Student Services Team

Sarah Dunsford, MEd

dunsford@rundle.ab.ca | 403-250-7180

I have worked for more than 16 years as a School Counsellor in both Canada and the United States. I am a Certified Canadian Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.  

Major Roles

• Oversee the counselling and career/post-secondary program in the Society as a whole

• Provide short term social, personal and emotional counselling support

• Collaborate with Student Services team and admin to support student success

• Work with administration on tracking student progress, course registration and crisis intervention

How to Access Services
Students:

• Drop in during office hours, check-in at the Student Services Hub.

• Self Referral form on Student Services Google Classroom 

Parents: Make appointments through email or by phone.

Teachers: Student referral form used to refer students to access services

Extra-Curricular

• Advisor for the Peer Support student leadership group.

• Advisor for the WEB/Student Ambassadors

• Coach and assistant coach for the co-ed junior high and senior high soccer teams.

Fun Facts
I am the mother of two young boys and I have a twin sister who lives in Calgary. I spend my summers in Nelson, BC, where I grew up. I enjoy Peloton cycling, running, skiing and boating.

Amie Staniloff, BSW, MSW, RSW

staniloff@rundle.ab.ca | 403-250-2965

I have worked within Alberta education for the past 14 years, and more importantly, have been working within Rundle for the past 9 years. My experience also includes time within child protection, domestic violence agencies, and in adolescent addiction settings. I obtained a Master of Social Work with a Clinical Specialty and am a registered Social Worker with the Alberta College of Social Workers. 

 I am passionate about supporting students who are experiencing personal, emotional, or academic barriers. As a school counsellor, I value supporting students to increase their awareness and develop strategies that support their wellness while at Rundle. Building students’ ability to self-advocate, express themselves in a safe space, and build resiliency is fostered in all of my work with youth.

Major Roles

• Social Emotional Learning (SEL) coordinator for Rundle Society

• Grades 4-12: Personal Counselling

  • 1. 1. • Provides social, personal emotional, and academic counselling support

          • Strength-Based, Person-Centered, Task-Centered, Solution-Focused, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy 

          • Support transition for new students

          • Liasion between external and school

• Grades 9-12: Post-Secondary Guidance

  • 1. 1. • Manages the Career and Post-Secondary Planning Program 

• Individualized Program Plans Coordinator

• Grade 10-12: Academic Support

  • 1. 1. • Works with the administration on tracking student progress, course registration, and crisis intervention

• Grade 4-12 - Admission Support

  • 1. 1. • Works with the Academy admissions coordinator for incoming students

How to Access Services
Students:

• Drop in when needed or email 

• Connect through TA

Parents: Make appointments through email or by phone.

Teachers: Student referral form used to refer students to access services

Fun Facts
I am a mother of two wonderful girls. I enjoy quality time with family and friends, and having dance parties with my girls. I also enjoy playing both volleyball and badminton and having the opportunity to enjoy time outdoors during the warm months.

Hayley Bobye-Magnusson, BN, RN

bobye-magnusson@rundle.ab.ca | 403-250-2965

My favorite part about being a School Health Nurse at Rundle, is having the opportunity to empower students to take initiative to manage their health. Whether I am in the classroom teaching a health lesson or in the infirmary helping a student who is not feeling well, I am energized by the connections I am able to make with the community. 

In addition to being a Registered Nurse at Rundle I have also had the pleasure of working in pediatric mental health and as a camp nurse. 

I stay involved with student life by leading the Senior High HEART Committee and actively advising on health initiatives occurring in both PEER support and the GSA.  

When I am not working as a school nurse I enjoy spending my time hiking, snowboarding or being with my family. 

Major Roles

• Health Consultations (in person, phone and email) 

  • • Students, parents and staff 

    • Provides student and staff referrals to community resources 

• Development & Maintenance of Policy & Procedure

  • • Risk assessments

    • Write/ review school and society wide health policies 

    • Research health policy and best practice 

• Health Promotion and Community Engagement 

  • • Provide health education 

    • Offer a health club 

    • Support other health related initiatives (PEER support, pink shirt day, ect.) 

    • Host Parent Nights on health topics 

    • Provide health education to staff

    • Coordinate immunizations with AHS

How to Access Services

Students: Drop in at the infirmary, email, or phone

Parents: Make appointments through email or by phone 

Teachers: Make self or student referral via email, phone, or drop-in 

Extra-Curricular

• Advisor for Peer Support 

• Lead of Senior High Health Club 

Fun Facts
I love all things outdoor adventures such as hiking, backcountry camping, and snowboarding. I like to spend my summer working and volunteering at summer camps.

Carla Carnovale

carnovale@rundle.ab.ca | 403-250-2965

I have worked for 17 years as a Learning Strategist at Rundle Academy. I am passionate about providing a safe and caring learning environment where students can take risks and develop the skills they need to become independent and confident learners.

Major Roles

• Provide academic support with learning challenges, accommodations, and executive functioning in the classroom or one-on-one setting

• Empower literacy

• Create and plan resources to support strategies for specific learning outcomes  

• Work with administration on tracking student progress

How to Access Services

Students are referred by the TA teacher. 

Extra-Curricular

• Plan the annual Terry Fox walk /run for the Academy 

• Grade 6 year-end celebration 

• Student service team (RISE)

Fun Facts
I was born and raised in Calgary. I am a mom of two and love to spend time with my family! I also enjoy walking, yoga, and traveling to warm destinations.

Amy Defoy

defoy@rundle.ab.ca | 403-250-2965

Major Roles

I have worked for 22 years as a Learning Strategist at Rundle Academy. I provide academic support for students with learning challenges, particularly in the area of Mathematics. Implementation of student accommodations and executive functioning skills are provided in the classroom or in a one-on-one setting. Our Learning Strategist team collaborates to create resources to support strategies for specific learning outcomes as well as provide input on student IPPs. I am also responsible for the administration of informal reading assessments.

How to Access Services
Rundle Academy Learning Strategists support students who require additional support with remediation, strategy development or explicit accommodation training. Requests for this support are initiated by the teacher. The student services team determines the length of support and availability based on the student’s need. 

Extra-Curricular

• Coaching Jr. High Intramural Program

• Coordinating yearly school-wide Track and Field Day 

• Coaching school sports 

Fun Facts
I am a mother of two children. They keep me busy with their activities such as diving, track and field, and school-related sports. I spend my summers in Montreal, with my children enjoying time with family. I enjoy walking my dogs, skiing and vacationing in warm destinations.

Michelle Cawthorpe

cawthorpe@rundle.ab.ca | 403-250-2965

Rundle Academy has been my second home for 26 years. I am motivated by building confidence and self-reliance in my students. It is my privilege to work with students in providing academic support, accommodations, and executive functioning skills in the classroom. I create and plan resources to support strategies for specific learning outcomes. I administer informal reading assessments and teach the Empower Literacy Program in the junior high to support students' reading development. 

Major Roles

• Grade 7 Empower Literacy Program

• Grade 10-12 academic learning support

  • 1. 1. • Provide academic support with learning challenges, accommodations and executive functioning in classroom or one on one setting

          • Create and plan resources to support strategies for specific learning outcomes  

          • Works with administration on tracking student progress

How to Access Services
Rundle Academy Learning Strategists support students who require additional support with remediation, strategy development, or explicit accommodation training. Requests for this support are initiated by the teacher and the student services team determines the length of support and availability based on the student’s need. 

Extra-Curricular

• Move Mountains Breakfast  

• Grade 12 Graduation (video, decorations, collage, cap and gowns)

Fun Facts
I was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and raised in Niagara Falls, Ont. I am the mother of one son, Kai Cawthorpe, a current Rundle Academy student. I enjoy  walking my dog Dazzle, cycling and travelling to Mexico each year.

Brad Mellor, MEd

mellor@rundle.ab.ca| 403-250-2965

I resonate with the idea that students have the qualities within themselves to work through adversity and toward positive change. My role as a school counsellor is to listen, collaborate and help identify solutions while building clients' inner strength, resilience, and belief in themselves to guide their way to hope. I am drawn to a strength-based counselling orientation that has been set on a foundation from my time in education, coaching, and sport.

I have a BEd and at Rundle Academy have taught grades 4-12 during my 20-year teaching career. I have also completed my Master of Counselling at the University of Calgary and will be certified by Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). I am also a Traverse Program Academic Coach who supports post-secondary students across the country which has been an incredible experience to see the next phase of education for our students.

Major Roles

• Provide social, personal and emotional counselling support

• Provide strength based counselling, including solution-focused, cognitive behavioural therapy, positive psychology 

• Manage the career and post-secondary planning program 

• Academic support with learning challenges, accommodations and executive functioning

• Work with administration on tracking student progress, course registration, and crisis intervention

How to Access Services

Students:

• • • • Drop in during office hours, email or phone.

      • Self Referral form by email or drop in.

      • Grade 12 students can connect or drop in.

Parents: Book  appointments directly through email or by phone.

Teachers: Student referral form used to refer students to access services.

Extra-Curricular
I have also been involved with athletics at Rundle Academy, coaching wrestling, track and field, badminton, and now with our Rockies Golf Program.

Fun Facts
I am a husband and father of two children, who both attend Rundle. We love to spend time camping in the mountains, playing hockey and golf. You can probably find us at the rink in the winter time! 

Danielle Acevedo, BCYC, MACP, C.C.C

dacevedo@rundle.ab.ca | 403-282- 8411 ext. 1121

My career has been largely focused around building relationships with children, youth, and their families. Assisting them in growing their capacity in order to find success and well being while navigating their own unique challenges. Child development, trauma, and mental health have been at the forefront of my career, as I have worked in a multitude of settings such as, the public and private school districts, child protection, the Alberta family courts, residential and group care, and community wellness promotion. 

I have a Bachelors of Child and Youth Counseling, a Masters of Arts in Psychology Counseling and I am a Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCC) with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA).

Major Roles

• Provides social, personal, academic, and emotional counselling support

• Provide strength-based, narrative, somatic, solution-focused, and cognitive behavioral therapy

• Academic support for learning challenges, accommodations, and executive functioning

• Works with administration on tracking student progress, academic profiles, and crisis intervention

How to Access Services
Students: Drop in during office hours in Room 121, email or phone.

Parents: Make appointments through email or by phone.

Teachers: Student referral form used to refer students to access services.

Extra-Curricular

• Host “Coffee with the Counsellor” events, as well as raising awareness around pluralism & wellness initiatives in the school. 

Fun Facts
I enjoy spending time in nature, gardening and yoga.

Sienna Cashion-Dextrase, BEd

scashion-dextrase@rundle.ab.ca

I have taught in Edmonton focusing on working with Indigenous students and students with diagnosed Learning Disabilities. In 2022, I completed my Bachelors of Education at the University of Alberta. I provide support for literacy, numeracy, and executive functioning.

Major Roles

Academic and executive functioning support for learning challenges in-class, one-on-one, and/or in small group settings.

How to Access Services
Parents: Inquire through Homeroom Teacher.

Teachers: Student referral form used to refer students to access services

Extra-Curricular

• Strategic Board Games C Lab Grades 5 & 6

Fun Facts
I rock climb, love a good game of Monopoly, and enjoy spending as much time outdoors as possible!

Jennifer Crisp

jcrisp@rundle.ab.ca | 403-282-8411

I have taught Kindergarten to Grade 9 in public and private schools in Ontario, Africa, and Calgary over the past twenty-five years. I have programmed for, worked with, and evaluated students requiring a variety of instructional approaches and navigated appropriate resources for students’ academic development and success. I completed an Honours BA in Psychology, a BEd, and a MA in Educational Leadership and Management. 

Major Roles

Academic and executive functioning support for learning challenges in-class, one-on-one, and/or in small group settings.

How to Access Services
Parents: Inquire through Homeroom Teacher.

Teachers: Student referral form used to refer students to access services

Extra-Curricular

• Grade 6 Choir

• Terry Fox Run

• Adopt-a-Family

• Sports’ Day

Fun Facts
I enjoy hiking, HIIT and yoga, and spend holidays with my 5 children and husband rotating between Ontario (where I grew up), Nova Scotia, and Nashville where my extended family lives.

Priscilla Nathan, MA Counselling, RCC

pnathan@rundle.ab.ca | 403-250-7180

I have been an educator for over 15 years. I am currently a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and a member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.  

Major Roles

• Provides social, personal and emotional counselling support.

• Provide solution-focused and cognitive behavioral therapy.

• Collaborates with the academic support team and administration  for student success.

How to Access Services
Students: Drop in during office hours in the Student Services Hub, email or phone.

Parents: Make appointments through email or by phone.

Teachers: Student referral form used to refer students to access services.

Extra-Curricular

• PASS student leadership group.

• Reach for the Top

Fun Facts
I recently moved to Calgary from Vancouver, BC and I am a mom of two boys. I practice the ancient art of calligraphy and love anything fine arts related. I have lived in Korea and love to cook, travel, and learn new languages.

Neil Domstad, BPE, BEd

domstad@rundle.ab.ca | 403-250-7180 Ext. 4047

I provide academic and organizational support to students who are involved in co-curriculars, medical or other circumstances that necessitate them being away from school often or for prolonged periods of time.

Major Roles

• Personalized Learning Profile (PLP) for times away

• Organize and proctor tests and exams

• Goal setting, time management and organizational skills 

How to Access Services
Students: Drop in during office hours in Room A102, email or phone 

Parents: Make appointments through email or by phone 

Teachers: Student referral form used to refer students to access services

Extra-Curricular

• Assist Nurse Hayley with first aid, medical assistance and concussion protocols 

• Coach Jr. and Sr. High Wrestling Teams and Sr. High Track and Field

• Commissioner for CISAA Wrestling

Fun Facts
I love to fish, be active and spend time outdoors with my lovely wife, 3 amazing daughters and Labradoodle. Wrestling is my passion and I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel around the world competing for Canada and also coaching for over 35 years at the local, provincial and national level.

Lori Gonzalez 

gonzalezl@rundle.ab.ca / 403-250-7180 ext: 4071

I have worked as an educator for 30 years. As a classroom teacher I taught High school English, and I have been in Student Services for the past 15 years with a focus on Guidance Counseling, both in the public system as well as other independent schools in Calgary. 

I provide support in the areas of executive functioning, academic advising, course selection, timetabling, post-secondary planning and exploration, as well as supporting the grade 10 TA program.

Major Roles

• Grade 9 & 10 executive functioning and academic/post-secondary planning

How to Access Services
Students: Can drop in or email to make an appointment.

Parents: Make appointments through email or by phone.

Teachers: Student referral form used to refer students to access services

Extra-Curricular

• Reach for the Top

• Peer Tutoring

Fun Facts
Due to my love of home renovations and design, I am living in my 15th home. 

Melissa Mann

mann@rundle.ab.ca | 403-990-9401

This is my 21st year working at Rundle College. I began my teaching journey at Rundle Academy where I taught Senior High Science, particularly Biology and Chemistry. I joined the Science Department at the Conklin building 16 years ago. In the past two years I have been making a transition into student support, particularly as a Traverse University Transition Program Coach and an in school Student Success Coach, supporting primarily grade 11 and 12 students with Executive Functioning skills. As I am not ready to leave the classroom yet, I teach a class of Chemistry 30 each semester.

Major Roles

• Traverse Coach

• Student Success Coach

• Senior High Science Teacher

How to Access Services
Traverse: Parents and Grade 12 students are informed of details around the Traverse program throughout their Grade 12 year and secure their spot within the program in the spring of their graduation year. Once in the program, there are weekly meetings in person or on Zoom.

Students: Drop in or email to make an appointment.

Parents: Make appointments through email or by phone.

Teachers: Student referral form used to refer students to access services.

Extra-Curricular

• Yearbook Lead/Photographer

• Cross Country Coach

Fun Facts
My husband is the Head of the Elementary at Rundle Academy and my son attends Rundle College Elementary. We are a happy Rundle family! We just added another member to our family this past summer, a goofy goldendoodle named Rufus. I love decorating, fashion, plants and birdwatching.