Donna is a certified teacher, parent educator and mother of two. She has a diverse teaching background and has worked with children from Grade one through Grade twelve. Her specialty is Grades 7-10.

Donna has taught in many culturally, socially and economically diverse environments. She worked with children in Ecuador for two years and created a program for an NGO called Children International, teaching Art and Music to disadvantaged youth in impoverished communities.

She also worked in Mexico for 2 ½ years at a government-run school, teaching E.S.L. to teens. During this experience, she provided support in a rural community, including teen counselling and tutoring and developing a literacy program for women.

Back at home she has taught music and languages to many children and particularly worked with youth who have learning differences and behavioural challenges. She has volunteered and worked for Families Matter for the past two years, providing support and education to parents through the P.A.C.T. (Parents and Children Together) program and as a Parent Educator, teaching Parent Effectiveness Training and Teacher Effectiveness Training. She also facilitates Preschool Parenting courses.

Donna believes that we can all make a difference in this world, especially in our own home and our community. Her vast experience with children, and especially teens, gives her powerful and humorous perspective on with living and raising children. She can be reached at www.professionalparenting.ca or donna.joy@shaw.ca.