SNAP® for Schools Facilitators

Durham District School Board

Brenda Holder
Brenda is a certified child and youth worker with over 17 years experience working in children’s mental health. She has a variety of knowledge and experience working with children and families in both a clinical and school-based environment. She has delivered a variety of programs that have focused on separation and divorce, domestic violence and school readiness.

Brenda is very excited to join the Snap for Schools team, for she has had the pleasure of delivering this excellent program to both children and parents, and has witnessed first-hand the positive results that it has had on the families involved. 

Julie Gazzola
A graduate of the BA/BSW program at McMaster University, Julie is an experienced social worker in the field of children’s mental health and disability. Her work experience comprises a variety of international settings, including several years in London, England, and Sydney, Australia. Upon returning home, Julie spent two years in the TCDSB providing 1:1 support and consultation for children and youth with special needs at both the elementary and high school levels. She has recently completed her Masters of Social Work at York University. In addition to her work overseas, Julie spent six summers working at Summit Camp in Pennsylvania, a leading therapeutic recreation summer camp for children with attention, social or learning difficulties.

Julie believes passionately in the abilities of children to learn and grow, and is very excited to join the SNAP for Schools Team. She looks forward to seeing all the positive changes that SNAP can bring to a child’s life!

John Woodley
With a BA in Psychology and MSW from Wilfrid Laurier University, John has extensive experience with children in both the mental health and disability sectors through a variety of settings. Additionally, he has worked on multi-level collaborations for newcomers and taught ESL internationally. With his background in Social Work and teaching, he is able to bring both an education and systems level approach to the position.

John is excited to join the SNAP for Schools Team and looks forward to applying his passion for working with children to the classroom!

Toronto District School Board

Daisie Auty (currently on maternity leave until September 2012)
Daisie is an experienced social worker who has worked in social services since 1997. Originally from the Toronto area, she returned to Toronto in 2009 after seven years of working in child welfare and child and adolescent mental health in inner city London, UK. Attracted by the research evidence that SNAP changes lives, Daisie is enthusiastic about putting SNAP for Schools into action!

Daisie has a Certificate in the Therapeutic and Educational Application of the Arts from the Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education in London, UK and an MSc in Social Work from London South Bank University. She did her undergraduate degree at Trent University in Woman’s Studies and Cultural Studies.

Haley Higdon
Haley Higdon is a graduate of the Kinesiology program at the University of Western Ontario. She went on to complete her M.A. in Child Study and Education and a Bachelors of Education at the University of Toronto. For the last two years she has been teaching grade 4 at the American School Foundation in Monterrey, Mexico.

Haley is excited to join the CSSN team and be a part of the SNAP for Schools program. Coming from a classroom setting she understands how important it is to help children learn self-control and problem solving skills which will allow them to be successful both in and out of school.

Yasmin Baksh
Yasmin currently holds a Bachelor of Arts in Women’s Studies from York University, a diploma in Child and Youth Work from George Brown College and a Bachelors of Education from The University of Toronto. She has more than ten years of experience working with both children/youth and families in the Greater Toronto Area.

Her experience has allowed her to work in many different settings such as treatment centres, schools, and residential settings. Her experience also encompasses working with those who struggle with issues around behaviour, disabilities, mental health. Yasmin is a strong believer in helping those in need from as young an age as possible. She is thrilled to represent The CSSN in their SNAP for Schools program. Not only does she believe in the program, but it has been proven to work!

Michael Peddle
Originally from Newfoundland, Michael completed his Bachelor or Music and Music Education degrees at Memorial University of Newfoundland where he taught music with the Eastern and Nova Central School Districts. He has recently completed his Master’s in Education (Counselling) at Acadia University in Nova Scotia and is thrilled and excited to be a member of the SNAP team.


Toronto Catholic District School Board

Dianne Ritch
Dianne is excited and enthusiastic about the SNAP for Schools Program. The program’s preventative approach is of great interest as it could not only address the needs of those who have been recognised as struggling with their behaviour but can also provide skills and strategies to all students in the classroom.

Dianne is a graduate of McMaster University and the University of Windsor. At McMaster she obtained her Bachelor of Social Work degree as well as her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. She has 5 years of experience in the field of child protection in both London, England and Toronto, Ontario. At the University of Windsor Dianne completed her Bachelor of Education being a part of the Urban Education Program and had the opportunity to travel to Tanzania for research and development work

Ashley Donohue
Ashley is very excited about joining the SNAP for Schools team! Her past experience working with the Child Development Institute, the creators of SNAP, sparked her interest in the program. Ashley’s background includes an Honours degree in Sociology, a Bachelor of Arts in French and a Bachelor of Education, all from Queen’s University. These three degrees allow Ashley to see the SNAP program from many angles.

Ashley has experience working in elementary classrooms as well as working with behavioural students. She is enthusiastic about the opportunity to be able to interact with all types of students and work in a classroom setting, while implementing a program that has been proven to work.

Jessica Raposo
Jessica has been in the field of education for over fifteen years. After completing her Bachelor of Arts/Honours at Trent University, she worked for the Ministry of Education’s Special Education Policy and Programs Branch. This experience led her to return to school to complete her Bachelor of Education at OISE/UofT.  As a classroom teacher and volunteer, she has worked in a number of academically and culturally diverse classrooms throughout Toronto.  In 2006, Jessica joined The Canadian Safe School Network (CSSN), where, just prior to going on maternity leave, she wrote and secured the grant for the SNAP for Schools program.  After spending four years in this “behind the scenes” role and a year off with her daughter, Jessica was thrilled to return to CSSN and join the SNAP for Schools team as a classroom facilitator.  This new position, coupled with her prior educational experiences, has solidified her belief that given the proper support, attention and encouragement, all children can succeed in their schooling and learn to manage challenging behaviours.  Jessica is excited to be back in the classroom and a part of this highly respected program.

Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board

Caroline Braganza-Reyes
Caroline Braganza-Reyes has over ten years of elementary and ESL teaching experience. She obtained her B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Western Ontario, B. Ed from Charles Sturt University in Australia and is currently doing her Masters of Education with a focus on Children’s Literacy.

Caroline has taught ESL in Tokyo, Japan for four years; Grade 1 at the International School of Havana, Cuba for four years, and Grade 1 & 2 at the Country Day School in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, for two years. Caroline is excited to join CSSN because she is eager to get back in the classroom, work with elementary students and help teach them some SNAP skills!

Jessica Eriksson
Jessica is delighted to join the SNAP for Schools team. She is a graduate of Trent University, where she achieved her Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Psychology. Concurrently, Jessica completed her Bachelor of Education degree through Queen’s University. She has several years of experience working with children, specifically those with exceptionalities, both through work and as a volunteer.

Jessica is passionate about working with children and ensuring that they feel safe in their classroom environment, which is what led her to CSSN. Jessica is excited to facilitate the SNAP for Schools program, as she believes that the program plays an essential role in helping children develop positive social skills and problem solving skills.

Alyssa Keel
Originally from Toronto, Alyssa spent the last four years in Chicago, where she completed her Master of Social Work, with a specialization in School Social Work, at Loyola University. Alyssa also received her Bachelor of Arts and Addictions Careworker Diploma from McMaster University. Alyssa has a number of years’ experience working with children, youth, and adults in a variety of settings.

Alyssa is excited to join the SNAP team as she strongly believes that children deserve to feel safe in schools and to have a community while they are in school. Alyssa is looking forward to working with the schools, students, families, and teachers to implement the SNAP program and to help create positive change within the school environment.

Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud

Julie Laplante
Native de la ville de Québec, Julie a d’abord étudié à l’Université Laval et ensuite à l’Université du Québec à Montréal. Après un Baccalauréat en enseignement des arts, elle a commencé sa carrière d’enseignante au préscolaire puis au primaire. Dans les dix dernières années, elle a donc enseigné comme titulaire de classe, spécialiste en arts plastiques et dernièrement, professeur de français langue seconde (Alliance Française, Dublin). Suite à une année d’expérience de vie à l’étranger, elle revient au Canada, dans la grande ville de Toronto, avec cette belle motivation : investir ses compétences et son amour des enfants dans le programme SNAP.

Julie a la conviction que SNAP à l’école est une extraordinaire opportunité pour les jeunes d’aujourd’hui d’apprendre des techniques simples qui les aideront à mieux gérer leurs propres humeurs ainsi que leurs relations interpersonnelles.

Julie obtained her Bachelor of Visual Art teaching degree and later on, her Bachelor of Education in primary teaching. She began her career in Montréal working as a primary teacher. During the last ten years, she’s been teaching Visual Arts, Core and French (FSL). After living a year abroad in Ireland, she is now back in Canada in the great city of Toronto with a huge motivation to combine her teaching skills and passion for kids into the SNAP mission.

Julie thinks that SNAP for Schools is a fantastic opportunity for today’s children to learn effective techniques dealing with peers, adults and themselves in our challenging world.

Julie Lemieux-McCluskey
Julie est très heureuse de joindre l`équipe de SNAP. Elle a fait sa Maîtrise en Human Health and Nutritional Sciences à L`University of Guelph. De plus, Julie a un fait sa formation pédagogique à Brock University avec une spécialisation en Français comme langue seconde. Elle a commencé son carrier comme enseignante dans les classes préscolaire et ensuite a enseigné Anglais comme langue seconde à Vancouver.

Julie a dix ans d`expérience comme une animatrice pour le YMCA. C`était cette passion de travailler avec les enfants qui a inspiré son carrier en éducation. Julie est certaine que le programme SNAP donnera les enfants les utiles nécessaires pour achever le succès et elle est fière d`être partie de tel programme.

Julie is very excited to join the SNAP for Schools team. She recently finished her MSc in Human Health and Nutritional Sciences at the University of Guelph with a focus in chronic and infectious diseases. She completed her bachelors of Education at the University of Guelph with a specialization in French. Julie began her teaching career as a preschool teacher and later went on to teach English as a Second Language in Vancouver.

Julie has over 10 years of experience working with children, youth and parents with the YMCA and it is the passion of working with families that inspired her to pursue a career in education. She strongly believes that SNAP will give students the skills they need to be successful and is thrilled to be part of such a crucial program.

Renée Charette
C’est avec enthousiasme que Renée s’est jointe à l’équipe CSSN.  Renée a graduée avec distinction du programme d’éducateur spécialisé à l’Université de Ryerson, où elle a aussi obtenu une mineure en psychologie.  Elle est passionnée en ce qui a trait au développement humain global et les relations avec les jeunes. Elle est admirative du courage avec lequel les jeunes font preuves de résilience quant’ aux défis de leur vie de tous les jours.

Renée a travaillée professionnellement avec des enfants et des adolescents dans divers milieux.  Ceux-ci inclus: la résidence, l’hôpital, loisirs en plein air, communauté, et académique en camping-sauvage.  Elle valorise les droits de l’enfant et a fait du bénévolat en support de partenariats avec des communautés de Premières Nations du grand nord de l’Ontario.  De plus, Renée s’inspire grandement du bénévolat qu’elle fait à l’Hôpital pour enfants malades.

Renée is enthusiastic to be a part of the Safe Schools team.  She is an honours graduate from Ryerson University’s Child and Youth Care program, with a minor in psychology.  Renée is passionate about integrating her insight into holistic human development with the often-challenging life spaces of resilient children and youth. 

Renée has professionally cared for children and youth of all ages within a variety of therapeutic settings. These settings include: residential, hospital, outdoor recreational, community, and wilderness-based academic.  Renée values children’s rights advocacy and has volunteered in support of partnerships with First Nations communities from Ontario’s far north.  Renée also takes great inspiration out of her time as a child life volunteer at The Hospital for Sick Children.