The National Inclusive Education Award is an initiative organized by Inclusion Canada and its Provincial and Territorial member associations. The award for Alberta is provided jointly by Inclusion Canada and Inclusion Alberta to honour teachers,  schools, or school districts whose commitment to inclusive education is exemplary and deserving of recognition. 

This year’s awards were presented at the 2024 Inclusion Alberta Family Conference, April 12th at the Fantasyland Hotel in Edmonton. This year, the awards were presented to:

Lisa Walker – Teacher, Ascension of Our Lord School (Calgary Catholic School District)

Lisa was nominated by the parents of one of her Social Studies students who has an intellectual disability. The student is included in the class and is challenged and engaged by Lisa in learning the grade-level curriculum alongside their peers. The student feels a sense of connection and belonging in the class, and Lisa is always willing to share her experience with other teachers who are interested.

Marissa McCurdy – Teacher, Bishop David Motiuk Catholic Elementary and Junior High School (Edmonton Catholic School District)

Marissa was nominated by a colleague for her deep and abiding practice of truly including students with intellectual disabilities in her classroom. Marissa’s inclusive teaching style utilizes appropriate accommodations and natural supports while fostering relationships that all students in the class can benefit from while learners with intellectual disabilities receive a meaningful inclusive education alongside their peers.

As an organization that values and supports the full inclusion of children in regular education classrooms, Inclusion Alberta thanks teachers Lisa Walker and Marissa McCurdy for their commitment to their students who have been fortunate to be fully included in their regular classrooms.