Sandra Hough

Background

About Sandra Hough

My passion is, and has always been making learning, fun, accessible, equitable and inclusive. Being born different, not only physically - I stand four feet and a smidge;)- I was also born with a medical condition which caused me lengthy hospital stays along with over 70 surgeries. Due to my short stature and medical issues I discovered that I loved the challenge of finding alternate ways to do the same activities as other children (or even better). As a person with disabilities and only recently found myself using a wheelchair for 95 percent of my mobility along as being a parent of a child with different needs and adoptive parent of two beautiful children of indigenous decent and myself being an immigrant I have become a huge advocate for not only accessibility equity and inclusion for all. I’ve applied this love of adaptability and equity to educating others. I apply this mind set with students who due to challenges they have or faced, aren’t able to learn in the same way as other students. Some children come to school like art coming out from the bowels of the Louvre. At times, these priceless pieces of art are forgotten. They appear old and worn but are unique and priceless. The value and beauty of each piece of art/student has to be brought back. That can only happen by careful examination/observation and documentation. Only then with gentleness and patience and hard work will we see what has been there all along:a unique and priceless treasure. Children, teens and adults be it typical or non neurotypical. If there is life there are ways for all to learn and participate and feel included. My philosophy as an educator is to coach, model and guide each student on their educational journey with utmost respect, dignity and empathy and if you can have fun while you’re at it, even better. I believe that learning can happen anywhere at anytime. We do not have to be in a classroom for education to happen.