Mr. Alex Reed, Executive Director

Alex joined the Pacekids team in August 2011.

Mrs. Karen Clark Hatfield, Special Education Teacher

Karen received her Bachelor of Education Degree from the University of Calgary in 1997. She worked as a teacher for the next six years at the Calgary Learning Centre, Renfrew Educational Services and the Ability Society of Alberta. Karen joined Pacekids in 2003 as a Special Ed Teacher for our ECS program and in 2010 will teach our new Speech and Language Enhancement program.

Mrs. Meghan Morrissey, Occupational Therapist

Meghan joined the Pacekids team in August 2004 and is currently on Maternity Leave. She is a graduate of the Occupational Therapy Program from Dalhousie University (with honors). She has previously worked in adult rehabilitation but found her calling in pediatrics. Meghan also works in private practice which has provided her with experience working with children from a variety of ages and disabilities.

Julia Blanchard, Specialized Services Clinical Coordinator

Julia graduated from a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 2004. After 5 years of schooling in Halifax, Julia decided to move West to northern British Columbia, working full-time between two hospitals. Eventually she found her way to pediatrics working full-time between two different community and school-based programs. During her stay in northern BC, Julia gained experience as an OT in a variety of settings including hospitals, the community, home visits and the private therapy sector. She worked with adults and children of all ages. Her passion is working with kids and enjoys groups, lots of fun play and dress-up. Julia also has experience as a yoga instructor for both adults and children. Julia joined the Specialized Services team at Pacekids in July 2009.

Mrs. Candis Strong, Chartered Psychologist and Clinical Coordinator

Candis received her BSc from the Brandon University in 1986 and an MA in Psychology from the University of Alberta in 1988. She received her Chartered Psychologist designation in 1991. She worked as a Psychologist for PDD for ten years and as a Consulting Psychologist for the Alberta Association of Rehabilitation Centres for three years. She joined Pacekids in 2005 as a Psychologist and the Clinical Coordinator.

Mrs. Natasha Kanji, Provisional Psychologist and Aide Supervisor

Natasha has joined the Pacekids Team in September 2008. Natasha commenced her journey in the field of Psychology at the University of British Columbia, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Psychology in 2004. In June 2008 she completed her Masters in Psychology at the City University of Seattle. The masters program heavily focused on pediatric assessments and appropriate treatment planning. In 2007 she completed her practicum at The Third Academy, parent-child school. During this time, she was able to utilize her theoretical knowledge in a practical setting. Natasha had the opportunity to administer psycho-educational assessments for students under the supervision of a Registered Psychologist. Currently she is in the process of registering as a Provisional Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP). and hopes to have her status approved by December 2008.

Mrs. Jo-Ann Hallam, Aide Supervisor

Jo-Ann moved from Quebec where she worked as a gymnastics instructor and a classroom assistant at Valois Park Preschool. Prior to working at Pacekids she worked with a variety of children with disabilities in the Calgary area. Jo-Ann joined Pacekids Programs in 2000 as an aide for a number of children in the program and was offered the position of Program Assistant in 2004. Her current role at Pacekids is Family Support Facilitator and Aide Supervisor.

Mrs. Sheree Gallant, Aide Supervisor

Sheree began her career as a Medical Receptionist at an Orthopedic Surgeon's Office and a General Practitioner's Office in 1973 for thirteen years. She also took on the duties of a bus driver for children with special needs and a lunchroom supervisor for the next seven years. She worked at Renfrew Educational Services as a Child Development Facilitator for four years. She joined Pacekids as an aide in 2002 and became an Aide Supervisor in 2006.

Mrs. Linda Simser, Family Liason / HR Coordinator

Linda joined the Pacekids Programs Team in October 2009. She is a retired elementary school principal from Ontario with a Masters degreee in Educational Administration from the University of Western Ontario. She is also a registered Clinician in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder from the Organic Brain Dysfunction Triage in Bragg Creek, Alberta. Linda has worked throughout her long career with a wide diversity of children assisting with many resource groups to create a nurturing and positive learning experience for the whole family.

Ms. Barrie Gardner, Speech Language Pathologist

Barrie joined the Pacekids team in August 2008. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Alberta, with a major in linguistics and a minor in psychology. She then went on to complete a Master's of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology. Barrie has worked with children with CP as a research assistant in the Children's Speech Lab during her Master's program. She has a special interest in the area of motor speech disorders. Barrie works part-time in the Preschool program and Specialized Services Team.