Rachel fedoruk
Recipient of a Continuing Academic Excellence Award
"After working and volunteering alongside some pretty amazing special education teachers and seeing firsthand how they can have a daily impact on the lives of their students, I decided to pursue a career as a special education teacher."
Studying: Bachelor of Kinesiology and Education
School: Lakehead University (sixth year)
Career aspirations: Special Education Teacher
What was the first thing you did when you found out you’re receiving a scholarship award and how did you feel?
When I opened the email and read that I had received the Scholarship, I had a moment of disbelief. What an incredible honour. I immediately told my parents who were so proud and happy with my accomplishment. Receiving this award made me feel extremely thankful.
What is the most important attribute to be a leader in your community and why?
Although there are many attributes necessary to being a good leader, the ability to problem solve is the most important to me. Through many of my work and volunteer experiences, I have learned firsthand from some of the most effective teachers that being able to adapt and be creative on the spot is key to having a successful classroom. Even the best – laid plans can go wrong especially when dealing with children.
What does this award mean to you?
I am honoured to be receiving MPAC’s Continuing Excellence Award. I am sincerely grateful for the recognition I have received for my work. This generous award will help me to pay for my education this year which will allow me to focus more of my time on my studies.
What has been your most rewarding volunteer experience?
My most rewarding volunteer experience was working as a tutor for Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO), testing in the classroom. Volunteering as a tutor was both rewarding and challenging. I worked one on one with children practicing math, science and language skills. Each day I had the privilege of bonding with some pretty amazing students; celebrating their small victories with them, knowing how much effort went into each and every breakthrough.
What or who inspired you to choose your major?
I have always been very interested in how the human body functions. I used to be a competitive dancer which helped me choose Kinesiology as one of my majors along with Education. I originally thought I wanted to pursue physiotherapy but after working as a facilitator with special needs children and as a tutor in the classroom, my views for my career path began to change. After working and volunteering alongside some pretty amazing special education teachers and seeing firsthand how they can have a daily impact on the lives of their students, I decided to pursue a career as a special education teacher.
How did COVID-19 change your volunteering experience and what has it taught you?
Unfortunately, COVID – 19 greatly impacted my ability to volunteer this past spring. Restrictions did not allow us to leave our homes. With schools closed, I was unable to volunteer again as a tutor in the classroom. Not being able to see some of my students was very difficult. The satisfaction and sense of self that comes from volunteering was also lost. COVID – 19 has definitely taught me not to take things for granted and I look forward to being able to volunteer in the classroom once again.
What do you hope to accomplish this school year?
Because of COVID – 19, my courses and teaching placements have moved all online. Despite having to do everything from home, I am looking forward to the challenges I will face working online with my teachers and with my students. Because the concept of traditional education has drastically changed and being physically present in the classroom isn’t the only option, I am hoping to gain experience working online as student teacher with the expertise of my associate to help guide me through this new way of teaching.
"Each day I had the privilege of bonding with some pretty amazing students; celebrating their small victories with them, knowing how much effort went into each and every breakthrough."
Rachel and her dad, Dave Fedoruk, Property Valuation Specialist, in the Thunder Bay office.