“I am a mother and a forever teacher…”
“Perspective changes everything. My unique experience with a community-orientated heart; as a teacher in many districts, a mom of 3; with my eldest living with a complex disability, being a first-responder wife for 20 years and moving many times has forced me to pivot and shift my mindset over the years. I wholeheartedly believe in inclusion, seeing the person first in all capacities. This combined with my lived experience, allows me to walk with you in your journey to honour the same thing.”
I am a mother, and a forever teacher obsessed with guiding others’ and shifting their mindsets to not lose sight of their vision in the messiness of their world. Which to us is to be mindful in all our relationships, our family and our community.
My unique journey really started when our daughter Hannah was diagnosed with Angelman syndrome in 2012. I felt like I went through this journey alone struggling to find the specific support we required along the way. There was no one sitting with us who knew my heart, the heart-wrenching worries and the hopes we had for Hannah. I was listening to every professional and feeling exhausted as a mom. Once my soul was awakened, I vowed to contribute a different narrative to educators, clinicians, parents and also the corporate world. I was tired of the excuse of budget, time, and lack of knowledge. How can we support the person and the family. Everyone is coming with a common goal but a different agenda to achieve it. I strongly believe in belonging, relationships, and connection for all of us. Hannah’s Hope Foundation and Sarah Rivard Co came from the birth of that belief.
My hard work in the field of charity and education has equipped me as a natural advocate for inclusion in all areas. I wear the hat as a teacher and a mother. My heart belongs on both sides and my vision is to support the bridge between the two worlds. This perspective flows into all realms of our life. Over the years, the content that I have adapted and created has brought me to present at international conferences, facilitate workshops, coaching parents, coaching school districts, and working with corporate teams.
I am committed to supporting YOU and your team in navigating this world from my lived experience. My mess is my message.
FAMILIES
CORPORATE
EDUCATORS
Communication Bundle Project
The Communication Bundle was created for Hannah's school team, and has been coiled together for everyone to have the opportunity to access ALL THE TIME.
Most often the regular assistants (and substitute) do not have access to all the information about the child and specific strategies of how we presume competence. Diagnosis is NOT needed but support and strategies are. I do not expect anyone to be an expert in how to educate my child but I can support them on how to see my child.
My reason for creating this bundle is to equip all the persons who are supporting Hannah to get to know her in a strength-based way. My goal is for all is to see her before the disability and learn the different ways she communicates and how we can support her. These pages are forever changing by the team as Hannah grows and matures.
