Michele Brayshaw reflects on 30+ year career at Lansdowne Children’s Centre

Michele Brayshaw knew her professional calling early in life.

For as long as she can remember, “I just always knew I wanted to work with kids with special needs and their families,” she said. “I went to school with some kids who had special needs that were integrated right into our programs.”

Integration and meaningful inclusion have always been central to her professional philosophy.

In her post-secondary education, Michele studied Early Childhood Education, and for a time worked at what was then known as the Ontario Crippled Children’s Centre in Toronto, which is now part of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.

Later, she became the resource consultant for the City of Brantford, and in 1995, she was shifted over to Lansdowne Children’s Centre.

Michele spent a year working as a resource consultant at Lansdowne before she took on dual part-time roles as the Program Supervisor for the Early Integration Program (EIP) and Respite Services.

Gradually, the EIP program grew, and her role shifted so that became her focus; after 31 years at Lansdowne, Michele is now retiring from her role as Program Supervisor for EIP and Childcare Support Worker (CCSUW). 

Michele said when she first came to the Brantford area, she found that some of the newer philosophies and approaches in the child development field that were common in Toronto hadn’t really made it out to smaller communities yet. So, she ended up doing a fair bit of advocacy and coaching work to help her new colleagues onboard the concepts and approaches around meaningful inclusion.

“Children did not need to be segregated. It's important for them to feel that they belong in all environments,”

Michele said.

She shared that over her years with Lansdowne, “There were many ‘aha’ moments,” and successes, but looking back now, the ones that stand out the most are “every time I saw success and inclusion in the childcares, and seeing all the kids progress and grow.”

Michele added, “Because I've been here so long, I've seen (former clients) grow from being in childcare right up to the age of 18 and seeing what great, independent individuals they’ve become.”

She noted that she will often run into former clients while they’re working or volunteering, or might see them and/or their families at community events.

These positive interactions she still has with former clients and their families years later reinforces the importance of her first piece of advice for those who are starting out in the field: remember, families first.

“The families know the children, and we follow the family’s lead and what they want. We're there to support them with their goals and vision,” she said.

It’s also important to “think outside the box,” when it comes to strategies, approaches, resources, etc.

Ultimately,

“We want to make sure we're providing quality care for the children and families in all their environments,”

Michele emphasized.

It’s important work, and not something anyone can do alone.

Michele said through her years at Lansdowne, partnerships have been critical; both with other Lansdowne staff, and with people from partnering community organizations.

The main goal for everyone should be “ensuring that we're all on the same page for the care of the kids.”

Having common outlooks and goals can help to strengthen the bonds on a team; Michele noted how much she values her team at Lansdowne.

“It's very rewarding, working with the people that I do."

"And even the staff that work under me, I've had some of them 25 and 20 years; they're a long-term staff,” she said, noting that this speaks to the positive work culture of Lansdowne.

Looking to her retirement, Michele’s plans include catching up on her crafts, specifically sewing and scrapbooking; playing pickleball; spending time with her four grandchildren and with her friends who have already retired; and travelling to Newfoundland in autumn with her husband.

“It's just a place we always wanted to go,” she said.