Heather Gibson, the principal of E.C. Drury Provincial School for the Deaf, received the Excellence in Leadership Award at the recent Premier's Awards for Teaching Excellence ceremony.

The head of the local school -- one of the first deaf, American Sign Language (ASL)- using female principals in Canada -- said initially she was shocked and surprised to be chosen as the recipient.

"Then I was overwhelmed with a feeling of pride and honour," she said in an e-mail interview with the Champion.

Gibson's contributions at the school are numerous. She led the design, development and field-testing of the first ASL curriculum that's being implemented in Ontario's three provincial schools for the deaf.

"The ASL curriculum is the first such curriculum in North America and possibly the world," she said, noting it's gaining worldwide attention from university professors and deaf bilingual schools.

Recently, Gibson hosted a visit by a team of academics and professionals from a school in Japan that wanted to see E.C. Drury's bilingual (ASL and English) program in action.

She also established ASL instruction for families of students and bus drivers.

"In my view, it has made a difference as families and bus drivers are now better able to communicate with and meet the needs of students now that they're becoming more fluent in ASL," she said.

"Families can better assist their children in doing their homework, and perhaps it has even helped parents to develop a strong bond with their children."

Gibson said she thinks she has always worked collaboratively with teachers, support staff and parents.

"I encourage them to take leadership roles in activities such as committee work or developing self-initiated projects," she explained.

Gibson was one of 14 individuals to be recognized by Education Minister Kathleen Wynne at the Premier's Awards for Teaching Excellence.

Melanie Hennessey can be reached at mhennessey@miltoncanadianchampion.com.