"Your staff are amazing. They are the most caring people I've encountered."
All staff members are first selected for their ability to work with students. Qualities of patience, flexibility, and caring are nurtured at the clinics. An undergraduate degree in a specialized field is a pre-requisite. Once selected, all staff undergo extensive training and mentoring in the clinical programs before working with clients. Although all work is one-on-one, the approach is very much a "team" effort since students do not have one-on-one for all hours with the same clinician (instructor). This requires a coordinated effort on everyone's part to ensure continuity in the programs from hour to hour and a genuine sense of success for the student.
Student progress is monitored carefully by the Team Leaders and Dr. Truch to ensure the best in the way of outcomes. Students in the program are tested periodically to ensure that progress is being made and Team Leaders provide feedback to parents regarding their child's progress on a weekly basis. Weekly team meetings and daily monitoring by the Team Leaders help provide quality and individualization of instruction. Formal post-testing occurs at the end of the program and follow-up programs, routines and strategies are recommended at that point. Parents are able to observe at any time and are especially encouraged to do so just before their child exits the program so they can observe the manner in which to reinforce their child's reading and spelling at home. Here are just some of our hard-working and caring staff.
Steve created The Reading Foundation clinic in Calgary in 1990, having worked for 14 years before that as a school psychologist. He received his Ph.D from the University of Calgary in 1978, specializing in learning theory. Steve has extensive experience at all levels of the school system, having also served as a classroom teacher, and an assistant superintendent for special education. New research in the field of reading, which started in early 1980's caught Steve's attention and eventually led to the development of The Reading Foundation clinic, the first of its kind in Canada. Steve was particularly excited about the consistency of results for students that was obtained with the new teaching methods and delivery approach. He has written several books, many articles and some research papers and has travelled throughout North America on speaking engagements, workshops, training courses and presentations.
Alison Kennedy
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Alison Kennedy, Director, The Reading Foundation (Vancouver). In 1995, Alison joined the Reading Foundation as a clinician. She took on the position of Director of the Vancouver Clinic in 1997. In addition to teaching students at the clinic, Alison also trains teachers and professionals in the programs offered by The Reading Foundation. These training sessions haven taken her to various parts of Canada, The Northwest Territories, and the United States. Most of all, however, Alison finds the one-on-one interaction with students the most fulfilling. In particular, helping them to achieve their potential, enjoying the humorous interaction that often occurs, and watching their growth in confidence are what Alison finds most rewarding. Alison has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Waterloo.
top Kama Truch
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Kama has worked at The Reading Foundation since 1991. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and Psychology from the University of Calgary. She was the Director of The Reading Foundation in Vancouver for six years, and is now Assistant Director of the Calgary clinic. Her work has also taken her to Medicine Hat, Yorkton, Kelowna and the Sunshine Coast. Along with her work at The Reading Foundation, Kama enjoys her time with her son North.
top Amanda Camponi
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Amanda has worked at The Reading Foundation since 2004, and has a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Calgary. Amanda is responsible for public relations, promotions and advertising at The Reading Foundation. She also works as a Clinician, and an occasional Team Leader and trainer. Along with her work at The Reading Foundation, Amanda enjoys spending time with her son Michael.
top Alita Truch
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Alita has a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology with a Spanish minor from the University of Calgary. She loves to travel and spent a year studying at the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara in Mexico. She has also worked in England and Australia. She speaks Spanish and French. Alita has been at The Reading Foundation since 1999, dividing her time as the Office Manager and a clinician. Along with her work at The Reading Foundation, Alita enjoys spending time with her son York.
Michelle has worked at The Reading Foundation since June, 1992. After finishing her Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics in 1991, she was excited to explore both the spoken and written language with her students. Her love for and committment to teaching took her to different towns in both Alberta and British Columbia with programs offered by The Reading Foundation. Michelle has had extensive input in revising current programs and exercising a voice in developing new programs. In April, 1995, she gave birth to her daughter and in September 1997 she went back to University to complete a "Masters of Teaching" after-degree. Her experience at The Reading Foundation, at the University, in the schools, and as a parent have each had a hand in Michelle's love for children's literature. "Many children need direct instruction with the reading process in order to enjoy the gift of story".
Jayelene Lenz
Jayelene graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics and with a minor in Spanish. After graduating, she was employed at the Reading Foundation and has been there for just over two years. Jayelene works as a program developer, as well as an occasional Team Leader. In addition to working clinical hours at the Calgary based Reading Foundation, she recently travelled to Yorkton to participate in the summer travel clinic as the Team Leader.
Devan Kublik earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics from the University of Calgary in 1999. She started working for The Reading Foundation in June of 1999. Devan’s excellent clinical and leadership skills have earned her a Team Leader position at the clinic. Devan is also a Certified Trainer for all the programs at The Reading Foundation and has played an important role in program development.
Sabine has worked at The Reading Foundation since it’s opening in 1990. She has a Degree in French, with a minor in Linguistics. She also has a Diploma in Educational Psychology with a specialization in Guidance and Counseling. In addition to teaching at the clinic, Sabine has been involved in revising current programs and creating new programs taught at The Reading Foundation.
