​Kendra Frizzell, principal of Nashwaaksis Middle School, will visit Ireland from March 18-22 to speak with educators about the inclusive practices used in ASD-W schools.​

Frizzell will be a guest speaker at the National Council for Special Education in Dublin along with New Brunswick's former education minister Jody Carr. They will take part in two days of symposiums with policy makers to share the district's success stories in inclusion. The goal is for Ireland to gain a perspective on how to implement an inclusion policy.

"We will be sharing how the values in ASD-W are respectful of human rights and that every child should belong," said Frizzell. "We work hard to remove any barriers to performance and opportunity that differences might create. We design our lessons and classrooms for everyone. Staff, parents and students work hard at finding success for each student within diverse and inclusive learning environments." 

Frizzell's invitation to Ireland came about after Teresa Griffin and Mary Byrne from the National Council on Special Education in Dublin came to New Brunswick in November 2018 to visit three schools as part of an international study tour on inclusion. They visited George Street Middle School, Garden Creek Elementary School and Nashwaaksis Middle School to observe inclusion in action and learn about how the province delivers education in a fully integrated classroom. 

"It is a tremendous honour to be invited to Ireland to present to the National Council for Special Education," Frizzell explained. "We have a strong inclusive education policy in our province along with strong, value based teaching ethics. For another country like Ireland to visit our school and follow up with an invitation to present to change makers in Ireland's education system, tells me we have great things going for all of us in New Brunswick. Many countries in the rest of the world are transitioning to inclusive education. We, in New Brunswick, have seen the need for this transition for years and we are being recognized around the world as leaders in providing solid educational opportunities for every child."

Frizzell said she expects to return home from Ireland with a renewed sense of confidence and reassurance about inclusive education in New Brunswick. 

"We have a world class inclusive education policy recognized around the world and we have excellent school leaders and educators who make it work," Frizzell said. "I am very proud and honoured to be from the New Brunswick education system."