• Educator

    Jo Stebbings

    FOUNDER

    Jo’s extensive experience as a local educator of neurodiverse learners spans over 25 years. She believes that building self-awareness of the thinking processes and understanding one’s unique learning style are vital components to achieving success in school, work, and life. Jo understands that true change happens when a strong foundation of trust and connection has been established between learner and educator.

    As a leader in developing a K-12 school-wide Executive Function (EF) Curriculum, creator of the EF Training Course for Educators, and mentor of EF Coaches, Jo brings a wealth of experience to her work as an EF Coach and Educational Consultant. Her background includes 23 years at Fraser Academy, with 8 years in the role of Director of Learning Services. Jo holds an MA in Leadership from Royal Roads, and is a Certified Orton Gilingham Practitioner, NILD Educational Therapist, and IDA Dyslexia Therapist. She published a peer reviewed study on dyslexia intervention in the International Journal for For Research in Learning Disabilities (2020). Jo’s extensive experience enables her to take a holistic approach to her work with learners.

    As an educational consultant, Jo especially enjoys interpreting complex psycho-educational assessments in easy to understand language for adults, parents and students. She takes pride in helping them achieve life-changing “ah-ha” moments, so that they can make effective choices about how they learn and work while gaining the confidence to self-advocate across multiple settings.

    In her spare time, Jo loves to spend time with friends and family sharing meals and visiting both coasts of the continent. Jo works with adolescents, post secondary students, and adults remotely and in person at the Lower Lonsdale office.

  • Annabel N. Smith

    LEARNING & LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

    Annabel is a highly-specialized learning specialist and educational consultant with a background in psychology and speech and language therapy. She has extensive experience working with the neuro-diverse population and has spent the past 20+ years working with the international community in the UK and Canada.

    Annabel's specific interests include ADHD, executive functioning, social communication and dyslexia. She is a strong advocate for early intervention and structured literacy programs, and for supporting young teens and adolescents as they navigate the complex demands of the modern classroom and social world.

    Annabel has a unique ability to connect with children and young adults. She is intuitive, patient and open-minded, and she brings a sense of fun and joy to her lessons. She is warm and approachable, and believes in establishing a connection and rapport with the child or young adult before anything else. She works closely with her students and their families to understand each student’s individual strengths and affinities in order to build their capacity for learning and success in the classroom and beyond.

    Annabel is available for in-person and remote sessions at Reframe Education.

  • Educator

    Louise Hoogewerf

    LEARNING SPECIALIST

    Louise has been practicing Orton Gillingham (OG) for over 20 years. She celebrates the individual in every student and is passionate about sharing and igniting a life-long love of learning. Helping students realise their potential and meet with success is a goal of every lesson. Louise values the relationship between student and educator and believes that caring, compassion and humour play a positive role in learning.

    While at Fraser Academy for 10 years as a Learning Specialist, Louise was a member of the Executive Functioning (EF) program development team. She enjoyed fostering learning outside the classroom in the form of student debate and environmental clubs. She holds certifications in OG, Educational Therapy (PCET) and TESL, and a diploma in Animal Health Technology.

    At Reframe Education, Louise works remotely with post-secondary and adult EF coaching students. She provides in-person sessions to students of all ages from her home on Gabriola Island offering OG, Educational Therapy and EF Coaching. She is an advocate for animal welfare and the environment and likes to spend her spare time with family and being out in nature.

  • Educator

    Vanessa Simonetta

    EXECUTIVE FUNCTION COACH, ART THERAPIST and CLINICAL COUNSELLOR

    Vanessa has a passion for helping learners of all ages with their educational and emotional wellness needs. An educator for over 10 years, Vanessa’s most recent experience includes 3 years at Reframe Education as a Certified OG Practitioner and Executive Function Coach and 5 years as an OG Learning Specialist at Fraser Academy.

    A Professional Art Therapist, Registered Clinical Counsellor (BCACC), and Executive Function Coach, Vanessa recognizes the importance of addressing the socio-emotional needs of diverse learners where symptoms such as anxiety and depression often co-occur with learning differences, ADHD and ASD.

    Using a person-centred approach, exceptional listening skills, and a deep understanding of cultural identities, Vanessa creates an excellent rapport with her clients working with them to meet their goals. She provides a welcoming space where children and youth feel connected and supported.

    In her spare time Vanessa enjoys the outdoors, hiking, and running with her pup and partner.

    Vanessa is available to support children, adolescents, post-secondary students, and adults with literacy, executive functioning, art therapy and counselling needs. She is available remotely and in person.

  • Educator

    Andy Ketchell

    OG PRACTITIONER, EXECUTIVE FUNCTION COACH

    Andy is dedicated to building strong, trusting relationships with her students to ensure that they feel comfortable and relaxed in her OG and EF for Kids sessions. She believes in meeting her students at their level, and providing the right amount of challenge in a safe space where they can feel confident taking risks.

    Before joining Reframe Education in 2022, Andy worked as an OG Learning Specialist at Fraser Academy where she specialized in teaching reading and spelling to elementary school students with diverse learning needs.

    Andy’s skill at adapting to the individual learning styles and unique abilities of each of her students enables them feel successful in every session. Her favourite part of one-to-one teaching is seeing students gain confidence and an understanding of concepts that they previously found too difficult. Seeing her students take pride in their work is what Andy finds most rewarding.

    During her spare time, Andy enjoys playing with her pets, Jude and Luna. Her ultimate dream is to live on a farm and surrounded by all kinds of animals. She has a flare for detail and loves planning events for family and friends where she can master her skills in baking, decorating, and organizing.

    Andy primarily works with elementary age students providing Orton Gillingham instruction and Executive Function Coaching. She is available for both in person and remote sessions.

  • LEARNING SPECIALIST

    Lucy Rose

    OG PRACTITIONER, EXECUTIVE FUNCTION COACH

    Lucy has a passion for connecting with young learners and guiding them on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. She creates a learning atmosphere built on trust and connection, understanding that students flourish when they feel safe, valued, and supported.

    Lucy has a background as an Orton Gillingham Learning Specialist spending 2 1/2 years at Fraser Academy where she worked one to one with students in grades 1 to 6. In addition, Lucy is an experienced behaviour interventionist and executive function coach, applying a play-based approach to her work with children. By integrating psychological and cognitive processing with self-awareness and self-reflection, Lucy supports learners in regulating emotions, processing information, enhancing communication and developing social skills.

    With a love for art and design, Lucy incorporates creativity into her work with students by creating engaging learning resources and delivering lessons with enthusiasm and a creative touch.

    Lucy supports students with language based processing challenges such as dyslexia and dysgraphia, ADHD, ASD, Executive Functioning and anxiety. Lucy also holds a BA in Psychology with a minor in Counselling and a Diploma in ECE.

    Outside of her professional endeavors, Lucy finds joy in exploring the outdoors with her partner and their furry friend, Olive. She also cherishes moments spent with family and friends.

    Lucy works primarily with elementary school age children and is available remotely or in person.

  • Kristi Atkinson

    LEARNING SPECIALIST

    Kristi is a passionate educator dedicated to the belief that every student can succeed with the right support and instruction. She holds a Master of Education in Educational Psychology from McGill University, specializing in Inclusive Education. Her extensive experience includes serving as a Learning Specialist at Fraser Academy in Vancouver, where she implemented Orton-Gillingham (OG) instruction, and as a Reading Interventionist with the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) in Montreal. Kristi also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of British Columbia.

    Currently pursuing a career in school psychology, Kristi is a graduate student in School and Counselling Psychology at the University of Saskatchewan.

    In her professional role, Kristi provides evidence-based, explicit and systematic OG instruction, creating individualized lesson plans, and implementing best practices. Outside of her professional commitments, Kristi enjoys exploring the outdoors, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.

    She is available for remote consultations during the school year and in-person sessions during the summer months.