Andrea Mcauley, Superintendent of Education, Inclusive Student Services, Mental Health and Well-Being and ECPP (Education and Community Partnership Program)
Andrea in her role at DDSB has been one of Abilities Centre’s strongest advocates and allies for the past 5 years. The DDSB was the first school board to implement and launch Therapeutic Recreation programming in schools under Inclusive Student Services, supporting students with disabilities to build the resiliency skills needed to transition out of high school and into post-secondary education, volunteering, employment, and independent living.
She sees the value of collaborating with community-based organizations that bring in unique skills and expertise to support educators, EAs, and students, recognizing the need for this type of wrap-around approach to setting students up for success. Her desire to define success for the education system, partnership, and program delivery from the student’s and families’ perspectives speaks to her leadership. She is not afraid to challenge and break down unconscious biases and mental models of her peers and community partners that often put kids with disabilities into “boxes.”
She loves innovation and bringing in unique programs that wouldn’t typically be delivered within an education system.