Joanne Smyth Teacher OCT
- BAA – Early Childhood Education (Toronto Metropolitan University-formerly Ryerson Polytechnical Institute)
- Diploma in Child Study (University of Toronto -The Institute of Child Study)
- Licensed Brain Gym® Instructor and Consultant
- Blomberg Rhythmic Movement Training Consultant
- Registered Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator
I am certified elementary teacher (OCT) with additional special education and primary education qualifications along with years of experience supporting children with learning differences. I have a degree in early childhood education and I am a Registered Circle of Security Parent®️ Facilitator. In addition, I have completed the RIE®️ (Resources for Infant Educarers) 60 hour Foundations: Theory and Observation™ course.
https://rie.org/upcoming-foundations-courses/ https://www.circleofsecurityinternational.com/
As a Developmental Movement Educator, I am a licensed BrainGym® Consultant/Instructor and a Blomberg Rhythmic Movement Training Consultant. I continue to take specialized training in the area of reflex integration and developmental movement to add to my toolbox. https://brmtcanada.com/ https://braingymcanada.ca/
Previously a teacher with the Toronto District School Board, I have been successfully running my program since 2008 and have years of experience facilitating early literacy music programs for families and their young children at the Guelph Community Health Centre, Ontario Early Years Centre and Kidsability Centre for Child Development.
Specialized Training
In addition to my early childhood education and teaching degrees, my ongoing training in reading intervention programs includes courses in the implementation of Orton Gillingham , RAVE-O (Retrieval, Automaticity, Vocabulary, Engagement-Orthography) and Reading Tricks reading programs. All three programs are researched-based and very effective.
Some of the specialized movement based courses I have training in are; Brain Gym® for Special Education Providers, Introductory to HANDLE (Holistic and Neurological Development Learning Efficiency), Bal-A-Vis-X® (Balance, Auditory, Vision eXercises) Levels 1, 2 and Adapted for special needs learners, MNRI®Dynamic and Postural Reflex Pattern Integration, Rhythmic Movement Training®, Movement Exploration, Neurodevelopment Movement Program, Babybare and The Amazing Babies Academy. I have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to study with Harald Blomberg, Carla Hannaford, Candi Cosgrove, Carol Ann Erickson, Cecilia Koester and many other wonderful teachers. For more information on these programs please refer to my Developmental Movement page. https://movingforward1.ca/services/movement-based-learning/
Past Workshops
Relationship-based Parenting series- a funded four-week parenting program funded by the Guelph Family Health Team and the Guelph CHC
Relationship-based Parenting series- run for parents at Mitchell Woods Public School
Brain Moves: Brain Gym® in the Classroom- a workshop for teachers (2021) @ GCVI and College Heights Secondary School.
Brain Moves: Brain Gym® for Parents (May and June 2021)
Guelph Parkinson’s Support Group : Introduction to Brain Gym® including a follow up workshop for members (October 2014 and May 2015)
Upper Grand District School Board Parent Advisement Committee: Introduction to Brain Gym® (Feb. 2015)
Upper Grand District School Board :Brain Gym® and the Physical Skills of Learning (April, 21015)
John Galt Public School, Guelph: Introduction to Brain Gym® (June 2015)
Guelph Homeschool Group: Introduction to Brain Gym® and the Physical Skills of Learning (June 2015)
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