Dyslexia Canada Spotlight: Recent Episodes
Dyslexia Canada
Across Canada educators and researchers are working together with the common goal of ensuring that every child can realize their right to read. Many schools have begun to implement early screening, evidence-informed classroom instruction, and early intervention. Educators in these schools say that the results of these changes have been transformative, both for students and teachers. Many more are curious about these practices but are unsure of what these changes look like in the classroom or how to get started.
In this ongoing series, we share the stories of Canadian educators and researchers who are implementing these important changes. They will discuss both the challenges they have faced and the solutions that have allowed them to move forward and improve outcomes and equity for students. We hope that this series will encourage a national dialogue about why implementing practices that are aligned with the science of reading is a social justice and equity issue.
To wrap up Dyslexia Awareness Month, we’ve got something special! CTV Your Morning co-host Lindsey Deluce sits down with former NHL player Tie Domi. Known for his toughness and grit on the ice, Tie played 16 seasons in the NHL, most of them with the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, what many didn’t know until he released his memoir, Shift Work, in 2015, is that Tie Domi has dyslexia.
October 1st, 2024, marks the launch of our 7th annual Dyslexia Awareness Month campaign, themed Breaking the Silence. This year, we celebrate inspiring individuals who have overcome the challenges of dyslexia, like Dan Carter, the Mayor of Oshawa. As a child, Dan Carter faced significant struggles due to undiagnosed dyslexia, leading to low self-esteem and a difficult journey through drug abuse and homelessness. However, at 31, he turned his life around by embracing his dyslexia and openly sharing his experiences.
Diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD in elementary school, Michael Karras faced many hurdles, but with determination, he earned a Bachelor of Education and became a passionate advocate for students with learning disabilities.
David Eliot is a PhD candidate in Criminology at the University of Ottawa and a 2022-2025 Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholar. His academic journey has earned him numerous awards, and beyond academia, David is active in the arts and activism. Diagnosed with dysgraphia in Grade 3, David Eliot has overcome significant hurdles. He emphasizes that many with dyslexia could achieve similar success if given the same opportunities he received.
For over 50 years, Fluevog Shoes has been a trailblazer in the world of fashion, creating shoes that are not just footwear but works of art. What many may not know, however, is that its founder, John Fluevog, faced personal challenges related to dyslexia on his path to success. Even though John Fluevog has struggled with dyslexia his entire life—a reading and writing disability—an important feature of his products is the written messages included on the soles of his shoes or hinted at through their design.
Mikaÿla Perrier has built a career helping others, notably adults with dyslexia, through support and her ebook A Guide for Adult Dyslexics. She now works as a psychometrician specializing in psychological tests for the rehabilitation of Canadian war veterans. However, her own journey with dyslexia began early. Diagnosed in Grade 2, her path has been shaped by both the challenges of dyslexia and her determination to overcome them.
Diagnosed with dyslexia in Grade 3, Stuart Bruce received the right support and went on to build a successful career as an entrepreneur in the insurance industry. He is currently the Chairman of the Board and CEO of FIRST Insurance Funding of Canada. However, the more he learned, the more shocked he became to discover that 45 years later, children with dyslexia in Canada are still not consistently identified or given the support they need. In 2016, he joined forces with Keith Gray, founder of Dyslexia Canada, to advocate for equitable education for every child with dyslexia. Stuart became Dyslexia Canada's Chair in 2023.
Despite the challenges at school, DJ Cunningham's home environment, especially the support from his family, made all the difference. After university, he began selling assistive technology and went on to develop his own business, LEARNstyle Ltd., at age 24, which is now the largest K-12 educational training company in Canada.
Rather than letting dyslexia define him, Andrew Armstrong channeled his passion into a successful career with the Canadian Coast Guard. His career spanned over three decades, culminating as the National Coordinator of Marine Security for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. Even in retirement, Andrew Armstrong remains active, serving as a volunteer first responder, firefighter, yoga instructor, and doping control officer. Yet, he acknowledges that dyslexia still poses challenges, especially with written communication.
Learning to read is a precious gift, but for some kids, dyslexia keeps that gift just out of reach. Growing up without it can lead to low self-esteem, behavioral challenges, and a lifetime of frustration. Yet, with the right support, kids once written off have transformed their lives. What began as struggles became incredible success stories. Launching on October 1, 2024, Mark It Read: Breaking the Silence podcast series shares these inspiring journeys of transformation.
Welcome to the first episode of the Dyslexia Canada Educational Excellence Awards podcast series featuring an engaging conversation with its executive Director, Alicia Smith. In this episode, Alicia extends her heartfelt congratulations to the deserving winners while providing fascinating insights into the inception and significance of these awards. Whether you're passionate about education, advocacy, or simply intrigued by the remarkable achievements celebrated by Dyslexia Canada, this podcast promises to inform and inspire.
In this series, we profile the recipients of the Dyslexia Canada Educational Excellence Awards. Dr. Linda Siegel, recipient of Lifetime Achievement Awards, is an Emeritus Professor in the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology and Special Education at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Dr. Siegel has emerged as a prominent figure in addressing dyslexia and other learning disabilities, with a vast body of research and over 200 publications to her name. What sets her apart is her unwavering advocacy and readiness to question educational bureaucracies and governments, all in the pursuit of a brighter future for children.
In this episode, we speak with Joanna Rowe, an educational consultant, is leading the charge with the Read and Talk Professional Learning Community within Kativik Ilisarniliriniq, the school board of Nunavik, Quebec. Where students with dyslexia confront hurdles stemming from limited access to specialized resources, multilingual environments, educational disparities, stigma, and a lack of awareness. Having resided and worked in Nunavik since 2020, Joanna Rowe perceives her contribution as a part of the Truth and Reconciliation process. “If you can read, you're much more resilient against trauma, which is something many of our students are affected by—and if you're fluent in reading, the world is yours,” she emphasizes.
In the realm of education, few pursuits are as noble and impactful as striving for equity. Melanie Baerg, a school psychologist, BC certified teacher, and instructor at both the University of Northern BC and Vancouver Island University, embodies this ethos wholeheartedly. Throughout her career, she has championed the cause of equitable education and effective instruction for all learners, particularly those grappling with dyslexia.
Andrew Francis, Principal, of New Glasgow Academy in Nova Scotia, and members of his school team will discuss their initiative to improve student outcomes by creating a culture shift within their school. They will share their strategies, challenges and lessons learned. This is a must-watch episode for principals!
A conversation among three experienced educators and teacher educators, sharing their varied perspectives and their work as a literacy improvement team in both provincial and First Nation school contexts. Featuring Dr. Julia O’Sullivan, Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Steven Styers Principal of Hillside Elementary at Kettle at Stony Point First Nation, and Vaughan Stoyka an educator with over 40 years of experience in special education, second language acquisition, teacher training, school improvement, and curriculum development.
Alberta has recently rolled out a new language curriculum and universal screening program. Dr. George Georgiou, of the University of Alberta and Mike McMann, Superintendent of the Fort Vermilion School Division, discuss their experiences implementing these changes. They will discuss the challenges they have faced and the solutions that have been effective in improving outcomes for Alberta students.