Leslie Levinson: Acceptance, Inclusion & Service in Education and the Community

Leslie Levinson has taught at the Mackay Centre School since 1989. She holds a Bachelor of Education in Physical Education, a Masters in Adapted Physical Activity and a Certificate in Inclusive Education all obtained at McGill University. Leslie began her teaching career at Mackay as a physical education teacher, later moving into the classroom. After attending an inspirational conference in New York in 1998, Leslie experienced a professional epiphany that would shape her career and forever change the lives of all her future students. With full support from the administration at Mackay, Leslie returned home to spearhead the creation of an Augmentative Communication class for students with complex communication needs and has been working with these students ever since.

Leslie stays up to date with the seemingly constant innovations in the fields of technology and teaching methods that have enhanced and improved the quality-of-life experiences of her students (and their families) by regularly attending AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) conferences.

Twice a year, Leslie also takes her students to Camp Massawippi, an adapted camp in the Eastern Townships for a three-day camping adventure, which provides much needed respite for parents/guardians. Accompanied by support staff and caregivers, Leslie’s students can experience the joys of sleep-away camp, in a secure setting for the first and sometimes only time, memories they will likely never forget. She also coordinates annual field trips to the Atwater Market, the bowling alley as well as hockey and skating outings (thanks to LCC).

In recognition of her undying passion and unconditional commitment to her students, Leslie was honoured to be the recipient of the EMSB Teacher of Inspiration award in 2014.

While there has been a long-standing relationship between Lower Canada College and the Mackay Centre School, Leslie has a personal relationship with LCC as well. She is the mother of LCC alumni: Blair '10, Josh '13, Drew '17, Pre-U '18 and Kirsten '20, Pre-U '21. Her husband, Scott graduated from Lower Canada College in 1981 and her late father-in- law Martin worked at LCC from 1965-2000, first as head of the Science Department and later in his career as Assistant Headmaster of Academics. Rounding out the Mackay/LCC connection, two of Leslie’s children participated in the Reverse Integration Program at Mackay, Blair (1997-1998) and Kirsten (2012-2013). Kirsten is now the director of Camp Massawippi’s summer day camp.

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