Dr. Gerald (Jerry) Burgess
Dr Gerald (Jerry) Burgess is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Clinical & Academic Tutor on the clinical psychology doctoral training programme at Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU), Salomons campus in Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom. An American, he was a Child & Family Mental Health Clinician in Virginia before returning to post-graduate studies at James Madison University where he earned a Psy.D. in Combined-Integrated Clinical, Counselling, and School Psychology in 2004. Since he has worked in the NHS and private sectors as a Clinical Neuropsychologist, completed a post-doc in Clinical Neuropsychology, and tutored clinical psychology trainees' in regard to their clinical and research competencies, supervised research, and conducted teaching on research methods, neuropsychology, and psychometrics. Jerry has published several articles/chapters on test development and psychometric analysis, and neuropsychology, and he is the author of a neuropsychological screening test set to be published in 2013.
Dr. Hansel Huang, O.D.
Dr. Hansel M. Huang received his Bachelor of Honours Science degree from the University of Waterloo and his Doctor of Optometry degree from NOVA Southeastern University (Florida). After graduation, he practiced at Heritage Optical, and subsequently at Complete Family Eyecare. At this current practice, Dr. Huang is well adept at specialty contact lens fittings, which include multifocal contact lenses, however, he enjoys working with vision training patients, to help improve visual skills, which include ocular motility, visual perceptual, and laterality/directionality dysfunctions. As vision training is not offered at every optometry office, Dr. Huang practices at one of the few offices that provide visual perceptual testing as well as vision training, itself. Patients that have learning-related visual problems and that have completed the vision training program have noticed improvements in reading skills and ability to concentrate on schoolwork. Patients with learning-related visual problems may have concerns with skipping sentences when reading, fatigue with certain tasks, and reverses letters and words. He is a member of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development as well as the Ontario Association of Optometrists.
Dr. Daniel Cunningham, O.D.
Dr. Daniel Cunningham obtained his Honours Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Waterloo in 1999. In 2004 he earned his Doctor of Optometry Degree (O.D.) from Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry located in Davie, Florida. Dr. Cunningham spent the early years of his career practicing in the Washington, DC area where he concentrated on comprehensive vision analysis and visual perceptual analysis for patients with learning related vision problems, including difficulties related to ADD/ADHD, Dyslexia, Autism Spectrum Disorders, reading and tracking problems, as well as, treatment for strabismus (eye turns) and amblyopia (lazy eye). In 2011, Dr. Cunningham joined Dr. Hansel Huang, OD, at Eye Care First in Windsor, Ontario. Dr. Cunningham is excited to be able to share his passion for eye health and vision care with patients of all ages, including infants and preschoolers, in the Windsor-Essex region.
Dr. Sylvia R. Cadena Smith
Chief Learning Officer
VP, Instructional Technology & Curriculum
Sylvia Cadena Smith has earned her Doctorate in Instructional Technology, Masters in Curriculum and Supervision, and Bachelor of Science in Special Education. Her areas of expertise include reading, instructional design, curriculum development, e-learning, technological integration and assessment and evaluation. Dr. Smith has developed and taught post-graduate Reading/Literacy [including English Language Learner (ELL)] courses and Educational Administration courses for Benedictine University, Instructional Design for Northern Illinois University's Instructional Technology Graduate Program, has guest-lectured at Northwestern University and has published several articles in the areas of assessment and evaluation. She has corporate experience in the positions of Director and Vice President for McGill Digital Solutions, an international technology company, including the management of the Chicago offices, and has designed efficient processes and procedures for the development of e-learning programs for companies such as Sears, GM, Chrysler and Prudential Insurance. She also has a background in small business startups and product development. She is on the Board of Directors of Giant Steps, Inc., a school for autistic children in Chicago.
Dr. David Lynn, Ed.D.
Director of Professional Development
David has been a teacher, vice-principal, principal and most recently the Superintendent of Program, Student Success and Instructional Services for the Greater Essex County District School Board. He was responsible for instructional programs serving students in Kindergarten to Grade 12, with a focus on improving the achievement of all students, particularly those who were at risk of not completing secondary school. In addition to overseeing staff development programs for new and experienced teachers in such areas as curriculum development, assessment and evaluation, David was also responsible for Aboriginal Education, Character Development and e-Learning programs. He has published science textbooks used in secondary school classrooms across the country and worked with OTEP to develop e-Learning courses for the New Teacher Induction Program. David has instructed teacher candidates at the Faculty of Education, University of Windsor and has been a lecturer at Wayne State University and Heritage College. He believes that educators must be guides who assist in the learning process, providing learners with opportunities to derive a sense of self-worth and confidence from a variety of accomplishments.
Heather Liffiton B.Ed., M.Ed.
Heather has served the Greater Essex County District School Board for over thirty years. She has recently retired from her positions as Superintendent of Special Education Programs and Services and Interim Director of Education for the GECDSB. Over the years Heather has been a teacher, special education support teacher, vice-principal, principal, special education coordinator and Community Agency Schools Liaison Consultant. Heather has served twelve years as the Superintendent responsible for Special Education Programs and Services. In this role she has worked to develop effective policies and programs that create equal access to high quality programs and services for all students with special needs, Kindergarten through Grade 12. Heather was responsible for overseeing the delivery of educational support services such as counseling, assessment and intervention across the system. She introduced a special education model built on a multi-disciplinary team approach promoting early identification and early intervention strategies at all schools. Heather believes that the strength in a special education delivery model is built upon a collaborative approach that puts the child first and embraces parents as partners. Since retirement, Heather has continued to advocate for the needs of children and their families through her work as an educational consultant, project consultant and community volunteer.
Win Harwood
Win is well known as a parent educator, and an inspiring motivational speaker. As a teacher of child behaviour management at St. Clair College, as the former Family Support Facilitator at St. Mary's Family Learning Centre and as founder of Positive Parenting Windsor, Win is well known for her expertise in the areas of parenting, family relationships, balancing work and family and personal self-esteem.
Julie Fader B.A., B.Ed.
Julie Fader has been a teacher in various capacities for almost 15 years. Passionate about the needs of children as learners, she has pursued many avenues towards information and training about how children learn, what the obstacles can be to learning for young children, and how to overcome such obstacles. As part of this ongoing pursuit, Ms. Fader co-founded and co-directs a not for profit organization called New ADDitudes Inc., an information, resource and support centre for parents and educators managing children with Learning Differences. This work has lead her into some very important training around Collaborative Problem Solving with Doctors Ross Greene and Stuart Ablon in the Summer of 2007 at Harvard University.
Heather Colomba B.Sc., B.Ed.
Heather Colomba has been a certified teacher for 12 years. During this time, Ms. Colomba has worked in various capacities as a teacher at the Sylvan Learning Centre, at the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board and as a full time Mum. She has her intermediate senior qualifications in math and science. Ms. Colomba is always looking for new opportunities to learn and strengthen her teaching skills. She has attended numerous child development courses and parenting support groups which were instructed and facilitated by parenting expert Win Harwood. The knowledge and the skills acquired from these courses has proven to be invaluable both professionally and personally.
