Recipient’s Name:  Cynthia Ronald

School:  Lincoln Avenue Public School

Subject Area:  Grade 7 and 8 Students Success and Special Education

Number of Years Teaching:  5

Cynthia always wanted to be a teacher.  Her plans were delayed when she met and married a wonderful man, bypassed university and started raising her children.  She still dreamed of teaching but a medical condition prohibited her from studying.  Finally she started attending university part time, and then went to Teacher’s College.  The return of the medical condition stopped her again.  But five years ago her dream came true when she was hired by the Board.  She absolutely loves her job.  She sees potential in every student and works hard to bring out that potential and make the students aware of their value and importance.  At this age her students who are strugglers often think that they are dumb.  Cynthia finds ways to show them that they are not, that they have strengths and she is there to guide them down the pathways to success.  Listening, showing respect and celebrating their successes are ways Cynthia forms relationships with her students.  For Cynthia, every day is a good day!

Judy and her son Atley nominated Cynthia.  Judy wrote:

Ms. Ronald’s reputation as a caring and highly qualified teacher reached us before my son enrolled in her class.  Ms. Ronald is known for her success with children with exceptionalities.  Atley quickly felt at ease in her classroom.  Ms. Ronald embraces a range of challenges in her classroom responding with a wide variety of teaching and learning strategies to assist kids with learning disabilities.  She gets to know her students as individuals and tailors her approach to ensure that their needs are being met.

Atley wrote:

I think Ms. Ronald should get the award because she sticks with kids to solve their problems and doesn’t just send them out of the room.  She keeps in touch with the other teachers to make sure we are being responsible and she talks to the whole class about how we are doing if we get off track.  She never embarrasses anyone.  She gives us a bit of freedom with our work and lets us try things first and then gives us suggestions.  She tells us things about her life.  The most important thing I have learned from Ms. Ronald is to always look on the bright side!