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.
Reflecting on her own challenges as a student, Andrea recalls, "I definitely wasn't one of those students where school just came naturally to me, I had to work hard." Struggling with reading comprehension and mathematics, Andrea's parents sought help from a tutoring organization focused on direct instruction and fluency building.
"Growing up struggling with academics, I can definitely appreciate how hard it is to go through the system where there are potential barriers to academic instruction and learning," Andrea reflects. "Becoming a teacher was essentially a natural calling for me to provide universal strategies for all students because education is for everybody."
As a research assistant for Dr. George Georgiou and Dr. Kristy Dunn, Andrea contributed to the initial research and development of The Phonics Companion, "Partnering with them allows us to continue our journey with structured literacy and the science of reading," she explains.
Andrea's passion for sharing knowledge extends beyond her school. She has engaged with staff, parents, and the St. Albert Catholic community, all witnessing the positive changes in education. "We're doing an excellent job in our division," she remarks.
While Alberta was the first province to embrace evidence-based reading instruction, Andrea acknowledges challenges in consistent implementation across the province.
She says it’s essential to ensure that standardized assessments are utilized effectively across the board. Moreover, paying attention to school divisions that implement the five pillars of reading instruction, incorporate evidence-based practices, and observe positive outcomes with their universal screening methods is paramount. Examining the strategies employed by these divisions can provide valuable insights and serve as a beneficial guide for enhancing educational practices in broader contexts.
"We must work together because education is for everybody," Andrea asserts. "We want to ensure no one is left behind."
Addressing teachers in provinces transitioning to evidence-based curriculum, Andrea offers invaluable advice:
"Don't give up, and don't be afraid to ask questions. It's a journey, and it's an important one, but we need to ensure we're all working together collaboratively to ensure the best practices for our students."
Andrea suggests that teachers take a look at the following resources:
The University of Alberta’s graduate certificate in structured literacy and reading science.
Resources from Dyslexia Canada:
Printed materials (Parent checklist, What is Dyslexia Children’s Book)
Recommended online courses (Andrea is currently doing OG for classroom educators with the Reading and Learning Clinic of Manitoba, which she learned about from Dyslexia Canada’s website)
Resources from International Dyslexia Association the International Dyslexia Association
To learn more, listen to Andrea Van Hoof’s interview on the Dyslexia Canada podcast. It is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you typically access your podcasts.
In this series, we profile the recipients of the 2024 Dyslexia Canada Educational Excellence Awards. This prestigious award recognizes individuals across the nation who have made exceptional contributions to ensure that all Canadian children have access to essential literacy support.