Angeline spent 5 years in reading research with psychologists at The Hospital for Sick Children, the University of Toronto, and McMaster University. Her research and teaching work led her to write a remedial reading program, Reading Tricks, the third edition of which was published in 2001. Students across southern Ontario are currently receiving instruction in Reading Tricks. She founded a private tutoring business in 1995, which services primarily students with learning disabilities. In her tutoring practice, she has carried out student assessments, planned and taught remedial programs, trained other teachers, advocated for students and consulted with parents and teachers.
Angeline designs each student's individualized education plan and trains the staff to carry it out. She is the principal teacher in the primary class and acts as a consultant and teacher in the junior class. Angeline's skills lie in her knowledge of direct instruction methods and curriculum. As the mother of a son with a communication disorder, she has had considerable experience with speech and language therapy techniques, including sign language and augmentative communication systems which are great tools to facilitate language acquisition. She is an energetic and motivating teacher able to focus on each student's individual goals using a combination of individual sessions and group activities.
Speech and Language Pathologist: Beverly Bronte-Tinkew, M.HSc.
Beverly is an experienced speech pathologist with extensive skills using many techniques including sign language, picture communication systems, social skills training, PROMPT therapy and more. In her private practice, Building Blocks, she works with children with a wide range of diagnoses including autism, learning disability and apraxia of speech. In addition to consulting for the Gregory School, Beverly works with specialty teams at the Hospital for Sick Children and Chedoke Hosptial. Her role at the Gregory school is to set the speech and language goals for each child and supervise therapy carried out by the teachers and communication disorder assistants. She is also in the classrooms regularly to provide individual and group therapy.
Music Therapist: Rebecca Magill, BMT, MTA
Rebecca leads a group music therapy session weekly with each class. The music therapy goals she sets are carried out during the remainder of the week by the teacher. Music therapy is beneficial for students with communication disorders as it can be used to improve intonation and production. In addition, music is used to reach children in ways that are more effective than regular speech-based interaction. Rebecca also consults to the teachers regarding the use of music techniques throughout the day to enhance and encourage language interaction.
Nancy works with REACH Therapy Services and is providing consultation and also direct services for some of the students. She has extensive experience with children with developmental, sensory, motor and learning challenges. Nancy is also on faculty at McMaster, teaching in the OT Program and doing research with the CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research.
Educational Assistant: Alison Fairlamb
Alison teaches in both the primary class and junior class. In addition to being trained in direct instruction methods, Alison brings a broad range of artistic, creative and practical skills to the classroom. Along with her teaching duties, she performs a myriad of tasks to ensure the smooth day to day operation of the school.
Educational Assistant: Tahira Ahmed
Tahira works in our primary classroom facilitating individual and small group sessions. She received training through Autism Partnership and has been working for 3 years with autistic children using ABA methods.
Teacher: Janet Weingartner, B.A., B.Ed.
Janet is involved in our junior classroom teaching social studies and math. She has 12 years teaching experience and has taken an additional qualification course in Special Education.
Communication Disorders Team: Candice Rymal, Linda Balestra, Helen Goutos
Our communication disorders assistants are regularly in the primary classroom to provide individual therapy and assistance during group activities. Each brings a range of skills and experience to our school.
Social Skills Coach: Jenny Seifert, B.Sc., LSC.
Jenny facilitates social skills, stress management and self esteem with our Junior Class students. She uses the Social Thinking and Reasoning Program that teaches social skills, peer pressure skills, criticism techniques, problem solving skills and understanding personality styles. This program improves assertive communication, decreases passive and aggressive behaviour and teaches students self-responsibility.
