Alison Lessard

9010-107 Avenue
Morinville, AB. T8R 1C6
aliemay67@gmail.com (780) 974-0005
________________________________________________________________
Education
In Progress

Masters in Education School and Applied Psychology University of Calgary

Completed Academic Practicum, January - April 2013

Completed Cognitive Practicum, January - April 2014

Social-Emotional Practicum, (in progress) July- August 2015

Internship (scheduled) Greater St. Albert Catholic School Division

1987-1991

Bachelor of Education Elementary Education/Special Education University of Alberta

1985-1987

Bachelor of Arts Transfer Program Red Deer College

Experience
1992 2000
Edmonton Public School Division Special Education Teacher

provided small group and differentiated instruction for students identified with variety of learning

needs
planned lessons and small group activities for Educational Assistant
taught small group, differentiated reading instruction
planned and coordinated Individualized Program Plans (IPP)
coordinated required assessment and multidisciplinary interventions
participated in frequent and on-going professional development related to special education

instruction
Taught all subjects Grade 3-6

2001- 2005
Greater St. Albert Catholic School Division Special Education Teacher

provided small group and differentiated instruction for students identified with variety of learning
needs
planned lessons and small group activities for Educational Assistant
taught small group, differentiated reading instruction
planned and coordinated Individualized Program Plans (IPP)
coordinated required assessment and multidisciplinary interventions
collaborated with colleagues to develop and plan lessons

researched and implemented Balanced Literacy approach

participated in frequent and on-going professional development related to special education

instruction

Learning Support Facilitator Elementary

2006-2011

Kindergarten to Grade 5 case management and program development

Supervised, trained and scheduled educational assistants

Supported school administration with behavioural strategies and intervention

Collaborated with colleagues to develop school-wide differentiated reading program

Provided at the elbow support for classroom teachers

Taught small group guided reading

Coordinated Early Reading Intervention program

Collected and analyzed data regarding school-wide reading program

Assessed academic level using the WIAT-II and WIAT-III

Coordinated cognitive assessments

Collaborated with Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists

Provided intensive behavioural support and response

Worked closely with parents

Collaborated with mental health services to support student needs

Attended monthly professional development with learning support facilitator community

Collected and analyzed behavioural data to support programming

Provided interim administrator support in their absence

Supported children with low and high incidence needs (FAS, ASD, MID, Moderate-Severe
Behaviour, Anxiety, DCD, Chronic Health Needs and Learning Disabilities)

2012-2014

Learning Support Facilitator High School

Grade 9 to 12 case management and support

Supervised, trained and scheduled educational assistants

Supported school administration with behavioural strategies and intervention

Attended monthly professional development with learning support facilitator community

Collected and analyzed behavioural data to support programming

Supported children with low and high incidence needs (FAS, ASD, MID, Moderate-Severe
Behaviour, Anxiety, DCD, Chronic Health Needs and Learning Disabilities)

Provided counselling support to students

Assessment of academic level using WIAT-III

Scheduled and supported teachers regarding IPP writing and updates

Provided intensive behavioural support and response

Coordinated accommodations for exams

Taught small group Grade 9 literacy instruction at knowledge/employability level

Collaborated with parents regarding course schedule and programming

Ensured accessibility and safety for students with mobility difficulties


Participated in weekly student services team meetings with administration and counsellors
September 2015 to Present
Early Learning Facilitator

Conduct functional behavioural assessments

Support early learning classroom teachers with intervention strategies

Coordinate WPPSI assessments

Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support student needs

Coordinate referrals to external services such as Glenrose Hospital

Collaborate with Family Support Worker to coordinate interventions for families

Monitor Program Unit Funding (PUF) allocations

Plan and implement professional development for early learning teachers and support staff

Conduct home visitations to support families with behavioural needs

Support and supervise IPP development and updates

Provide intensive behavioural support

Oversee programming of kindergarten programs in 10 schools

Oversee programming of eight Headstart programs

Coordinate transition of kindergarten students to Grade 1

Provide presentations regarding variety of topics to learning support facilitators

Provide assessment and interpretation consultation for learning support facilitators regarding

WIAT III
Provided social-emotional learning teaching and intervention

Awards and Scholarships

Edmonton Public School Board An Act to Follow recognized for strength in collaboration
University of Calgary Queen Elizabeth II Scholarship Recipient

Papers
Lessard, A. (2012). Study of relationship between language impairment and behavior. (EDPS 652)
Lessard, A. (2012). Study of working memory implications for early literacy instruction (EDPS 652)
Lessard, A. (2012). Integrative Essay: Ethical care of the elderly. (EDPS 604)
Lessard, A. (2012). Ethical decision-making assignment. (EDPS 604)
Lessard, A. (2013). Eating disorders: The role of family and the development of sense of self. (EDPS 651).
Lessard, A. (2013). Neural systems of emotional regulation in children. (EDPS 654)
Lessard, A. (2013). Evidence-based interventions for traumatic brain injury. (EDPS 658)
Lessard, A. (2013). History of learning disabilities. (EDPS 635)
Kerr, J. & Lessard, A. (2013). Scientific revolutions in the history of learning disabilities. (EDPS 635)
Lessard, A. (2013). Personal counselling position paper. (EDPS 602)
Lessard, A. (2013). A critical comparison of rogerian and cognitive therapy. (EDPS 602)
Lessard, A. (2014). Influence of study skills on test anxiety and performance. (EDPS 612.02)
Lessard, A. (2014). Social skills improvement system: A test review. (EDPS 612.02)
Lessard, A. (2014). Social and family development review. (EDPS 650)
Lessard, A. (2014). Ecological and cultural influences of resilience. (EDPS 650)
Lessard, A. (2015). Colored overlays do not alleviate reading difficulties: An article critique (EDPS 612.01)

Lessard, A. (2015). The coping cat program for children with anxiety and autism spectrum disorder: An article critique
(EDPS 612.01)
Lessard, A. (2015). Functional behavioural assessment: How can we build capacity in school teams. (EDPS 674)
Lessard, A. (2015). Are Universal Social and Emotional Intervention Programs Effective in Early Learning Environments? (EDPS
674).

Lessard, A. (2015). Functional behavioural assessment. (EDPS 660)

Presentations
Kerr, J., Kubas, H., Lapierre, C., & Lessard, A. (2012). Grow collaborative services. (EDPS 604)
Lessard, A. & Reece-Wile, W. (2012). Key math. (EDPS 652)
Lapierre, C. & Lessard, A. (2013). Test of visual perceptual skills. (EDPS 657)
Janzen, A., Lessard, A., Pedersen, V., & Schmidt, J. (2013). Childhood Onset Schizophrenia. (EDPS 651)
Lessard, A. (2013). Evidence-based interventions for severe behavior. (EDPS 658)
Lessard, A. & Majcher, C. (2014). Internet self-reporting in social anxiety disorders: A psychometric evaluation. (EDPS
612.02)
Majcher, C. & Lessard, A. (2014). Semantic memory. (EDPS 675).
Lessard, A. (2014). Practicum case study presentation. (EDPS 675).
Lessard, A. (2014). Resilience in youth: A social ecological perspective. (EDPS 650)
Dickson, N., Lessard, A., Leslie, T., & Majcher, C. (2015). Program debate: Self-Regulation (EDPS 612.03)
Lessard, A., Majcher, C., & Pannu, P. (2015) Research proposal: A study of grade one students and the effectiveness of
the strong start curriculum. (EDPS 612.01)
Dickson, N., Lessard, A., & Majcher, C. (2015) Stimulant Medications. (EDPS 674)
Dickson, N., Lessard, A., & Majcher, C. (2015) Evidence Based Intervention: Strong Start. (EDPS 674)

References
Available upon request