Our Philosophy
At Exceptional Abilities Educational Consultation & Tutoring, we are proud to have a dedicated team of professionals with extensive experience in education, psychology, and advocacy.
Each member of our team is committed to supporting neurodiverse individuals and ensuring they receive the best possible guidance and resources.
Meet our founder, Michelle Siegel, who brings over 20 years of professional experience and a passion for empowering students with diverse learning needs.
Our team also includes skilled tutors, consultants, and coaches who work collaboratively to create a supportive and inclusive environment for all our clients.
Meet the Team
Our diverse team of highly qualified educational professionals is dedicated to helping your children build essential life, academic, and career-ready skills—empowering them to thrive in every area of their development.
Admin
Lucy Kovalova-Woods
Business Manager
For over ten years, I’ve been working as an external consultant and fractional executive. Since February 2019, my clientele base has been covering all continents. Proud to be global! 20-years of business experience: strategy, business development, organizational and financial effectiveness, etc. is my ground base to deliver the best results for you. Published author of various personal development and business books. Disability Inclusion Advocate
Katia Benyaminian
Contributor to EEP and YCC Programs
Katia holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and has experience working in a daycare as well as a language educator. She is passionate about helping young people grow, learn, and find their place in the world..
Consultants & Behavioural Aides
Megan Hundseth
Development Behavioural Aide
Megan is a fourth-year Kinesiology student at the University of Calgary. She has always loved movement, whether through sports, dance, or play, and is passionate about how it can support both the body and the brain. This passion inspired her to study human movement and explore how it can make a difference in the lives of children and families.
Megan has enjoyed working and volunteering in many different settings with children of all abilities, including CP Alberta, and Best Buddies. These experiences have taught her the importance of creating welcoming spaces where kids feel supported, encouraged, and celebrated for who they are.
When working with children, Megan’s approach is built on patience, adaptability, and fun. She believes in meeting kids where they are, celebrating every success, and helping them build confidence through movement and play.
Nnedinma Alo
Development Behavioural Aide
Nnedinma is a dedicated Community Rehabilitation and Disability Support Professional who believes every child with disability has something special to share. I look beyond disabilities, focusing on the strengths and uniqueness of each child.
With a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Anatomy and a Diploma in Disability Studies, complemented by extensive frontline support experience. I bring heart and knowledge with a strength-based approach to my work. I believe children with disabilities deserve respect and should be treated with patience, compassion and empathy.
I strive to walk alongside families, to acknowledge their lived experiences and provide support, while creating inclusive and nurturing spaces where their children can truly feel valued and encouraged to grow and shine in their unique strengths.
Ayeisha Galvez
Development Behavioural Aide
My name is Ayeisha Galvez, and I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies from the University of Calgary. I bring extensive experience supporting children with cognitive, developmental, and neuromotor disabilities, and working with children has been a lifelong passion of mine.
I have developed my skills across diverse settings, including schools, day programs, after-school programs, and therapy environments. In these roles, I have worked collaboratively with interprofessional teams—including teachers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists—to provide comprehensive and individualized support.
These experiences have reinforced the importance of creating inclusive environments where children feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. I strongly align with the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive, and my approach centers on fostering confidence, independence, and meaningful skill development.
While I guide and support children in their learning, I also view each interaction as a reciprocal exchange—I continue to learn from the children I work with, building trust and deep, meaningful connections along the way. With patience, adaptability, and creativity, I strive to meet each child where they are, celebrate every success, and encourage growth through play, movement, and positive engagement.
Sharmaine Rosal
Development Behavioural Aide
Hello, I’m Sharmaine, and I have a strong foundation of supporting children and individuals with diverse disabilities, combining hands-on childcare experience with a background in rehabilitation. Earlier in my career, I worked in before-and-after-school programs and summer camps, providing one-on-one guidance to children, including those with ASD, ADHD, and other developmental disabilities, enriching confidence, independence, and social-emotional growth.
After completing my Occupational/Physical Therapy Assistant Diploma at Medicine Hat College in 2021, I moved to Calgary and have spent over four years working alongside an interdisciplinary team closely with occupational and physical therapists. Primarily, I continued supporting clients with complex mental health needs and multiple disabilities while contributing to therapeutic programming, managing behaviours, and supporting their overall quality of life. Along the way, I recently earned my Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies from the University of Calgary in the summer of this year.
Passionate about creating a safe space that encourages trust and meaningful connection, I approach each child with patience, empathy, and respect and meet them where they are. Outside of work, I enjoy travelling, reading, and painting, and I share my home with two playful cats who bring me immense joy.
Sekinat Sanni
Development Behavioural Aide
I am a dedicated Support Aid with experience working with both adults and youths in community living settings and group homes.
I’m passionate about providing person-centered care, promoting independence, and creating a safe, supportive environment for individuals with diverse needs.
I’m known for my empathy, patience, and strong commitment to improving the quality of life of those I support.
Jett Devost
Educational Consultant
My name is Jett Devost and I recently joined Exceptional Abilities as a consultant. I graduated from the University of Calgary with a degree in Psychology and embedded certificate in mental health & wellbeing.
My Honours research project highlighted the lived experience of autistic undergraduate psychology students with the hopes of spreading awareness about the diverse autism spectrum, and finding pathways to foster a more inclusive campus.
I hope to leverage my lived experience as an autistic individual (and the knowledge I have gained) to create a better future for autistic and/or neurodiverse individuals.
In my free time, I enjoy playing video games, taking care of my cat, Lake, and, exploring new restaurants/cafes around the city when I get a chance!
Bethany
Behavioural Consultant
My name is Bethany, originally from Newfoundland, I moved to Calgary to complete my graduate studies in School and Applied Child Psychology.
I have extensive experience supporting and advocating for youth with disabilities through community work, research, and clinical practice.
I am passionate about providing inclusive, neuroaffirming support for all students and contributing to research that enhances evidence-based practices in assessment, intervention and supporting student well-being.
Jenny Smith
Educational Consultant
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Education and have worked and volunteered with children and youth in various settings. These experiences have taught me the importance of building trusting connections and making learning enjoyable.
Becoming a parent to neurodiverse children sparked my interest in ADHD, learning disabilities, and anxiety. I believe every child can succeed with the right support and am passionate about sharing this knowledge with students, parents, and educators.
To recharge, I enjoy cross-country skiing, hiking, spending time with loved ones, and creating Halloween costumes!
Tutors
Chelsie Williams
Hello, I’m Chelsie, a passionate educator with a Bachelor’s degree in General Elementary Education from the University of Alberta.
Through my teaching and tutoring experience, I have found joy in helping students break concepts down into steps that make sense to them, empowering them to regain confidence and rediscover a love for learning.
My goal is to create a supportive and engaging environment where students feel encouraged to grow. In my free time, I enjoy travelling to new places, reading, and spending time outdoors.
Shiza Syed
I was born in Pakistan but have called Calgary home since the age of 4.
After graduating with a Civil Engineering degree from the University of Calgary in 2021, I’ve returned to pursue a second degree in Education, specializing in Elementary Mathematics.
Beyond school, I enjoy hiking, cherishing moments with loved ones, and cooking dishes from various cultures.
Courtney MacDonald
I’m Courtney, originally from Nova Scotia, I pursued my Bachelor of Education at St. F.X., specializing in Secondary Mathematics and Physical Education.
I attribute my success, love for being active and overall growth and development as a person to my small-town roots.
Throughout my tutoring experience, I have found immense joy in fostering strong relationships with my students and cultivating a growth mindset in each individual.
I am currently pursuing a Master of Management degree at the University of Calgary with hopes to integrate her love for education, health and business in the future.
Gopika Raj
Hi, I’m Gopika—also known as Ms. Pika! I’m an educator based in Calgary with over seven years of teaching experience across Canada, France, and India.
My journey has taken me from teaching ESL in Toulouse to French instruction in Kerala, and I currently tutor reading with the Learning Disabilities Association of Newfoundland and Labrador.
With a Master’s in English, a DELF B2 in French, and now pursuing my BEd in English Language
Kevin Anaeche
Teaching, particularly Mathematics, ignites my passion. I firmly believe that every child possesses the potential to learn, given the right strategies and nurturing environment.
With more than two decades dedicated to teaching Mathematics and holding a Ph.D. in the subject, I confidently advocate the belief that mastering Math opens doors to mastering anything in life.
My guiding principles revolve around integrity, honesty, and objectivity.
Honey Sturdy
Hello, my name is Honey Sturdy and I am a teacher of English as a Second Language, French and Spanish Immersion.
I graduated from the University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Education (French). Since that time I my career has taken me to Canada, England, France, Italy and Spain.
I have taught students of all ages 5 and up. As well as teaching Languages I also teach Physical Education and Dance.
My focus on well-rounded learning has allowed my students to sharpen their critical thinking skills and be diverse in the knowledge they possess; as such, my students are able to confidently showcase their work and knowledge through written assessments and insightful conversations.
My teaching philosophy is learning occurs everywhere and misunderstanding is a product of attempt and success. Mathematics is my expertise at the secondary level.
I specialize in structural variations; breaking down a complex concept into the simplest form so that it facilitates understanding.
Drishty Keswani
With over a decade of experience nurturing young minds, I bring a balanced blend of educational insight and creativity to every session.
Holding bachelor’s degrees in Commerce and Education, plus a Master’s in English, I specialize in using play-way techniques and innovative, child-centered strategies to help learners flourish-especially when they benefit from extra support or individualized attention.
I’m passionate about inspiring growth in developmental years and empowering children to become confident, curious, and capable learners.
Connie Thraya
Hello! I’m Connie, a passionate science educator with a strong background in chemistry and physics. I’ve recently completed my Bachelor of Science at the University of Calgary, where I’ve developed a deep appreciation for helping others understand complex scientific ideas in clear, approachable ways.
Through my tutoring experience, I enjoy breaking down challenging topics into simple, logical steps that help students build confidence and truly grasp the “why” behind the concepts. My goal is to create a supportive and engaging learning environment where curiosity thrives, and students feel empowered to succeed.
In my spare time, I enjoy reading, baking, moving my body any way I can, and spending time outdoors..
IT & Web Development
Salma Aboulnaga
Junior Web Developer & IT Support
I’m Salma, and I’m currently pursuing my Bachelor’s in Computer Science at the University of Calgary.
I’ve been working with kids for over 3 years, as a caretaker, volunteer and tutor, wherein I built trust with my students alongside making learning more accessible and simplified complex concepts across Math, Chemistry, Biology and Coding.
With 2 years of experience in turning wireframes, style guides, and mock-ups into functioning websites and designing websites using platforms like WordPress, Squarespace and Wix, I lead Exceptional Abilities’ IT department in UI/UX design, content placement, responsiveness, and maintenance.
In my free time, I enjoy reading, math, going for walks on campus, and going out for lunch with friends and family.
Our Mission
At Exceptional Abilities Educational Consultation & Tutoring, our vision is to empower individuals to embrace their strengths, unlock their potential, and become the best versions of themselves. We believe that every person—regardless of their challenges—deserves the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive. Through personalized support, innovative strategies, and a deep commitment to inclusivity, we strive to create an environment where confidence flourishes, abilities shine, and each person can achieve their unique definition of success.
We strive to teach learners to rise above their difficulties through tailored support, meaningful teaching, and unwavering encouragement—because we are all more than our struggles; We Are Exceptional!