Teachers at Nova Scotia children’s hospital help patients keep up with schoolwork

Teachers at Nova Scotia’s IWK Health Centre, a children’s hospital, are dedicated to helping patients maintain their schoolwork while undergoing treatment. Julia Countway, a teacher with 15 years of experience, is one of seven educators working full-time at the facility. Her primary focus is to ensure students remain on track academically and rebuild their confidence after missing significant classroom time due to illness.

The unique therapeutic classroom environment allows for personalized, one-on-one instruction tailored to each student’s needs.

During the school year, Countway’s classes accommodate students of all ages and grades. She collaborates with the students’ respective schools to ensure they receive the necessary materials to stay up to date with their coursework. Countway emphasizes the importance of addressing students’ anxieties about school, offering immediate support to alleviate any concerns.

Alex Neuffer, the School Services teacher in the Children’s Health Program, works primarily with students on the hospital’s main inpatient floors. He provides one-on-one lessons in a smaller classroom setting or at a patient’s bedside. Neuffer appreciates the role he plays in supporting youth navigating challenging circumstances, such as treatment for cancer or recovery from surgery.

He notes that allowing students to continue their education while in the hospital helps normalize their experience, making it easier for them to reengage with the classroom once they are well enough to return. With back-to-school approaching, both teachers are committed to ensuring patients’ education remains uninterrupted until they return to their home classrooms.