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 proud to honour Megan Norris, of the First Nation School Board (FNSB) in Yukon, as one of the recipients of the 2025 Educational Excellence Awards. Megan, a dedicated literacy coach, is being recognized for her innovative, community-centred, and impactful approach to improving literacy across FNSB students in Yukon.
Megan Norris, originally from Treaty 6 territory in Alberta, has worked as a teacher and speech-language pathologist before joining FNSB in 2022. She currently lives and works in Whitehorse, on the traditional lands of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council. Her work with FNSB represents a deep commitment to reconciliation and educational transformation.
The First Nation School Board was formed as a call to action to the Auditor General’s reports in 2009 and 2019, which highlighted the persistently low literacy and numeracy outcomes for Yukon students. In response to the report, the Chief’s Committee on Education (CCOE) was reinstated, and a new educational model was created. In 2022, eight school communities voted to join the board through a referendum. Today, FNSB co-governs with 11 school communities across the Yukon, from Whitehorse to remote fly-in communities like Old Crow.
Norris describes the work as both rewarding and logistically complex. The majority of FNSB schools are located in rural communities, making travel a significant part of the role. Literacy coaches like Megan spend up to a week at a time in each community to foster relationships with learners, families, and educators. “It’s not just about teaching literacy,” Megan explains. “It’s about being in community, listening, learning, and building trust.”
From the start, FNSB made literacy as complex. They launched a comprehensive literacy plan informed by Yukon First Nation wisdom and national literacy experts. The plan was quickly approved by the Board of Trustees and supported by the Minister of Education.
What sets FNSB apart is its data-driven, equity-focused approach. They implemented universal screening for literacy skills in grades 1–3 and prioritized open communication with families about student progress. One of their most significant moves was the transition from Reading Recovery role to a Literacy Teacher role using structured literacy approaches. The board adopted the UFLI (University of Florida Literacy Institute) Foundations program as the core resource for Tier 1 instruction, ensuring consistency and high-quality teaching across all schools.
Professional development has been central to the board’s success. All educators received training on the science of reading and structured literacy, helping them become critical consumers of educational tools and confident in interpreting student data to guide instruction.
A cornerstone of this transformation has been the literacy coaching team. Coaches not only provide modelling and support in classrooms, but also foster a culture of continuous improvement. In its first year, FNSB focused on primary grades, and in 2025 it expanded the program to support intermediate grades as well.
Educators have responded enthusiastically. As Megan puts it, “We’ve had incredible feedback. Teachers feel supported, and can see the growth in their students.”
With a deep commitment to culturally grounded, evidence-based education, the First Nation School Board is not just improving literacy outcomes; they’re redefining excellence in education.
Dyslexia Canada is honoured to present the First Nation School Board with the Educational Excellence award for its forward-thinking and drive to involve the community and educators in the continued development of its literacy programs. Congratulations!