She's music to their ears
October 2, 2008
Comments on this story
(1)
Mike Funston
STAFF REPORTER
Hogan's a hero.
When Maureen Hogan isn't belting out "Fever" and other hits at Ottawa-area nightspots, she's in the classroom dedicating her life to society's most vulnerable children.
Hogan has a gift for tapping the potential of developmentally disabled kids and, in honour of her tireless efforts, has been named this year's top elementary teacher in the province.
Hogan, 39, has taught special-needs students at Ottawa's Carleton Heights Public School for seven years, and worked with them as an educational assistant for eight years prior to that.
The daughter of two teachers and the youngest of seven children, Hogan spent parts of her summers as a teen with her aunt, a nun at a Kingston convent. The nuns looked after developmentally disabled adults.
"That gave me a comfort level and sense of empathy being around people with special needs," Hogan says.
Working with two assistants at the school, she develops an individual curriculum for each student (ages 9 to 13) – bringing out the best in them through love, humour and compassion. Her musical talent helps. She's in the rock band Good To Go and makes singing a big part of her classes.
Her philosophy is geared more toward helping students develop vocational and living skills than on academic subjects. "Reading, writing and math are not necessarily for them."
According to parents and other teachers, Hogan has steered her students from being frustrated and hating school to being challenged and enjoying it.
Robert McAteer says his 9-year-old son Owen has shown "phenomenal progress" since moving to Hogan's class.
"He suffered frustration at another school, often coming home distraught, and going back on Mondays reduced him to tears and convulsions," McAteer wrote in support of Hogan's nomination. "Maureen has brought out the best in our son and capitalized on his full learning potential."
Hogan launched a breakfast club for her class, involving the students on a variety of levels.
"One day a week, we all work together on planning and preparing a breakfast," she says. "Two of the kids shop for the food. They learn good table manners, how to work safely in the kitchen, prepare food and handle money."
Former colleague Kim Macdonald, now a vice-principal, calls Hogan's program "one of the greatest success stories" in Carleton's 60-year history.
"Her hiring in 2001 was the catalyst for dramatic change," she says.
Hogan's students have become part of the school's mainstream, joining in events such as concerts, field trips and talent shows. They run the school's recycling and milk programs, distribute newsletters, collect attendance sheets and shred confidential documents.
"You'd be hard pressed to find another teacher in Canada, never mind Ontario, that better exemplifies the spirit of collaboration, leadership and innovation in education," says Macdonald.
Toronto Star