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,COMMUN\ITY .Tea chr of thie Monthi z 'Homerolon By Stephanie Hounseli CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF .tschool, or so it seemed. About a year and-a-half ago, for some rea- go anymore, and it appeared as though there wasn t anythtng anyone could say to change her mmnd. But special education teacherjulie I cott-Trask, Broadbents homeroom teacher wasn't about to let hec student get awvay without a fîgbt, said Ashleys mom, Helen. "Julie went above and beyond by coming to our home and gently persisting in letting nov daughter krto\o, ho-w nmuc sbc w a part of ýthe team' and v a' inis',cd at scItool,' explained Helen. lt wasn't long before Ashley, now 20, decided to give sehool another try Inspiring change of heart "Now she loves going to sebool and con- necting wtth her favourite teacher," Helen wrote to the Champion. Only a parent of a child with special needs can know just how much it means to have a teacher who goes above and beyond the caîl of duty - a teacher who pours her everything int her students day in, day out, Helen said. Scott-Trask, she said, is such a teacher. With Ashley being in her final year at the Dnury Centre program at E.C. Drury High Sehool, having been taught for several years by this beloved teacher, theres no better time than now to thank her, Helen wrote in a let- ter nominating Scott-Trask for Teacher of the Month. 'Julie is a beloved teacher who faces every day with a amile, a tremendous sense of humour and genuine caning for our chil- dren," she wrote. Now in her fourth year teaching at the Drury Centre, Scott-Trask said she feels for- tunate to work with ber students. teacher goes above and beyond GRAHAM PAINt / CANADIAN CHAMPION SOURCE 0F INSPIRATION: Drury Centre teacher Julie Scott-Trask works with student Ashley Broadbent, whose mother Helen nominated her for Teacher of the Month. "l'm privileged 1 have a job 1 love and can do everyday," she said. The seven-year Drury Centre program is for teens and young adulîs aged 14 to 21 with special needs. lîs designed to help pre- pare students for "the real world" as they transition out of school. Ashley, who bas a developmental delay, bas been in Scott-Trasks class for three years now; one of the goals is t0 give the students as mucb stability as possible, and that includes kéeping the same students with the same teachers as mucb as possible. "Having had them for so many years, we have the opportunity to know tbem from alI difTerent angles," Scott-Trask said. "We bit the ground running every year." Students of various ages and levels are put together, giving older students a chance to develop leadership skills and mentor the younger students, Scott-Trask said. In the morninga, students are in their homerooms, leamning traditional subjeets like reading and math. In the afternoons, classes are mixed up and students leam skilîs they could apply in the workplace. They might work in the school's cafe, lean 10 bake, or take part in activities simulating real-life work scenarios such as stocking shelves or re-stocking DVD shelves in spe- cially set up stations. Vlaîw students also bave v. ut -k placc- ments tbey attend witb an educational assis- tant. Integration important "We try t0 gel as many students out in the community as possible," said Scott-Trask, who has nine students in her homeroom. Growing up with a brother with Down syndrome, Scott-Trask bas a special under- standing of children and youths who learn at their own pace, as well as the concerna and fears their parents have. Her goal is to build students' confidence, letting them know she believes they can do anything. "With ail students, you've got 10 let them know you believe in what they're capable of doing," she said. When a student enters graduation year, Scott-Trask said she treats it like a big cele- bration, as do the other students. Students love to recognize their fellow students' achievements, she said. 1I do this from my heart. The challenge is to have them be the best they can be and to have them be ready (10 graduate) wben the lime comnes." Stephanie Hounseil can be reached ai sthiessenC4fmiltoncanadianchampion.com. N/lot kKDa Sunday, May 9t nch/L îdis$59 il OO0am i :3Opm KmdS (under12) $7.95 RýSERVJI N.L 1aýi Top of the Mountain Mother's Day!f Piease reserve now, its only days a way! Halton Country Inn would love to share this special day with you and your family Ail Mothers attending the Mother's Day Buffet will receive a COMPLIMENTARY MOTHER'S DAY PACKAGE Buffet, Round of Golf & use of Golf Cart FamilyI Iredy-0pn7Dy le