John Rupnow, a grade 7/8 science and technology teacher at Elora Public School, was presented with the Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy’s (OFCP) 2013 Professional Recognition Award at the organization’s annual conference banquet recently.
Rupnow was nominated for the award by one of his students, Maddy Workman, for his exemplary service to persons with cerebral palsy.
“I have different needs and Mr. Rupnow makes it easier for me to complete my projects,” Workman said in her nomination letter. “He goes above and beyond the call of most teachers. So I can participate in class.”
One of the accommodations Rupnow created was a woodworking table where some pieces and surfaces were screwed in place to make it easier for a student with limited fine motor skills to use hand tools.
Rupnow said he is honoured and delighted to receive the OFCP award, though he is quick to point out that he’s not solely responsible for Workman’s positive experience.
“It’s very much a team effort, with educational assistants Shauna Hanna and Kathy Cunningham. We’ve got a good rapport, and I rely on their input and Maddy herself to guide me on what’s going to work best.”
Although Rupnow draws on 20 years of teaching experience, to some extent he’s coming up with solutions on-the-fly, introducing new innovations or techniques.
“In the spring we’ll be working with microscopes. I don’t know yet how that will work, but we’ll figure it out,” he said.
Rupnow is also thinking about how Workman might use Lego Robotics or K’NEX kits to learn the curriculum.
“Differentiated instruction is what this room is all about,” he said. “Giving students the opportunity to learn, and succeed.”
Rupnow, who began his teaching career as a primary teacher of Grade 2, seems to be in his element at Elora Public School, doing what he loves.
“John is fully deserving of this award,” said principal Nelson Keane. “The accommodations made and the things he built for Maddy last year, to allow her to fully participate in the class, were just amazing. I couldn’t be more pleased.”
