‘I couldn't have asked for a better experience’
BRANTFORD – Ella Cowan has always known she wanted to work with kids.
“I didn't know what I wanted to do necessarily, but I knew I didn't want to be a teacher,” said the Grade 12 student at Assumption College School in Brantford.
When she started looking at her post-secondary education plans, her mom suggested she check out Lansdowne Children’s Centre’s website to look at the programs and services being offered there.
Cowan’s grandfather, Larry Kings, was on the Lansdowne Children’s Centre Foundation board from 2006 to 2013. Her grandmother, Trish Kings, was the Superintendent of Education with the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board (BHNCDSB) and past president of the Rotary Club of Brantford; her leadership with both organizations represented supportive connections to Lansdowne. Cowan’s uncle, Shaun Mulrain, is a luthier and musician who has entertained Lansdowne families at past Rotary-sponsored kids holiday parties.
Cowan had her own connection to Lansdowne as well – when she was young, she had received some support through the Speech and Language department.
“I had a really great experience, and my parents really loved it,” she said.
“I saw what (Lansdowne) had to offer; all the programs that they have (for) kids with autism, and I was interested in it.”
Cowan was on deck to do a co-op through her high school, so she spoke with her teacher, Moira Graham, Cooperative Education and OYAP (Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program) Teacher at Assumption about going to Lansdowne.
Graham got her an interview at Lansdowne, and Cowan was brought on board from September 2024 to January 2025.
A co-op placement experience at Lansdowne
Her placement was primarily with Autism Services’ Entry to School program, wherein preschool children with Autism can become familiar with the routines of a typical classroom.
Cowan said she learned a lot during her time at Lansdowne, including communication strategies.
“First and then language is something we use to simplify our language (when speaking to children with autism), meaning that when giving instructions, it's easier for them to understand four words than a sentence. An example would be ‘First shoes, then play,’” she explained.
Cowan said she enjoyed her time at Lansdowne for a multitude of reasons.
“It was a whole lot of things,” she said that made her time enjoyable, but primarily, “It's the community; it's the people who surround me, who I got to work with. They were honestly amazing – I couldn't have asked for a better experience.”
As for what’s next, Cowan has already applied to and been accepted at post-secondary schools so she can continue to pursue this field.
“I hope to come back eventually, once I’m done school,” she said with a smile.
Cowan’s experience is exactly what co-op placements are all about, said Graham.
“It provides them with the opportunity to gain real-world experience in a field they are interested in pursuing. By participating in this program, students can earn secondary school credits while completing a work placement, which helps them develop practical skills and a better understanding of their chosen career path. This hands-on experience is crucial for making informed decisions about their future education and career choices,” she said.
“Ella is an exceptional student and provides an outstanding exemplar of success in our co-op program.”
Graham said her experience with placing students at Lansdowne “has been very rewarding,” and that all of the staff have proven to be “friendly and receptive to supporting our co-op students with a positive learning environment.”
She noted that Lansdowne is somewhat unique as a co-op placement option, as the wide range of services and supports that the agency offers for children and youth with physical, communication, and developmental needs means there are many potential career choices for students to explore.
“My role in facilitating these placements not only helps students gain valuable experience, but also fosters a sense of community and empathy as they work with children who have diverse needs. This experience can be transformative for students, helping them build confidence, develop essential skills, and gain a deeper understanding of the field of child development and care.”
High school students wishing to learn more about doing a placement at Lansdowne are urged to speak with their school’s co-op teacher.
Lansdowne also offers a variety of placement and job opportunities for post-secondary students and graduates. For more information, visit https://www.lansdownecentre.ca/workwithus.
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