Each year, Dyslexia Canada’s Educational Excellence Awards recognize those making a meaningful difference in the lives of students with dyslexia. These awards celebrate educators who embrace evidence-based practices, prioritize early identification, and work to ensure that every student has the opportunity to learn to read.
Dyslexia Canada is thrilled to honour Carrie Wood with the 2025 Educational Excellence Award, and after hearing her story, it’s easy to see why. A dedicated educator in Winnipeg’s inner city since 2012, Carrie has made a lasting impact not only on her students but also on her colleagues and the broader Manitoba education community.
“I teach in the inner city at the same school I started in,” Carrie explains. “Over the last three years, I’ve moved into a learning support role where I support classroom teachers and students, this year in particular, nursery to grade 2.” Her school community is diverse, with over 43% of students self-identifying as Indigenous and many newcomer families. With high student transiency, she often welcomes students experiencing school for the first time, even in grade 2 or 3.
Carrie’s journey into literacy advocacy was deeply personal. “I started on this journey because of my own son,” she shares. “In 2020, he was in grade one and struggling to learn how to read. I went in thinking he was going to flourish, and he didn’t. That was really hard for me.” Despite being a respected leader in literacy at her school, she found herself lost. “I ended up going on a mental health leave,” she admits. “I couldn’t understand why my own son, who didn’t have any barriers, was having such a hard time.”
Her son’s eventual dyslexia diagnosis, paired with the release of the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Right to Read inquiry report, was transformative. “Those two things collided and really made me see literacy in a new way and realize that I needed a different approach.” She began tutoring at the Learning Disabilities Association of Manitoba and recalls, “My mind was blown because I had been teaching for 6 or 7 years, and I never knew [basic rules of spelling].”
Fuelled by a passion to change her school’s literacy practices, Carrie applied for a grant from Manitoba’s Teacher Idea Fund. The initiative provided professional development on foundational reading skills, offering teachers a choice between a 15-hour or 40-hour course. “Half the teachers chose the Top 10 Tools, which is the 40-hour course, because they were hungry for that knowledge,” she says.
The impact has been profound. “We’ve made a big shift in understanding reading development and how it works,” Carrie says. The school has moved away from levelled books for early readers to decodable texts and uses screeners like Acadience and the Core Phonics Survey to tailor instruction. “We’re now looking at kids and the skills they have and the skills that still need to be developed,” she explains.
One student’s story stands out. “She came in not knowing her full alphabet. Now, she’s reading books with blends and digraphs. She says, ‘I’m a reader now, Miss Wood.’” The enthusiasm was so contagious that Carrie started an “I Love to Read” club. “We had so many kids wanting in, even though literacy hour follows right after!”
Reflecting on her growth, Carrie says, “Back in 2020, I felt like a fraud… But now I feel empowered. I know what the next step is. And if I don’t, I know who to go to.”
Congratulations, Carrie. Your passion, resilience, and leadership are lighting the way for so many.
Messages of Support:
Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning congratulates Carrie Wood of John M. King School on her Dyslexia Canada Educational Excellence Award. This award highlights Carrie’s dedicated passion and work to improve student literacy outcomes in her school and across Manitoba by building the awareness and skills to meet the needs of students with diverse learning needs, including dyslexia. Our department applauds Carrie’s commitment to supporting all students to learn to read.
- Honourable Tracy Schmidt, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning
Carrie Wood has been a tireless advocate for the needs of all learners and particularly those who would benefit from the implementation of structured literacy and early screening for learning disabilities. As her Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in Manitoba, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting with her, learning from her, and seeing firsthand her expertise and passion for this issue. Her efforts across the political spectrum have successfully brought this topic to the floor of the Manitoba Legislature for discussion. Congratulations Carrie for this well-deserved recognition!
- Kathleen Cook, MLA for Roblin
This national recognition is a powerful reflection of Carrie’s deep commitment to equity, her leadership within our school communities, and her relentless focus on ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive. Carrie’s work at John M. King School exemplifies what is possible when educators lead with compassion and a belief in the potential of every learner.
- Matt Henderson, Superintendent, Winnipeg School Division