The Manitoba Council of Reading Clinicians is pleased to announce the winner of the Barbara Koffman Scholarship Award. We remember Barbara fondly as a born educator and leader who inspired both teachers and students alike.

Congratulations to Shona Kusyk! Shona graduated with an Environmental degree from the University of Manitoba and began working for Manitoba Conservation.  During this time, she began volunteering at the Elmwood Bike Club on her days off.  She fell in love with connecting and working with students and sparked her deep passion for teaching.  Shona returned to University of Manitoba and subsequently received her B.Ed. in 2013. She started out in WSD1 for her first half year, then finished up at RETSD.  The following year she landed a 1 year term at Ecole Landsdowne where she taught a Nursery / Kindergarten morning class, and a Grade 7/8 Language Arts afternoon class.  It was here she fell in love with N / K, and was lucky enough to secure a term position at Norquay school working in a N / K classroom.  Along with the N / K class, Shona spent her other half day as the Leveled Literacy Intervention teacher, through which she decided to pursue her masters studies.

Through the current position of her diverse career, Shona has been extremely honoured to serve in the Point Douglas community through her roles at Norquay School.  The local community is currently seeking growth and change for their children, and a strong literacy foundation can be a critical step to tap into the potential of this new generation.  The desire to serve and help lift up the North End communities has driven Shona to seek excellence in her teaching practice by striving to learn  and implement research proven techniques.

The support provided by the Manitoba Council of Reading clinicians, most notably Kim Siwak, Jaymi Thiessen, Tracie McDonald, and Carrie Lorenzo has been invaluable, especially through some trying family tragedies in recent months.  The Point Douglass Community has also been immensely supportive as families place their trust in the education system.  It is a great honour to serve the community through Norquay School.  Finally, the Koffman family for their gracious support through this scholarship.