Jennifer Barrie
Teacher, Mother, and Volunteer in Kawartha Lakes, Ontario
Empowering Caregivers, Empowering Lives: Advocating for Support, Inclusion & Equality
As a teacher with a specialist in Special Education and a mother of a child with complex needs, I understand the immense challenge families and caregivers face as they struggle to overcome obstacles to access necessary resources and supports.
Experience
Secondary School Teacher - Simcoe County District School Board
August 2001 - Present
- Led the Special Education department for 14 years, and co-led the Math department
- As leader of the Special Education department, I collaborated with students, parents, teachers, EAs, school administration and board members. Successfully establishing a concrete plan that incorporates the unique and complex needs of each student. Then I facilitated this plan to ensure the correct supports and resources were in place so each student had the tools to thrive.
Volunteer
- System Navigator and Facilitator for Caregivers
- Helping caregivers who need to navigate complex government agencies to successfully establish supports and resources. This includes providing consultations and/or acting on behalf of these caregivers to complete the necessary steps
- Navigator & Support Person- Epilepsy Peterborough
- Helping caregivers of people with different types of Epilepsy establish necessary supports and resources.
- Education/Tours/Volunteer Coordinator - Peterborough Sports Hall of Fame
- Providing resources, tours and curriculum based projects to schools in Peterborough County.
- Organizing volunteers for sporting events
- Organizer - Terry Fox Run
- Marketing upcoming events and annual runs, organizing volunteers while coordinating local organizations (such as St. John's ambulance, fire department, sponsors, entertainment, etc.)
Member
- Member- Canadian Caregivers Advisory Network with Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence
- Goal: To establish legislation for a national caregiver benefit.
- 1-1 Peer Support and group facilitator- Ontario Caregivers Association
- Goal: Provide support and resources for caregivers.