Heather Avery - Social Emotional Learning
Mx. Heather Avery, she/her (pronouns). Heather is a Learning Specialist with Education Support Services for the Government of New Brunswick’s Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. Heather’s portfolio includes universal design for learning, educational assistant professional learning, and response to intervention planning. Heather has a passion for life-long learning. She is currently completing a Post-Graduate Certificate in Universal Design for Learning from Atlantic Technological University in Ireland. She has her Master of Education in Exceptional Learners from the University of New Brunswick, along with a Bachelor of Education, and a Bachelor of Arts.
Heather is an educator with experiences from K to 20+ as a resource teacher in the K-12 system and accessibility positions at post-secondary institutions in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. She has assisted Jordyn Weddell on her Master’s thesis regarding social and emotional learning in a K-12 systems as a second author. She has a passion for inclusive education and having education accessible to all learners.
Curtis Lauzon - Newcomer Mental Health Forum
Curtis went to school for Sports Managements and spent around 10 years in the sports industry before starting as Community Program Coordinator with CMHA. Curtis moved to New Brunswick from Bracebridge, Ontario in 2014. Curtis has always had a passion for mental health, suicide awareness and in helping reduce stigma. He has recently moved into a new role of Team Lead and looks forward to continuing to support New Brunswickers in their mental health journey.
Ola Abuzayed - Newcomer Mental Health Forum
Ola holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and Psychological Counselling and a Post Graduate Diploma in Mental Health. She began her career in the mental health field and is very thrilled to join CMHA of NB after 14 months of moving to Canada starting a new life. She is very passionate in mental health and the impact it can have not only on a person’s well-being and future, but also on society. She strongly believes that “one person can make a difference, and everyone should try”.
“I am community oriented and eager to make a positive impact in people’s lives, this mindset has allowed me to be a cultural broker and to participate in a variety of volunteering activities.”
Ola is currently enrolled in the Masters of Education in Counseling Psychology program at the University of New Brunswick.
Fun Fact: “I love plant-based food, and I enjoy baking my mum’s traditional bread as well as cakes and pastries.”
Heather Chase - Hidden Trauma: The Alarming Reality
Always focused on the “people” component of projects and communities, Heather has an extensive 25-year background in community development, government relations, human resources and workforce development with the private, not-for-profit and public sectors. With a proven track record of collaborating with organizations and focusing on upstream investments, the focus is always on investing today for a better tomorrow
As part of many regional, provincial and national projects, it is the work at the local level that really inspires change. Coming from a rural community, she is always very aware that we need to work together and advocate for solutions that make sense for our communities and our residents.
Over the years, she has been involved with several volunteer organizations that focus on inclusion, poverty reduction, communities, and kids. Employed by Horizon Health Network for seven years as a Community Developer, the focus is on upstream investments in health care through a community development model.
Some of the projects that Heather has been involved with include the National Brain Builders Lab, the St. Stephen Warming Centre, the establishment of the Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation (ESIC), NB 211, Southwest NB Recreational Study, Living Saint John, the Self-healing Communities project, ACEs training, Union of Municipalities, Community Health Needs Assessments, Project Village: Housing and the Southwest NB Housing Working Group.
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