Jennifer Barrie

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

Teacher - Peel District School Board, Simcoe County District School Board

August 1997 - 2026

• Primary teacher - ESL, Special Education, Grades 1-3
• Secondary teacher- 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. 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 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 to ensure supports are in place.
• Navigator & Support Person- Epilepsy Peterborough
  • Helping caregivers of people with different types of Epilepsy establish necessary supports and resources in both the education and healthcare systems. https://epilepsyontario.org/agency/epilepsy-peterborough-and-area/
• 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. https://pdshof.com/
• Organizer - Terry Fox Run - multiple Ontario cities
  • Marketing upcoming events and annual runs, organizing volunteers while coordinating local organizations (such as St. John's ambulance, fire department, sponsors, entertainment, etc.) https://run.terryfox.ca/92914

Member

• Member- Canadian Caregivers Advisory Network with Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence
  • Goal: To establish legislation for a national caregiver benefit. To support caregivers by educating healthcare workers, politicians and CEOs. Guest on podcasts and Webinars. https://canadiancaregiving.org
• 1-1 Peer Support and group facilitator- Ontario Caregivers Association
  • Goal: Provide support and resources for caregivers. Guest on podcasts and webinars. https://ontariocaregiver.ca/