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Every child deserves the opportunity to learn in a classroom setting and we offer the skills and training that teachers and parents need to make it possible.

Local 33 - Civil Service, Administration Component

All parents want their children to access the best education possible ¯ and when a child has special needs, they should expect no less. That’s why Freya Martinot and her team are there to assist schools, families and communities with appropriate educational programming.

“Our philosophy here in Manitoba is one of inclusion,” Martinot says. “Every child deserves the opportunity to learn in a classroom setting and we offer the skills and training that teachers and parents need to make it possible.”

Sometimes, that means coordinating the consultants who interpret for deaf and hard of hearing students or instruct in Braille for the blind and visually impaired. Often, specialized equipment is involved in allowing special needs students access to the regular learning environment, so Martinot and her team are there to provide training and ongoing support.

“We’re there as a regular resource for schools and families,” she says. ”If they have a question about a piece of equipment, or find a student struggling in one way or another, we help them find answers and resolve any issues.”

Martinot says it’s important to remember that her team provides all school divisions with equal access to information and resources. That way there is a consistent provincial standard of support for all Manitoba students, including those with special needs.

“Our goal is to insure every student experiences success through relevant, engaging, and high quality education,” she adds. “We want to foster lifelong learners who are fully prepared for citizenship in this great province.