Believing that learning is an inside-out process has always formed the basis of Linda's work as learner, teacher, and administrator. Throughout her 30 years in the field of education, Linda also came to appreciate the significance of the relationship between learner and teacher. Her experience as a teacher, coach (6 years), consultant (6 years), secondary school vice-principal (12 years), elementary school principal (5 years) exposed her to hundreds of students seeking to understand themselves and their place in the world.

Students "on the fringe" or "at risk to succeed" always captured her heart and attention and led on a journey of researching and training to better enable her to connect and work with these students. Learning about brain-dominance profiles, learning styles, brain gym, multi-sensory integration, brain re-patterning, diet, body energy and emotion has had a profound impact on Linda's current work with students who are struggling to succeed at school. Her belief is that each child is unique, learns in his or her own way and has special gifts/talents to celebrate.

During her 13 years as an instructor in the Principals' Certification Program (O.S.I.E./University of Toronto) Linda impressed upon future school leaders the importance of creating a school culture of caring and nurturing. She introduced new information about how left and right brain learners like to learn, how to encourage whole brain learning and how to alter instruction to accommodate the needs of various learning styles in the classroom. She modeled the importance of exercise and movement in learning, the need for water consumption and intake of good nutrition. Linda also emphasized the need for teachers to establish positive relationships with students and to create safe and caring learning environments in the classroom.

In an attempt to reach future teachers, Linda and her colleagues from the Integrated Centre for Optimal Learning made presentations at Althouse College of Education, University of Western Ontario. She has done several worshops with parents and teachers on wellness, learning styles, brain-gym, learning strategies, etc. Upon retiring, Linda re-entered the school system as an educational assistant working in small groups or one-on-one with young children who demonstrated unacceptable behaviors and/or learning difficulties. Currenly, in her work at the Centre, Linda continues her with students struggling with their learning or looking for ways to understand and improve their learning and performance

Her search for answers to the questions, "How does the brain function?", "How is the mind/body/heart connected?", "How can research inform our work with children?". She is passionate about celebrating each child and doing whatever is possible to enhance self-esteem, self-understanding, confidence, and success in living and learning.

Linda's qualifications include:

• B.A. (McMaster University)
• B. P.H.E. (McMaster University)
• B. Ed. (Althouse College, University of Western Ontario)
• M. Ed. (O.I.S.E./University of Toronto)