Meet Our Associates

Kristy has spent 18 years teaching secondary special education, working alongside students to help them reach the goals that matter most to them. She holds a PhD in Leadership and Policy, with research focused on special education and student success, and currently teaches in the Faculty of Education at Niagara University. At The Skill Studio, Kristy oversees associate programming, making sure every family is matched with the right specialist and every program reflects the same standard of care. Outside the studio, she’s mom and step-mom to four children — and no stranger to the reality that every kid needs something a little different.

Kim holds a Master of Education and has spent her career teaching both junior and intermediate students, bringing years of classroom experience and a deep understanding of how kids learn, grow, and thrive. Kim's true passion lies in helping kids discover their worth and build genuine belief in themselves. She believes every child carries unique strengths waiting to be uncovered, and that with the right support, encouragement, and space to try, kids can develop the confidence to take on new challenges both in and out of the classroom. For Kim, teaching isn't just about academics — it's about helping each child see their own potential and walk away believing in who they are.

Kelly leads our therapeutic services, bringing together clinical training and a genuine entrepreneurial drive. She holds a Master of Arts and an MBA, and is both a Registered Social Worker and a Registered Psychotherapist. Kelly is also the founder of Bliss Counselling, built out of her commitment to creating spaces where people — especially young people — feel truly supported. At The Skill Studio, she brings that same drive to building programs rooted in community and connection. Outside of work, she’s a mother who understands firsthand how much the right support can change a child’s path.

Katie brings 15 years of teaching experience to The Skill Studio, including five years in Kindergarten, where she developed a deep understanding of how young children build the foundational skills they need to thrive. She stepped away from the public system in 2025 to help build The Skill Studio and lead our Kindergarten Readiness program. Through playful, hands-on learning, Katie helps children build the practical and social-emotional skills — independence, routines, confidence — that set them up for a strong start to school. For Katie, readiness isn’t about letters and numbers first; it’s about raising capable, resilient kids who feel ready to learn.

Alanson works with students on both the academic and personal side of growth — tutoring math and coaching youth toward their goals. He’s spent four years tutoring math, and finds his greatest joy in the moment a concept finally clicks for a student who’s been stuck on it. He connects especially well with students who like to see how math shows up in real life, and brings that same practical approach to helping youth build the confidence and strategies to move toward what they want to achieve.

Alexandra is a University of Waterloo graduate with a BA in Psychology, where she focused her studies on researching how children learn. At The Skill Studio, she supports administrative work while also working directly with students — focusing on individual accessibility needs and learning skills development. Alexandra is passionate about helping families find the right supports for their child.

Caroline is an educator, primary math specialist, and learning facilitator with a passion for helping children build strong foundational skills and confidence in themselves as learners. She specializes in identifying where a student feels comfortable within math fundamentals so they can strengthen learning gaps with confidence and build skills that transfer into all areas of math and learning. Caroline is passionate about creating supportive, encouraging environments where learning feels approachable, empowering, and engaging for every child. She offers programming focused on foundational math mastery, problem solving, and confidence-building through practical, skill-based learning.

Jen is a special education teacher and parent of neurodivergent children, combining professional expertise with lived experience. She supports children in building early literacy and numeracy skills and learning-skills development, while meeting accessibility needs and implementing inclusive teaching approaches. Jen also helps parents navigate IEPs, school transitions, and advocacy — so families feel informed, supported, and empowered.

Jenny has been inspired by children for over 30 years. A recently retired teacher and published author, Jenny loves using storybooks to spark curiosity and imagination. She looks forward to working with children as they discover their own inner author — and begin to see themselves in the stories they read and write. This summer, Jenny will be offering a Young Authors Camp with The Skill Studio, giving children the chance to explore their creativity and bring their own stories to life.

With over three decades of experience as a Special Education Teacher, Behaviour Management Teacher, and Special Education Consultant, Kim brings deep expertise in relationship building and fostering positive learning environments to The Skill Studio. She specializes in delivering effective math and reading tutoring, and looks to expand into executive functioning coaching. Kim is passionate about bridging the gap between complex student behaviours and effective instructional strategies to ensure every learner has the opportunity to succeed.

Lori is a Registered Early Childhood Educator with decades of experience in play-based early learning environments, including time spent in kindergarten classrooms. She’s passionate about helping young learners build self-regulation, social-emotional skills, and early numeracy and literacy — and she tailors her approach to fit each child’s individual learning style. Lori brings warmth and patience to every session, meeting kids exactly where they are.

Meghan is a French tutoring specialist based in Montreal, currently completing her BA in Liberal Studies through the University of Waterloo's online program. She focuses on functional French — helping students build real, usable language skills rather than just memorizing rules. With experience tutoring students from Grade 1 through Grade 10, Meghan tailors each session to where a student is in their French journey, building confidence one conversation at a time.

Melissa is a Registered Behaviour Analyst with a Master of Applied Disability Studies and a passion for helping people reach their full potential. She has worked alongside autistic children, individuals experiencing mental health challenges, and their families, providing compassionate, evidence-informed support tailored to each person's unique strengths and goals. With extensive experience in clinical leadership, program development, and team mentorship, she partners with families to create meaningful, person-centred plans that promote growth, resilience, and long-term success. Melissa is especially passionate about neurodiversity-affirming practice, and is known for her approachable leadership style and dedication to making a lasting difference in the lives of those she works with.

Michele is a reading specialist with two decades of experience supporting children from Kindergarten through Grade 4. She is currently completing her Master of Education in Reading Development and Instruction, bringing both deep professional expertise and lived experience as the parent of neurodivergent children. Michele offers personalized 1:1 literacy tutoring for students with diagnosed or suspected learning disabilities in reading and writing, using explicit, systematic instruction that starts with a foundational screener to build a custom roadmap for each child. She is passionate about creating emotionally supportive, high-success learning experiences where every child feels capable, confident, and understood.

Natalie is a certified Ontario teacher specializing in literacy and numeracy for students in Kindergarten through Grade 6. She has a passion for helping students close gaps and build real confidence — meeting them where they are and making learning feel approachable, purposeful, and worth showing up for. Natalie leads Summer Tutoring (Reading/Math), an 8-week summer program offering small group and individual tutoring to help students get a head start on the year ahead.

Natasha works closely with students to understand how they learn best, using a combination of practical learning strategies and thoughtfully selected assistive technology. She holds a Master of Education in Developmental Psychology and Education, as well as a Bachelor of Arts with a Specialization in Education. Her approach is personalized and supportive, helping make school feel more manageable while recognizing each student's unique strengths and learning style. Along the way, she focuses on building confidence so students can trust themselves and feel proud of how they learn. Her goal is to create a space where students feel comfortable, capable, and ready to take on challenges.

Tanisha is a Registered Social Service Worker and Child and Youth Worker with a passion for helping children understand how their brains work — and giving them real tools to use every day. She leads The Brain Builder Program, an executive functioning program designed to help kids develop the skills they need to thrive, and also runs our Adaptive Summer Camps. Tanisha brings warmth, playfulness, and deep expertise to every session, meeting children where they are and making learning feel approachable, empowering, and fun.