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El Jones
El Jones
Featured Presenter
El Jones is a spoken word poet, an educator, journalist, and a community activist living in African Nova Scotia. She was the fifth Poet Laureate of Halifax. In 2016, El was a recipient of the Burnley “Rocky” Jones human rights award for her community work and work in prison justice.
Symbia Barnaby is an Indigenous person of Mi'kmaq and Haida decent who lives in Northern British Columbia. She is a solo parent to 6 children (5 of which have exceptionalities). She is a Practical nurse, a Birth/Postpartum Doula, a Community Inclusuion Advocate, a Film Maker, a Story Teller and a Wisdom Translator.
Andréa Coutu, MBA, is the CEO of Trustmode Marketing, an entrepreneurship coaching and consulting company that works with small businesses, incubators and accelerators and non-profits to build businesses. She is also the founder of Consultant Journal, a leading resource for independent consultants, and she is the author of Consulting Fees: A Guide for Independent Consultants. Andréa has taught for SFU, UBC and other universities, been interviewed by national and local media, and written for outlets ranging from local magazines to USA Today. Andréa works from a trauma-informed model and leans into both her professional and lived experience. She is the mother of two teen boys and has navigated education, health care, social services and other systems, while somehow making a lot of friends.
John Gaiptman, BCCPAC
John Gaiptman, BCCPAC
Section 11 & The Appeals Process
John has been involved with public education for over 35 years. He spent 14 years as a Superintendent of Schools; twelve of which were with the Greater Victoria School District and two with the New Westminster School District. John is married with two daughters and three grandchildren. It is his hope, through his vast experience in public education, that he can continue to support and empower parents for the success of each learner.
BC People First
BC People First
Jo-Anne Gauthier is the President of BC People First and has been advocating for human rights for people with disabilities for over 30 years; she is a proud mother and grandmother.
Conrad Tyrkin is the Chairperson of BC People First's Youth Leadership Committee and loves doing advocacy presentations and public speaking; he is a huge Canucks fan.
Moms Against Racism
Moms Against Racism
We are Moms Against Racism, Canada. MAR is a member based international non-profit organization of moms who strive to unify our parenting skills teaching anti-racism, equity, diversity and inclusion by: Doing the work. Starting at home.
Cindy Dalglish and Ryan Kappmeier
Cindy Dalglish and Ryan Kappmeier
Cindy Dalglish is a well-known education advocate supporting true investment into our education system. As a vocal advocate, Cindy continues to present and push all levels of government to increase financial support and update education policy with a focus on the K-12 system. In her professional capacity, Cindy is an instructional designer, curriculum developer, and post-secondary instructor across a broad spectrum of programs and topics. She holds a BA in Communications from Royal Roads University.
Ryan Kappmeier has dedicated over fifteen years of his career to working with marginalized and diverse learners in education and youth justice systems in B.C. and Ontario. Leveraging experiential learning tools and positive behaviour interventions, Ryan has supported a variety of educational programs including outdoor adventure therapy, day treatment, and traditional elementary and high school classrooms. He holds a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Management from Royal Roads University, where he focused on a re-envisioning of the role that education assistants can play in improving outcomes for underserved learners in B.C
Rachel Lovick
Rachel Lovick
Rachel is a Vancouver-based chef and culinary educator. She has spent the last 5 years working at Brainboost Education with children and youth. She is passionate about sustainability, food justice and connecting with people with food.
Suzanne Perreault
Suzanne Perreault
Suzanne is a mother of 3 and a Langley School District Trustee. Suzanne has served as a private vocational school administrator, an SEA, and Langley DPAC president for 3 years. She's currently a Youth & Women’s Counsellor and her advocacy focus is to help promote educational change in areas of Inclusion, wellness, leadership, motivation and parent engagement.
Cynthia Lockrey
Cynthia Lockrey
Cynthia Lockrey is a writer, communications professional, corporate trainer and patient advocate. Cynthia combines her public relations experience with her passion for advocating for kids with special needs, as a presenter, volunteer and parent. She is the author of two advocacy books – Your Child’s Voice - A Caregiver's Guide to Advocating for Kids with Special Needs, Disabilities, or Others Who May Fall through the Cracks and Bed Rest Mom – Surviving Pregnancy-Related Bed Rest with Your Sanity and Dignity Intact.
Wiyé.nox/Luke Dandurand
Wiyé.nox/Luke Dandurand
Wiyé.nox ‐ the man of sound. A name earned and gifted from the Elders of Kwantlen First Nation and his hereditary chief Marilyn Gabriel, for his extensive background in music and capabilities of public speaking. Part of my goal and what I currently do for work full time is let people know about the success, pride and passion of my Kwantlen family and what has been accomplished through our community.
BCEdAccess
Karla Verschoor has been with Inclusion BC since 2006, when she joined the organization as a volunteer coordinator. Over the years, Karla has worked in various leadership roles as an advocate, strategic planner and now as Executive Director. Karla has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Alberta where she studied Political Science and Government and a Certificate in Dialogue and Civic Engagement from Simon Fraser University. Karla lives in Vancouver with her husband and daughter. When she’s not working Karla enjoys volunteering at her daughter’s school and with her local neighbourhood house.
Erika Cedillo joined Inclusion BC in the summer of 2018 as a Community Inclusion Advocate, she became the Director of Public Policy and Programs in May of 2020. Erika has been a strong, effective advocate and support for families in her community and brings a collaborative and solutions-based approach to the work that she does. Before joining Inclusion BC, Erika collaborated for 8 years in the Major Collaborative Research Initiative project "Asia Pacific Dispute Resolution" at Peter A. Allard School of Law. Erika has a Ph.D. in Law from the Peter A. Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia, a Master's Degree in Administration, Finance and Corporate Law from Universidad Humanitas (Mexico) and obtained her Law Degree from Tecnologico de Monterrey (Mexico). As a researcher, Erika has developed a specific interest in advancing equitable access to education for children with diverse needs in the public education system. Outside of work, Erika enjoys being with her family, spending time in nature, and a good run to clear her mind.
Jennifer Newby is the mother of 2 exceptional little men. Like you, she’s a parent who has had to learn things the hard way – and firmly believes in building a good public education system that supports ALL children.
Nicole Kaler has 3 children. After her eldest child’s Autism diagnosis, she dedicated herself to becoming a career parent committed to the caregiving and advocacy required to support her daughter. Nicole is currently focused on the volunteerism and community activism that can leverage the experience and knowledge that she has acquired in the process of securing her daughter’s right to an education. Her efforts have included advocacy at the school level, various political levels, and ultimately within the Human Rights Tribunal process.
Nicole works on the board of directors of the BCEdAccess Society to use her experiences to empower parents and challenge our education system so that all children have an equitable opportunity and a safe and healthy experience in BC public schools.
Dr. Kathryn Garforth has professional expertise in Educational Psychology and a personal understanding of the frustrations children and adults with learning difficulties experience at home, school, work, and in extracurricular activities.
Aaron Johannes, Rhona Segarra, Liz Etmanski - We have been thinking about and engaged in planning for people, families and organizations for 30 years, in various ways. We will explain how planning works for people and how we can use these methods for groups. Participants will be engaged in thinking about their own plans, or those they help their younger or adult children make, with an eye on a future goal of self-determination and citizenship. Please have some white paper and a black marker so we can see what you're thinking!
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