Cynthia (Cindy) Neil Bio
Since I was 19 years old, I knew I wanted to be a teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. It has given me a chance to step into the lives of some very special students and to share my personal experiences with them. When I was 10 years old, I started to lose my hearing for unknown reasons. By the time I was 15 I had a profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. I lived in a small rural community and there were no supports available for students who were Hard of Hearing or Deaf. It is through my acquired personal experiences that I have grown and become passionate about working with Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. I teach them firmly to be advocates and to learn how to always pursue their dreams and accept nothing less than 100% support in their educational journey.
I completed my Bachelor of Education at the University of Manitoba in 1994 and my Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology; Deafness Studies, Special Education at the University of Alberta in 1996. My first job was at the Manitoba School for the Deaf. I then moved to Toronto and started a program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students in the Hamilton School Board. I moved back to Winnipeg and became the coordinator of the Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students at St. James-Assiniboia School Division for 18 years. I now work for the province as an educational consultant in the Inclusion Support Branch at the department of Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning.
I have served on the CAEDHH National executive for many years, as a regional director, a National Director, and acting National Director and now as a Past National Director.