LBPSB Speech Language Pathologist Wins Award for Exceptional Services to SCSD Clinical Education
by Darren Becker
Helene Packman, a Speech-Language Pathologist at the Lester B. Pearson School Board, was recently nominated by her students for the Award for Excellence in Clinical Education for her work supervising McGill graduate students in their clinical practicum. “The fact that it was my students who nominated me is extremely gratifying and it’s so nice to know that they felt I provided them with a valuable practicum,” said Helene.
Helene, whose job is a labour of love, said just having been nominated by her students was such a great honour.
Although Helene did not win this award, she did receive the Award for Exceptional Services to SCSD Clinical Education. This award was granted in recognition of the contributions and dedication to advancing the field of Speech-Language Pathology through supervision of McGill students.
Helene, who has been working at the LBPSB since 2001, said being recognized by her students and colleagues has been extremely fulfilling. She said she was particularly touched by all of the messages of support that were recently posted on the school board’s Facebook page after her nomination for the Award of Excellence in Clinical Education was announced, including one from her colleague Kathryn Byrne who said: “I’m so lucky to have worked and learned alongside Helene Packman. So much of what she taught me is part of my work every day. Congrats Helene – this is so well-deserved.” Another message from Tina Frankoski said “I am so proud of you Helene. Your students are beyond lucky to have you as a supervisor and mentor, Congratulations.”
As part of her job, Helene works with different LBPSB schools providing support and various treatment options to students with communication challenges, including developmental language disorder (DLD), speech-sound disorders, autism and language-based learning disabilities in reading and writing.
“Being a Speech-LanguagePathologist is very rewarding work and you get to see the impact of our efforts in terms of offering support to students, teachers, families and integration aides to the best of our abilities so that we can ultimately improve their quality of life,” said Helene.
