| Staff
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| The
Mediated Learning Academy staff is comprised of specialists
dedicated to your child's growth. |
Principal
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Kathleen
Jeffrey
Ms. Jeffrey holds a Bachelor of History and Archeology from SFU;
a B.A.A. Design (Honours) from the American College for the
Applied Arts in London England; her Professional Development
Program (PDP) from SFU; a Certificate in Liberal Arts from SFU;
and her M.A. in Educational Psychology from SFU. Kathleen is
also a Bright Start Trainer of Trainers, is trained in F.I.E.
levels 1, 2, and 3; trained in Dynamic Assessment for Young
Children and L.P.A.D.; and trained in Parent as Mediator. Ms.
Jeffrey has been associated with the Variety Learning Centre
since 1996 as Summer School Teacher, Saturday Class Teacher,
Tutor, Professional Educational Trainer and Fund Raising Chair.
Ms. Jeffrey is also the only language arts program trainer for
McGraw-Hill Ryerson Press in British Columbia. Ms. Jeffrey has
taught numerous workshops across Canada, the US and Europe on
Mediated Learning Experience, Phonemic Awareness, and Language
Acquisition in Young Children. Ms. Jeffrey was in Russia in November 2003, where she was invited to present her research in
Parental Mediation and Language Development at the Russian State
University. She completed her FIE Trainers II level in July 2004 in Amsterdam. She then proceeded to Israel to work with Prof. Feuerstein and Prof. Alex Kozulin in August 2004. |
Charity Director, Speech Pathologist
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Ingrid
Jeffrey
Ms. Jeffrey received her Masters in Speech Language Pathology
and Audiology from the University of British Columbia, where
she is currently a Clinical Associate Professor in the Speech
Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine. Having just retired
from 23 years as an SLP with Vancouver School Board, and 6 years
before that with Coquitlam School Board, she is now devoting
her energies to Executive Director of the Charity and work as
a Speech Pathologist at the school. Ms Jeffrey was instrumental
in starting the charity and Variety Learning Centre 13 years
ago and continues on with her passion for helping and diagnosing
children. Ingrid is the one of the few authorized LPAD Dynamic
Assessment Trainers in Canada and received her training as well
as taught in Israel with Prof. Rueven Feuerstein. |
School Secretary
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Tara Hackman
Coming soon... |
Speech
Pathologist
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Marina Gonigberg
Mrs. Gonigberg is thrilled to join the dynamic and vibrant teaching staff at the Mediated Learning Academy. Mrs. Gonigberg holds a M.A. in Speech Language Pathology and Special Education. While living in Israel she completed a one year training course in LPAD and FIE at the Hadassah-WIZO Canada Research Institute under the guidance of Professor Feuerstein and Professor Alex Kozulan. Mrs. Gonigberg specializes in literacy as well as cognitive and language delays. She has been involved with the Variety Learning Center for the past 12 years. |
Haley Oxenham
Haley joined the team at the Mediated Learning Academy in April 2006. Just prior to this, she completed her Masters of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from UBC. When not at work, Haley enjoys running and skiing. She is excited to be a part of the teaching staff and the Mediated Learning Academy.
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Robyn Church
Robyn Church is originally from Vancouver (actually a second generation Vancouverite!). She has a Bachelor of Music Performance from the University of Cincinnati and a Master's in Speech-Language Pathology from UBC. Ms. Church is also a Certified Early Music Specialist. Prior to becoming an SLP, Ms. Church taught group music and movement classes for preschoolers and their caregivers. For the past 4 years she has been working at the Surrey Early Speech and Language Program helping preschoolers who have speech and/or language learning challenges. Often the job of an SLP is to help children talk and listen better. However, it is limited to address a child's language separately from the child's thinking. It is extremely exciting to work at the Mediated Learning Academy where there is not the separation of language and cognition.
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Occupational
Therapist
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Kathy
Obergfell
Mrs. Obergfell joined the team of the MLA in January of 2004. She graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelors of Science in Occupational Therapy. Mrs. Obergfell also completed a post-graduate program in rehabilitation from UBC/McMaster University. Mrs. Obergfell has worked in rehabilitation since 1991 and is elated to have the opportunity to work with high school students in a setting which offers in-house occupational therapy from K-12.
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Jenny
Sexton
Ms. Sexton is thrilled
to have joined the Mediated Learning Academy as an occupational
therapist. After Graduating in 1986 in South Africa, she worked
in psychiatry, which led to pediatrics. Mrs. Sexton and her
family immigrated to Canada in 1999, and she has been working
in an early intervention program in the Tri-Cities area and
runs a small private practice. Mrs. Sexton looks forward to
developing the occupational therapy services at the MLA! |
Jacqui Soll
Jacqui Soll, working as an occupational therapist, joined Mediated Learning Academy in January 2006. She graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy. After working in a Spinal Unit at a General Hospital she had a break to raise her family. Se returned to occupational therapy, going into paediatrics. In 1999 she and her family immigrated to Canada where she worked as an occupational therapist in the School Aged Therapy Program and the Early Intervention Program. She feels fortunate to work at MLA and provide direct therapy intervention to the students at the school. |
Megan Kern
Megan received her occupational therapy degree from the University of British Columbia in 1994. She has worked in brain injury, special care nursery, and outpatient splinting in various hospital settings. Since 2000, Megan has been working in community early intervention, including running a small private practice. Megan’s interests including playing with her 3 kids, playing sports and running. Megan is excited to be working at the Mediated Learning Academy with both Elementary and High School children.
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Physiotherapist
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Sue Castell-Brown
Sue is thrilled to be part of the dynamic staff and to be given the opportunity to start the physiotherapy services at the Mediated Learning Academy. Sue graduated as a physiotherapist from Cumberland College of Health Sciences, Sydney, Australia in 1989. Sue worked at Royal Alexandria Hospital for Children in Sydney her first year, and then did locums and private practice work before deciding to travel overseas for a five month trip. That was fifteen years ago!! Except for one year working in Burlington, Vermont in private practice, Sue has worked in Vancouver. Her experience in Vancouver has included working in private practice, with active rehabilitation programs and hospital outpatients. Sue has now returned to working with children as she joined the Mediated Learning Academy in April 2006. |
Counselors
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Sara Woodwark
Ms. Sara Woodwark majored in psychology for her B.A. from Simon Fraser University, and received her M.A. in Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia. Previously, she received an art diploma from The Vancouver School of Art and the Emily Carr College of Art and Design. Ms. Woodwark has counseled children and adults for 18 years and often incorporates art in her work with children. She is a parent and very experienced with parenting issues. She has worked extensively with children with different learning styles, with deaf and deaf/blind clients and was on both the child and adult teams at Family Services of Vancouver. She is experienced in treating trauma and depression, is a certified level 2 EMDR practitioner and is a trained play therapist. She provides Neurobiofeedback for children and adults with a wide variety of presenting problems. She enjoys consulting with the children, parents and staff at Mediated Learning Academy and continues with an active private practice. |
Graham Galette
Graham is a second generation Vancouverite with an Italian/Scottish heritage. He finds his work, as a counsellor at the MLA not only rewarding but also in tune with his philosophy. For him the MLA is like a family of friends, where everyone strives to be nonjudmental and aware of forming significant attachments so all can develop their gifts. Graham has been a teacher, a family therapist and a school psychologist. He has worked for various school boards (Langley, Vancouver, Burnaby), maintains a private practice and was a psychologist at the Maples Adolescent Treatment Centre. Graham has received extensive training in Critical Incident Stress Management and was a member of a Critical Incident Team for 10 years. He has received training in Threat Assessment and is a certified level 2 EMDR practitioner. He also has a diploma from the Pacific Coast Family Training Institute and is a Registered Psychologist with the College of Psychologists of British Columbia.
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Teachers
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Keith Hansen
Mr. Hansen has a Bachelor of Education from Simon Fraser University. Within the classroom, he loves to see his students enjoying books and the creative writing process. During his free time, Mr. Hansen enjoys reading, playing sports, and being outdoors with his family. Other interests include coaching baseball and basketball, reading, and learning more about science.
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| Carson Ho
Mr. Ho graduated from the University of Alberta with a degree in Elementary Education. His course work included a wide range of subject areas. Carson has experience with the YMCA, The Boys and Girls Club, private music instruction, and music therapy. He has previously worked with students that included a wide range of special needs. Carson is also an established musician and a children's entertainer. He plays the guitar, bass, drums, cello, banjo, piano and has experience as a deejay. |
Rosyln
Jackson
Born in South Africa, Roslyn emigrated
to Canada and taught in Alberta. She later moved to Vancouver,
where she taught with Vancouver School Board for a number of
years. She teaches Home Economics with the MLA and is pleased
to use her university background in this area. |
Tina
Kirshenbaum
Ms. Kirshenbaum has taught at the MLA since its inception. Ms. Kirshenbaum graduated from Simon Fraser University with a degree in History and a Bachelor of Education, minoring in Learning Disabilities and has been a teacher at the MLA since its inception.Originally from Montreal, Ms Kirshenbaum is fluent in English and French. She has worked with an inner city neighbourhood house and won an award for teaching and inclusion from “The Children’s Centre for Ability”. Ms Kirshenbaum also has a counseling certificate and 8 years of experience working with youth and families.In her spare time Ms Kirshenbaum enjoys reminiscing about her days as an amateur contemporary dancer and expanding her knowledge of history and current events. She loves paddling along beautiful bodies of water and has been known to accept challenges to plunge herself into it regardless of season or temperature. |
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Erin Slaney
Mrs. Slaney joined the team at the Mediated Learning Academy in 2004. Her resume is diverse and includes work experience as a child/youth counselor with street kids, an ESL teacher in Japan, and SEA work with the Vancouver School Board. Mrs. Slaney has traveled abroad to 22 different countries. From her travels, she developed an interest in multicultural education. Some of Mrs. Slaney's interests include reading, traveling, cooking, and swimming. She enjoys working and learning alongside her students. Erin graduated from the teaching program at SFU and did practicum work in the Caribbean. |
Thomas Vincent
Mr. Vincent has a BEd, SFU; and a TLITE Graduate Diploma, SFU. He has coaching levels 1 and 2 in Baseball and soccer. He is an iron man athlete. We welcome him with over 26 years teaching experience at both elementary and secondary as well as ESL, gifted and special needs teaching experience. |
Alana Noel
I have obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Simon Fraser University and a Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia. While going to university I taught skating for the City of Port Moody, as well as working at the Port Moody Public Library. I feel that students should be provided with opportunities to think critically and actively participate in their education. I enjoy spending time outdoors, being active, and reading. |
Joyce Westereng
Joyce has a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, with a minor in Physics.
She has received her BEd. from UBC and has taught Math, Science,
Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Information Technology in Nanaimo,
Clinton, Vancouver and West Vancouver. She enjoys teaching and learning
through hands on activities and believes that learning is life-long.
Ms. Westereng has various interests such as crafts, sewing, crocheting,
carpentry, making soap and bath products, painting, hiking, camping and
sailing. Sailing is the new interest with week-long sailing trips in
Howe Sound and the Gulf Islands. |
Marc Taillefer
Mr. Taillefer has a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education from UBC. He believes in the principles and goals of brain based teaching and mediated learning experience. He enjoys the process of learning with his students. Mr. Taillefer graduated from a specialized cohort devoted to exploring the concepts of technology integration and critical thinking in the classroom. In 2005 a Smartboard interactive whiteboard was added to the MLA. The Smartboard has proven to be a valuable tool in motivating and assisting in the learning process. |
Howard Lung
Mr. Lung has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art and English Literature from UBC, where he also completed his teacher training. His artistic practice draws from a range of traditional and contemporary materials and technologies, such as printmaking, photography, Photoshop, and installation. Mr. Lung served in the Canadian Armed Force, worked on a First Nations reserve, and taught in Sunday school. He has taught English Language Arts and Literacy in England and enjoys traveling, cycling, country music, and theological study.
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Valerie Gauthier
Valerie received her Bachelor of Education with honours from the University of Alberta. Her focus throughout her degree was Special Education. Ms. Gauthier attended many conferences given by the Special Education Association of Alberta, in order to enhance her teaching abilities. Recently, Valerie had the wonderful experience of living and teaching in Birmingham, England, where she began her career working with children with various special needs. Luckily, she was able to take advantage of her location and travel extensively around England, Scotland, and Ireland. Now that she has returned home, Valerie is extremely pleased to be working with the knowledgeable and caring staff at the Mediated Learning Academy. She looks forward to a great year challenging her new students. |
Nathan Blackburn
Nathan Blackburn is a graduate of King’s University College where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in History and English Lit. Nathan is also a recent graduate of the University of Western Ontario, where he received his B.Ed. For the past two years, Nathan has run a summer program for adults with special needs. In the past, Nathan has also spent time as a Children’s Worker for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, a tutor, a guitar instructor, and a camp counselor for teenagers with physical and developmental disabilities. Nathan is also proud to have published two teaching guides for the Passages to Literature series. In his spare time, Nathan enjoys music, reading and cycling. He is proud to be a part of the Mediated Learning Academy. |
Oonagh Rodgers
Oonagh Rodgers holds a B.A. Degree from Open University (through Queen's, Belfast) specializing in English and Drama, A Cert. in Education from Queen's University, Belfast, a Higher Diploma in Education from Trinity College, University of Dublin. She also holds teacher certification from Ireland, England, Ontario and BC (Professional). Other qualifications include, ESL (Brock), Religious Philosophy and Spirituality (Ireland and Ontario) Diploma in Journalism (ICS Canada), Poetry Writing Cert.(UK)
Oonagh brings a wealth of teaching experience to MLA. She has worked as a teacher for 37 years with children (K-12) and adults in Ireland, England, Portugal, S.Africa and Canada. Specialist subjects include Religious Philosophy and Spirituality, Literature, Creative Dance and Drama and Creative Writing. Ms.Rodgers has undergone intensive study and training in Theology, Philosophy, Spirituality, Gregorian Chant and Meditation at the Dominican House of Studies, Ireland. She has also completed a two year course in the Theory and Practice of Psychosynthesis at the Institute of Psychosynthesis,Dublin and a one year course in the Healing Arts at the 7Way Healing School and Complementary Therapy Centre in England.
Oonagh has also owned her own part-time business 'Anamcara Enterprises' which sought through education, seminars, workshops, and individual coaching, to facilitate and support the ongoing awakening to spiritual awareness and personal development. She has also given over 100 workshops and seminars to a wide variety of groups - teachers, professional and spiritual leaders, community workers, unemployed and other community groups. Oonagh believes strongly in integrating the Arts into learning at every level, whether child or adult. Her approach is unique and as a result one of her projects in Ontario was televised for Vision TV.
In accepting the post of English and Drama teacher at MLA, Oonagh hopes to dedicate her talents and experience to facilitate the learning of her students. |
Lucas Anchor
Mr. Anchor has a B.A. in Communications, a B.Ed. (Honours, top 10% of students) and PDP teacher certification from SFU. He has recently returned from Japan and Korea where he taught English education to grade 1-6 students. He has extensive training and experience working with special education students/students with behavioural and psychological issues through his work with the FOCUS Foundation. He has a coaching Level 1 Theory and Technical Certification for football. |
Fred Minty
Mr. Minty has a B.A. (Honours) Math, University of Oregon; MA Math, North-western University; and Ph-d work Math, UBC. He has taught College Math at U.B.C., Malaspina College, and the University of the Pacific California. He has authored and edited high school level Math text books and was the metric editor for a B.C. Home Economics text book. He currently teaches Math 11 and 12 for Coquitlam Continuing Education. We welcome him with 42 years of teaching experience. |
Dan Birsan
Mr. Birsan has a B.E.; Graduate Diploma in Sports Administration from Concordia University, and a B.C. P.Q.P. teaching certification from Simon Fraser University. He was a professional basketball player with the Romanian National League. He also played for “The Stingers” of Concordia University in Montreal. He is fluent in English, French and Romanian and has taught at the high school level for the Coquitlam School District no.43 and Surrey School District no.36. He has also taught at the elementary school level in Montreal, Quebec. He is a dedicated coach and has worked with children in multiple environments from sports recreational leagues to intensive sport camps.
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Fisal Khan
Mr. Khan has a B.A. International Relations York University; MA, Political Science, University of Toronto; PhD work; Political Science, ESL certificate University of T.; B.Ed. University of T. He has taught in the UK and Ontario including Special Education History classes and at York University. He was academic counsellor at Woodsworth College, University of T. During the Gulf War he served as a special consultant for the Middle East for the Government of Canada, External Affairs. Mr. Khan has coached soccer and taught Fine Arts Classes. |
Blair Yochim
Mr. Yochim passionately specializes in the middle and high school Mathematics and Sciences subjects and has received a “Teacher of the Year 2006 Award” from a local tutoring referral agency for his effective tutoring with many students. For more than a decade, he has been very active in the BC Government/Science World program called “Scientists and Innovators in the Schools (SIS)” and has presented to over 7,000 students throughout BC. He previously was a Professional (Electrical) Engineer and is the inventor of a patent on data encryption. Other interests include puzzles, magic, astronomy, space travel, philosophy, vegetarianism, and is actively concerned with social, environmental, and animal issues."
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Special Education Assistant
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Leeanne Cole
Leanne is a SEA for the primary divisions. She graduated from the Fraser Valley College with a diploma in Social Services. She has worked as a teacher assistant for the Mission and Terrace School Boards. In addition to her teacher support experience Leeanne has also worked as an Integration Support Worker, Residential Care Worker, and Intervention Worker. She has lived in various places around the country such as New Brunswick and Parksville. Besides enjoying her work at the Mediated Learning Academy, Leeanne also enjoys running, playing soccer, and valuing the friendships she has made throughout her life. |
Younis Suleman
Younis graduated from Mosul University with a Forestry degree. He worked as a college instructor with Mosul University in Mosul, Iraq, as a Research Officer at the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia, then as a college instructor with Omar Elmukhtar University in Libya. Younis arrived in Canada as an independent immigrant along with his family and worked for a landscaping company before joining Stenberg College in Surrey where he completed the SEA Diploma program in 2005. |
Stephan Fournier
Stephan Fournier has been teaching and coaching students in one form or another for over 20 years. He first answered his calling at the age of 15 when he started coaching swimming and gymnastics at the local YMCA in
Winnipeg, Manitoba. After graduating from music school, Stephan started accepting private music students as well as traveling the country playing in various bands. Presently, Stephan spends his time studying martial arts where he holds a 2nd degree Black belt in Karate, 1st degree black belt in Iaido, brown belt in Aikido as well as a level 1 coaching certificate for Karate BC. He also has recently opened his own karate dojo in Burnaby and is MLA’s choir director, guitar teacher and karate instructor.
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Sharon Klein
Sharon is a newcomer to the MLA and is a SEA in a Grade 5 class. She is a certified Orton Gillingham tutor with tutor associate status and has tutored for the past 5 years at James Cameron School. She enjoys working with children and has a great love of animals, especially dogs. In the past she has been a puppy walker for BC Guide Dogs which she found to be a very rewarding experience. Sharon is confident in her experience as a tutor and is a pleasure to have in the classroom.
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