsamo.

Lisa's speech highlighted how Taryn's work with Westview Freedom Academy has impacted students and the entire school community:

"Taryn has been an invaluable part of our school community, consistently displaying exceptional dedication to Westview Freedom Academy. She demonstrates a commitment to excellence in all aspects of her work and continuously goes the extra mile for our students.  Taryn has played a vital role in the success of our MAPS Pre-Cooperative Education program, ensuring that every student has the support they need to become successful employees. Over the past three years, Taryn has welcomed fifteen students with IEPs each semester to work as employees for four months at Giant Tiger, providing them with meaningful and inclusive work experience.  She has even hired three students from this program.  Taryn brings a thoughtful and reflective approach to leadership, showing a strong willingness to learn across all four departments—fashion, grocery, seasonal/toys, and home décor. She takes the time to listen, making sure every student feels included and valued in the learning process. Taryn always sees the good in people and inspires both staff and students to do the same."

Bill Fenton, a teacher at Leamington District Secondary School was one of this year's recipients of the Council for Exceptional Children's Educator and Community Partnerships Award. The award was presented at last week’s banquet and celebration by Megan Anderson.

Megan had the following to share about Bill's outstanding career:

"In 2017, Bill played a pivotal role in establishing the MAPS or My Achievement Pathway to Success program at Leamington District Secondary School. Collaborating closely with the MAPS Department Head, Bill helped design and expand an innovative program that now serves nearly 66 students, teaching them valuable functional language, math and life skills that lead to meaningful employment and independence; a program we all hope continues to be acknowledged as an essential part of our board’s plan to meet the needs of our students. Beyond teaching, his contributions as Health & Safety Representative, CBC Representative, Varsity Boys Basketball and Baseball coach and First Response Team member underline his multifaceted dedication to the school community.

Bill’s ability to inspire, connect, and transform lives makes him not just an admired teacher but a true difference-maker, both in the classroom and beyond. Let us celebrate Bill and his remarkable contributions to education and his community."