My name is Andrew Letchuk. I am 27 years old and I'm a graduate of the School of Disability Studies at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson). I graduated with high honors from my 2-year Educational Support diploma program at Sheridan College. I was born in Toronto, Canada. My father's background is Canadian and Ukrainian while my mother's side is Canadian, British and half Scottish. I was diagnosed with autism at the age of 8 in 2004 at Riverside Public School and was switched to an ASD classroom at a different school: Brittania Public School. I've also attended another school that has another ASD classroom: Camilla Road Senior Public School. My favourite interests are bird-watching, walking around Toronto, going on long nature walks, spending time with friends, playing with Legos, and watching movies.
In 2021 I've launched my very own podcast on Spotify called Our Voices: Conversations of Disability where I interview disability scholars, activists, allies, and disabled people themselves to discuss topics that align with their work within disability justice and/or social justice.
In June 2023 I received my Disability Studies bachelor's degree with distinction. I hope to continue to work in the disability studies community by advocating for disabled peoples' rights, working closely with disabled students at university, becoming a scholar or simply working in disability-led organizations. My second aspiration would be pursuing a Master's degree in Critical Disability Studies at York University in the future.
Before I joined the Educational Support program at Sheridan, I previously attended West Credit Secondary School and studied for 3 years of childcare. My school runs a community preschool program for 2 1/2 to 5 years. For my co-op placement, I was working in a senior kindergarten class at a private school that I used to attend a few years ago. After taking an extra year after grade 12, I got accepted to the 2-year Educational Support program at Sheridan College where I wanted to gain experience in supporting disabled students and those with challenging behaviour in the classroom. In my Field 1 placement, I've worked at a catholic elementary school ranging from kindergarten up to grade 8 and I had the opportunity to experience working with a couple of students with multiple exceptionalities such as physical, communication and behaviour. In my Field 2 placement, I have worked at a public elementary school supporting two students. One with non-verbal communication and the other with behaviour difficulties. I have also supported other students that have difficulties with social, academic and behaviour challenges. In my Field 3 placement, I have supported 2-3 grade 5 students with learning disabilities and behaviour exceptionalities in two-self contained classrooms every four days of each week.
In 2021 I've launched my very own podcast on Spotify called Our Voices: Conversations of Disability where I interview disability scholars, activists, allies, and disabled people themselves to discuss topics that align with their work within disability justice and/or social justice.
In June 2023 I received my Disability Studies bachelor's degree with distinction. I hope to continue to work in the disability studies community by advocating for disabled peoples' rights, working closely with disabled students at university, becoming a scholar or simply working in disability-led organizations. My second aspiration would be pursuing a Master's degree in Critical Disability Studies at York University in the future.
Before I joined the Educational Support program at Sheridan, I previously attended West Credit Secondary School and studied for 3 years of childcare. My school runs a community preschool program for 2 1/2 to 5 years. For my co-op placement, I was working in a senior kindergarten class at a private school that I used to attend a few years ago. After taking an extra year after grade 12, I got accepted to the 2-year Educational Support program at Sheridan College where I wanted to gain experience in supporting disabled students and those with challenging behaviour in the classroom. In my Field 1 placement, I've worked at a catholic elementary school ranging from kindergarten up to grade 8 and I had the opportunity to experience working with a couple of students with multiple exceptionalities such as physical, communication and behaviour. In my Field 2 placement, I have worked at a public elementary school supporting two students. One with non-verbal communication and the other with behaviour difficulties. I have also supported other students that have difficulties with social, academic and behaviour challenges. In my Field 3 placement, I have supported 2-3 grade 5 students with learning disabilities and behaviour exceptionalities in two-self contained classrooms every four days of each week.