In Grade 9, my son’s teacher saved his life.

It was two years after the pandemic and my son was in the midst of a mental-health crisis. I couldn’t get him to school. He was having panic attacks, paralyzed by anxiety, and sharing thoughts no parent ever wants to hear.

I was desperate, exhausted and terrified.

One day, walking down the school hallway after yet another meeting about how to help him, I ran into his former Grade 7 teacher. She saw my face, stopped and said simply, “Tell me what’s going on.”

That moment changed everything.

This teacher, let’s call her Ms. C, had taught my son during the COVID year when everything was remote and chaotic. She was the first to notice his learning disability and encouraged assessments and supports. Despite having more than 30 students in her cl

See Full Page