Barbara Nicholson retired from her role as Principal (French Immersion) to pursue her passion of promoting excellence in Literacy on a broader scope. As a consultant and presenter of First Steps in Literacy, she worked with system leaders Canada-wide to include this excellent research-based approach to teaching Literacy.
As a co-ordinating principal at The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, she was instrumental in the writing, delivering and evaluation of Additional Qualifications courses for teachers, in the areas of Literacy and Mathematics.
Working with leaders from the Ontario Public School Boards Association, Barbara helped to create leaning modules to assist schools and system leaders to embrace “Accessibility for All” “The Accepting Schools Act, Bill 13” in all Ontario schools.
Most recently Barbara worked with teachers from International Schools in the Greater Toronto Area to introduce and consolidate “Words Their Way,” with the goal of helping teachers to include a stellar approach to Word Study as part a Balanced Literacy program.
Valerie Behiels has been an an administrator, reading specialist and ESL consultant with Edmonton Public Schools for over 40 years and taught grades one to six. Brief breaks were provided by the arrival of three children and a sabbatical leave for her Master’s degree at U of A. Her past 8 years in ESL consulting with EPSB has been an interesting journey of research and hands on experience.