Sheelagh Nolan Award for Excellence in Teaching
2025 Nominations for the Sheelagh Nolan Award for Excellence in Teaching open soon.
The Sheelagh Nolan Award for Excellence in Teaching honours the dedication and compassion of the late Sheelagh Nolan.
Sheelagh was a passionate community member and a strong advocate for inclusive education. Her son, Patrick, who is autistic, was her greatest inspiration. This award celebrates Sheelagh’s legacy by recognizing educators who demonstrate excellence, inclusion, and care in their teaching practice.
Thank you for helping us recognize educators across Nova Scotia who create welcoming, inclusive, and supportive learning environments for Autistic students of all ages.
Who Can Be Nominated
You can nominate an individual or a team, such as a teacher or learning team, at any accredited:
- Nova Scotia public school
- College or university
- Designated Special Education Private School (e.g., Bridgeway, Landmark East, Churchill Academy)
Who Can Nominate
Nominations are welcome from:
- Parents and caregivers
- Educators and school staff
- Students and former students
What We’re Looking For
This award recognizes educators or teams who:
- Foster growth and learning for Autistic students
- Create inclusive, collaborative, and supportive learning environments
- Champion inclusion and best practices in education
When writing your nomination, please include specific examples or stories that show how your nominee has made a positive impact for Autistic students.
Your nomination will be reviewed based on the following five areas (each equally weighted):
- Growth: The nominee helps autistic learners grow academically, socially, or personally.
- Collaboration: The nominee values teamwork with students, families, caregivers, and colleagues.
- Confidence and Connection: The nominee helps autistic learners build confidence and positive peer relationships.
- Best Practices: The nominee uses current, evidence-based approaches to teaching and supporting autistic learners.
- Eligibility: The nominee is a teacher, or part of a student support or learning team, at an eligible Nova Scotia education centre, college/university, or DSEPS school.
Award Presentation
The Sheelagh Nolan Award for Excellence in Teaching will be presented at Autism Nova Scotia’s Holiday Open House on November 27, 2025.
All nominees and nominators will be contacted prior to the event.
How to Submit Your Nomination
Please submit your completed nomination form by Friday, November 7, 2025, at 12 p.m.