Dyslexia Canada Spotlight

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 an...

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...

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 featur...

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 h...

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...

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...

Mikaÿla Perrier a forgé sa carrière en aidant les autres, notamment les adultes ayant une dyslexie, grâce à son soutien et au livre numérique qu’elle a publié sur le sujet. Elle travaille maintenant comme psychométricienne spécialisée dans les tests psychologiques pour la réadaptation des vétérans canadiens.

David Eliot est candidat au doctorat en criminologie au Centre de droit, technologie et société de l'Université d'Ottawa et boursier de la Fondation Pierre Elliott Trudeau. Ses recherches lui ont valu de nombreux prix académiques, et en dehors du milieu universitaire, il s'investit dans les arts et l'activisme. Il a été diagnostiqué avec une dysgraphie de lecture et d'écriture en 3e année. David a...

Andrew Armstrong est né en Angleterre et a immigré à Montréal à l'âge de six ans, en 1960. Bien qu’il a une dyslexie, sa détermination et sa résilience lui ont permis de mener une carrière très fructueuse au sein de la Garde côtière canadienne. À la retraite, Andrew continue de mener une vie active en tant que secouriste bénévole, pompier de garde, instructeur de yoga, agent de contrôle du dopage...

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 th...

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, advoc...

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...

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 awarenes...

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, particul...

Andrea Van Hoof, a dedicated teacher at Bertha Kennedy Catholic School in St. Albert, Alberta, has been instrumental in a transformative process aimed at supporting both students and colleagues. Her commitment to inclusive education has earned her the 2024 Dyslexia Canada Educational Excellence Award.

Charles MacTavish, an academic support teacher at Geary Elementary Community School in Geary, New Brunswick, has been a driving force in the school's transformative journey, offering unwavering support to both students and colleagues. His steadfast dedication to inclusive education has earned him the 2024 Dyslexia Canada Educational Excellence Award.

The Literacy team of the Evergreen School Division has been honoured with one of the 2024 Dyslexia Canada Educational Excellence Awards. Recognized as a model for other school divisions and educators across Manitoba and Canada, the team's dedication to raising awareness through professional development, supporting teachers in implementing evidence-based practices, and providing impactful intervent...

School Psychologist Lauren Clare Duggan currently works at the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional Centre for Education and has been the head psychologist for her region since 2015. Her team has been seeking ways to support teachers in integrating evidence-based instruction and intervention practices into their classrooms, even though it is not yet mandated by the province of Nova Scotia. Her steadfast...

Melanie Brethour, the founder of the Quebec chapter of Decoding Dyslexia and a teacher in the Riverside School Board on the south shore of Montreal, is entering her 20th year of teaching. However, her understanding of dyslexia was limited until her son entered kindergarten and began experiencing difficulties. It wasn't until he was 9 years old that he received a diagnosis, which motivated her to j...

As Superintendent of the Fort Vermilion School Division, Mike McMann has dedicated his efforts to refining the educational system to ensure no child grapples with reading difficulties. His steadfast dedication to inclusive education has earned him the 2024 Dyslexia Canada Educational Excellence Award.

The Cowichan Valley School District in British Columbia has been actively implementing evidence-based reading instruction, despite it not being a provincial requirement. Their commitment to inclusive education has garnered them the 2024 Dyslexia Canada Educational Excellence Award.

Recipient of the 2024 Dyslexia Canada Educational Excellence Award, Saskatoon Public Schools has a strategic plan prioritizing academic excellence, evidence-based practice, equity, and anti-racist, anti-oppressive principles. In this episode, we speak with superintendents Nicola Bishop-Yong and Trish Reeve.