Anderson, Dr. Jim (G2, M5)
Dr. Jim Anderson is a professor of Language and Literacy Education at the University of British Columbia. He worked in the public education system for 15 years before joining UBC. He has worked in family literacy for more than two decades and with Fiona Morrison, co-developed Parents As Literacy Supporters (PALS).

Apedaile, Sarah (E4)
Sarah Apedaile is an intercultural communications specialist with NorQuest College. She has a Masters Degree in Teaching English and an after degree certificate in Intercultural Communications. Currently she is developing and facilitating workshops, modules and professional development courses in her field of expertise. She has worked internationally and has traveled extensively to over 21 countries.

Armstrong, Lorna (D2)
Lorna Armstrong has worked in the field of literacy since1994, and is the Lead Coordinator for Rainbow Literacy Society. She was one of a team involved in the creation of the Building Blocks Family Literacy Program. Lorna is passionate about the literacy programs offered by RLS and sees them as powerful learning environments for families.

Arnold, Carynne (L2)
Carynne Arnold’s career shifted from teaching young children in B. C. and Ontario to leading Kingston Literacy, a community-based adult and family literacy program, in 1980. Since that time, she has initiated and sustained family literacy programs and positioned Kingston Literacy as a leader in family literacy in Ontario.

Audet, Mona (M1)
 Mona Audet is originally from Saguenay/Lac St-Jean and has lived in Manitoba since 1996, where, since 2001 she has been Director-General of Pluri-elles Inc.  In 2004, she received from the Canadian Society of Directors and Associations the certificate : Framework Association Emeritus.  She has worked in the fields of management and administration for the past 30 years.

Bader, Edward (F5)
When Professor Edward Bader retired from teaching family physicians at the University of Toronto, he wanted to continue teaching adults about family dynamics.  Because most family agencies’ programs focused on mothers, he created Focus on Fathers in 1999 and is now developing and evaluating programs for multicultural parents and grandparents.

Bain, Rosalie (M3)
Rosalie Bain manages the implementation of the Welcome to Kindergarten Program in Alberta. Rosalie was a teacher and principal with the Calgary School District, and she brings her years of experience working with young children and their families, teachers, early childhood educators and community agencies to build the growth and use of the WTK program in the province.

Barry Paddock, Kathryn (B3, K10)
Kathryn Barry Paddock was formerly Executive Director of a family resource centre in Newfoundland & Labrador, and then director of an early intervention program in Nova Scotia, before moving to the Northwest Territories in 2008. She lives in Yellowknife and has two children. She is a quilter, knitter and scrapbooker in her spare time.

Bell, Deborah (K7)
Debbie Bell is the founding Executive Director of HIPPY Canada. Debbie's Masters Degree in Adult Education is coupled with over 20 years of experience in the field of adult education and community development in socially excluded communities through-out North America.  She brings the HIPPY program to over 17 communities across the country.

Bell, Georgia (E6)
Georgia Bell, B.S.N.,MSc., has a thirty year background in health promotion and community development, using participatory and development evaluation. She has worked with the Saskatoon Health Region, the Saskatchewan Population Health Evaluation Research Unit, the Markin Institute at the University of Calgary and the United Way of Calgary.

Benoit, Suzanne (F1)
Suzanne Benoit has been General Director of the Coalition for Adult Training in Ontario (Coalition ontarienne de formation des adultes) since the time of its creation as a province-wide organization in 1999. In this role, she coordinated a number of development projects, many of them in family literacy.

Bisson, Ronald (M1)
Ronald Bisson is originally from Manitoba and has directed for the past 20 years a consulting firm in Ottawa.  He has worked since 1991 on adult and family literacy research in both French and English and at national levels for Quebec, Ontario et Manitoba agencies He has a B.A. (in Latin and Philosophy), and an Education Certificate (from Saint-Boniface University College), and a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Ottawa University.

Bradley, Karen (D1)
Karen Bradley has 12 years experience teaching EAL, developing programs and curriculum.  Karen presently teaches LINC 4 at the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers. 

Bray, Bonita (A5 and J4)
Bonita Bray has been teaching and training at the post-secondary level for 22 years, and involved in online teaching since 1997. She believes in interactivity and engagement to enhance learning, which has led her to explore, games, simulations and other interactivities. She is currently Lead, Special Elearning Projects, University of Alberta.

Brenner, Jane (B4)
Jane Brenner, Executive Director of the Taber & District Community Adult Learning Association, helped initiate their adult literacy program, English Language Learners program, Community Access Program, Career Resource Centre, English Language Learners Drop-in-Centre and Pre-Apprenticeship program. She believes you are never too old to learn.

Cairns, Elaine (N1)
Elaine Cairns has over 17 years of experience in the field of literacy. Elaine co-designed the Literacy and Parenting (LAPS) program, co-authored the program manuals, and co-founded the Further Education Society. Elaine is a certified Literacy Specialist and offers presentations and workshops across Canada.

Campbell, Lisa (G4, L2)
Lisa Campbell has worked for the NWT Literacy Council for ten years, as the community literacy coordinator and as the information sharing and resource coordinator. She was responsible for developing the NWT family literacy training institute. She has travelled to almost every community in the NWT providing support for family literacy programming.

Chud, Gyda (E7)
Gyda Chud is Dean of Continuing Studies at Vancouver Community College and is delighted to be involved in the Family Literacy Certificate initiative! She has a long established professional career in Early Childhood Education, which provides an immediate affinity with the Family Literacy sector. Gyda has strong connections with community organizations serving women, children and the immigrant community.

Collyer, Steacy (E6)
Steacy Collyer is a community leader and educator. She is a recognized specialist in innovative teacher leadership and early childhood literacy practice and facilitates staff development in a number of locales. She was a founder of Calgary Reads.

Crooks, Stacey (N4)
Stacey Crooks is a literacy and English-as-a-second-language practitioner and researcher from Regina. Stacey master’s thesis research explored women’s experiences of family literacy programs. Currently, Stacey is on the board of the Regina Family Literacy Network and is an instructor in the ESL program at the University Of Regina.

Crozier, Colleen (H2, K2)
Colleen Crozier (Métis) has been Aboriginal Coordinator for the CFL for the past 13 years. She has an Honours B.A. in History from York University and a B.A. in English from the University of Calgary. In addition to delivering family literacy programs to Edmonton’s Aboriginal community, she also trains facilitators province-wide.

Dean, Betty (F3)
Betty Dean is a retired school principal with experience working with students from 2 1/2 to 20 years of age. Betty is a published author with a passion for collaboration and a specialization and interest in special needs children and language development.

Eaton, Margaret (L3)
Before becoming President of ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation, Margaret Eaton worked at the Executive Director of the Association of Canadian Publishers. Prior to this, she was General Manager of the Canadian Magazine Publishers Association. She has also held positions in fundraising and marketing for performing arts organizations.

Fagan, Dr. William (D3)
Dr. William T. Fagan has been/is a teacher, school principal, university professor, researcher, psychologist, clinical reading specialist, parent literacy advocate and mayor. He holds two Masters Degrees, and a Ph. D. in literacy and psychology and is the author of seven literacy programs. He is currently an Adjunct Professor, Memorial University.

Fankhanel, Lori (F3)
Lori Fankhanel is the founder and President of Sensory Processing Disorder Canada Foundation, and a parent, advocate and educator. She initiated the first Canadian website dedicated to Sensory Processing Disorder (www.spdalberta.org). Lori has been a member of the Kid Foundation and was Co-chair for Magic Moments, Birth to Three Society.

Gadsby, Leona (I2)
Leona Gadsby is Director of Community and Adult Literacy for the 2010 Legacies Now society, supporting a community development approach to literacy work throughout the province of BC.  She is co-founder and former co-director of the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy and has been an adult literacy instructor, tutor trainer, and ESL instructor.

Garrow-Oliver, Susan (N3)
Susan Garrow-Oliver has worked with the Bowness Montgomery early literacy project for five years, working collaboratively with community service providers to enhance and build family literacy awareness. Susan is also a part time instructor at Mount Royal University and is in the final stages of completing her MA in child and youth studies.

Giraldeau, Darrell (E4)
Darrell Giraldeau works at NorQuest in the Day Home Provider program as both the coordinator and an instructor. She has a B.Ed. with a major in early childhood and has extensive experience in both family literacy and early learning. She has developed programs for and worked closely with a diverse cultural community.

Gowan, Berniece (E8)
Berniece Gowan is the Regional Support Project Manager for Literacy Alberta. She coordinates training for the Volunteer Tutor Adult Literacy programs, and provides support and information to literacy practitioners, tutors and adult learners. She loves new and innovative projects that draw on the strengths of the community and the possibility for collaboration.

Gross, Suzanne (D1)
Suzanne Gross has a background in foreign languages, EAL and Family Literacy, as well as a doctorate in musicology, all of which she weaves into her work in the immigrant-serving sector. She currently works at Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers.

Halewich, Pat (E10)
Pat Halewich has been working for the Centre for Family Literacy for over 5 years as the Training and Services Coordinator. Working remotely from her home in Lloydminster, she coordinates provincial family literacy training events such as the annual "Family Literacy Training Institute" and "Food for Thought" as well as fee for service training.

Hare, Dr. Jan (A3)
Dr. Jan Hare is an Anishinaabe and member of the M’Chigeeng First Nation. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Language and Literacy Education at the University of British Columbia. Her research and teaching is concerned with Aboriginal education, focusing on the social practices of literacy in Aboriginal schools, families and communities. 

Hayden, Dr. Ruth (E2)
Dr. Ruth Hayden is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Elementary Education at the University of Alberta. Her research focus for the past 25 years has been in the area of early literacy development with particular attention paid to the role played by the community and family in that development.

Hinger, Darren (E3)
Darren Hinger currently enjoys working with two Centre for Family Literacy programs, as a facilitator for the Alberta Prairie Classroom on Wheels (C.O.W. Bus) and B.O.O.K.S. programs in Edmonton. Darren feels very fortunate to be working in a field that combines his passion for family, community and lifelong learning.

Homer, Lynda (C1)
Lynda Homer has worked in the field of family literacy for many years. She is co-developer of the "Parenting for a Literate Community" program and author of "Books for Babies, Connecting warmth well being and books". Lynda currently works with the Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick as project manager for the Capacity Building for Family Literacy project.

Horstead, Pat (M5)
Pat Horstead is Director of Instruction in Surrey BC, the largest and most diverse school district in BC. Pat has worked in education for more then thirty years: teacher, curriculum coordinator, inner city school principal and director of instruction with responsibilities for curriculum and assessment K-12, early learning and community-school partnerships.

Howk, Tracy (D2)
Tracy Howk is the Family Literacy Coordinator at Literacy for Life Foundation in High River Alberta. She has spent 20+ years working with families and children through many disciplines. Her leap into family literacy inspired a passion to change the way she thinks about literacy and its impact on society.

Intihar, Mark (F5)
Mark Intihar, an Early Childhood Educator, is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Applied Arts in Child Development at Seneca College. Mark has supported family literacy in Kingston, Jamaica through volunteer work. Mark is currently working with families at Black Creek Community Health Centre in one of Toronto's most diverse neighbourhoods.

Jackson, Anne (B5, M4)
Anne Jackson has worked at Kingston Literacy for 14 years. During that time she has helped to create many resources including the online Upgrading Program for Parents integrating adult and family literacy, written four booklets, music programs and developed RAPP. Educated in Scotland, Anne has lived in several different countries.

Jerkovic, Nada (K5)
Nada Jerkovic has facilitated many family literacy programs at the Calgary Learning Centre. She had opportunities to facilitate numerous family literacy training workshops and presentations. Currently, Nada is Manager of Family Literacy at the Calgary Learning Centre and Southwest Region Coordinator of Centre for Family Literacy Regional Network.

Johnson, Elsie (D1)
Elsie Johnson has been teaching in the EAL adult literacy class at Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers for the past ten years. Creating classroom resources from the students’ experiences and background knowledge has been her strength.

Jolly, Christina (N2)
Christina Jolly, BA, BEd, Special Education Specialist, has taught elementary school in Ontario and Alberta for 7 districts. She worked for Edmonton Public Library. Since 2007 she has presented at Edmonton’s Literacy and Learning Day. Her passion is to grow with families and others through lifelong learning and community involvement.

Jones, Candyce (K9)
Candyce Jones worked for many years in the community, facilitating parent and child programs and developing programs with and for parents. Candyce developed Alphabet Soup and has since been involved in training this literacy and nutrition program all over Manitoba and, more recently, across Canada.

Kakuru, Dr. Doris M. (J2)
Dr. Doris Muhwezi Kakuru holds a PhD in Social Sciences from Wageningen University. She is a Lecturer/Researcher at Makerere University’s Department of Sociology where she teaches Sociology of Education. Her areas of research interest include issues of gender and education, social justice, family studies, livelihood studies and competence studies.

Kelly, Terry (F5)
Terry Kelly has been in early childhood education and care for thirty years. Her educational background is in early childhood education and women’s studies. She supports families through work in early literacy and numeracy with the Ontario Early Years and teaches part time at Seneca College in Toronto.

Kendrick, Dr. Maureen (J2)
Dr. Maureen Kendrick is an Associate Professor in the Department of Language and Literacy Education at the University of British Columbia. She teaches courses that focus on literacy and multimodality in cross-cultural contexts, and literacy and inquiry-based learning. Her research interests include literacy as situated practice, multimodality, family literacy and digital literacies.

Khosla, Rina (L3)
As ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation’s Director of Marketing and Partnerships, Rina Khosla is responsible for the development, implementation and management of corporate partnerships and programs, including Family Literacy Day. Rina previously worked for Honda Canada Inc., Family Literacy Day's founding sponsor, where she launched the Honda Canada Foundation.

Kurlyowich, Nyla (E9)
Nyla Kurlyowich was born within a deaf family of six. She has been working at Connect Society as an In-Home Sign Instructor for hearing families, Baby/Parents Read & Sign instructor and part time preschool teaching assistant. Nyla has two children of her own that she loves to read and sign with.

Landry, Deborah (B4)
Deborah Landry joined Community Programs, Alberta Advanced Education and Technology, in 2003 to manage the Parent-Child Literacy Strategy. Prior to that, she spent 13 years with Children’s Services in a variety of roles, all early intervention in focus and several years with Alberta Health as an internal management consultant.

Land, Caroline (J3)
Caroline Land is currently the Early Literacy and Family Services Intern Librarian for the Edmonton Public Library. She has a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Studies from the University of Alberta.

Laughington, Adrienne (H1)
Adrienne Laughington graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a B.A. in Native American Studies. Adrienne is the Adult Tutor Coordinator and Learning Together Facilitator at the Centre for Family Literacy, working worked with families, children, adults and ESL participants. Throughout her undergraduate degree, she volunteered in many literacy ventures.

Lévesque, Normand (C4)
Normand Lévesque, with 25 years of experience in the field, became part of the FCAF team in 2008 with the title of General Director. He has developed a rich and varied professional experience through the establishment and continued development of projects and programs in the field of adult education and adult training.

Lindberg, Christine (E6)
Christine Lindberg has been an educator for over 20 years in educational and community settings. She has been a classroom, resource and early literacy teacher and a coordinator of international ESL programs. She is the designer of Calgary Reads@Home. She is currently Director of Programs for Calgary Reads, training volunteer tutors, parents and teachers.

MacDonald, Darlene (B4)
Darlene MacDonald has been Executive Director with the Lloydminster Learning Council Association for a number of years and enjoys promoting lifelong learning opportunities and seeing learners move forward in their lives after participating in Council programs. Success is due to amazing staff, volunteers, partners and community – all working together.

Mantey, Jodi (F8)
Jodi Mantey is a literacy specialist in West Central Alberta. She coordinates both adult and family literacy programs. She will be joined by; Tricia Albert, a family literacy facilitator, assistant learning center coordinator, and volunteer tutor, and, Harmony Roan, a family literacy facilitator. Both Tricia and Harmony are Mountain Cree Camp community members.

McCullough, Sheonagh (E9)
Sheonagh McCullough received her degree in speech language pathology from the University of Alberta and has been the Family Literacy Coordinator at Connect Society for the past 5 years. She was instrumental in designing literacy programming that addresses the unique needs of families impacted by deafness in the Edmonton region.

McNeil, Dr. Barbara (A2)
Dr. Barbara McNeil is an Assistant Professor in Language and Literacy (University of Regina). She has considerable experience teaching in French immersion programs and in English to pubic school and adult learners in Canada, Botswana and Dominica. Her research interests include family literacy, critical literacy, English dialects, children’s and young adult literature.

Min, Zipporah (M5)
Zipporah Min is a cultural worker with the Langley School District, BC. She has been a co-facilitator in the PALS in Immigrant Communities project, speaking to families at Douglas Park Community Schools, Langley.

Montgomery, Dr. Amanda (L1)
Dr. Amanda Montgomery is a Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta. The author of Teaching Towards Musical Understanding, Amanda has also taught children in preschool through grade three. She is an active speaker in North America on music and early literacy, parent education and family literacy.

Morrison, Fiona (E7, M5)
Fiona Morrison has over 30 years experience working with families and children in a variety of roles including teacher, teacher librarian, literacy consultant and university and college instructor. Fiona co-developed PALS (Parents As Literacy Supporters) with Jim Anderson and is highly involved in the development of the Family Literacy Certificate Program.

Morrison, Joan (N5)
Joan Morrison is the Coordinator of Library Instruction at NorQuest College where she has worked since 2003.  Her library career has been diverse and has included working at Grant MacEwan College as the Business Librarian and providing children’s programming at Edmonton Public Library.

Munro, Jennifer (E3)
Jennifer Munro has a B.Ed. from the University of Alberta and has worked with young children in childcare, education and family literacy contexts. She has been a facilitator with the Alberta Prairie Classroom on Wheels Project for two years and has developed and presented workshops to parents about family literacy resources and materials throughout Alberta.

Nason, Pam (C1)
Pam Nason is a professor of early literacies and curriculum theory at UNB. She co-authored “Parenting for a Literate Community”, and “Language, Literacy and Healthy Development: the work of CAPC/CPNP projects”. As co-lead on the NB Curriculum Framework for Early Learning and Childcare, she presently works with First Nations educators on a curriculum support document.

Nesbitt-Munroe, Deb (B5, F4, M4)
Deb Nesbitt-Munroe has worked at Kingston Literacy and Skills (KL&S) for twenty years. Over the years Deb designed and delivered many family literacy programs and worked as Early Literacy Specialist for Kingston and the Islands. Presently, Deb is coordinating the OLES/KL&S project called “Building Family Literacy and Essential Skills”.

Onclin, Kimberley (H1)
Kimberley Onclin, now Associate Executive Director, joined the Centre for Family Literacy in 2002 as Program Manager. She has a Master’s degree in English and a teaching degree and has taught elementary school to university courses. Since 1991, she has experience delivering youth, adult, special needs and family literacy.

Peverett, Wendy (K4)
Wendy Peverett is the Books for Babies and Family Literacy Regional Network Coordinator at the Centre for Family Literacy in Edmonton.  With an early education background, her work has included program development, parent education and group facilitation. She has facilitated a range of programs and is one of the Centre’s trainers.

Phillips, Sue (N1)
Sue Phillips has over 30 years of experience in the field of education. Sue has worked as a classroom teacher, owned and operated a tutoring company, worked as an educational consultant and offered workshops to build parents and children’s learning in reading and education.

Poirier, Judith (K1)
Working for the FQOCF since 1998 and holding a Master of Education, Judith Poirier has guided the production of several workshop guides and reference tools and has conducted numerous training sessions on family literacy. She is also recognized across Canada for her talents as a professional storyteller.

Prendergast, Tess (C2)
Tess Prendergast has worked as a professional children’s librarian at Vancouver Public Library since 1996, where she now supervises the Early Years Community Program. Tess can often be seen driving her children around or watching her husband renovate their bungalow. She also designs and silk-screens t-shirts for various charitable projects.

Price, Dr. Anne (K5)
In her role as Director of Programs and Applied Research, Dr. Anne Price oversees the development and implementation of family literacy programs at the Centre. Anne was a delegate at the Inter-provincial/Territorial Family Literacy Forum in 2000 and a writer for the provincial and national projects developing “Foundational Training in Family Literacy”.

Purcell-Gates, Dr. Victoria (G2)
Dr. Victoria Purcell-Gates, Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Early Childhood Literacy at the University of British Columbia, studies literacy development across school and community boundaries and develops literacy curriculum intended to increase the achievement of marginalized students. She was awarded the Oscar Causey Award for Outstanding Literacy Research in 2005.

Racicot, Linda (M1)
Linda Racocot was born in Québec and moved to Manitoba in 1997. A trained nurse, she coordinated literacy workshops for the provincial Federation of Parent Committees until 2006. Since that date, she has been coordinator of family literacy projects for the organization Pluri-elles Inc. in Manitoba.

Rai, Rapinder (M5)
Rapinder Rai is a Kindergarten and Punjabi Language teacher at Harry Sayers Elementary School, Abbotsford, B.C. Rapinder has also taught grade 4/ 5, half day K and ESL. She has done PALS with her Kindergarten parents since 2002. She is the facilitator for Immigrant PALS (Parents As Literacy Supporters) Punjabi.

Ramsay, Susan (B1, F4)
Susan Ramsay has worked as an early literacy specialist and family literacy practitioner with Kingston Literacy for the past 10 years. She brings to the field a background of education and experience that blends knowledge of family systems, child development, adult education and early and emergent literacy development.

Reid, Donna (B4)
Donna Reid has been co-ordinator of the Rocky Community Learning Council since 1982 and helped launch their Adult Tutoring Program, family literacy programming, Community Internet Access project, Community Learning Centre and many other programs and projects. In her 28th year, Donna still is passionate about connecting people to learning opportunities.

Robinson, Tricia (K9)
Tricia Robinson has been involved in family literacy programs for 10 years. Tricia trains community staff and parents to deliver family literacy programs around Manitoba through Bookmates' work with Healthy Child Manitoba. She is currently involved in a project focused on family literacy supports for newcomer families.

Roloff, Lavonne (K8)
Lavonne Roloff is the Provincial Director of the Alberta Home Visitation Network Association. She has a background in family studies and has worked in the family life education field for over twenty-five years. She recognizes that Reflective Practice is a part of ensuring quality service when working with families.

Rowsell, Jennifer (J1)
Jennifer Rowsell is an Assistant Professor of Literacy Education at Rutgers Graduate School of Education. She has written several books, articles, and chapters on New Literacy Studies, family literacy, multimodality, and multiliteracies. She is currently involved in three national and international research projects.

Samkoe, Alice (F2)
Alice Samkoe, Literacy Programming Supervisor, Regina Public Library is an adult educator with additional Family Literacy training and experience. For six years, she facilitated a unique direct adult/direct child family literacy program for English-as-a-Second Language mothers of preschool children.

Sanders, Maureen (E2, L2)
Maureen Sanders has worked in the field of adult and family literacy since 1989 and served as the Executive Director of the Centre for Family Literacy for eighteen years. She continues to work in the family literacy field as a consultant.

Sauve, Lorri (K6)
Since 1990, Lorri has been involved in adult literacy as an instructor, manager, researcher/developer, facilitator and assessor. Lorri attended the National Family Literacy Foundational training in 2001 and coordinated and delivered the face-to-face training in Ontario. For the past decade she has been a literacy consultant for various literacy projects. 

Schneider, Janice (E1)
Janice Schneider is an experienced early childhood educator working with Centre for Family Literacy in Edmonton. She coordinates the local "C.O.W." (Classroom on Wheels) program, a bus painted like a cow that visits 10 neighbourhoods a week to offer family literacy programming and a free lending library to diverse families with preschool children.

Severinsen, Debbie (E5)
For the past seven years Debbie Severinsen has been Student Coordinator at the Centre for Family Literacy, where part of her job is assessing the reading level of low-literacy adults. She has a B.Ed degree and taught for several years in a Special Education classroom. Currently, Debbie is taking courses toward becoming a certified Reading Specialist.

Shagin, Anya (H2)
Anya Shagin was the coordinator and facilitator for the Workplace Family Literacy Project pilot program at XL Foods/Lakeside Packers in Brooks, Alberta. She is Lakeside\'s ESL Supervisor. Anya also works directly with the temporary foreign workers in the Recruiting Department.

Shively, Janet (E7)
Janet Shively has worked in the field of adult and family literacy for over twenty years developing, facilitating and coordinating family literacy programs and organizations, and working with several national literacy and research projects. Janet was co-coordinator and co-editor of Foundations in Family Literacy.

Shunmugam, Maheswari (B8)
Mahes Shunmugam has been a university lecturer for the past thirty years and involved in NGOs that look into the literacy of people at different levels and of diverse backgrounds.  Malaysia’s plural society deals with schools and institutions of different culture and races. Mahes is a graduate of the University of London and University of Wales.

Sillito, Judy (D1)
Judy Sillito is Assistant Director at Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers.  She has been actively involved with the immigrant community for 28 years in the areas of English language instruction, hope studies, and intercultural communication.  

Skage, Sharon (H2)
Sharon Skage is the project manager of the Workplace Family Literacy Project. She began working in adult literacy in 1989, has been involved in the development of family literacy in Alberta since 1994 and continues to work as a literacy consultant, writer and editor.

Smith, Dr. Kathryn (L1)
Dr. Kathryn Smith is the Associate Director of the Child Study Centre and a Sessional Instructor in the Department of Elementary Education. An experienced educator and administrator, Kathy's research includes musical play, reflective practice in teacher education and parent education in family literacy.

Smythe, Suzanne (B2)
Suzanne Smythe is an adult literacy educator with an interest in family-school relationships and literacy for community development. Her research interests include literacy as "mothers' work" and inequalities in the transition to Kindergarten. Suzanne is a lecturer in literacy and adult education in the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University.

Souque, Yvette (A1)
Yvette Souque worked at the National Literacy Secretariat from 1991 to 2007 as a Program Manager. She provided advice and support to literacy organizations in developing projects, program models, learning materials and practitioner training. Yvette also developed and implemented the five-year national family literacy initiative with the French speaking community under the official languages plan.

Stegmeier, Sue (D2, I3)
Sue Stegmeier is the Executive Director of Literacy for Life Foundation. She has spent 30+ years working with families, learning and community. Her commitment is directly connected to a strong belief that literacy does not stand alone and is directly connected to healthy families and communities.

Stromquilst, Gail (M5)
Gail Stromquilst is a district teacher for the Aboriginal Program, Langley School Dstrict. She helped design the EAGLE program, a kindergarten culture and literacy program where PALS (Parents As Literacy Supporters) continues to be integral to the program’s success. Gail values developing culturally relevant and responsive activities and materials for programs.

Sumaru, Ashima (E1, K2)
Ashima Sumaru, B.A., B.Ed., has worked at the Centre for Family Literacy for three years as a family literacy and adult literacy coordinator and facilitator. She has delivered cultural competency workshops for all ages of students as well as to literacy practitioners in Alberta.

Sutherland, Margaret (L2)
Margaret Sutherland is a regional manager for the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy, an award winning literacy organization working throughout south-eastern British Columbia. Prior to that, she worked as a community literacy coordinator. She has worked on provincial and national committees, including the development of adult literacy benchmarks for BC.

Taylor, Rhonda (K3)
Rhonda Taylor has worked with Frontier College since 2000 in a variety of capacities. She has worked with Aboriginal, New Canadian and inner city communities to develop and implement a number of programs to meet the literacy and learning needs of children, youth and adults.

Thompson, Dr. William (F9)
Dr. William Thompson teaches writing and children’s literature for Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton and children’s literature by distance for Athabasca University. He is totally blind and does most of his work electronically. He writes fiction and is currently researching young adult novels in a variety of genres.

Turzansky, Katie (J3)
Katie Turzansky is the Community Librarian at the Riverbend Branch of the Edmonton Public Library. She has a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Studies from the University of Alberta.

Vaydik, Jill (B3, K10)
Jill Vaydik was born in the Northwest Territories and attended school there. She studied linguistics at the University of Victoria and is interested in languages, particularly Aboriginal languages. She is one of two community literacy coordinators at the NWT Literacy Council. In her spare time, she is an avid speed skater and cross-country skier.

Villeneuve, Diana (G3)
As the Calgary Public Library’s Early Literacy Advocate, Diana Villeneuve feels passionately about the link between libraries and literacy. She has been involved in services for children and families for 25 years and now coordinates the Library’s early and family literacy initiatives. Diana is the recipient of the 2007 Canada Post Community Literacy Award.

Visser, Marilyn (H2)
Marilyn Visser was the coordinator and facilitator for the Workplace Family Literacy Project pilot program at Lucerne Foods in Taber, Alberta. She has worked in early childhood, elementary education, and, most recently, adult education and family literacy with the Taber and District Adult Learning Society.

Vital, Mary Ann (G4)
Mary Ann Vital comes from the small Dene community of Deline in the Northwest Territories. She speaks both English and Slavey. She was an early childhood educator -- and is now a teacher -- who attended an NWT Literacy Council’s family literacy training institutes, and has been offering family literacy programs in the community ever since.

Wilson, Elizabeth (M5)
Elizabeth Wilson has been an educational consultant for over 20 years. She has worked on the pilot of PALS in Immigrant Communities, with Aboriginal communities in Northwest British Columbia, with school districts, post-secondary institutions, and community organizations in the areas of literacy, community development, and complex issues in education.

Williams, Kimberley (K3)
Kimberly Williams is the Atlantic Canada Regional Manager at Frontier College. Kimberly works with a tremendous amount of immigrant families to improve their literacy skills. Kimberly also works with at-risk� youth to encourage them to graduate. In New Brunswick, she works with preschool children and homework clubs for youth.

Yaghoubian, Shahla (F5)
Shahla Yaghoubian was a social worker/family mediator in Tehran. Since immigrating to Canada in 2002, Shahla has earned a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and is now finishing her B.S.W. at York University, doing a placement with Hincks-Dellcrest. She is currently a Family Resource Program worker for Macaulay Child Development Centre.

Young, Laura (J3)
Laura Young is the Community Librarian at the Castle Downs Branch of the Edmonton Public Library. She has a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Studies from Dalhousie University and was an intern at the Read To Me! Early Literacy program in Halifax.

Zarft, Kathy (N5)
Kathy Zarft is the Coordinator Library Systems at NorQuest College. She has been involved in collection development for literacy and ESL students for 25 years, and her subject area expertise is in reading materials for reluctant readers and family reading.