Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence honours Rundle Studio teachers
The trio of junior high teachers transform lives of students with learning disabilities.
On the first day of Rundle Studio, three junior high teachers — Danna Euverman, Karen Goepen-wee and Tisha Mellor — took a deep breath, crossed their fingers and pressed the Zoom button. As they dove headfirst into a whole new world of online education, what they created and grew over the last four years has now earned them the prestigious Certificate of Achievement from the Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence.
The award recognizes their tireless dedication to transforming the lives of students with mild to moderate learning disabilities, providing them with the best educational experience possible. It’s their hard work, creativity and passion that have helped Rundle Studio stand out as a trailblazer in virtual learning, offering not just online classes, but a true community where every student feels seen, heard and valued.
Many students come to Rundle Studio with past negative experiences. They may have mobility issues, ADHD or generalized or social anxiety, and are unable to access high-quality designated special education programs within their own communities. They’ve struggled in traditional classrooms, where they often felt overwhelmed and misunderstood. But at Rundle Studio, things are different.
“Kids who were left behind on the playground, who were bullied or had speech disorders that no one would take the time to understand — they’re treated with respect here, as if they are already scholars,” says Goepen-wee. “We don’t see the disability; we see the ability they possess. We don’t leave kids behind if they’re not doing well. And as soon as they see they have someone in their corner, and that we’re working hard to help them, they bloom.”
What makes Euverman, Goepen-wee and Mellor stand out as teachers is their belief that students with learning disabilities deserve more than just accommodation — they deserve empowerment.
Their teaching style is all about breaking down barriers — using technology, ranging from virtual reality to text-to-speech. They’ve designed engaging and interactive lessons that give students more independence. Lessons are carefully designed to reduce stress, allowing students to focus on learning and building confidence.
The school uses the Canvas learning management system to make all lessons, assessments and announcements accessible 24/7 to students and parents anywhere in the world. This transparency means parents can see what their children are learning and stay involved. It’s a unique approach that breaks down the usual barriers between school and home, creating a powerful partnership between teachers and families.
From helping students understand their own learning processes and what strategies will work best for them, to providing immediate feedback on their progress and extra help when needed, this proactive approach helps each student thrive.
The ultimate goal? To empower every student to take control and advocate for their own learning and to ensure every child, regardless of their challenges, has the tools they need to succeed in post-secondary and beyond.
Teachers also make it a point to build relationships beyond the screen. They host monthly meetups where students can connect in person. Even during online classes, they share personal moments — like showing off their pets or joking about everyday life. These moments make learning feel less like school and more like a shared experience, where everyone belongs.
The impact is life-changing. One student who joined the school was initially overwhelmed, often tearful and struggled with self-confidence, Goepen-wee shared.
With the patience and support of his teachers, he grew into a confident, curious student who loved exploring the digital library and even became the honorary “welcome wagon,” helping new students feel at home.
Small class sizes — sometimes as few as five students — allow teachers to provide the individualized attention that makes all the difference. They work oneon-one with students, offering daily feedback and extra help when needed. As Mellor puts it, “For the first time in their lives, they believe they can learn.”
Winning the Prime Minister’s Award is a huge honor for the trio, but it’s also a testament to the lives they’ve changed.
“Teachers don’t get recognized very often, and this is a once-ina-lifetime recognition that feels good,” Goepen-wee says.
Euverman says she can’t remember working a fiveday work week in the last four years. “We built Rundle Studio from scratch — it’s a lot of work, blood, sweat and tears. This is the hardest and most rewarding job I have ever had,” she says. “Ultimately, we wanted to create a school where we’d want to send our own children.”
Rundle Studio hosts virtual open house events every month. Visit their social media channels for more information and to sign up.