Meet The VBS Team
Each of our team members is passionate about helping families learn, grow and achieve new milestones. We use evidence-based strategies in Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) to help your child develop skills to succeed at home, in school and in the community!
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Peggy
Clinical Director
(BCBA/RBA)
Peggy (aka Margaret) has always had a passion for helping children succeed! Since 2007, she has gained extensive experience working with children/youth ages 1-22 with varying needs and developmental levels, with a primary focus on working with children/youth with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
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In 2007 Peggy earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Bachelor of Education from the University of Windsor, as well as her Early Childhood Education Diploma from St. Clair College! In 2014, Peggy completed her Master of Education from Arizona State University and passed the Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) exam. What she describes as a pivotal moment in her career.
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Early in her career she learned the benefits of parent training and parent-mediated training using the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis to implement behaviour change programs. She has a passion for parent training and teaching others because she knows that parents are the experts when it comes to their children.
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Peggy also works as a part-time instructor for the Autism and Behavioural Sciences program at St. Clair College, is a member of the Board of Directors for Autism Services Inc (ASI) and is an Approved Provider for the Ontario Autism Program (OAP).
Natalie has gained a diverse skillset over the past 25 years working in social service-based organizations. She supports families and children with a playful and family-focused approach.
In 2006, Natalie began work for a provincially funded provider in what is now referred to as the Ontario Autism Program. This is where she developed a passion for the science of Applied Behaviour Analysis. Over the years, she held positions in direct clinical service, developmental programming, consulting, as management.
Her connection to families and children focuses on a personal philosophy of “get outside and have new experiences." Ultimately, it’s about being joyful, life-long learning and having an opportunity to be a contributing part of your community.
Natalie
Care Manager
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Kaity
Administrative Assistant
Kaity, our administrative assistant, brings extensive experience and is a certified member of our joint health and safety committee. Known for her meticulous planning, scheduling, and organizational skills, she ensures smooth operations in any environment, especially at VBS.
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When she is not working, she is a proud mom to her 4 sons and 2 dogs. Her commitment to our VBS team/ families and her love for her own family, define her both professionally and personally.
Sarah has a bubbly, outgoing personality, with a passion for applied behaviour analysis and supporting exceptional individuals.
This passion began in 2010 when she spent much of her time volunteering with various organizations that support individuals with disabilities.
Sarah graduated from the University of Windsor in 2018 with a double major in Disability Studies and Psychology; then graduated from Brock University in 2020 with a Master's degree in Disability Studies with a Specialization in Applied Behaviour Analysis. Practicing clinically for 4 years, Sarah has extensive knowledge of practical and technical aspects of behaviour analysis. In December 2021, Sarah successfully completed her BCBA certification.
Given her goofy personality and love for Disney and Marvel movies, Sarah thrives on supporting preschool-aged children. She shows creativity in her program writing style and benefits individuals who learn best through non-traditional teaching methods. Sarah is a supportive and hardworking individual who exhibits remarkable dedication toward her team and clients.
Sarah
Clinical Supervisor
(BCBA/RBA)
Ashlynn
Clinical Supervisor
(BCBA/RBA)
Ashlynn Boutros is energetic and has the ability to make any learning program fun and functional. Graduating from the University of Windsor with a degree in Honours Developmental Psychology, she then attended St. Clair College where she received her graduate certificate in Autism and Behaviour Science (ABS). She then completed her Master’s in Education in Curriculum and Instruction at Arizona State University and successfully achieved her Board Certified Behaviour Analyst certification in 2022.
Ashlynn has over 5 years of experience working in the field of Autism and Applied Behaviour Analysis. She has worked in private and publically funded children’s treatment centres, as well as in clients’ homes. She has mentored multiple students from St. Clair College pursuing their ABS graduate certificates. Ashlynn has experience working and teaching groups of students ranging from toddlers to adults. She uses her love for play and teaching to create a balanced learning environment. She is dedicated to the field of Autism and finds satisfaction in watching her clients use all the skills they have learned.
Svetlana Popovic is a bubbly problem solver who has a way with communication. She incorporates research into practice daily and excels in one-on-one instruction, group instruction with peers, parent/teacher/clinician training, community collaboration, and teamwork.
Svetlana holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Education from the University of Windsor and is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst as of 2023. Prior to this, she earned a Master's in Education, a Bachelor of Education (OCT Certified), and a Bachelor of Arts: Psychology, all from the University of Windsor.
She is also the only Level 5 Clinical Trainer/Clinician in Pivotal Response Treatment in Ontario, and the 5th certified in Canada.
Her main interests have always been in increasing independence in skills and functional communication; she strives to cultivate these crucial, fundamental skills in all of her learners.
Svetlana PhD
Clinical Supervisor
(BCBA/RBA)
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Jada
Instructor Therapist
Jada has a bubbly, outgoing personality with a lot of knowledge in the field of ABA. Continuous improvement in her skills and developing a healthy and strong rapport with her clients are most important to her. She prides herself on being patient and believes that her strengths lies in working with children and their families to support them in achieving their goals.
Jada has earned a college diploma in Child Youth Care and will soon graduate with a degree in Disability Studies this Spring. Since she was young she has always had a passion for working with children and has developed a broad range of experience while working in homes, community centers, and schools with children and teens with developmental disabilities.
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Outside of work, you can find Jada at the gym taking part in weight lifting, yoga, mobility training, and flexibility. She also enjoys spending time with her family, trying new foods, shopping, watching thrillers.
Sydney Mardling (or Syd) is warm, goofy, and loves bringing music into her sessions to increase the fun and engagement. Syd has a certificate in Early Childhood Education and a background in teaching in various preschool and toddler classrooms in her hometown, Chatham.
Her experience made her eager to continue her education so that she could help more children which led her to pursue a graduate certificate in Autism and Behavioural Science at St. Clair College.
She loves her career as a Instructor Therapist, gaining experience in schools, clinical, and home settings for the last 3 and a half years.
Outside of work, Syd loves hanging with her family and her SUPER CUTE Golden Retriever/roommate, Beau.
Sydney
Instructor Therapist
Oz
Instructor Therapist
Oz Alpas has a cheerful and empathetic personality with a passion for teaching, supporting and advocating for children and adults on the autism spectrum. After graduating from the University of Windsor with a degree in Honours Psychology, Oz attended St. Clair College, where she received her graduate certificate in Autism and Behavioural science.
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Oz strives to build genuine connections with each of her learners and the families that she supports. Oz believes that establishing a trusting and safe rapport with her clients is crucial for positive and enjoyable learning to take place. Using a mixture of creativity, motivation, and play is Oz’s favourite way to teach. This is a method called Natural Environment Teaching (NET), and allows Oz to teach learning goals in a fun, natural and functional way.
Having experience working in centre, home and community-based settings, Oz is a dedicated and hardworking Instructor Therapist who finds genuine happiness in watching her clients grow and learn.
Mensiha is an optimistic individual whose greatest passion is caring, teaching and supporting children as well as learning. She holds a degree in Honours Developmental Psychology with Theses from the University of Windsor, a graduate certificate in Autism and Behavioural Science from St. Clair College and a Level 1: PRT training certificate from Stanford University. She has 7 years of experience working with children with ASD as an Instructor Therapist, both in IBI and PRT settings, and as a respite worker. Mensiha enjoys working with individuals of all ages, however, she prefers to work with preschool-age children where I can truly express my love of teaching and my "child-happy" personality through play, singing, dancing and imitation of sounds and motions of animals and objects.
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In her free time, she loves to read, write, journal, craft, draw, paint, listen to music, tend to my indoor houseplant jungle and spend time with my cat and my three teenage children watching movies, cooking or going on mini outdoor adventures. Every day is a learning day, enjoy every moment of it.
Mensiha
Instructor Therapist (PRT)
Rose
Instructor Therapist
Rose graduated from the University of Guelph-Humber and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Studies.
With over six years of experience in the field of early childhood education, she has gained important skills while working with a broad range of children in different age groups.
Rose entered the field of ABA with the desire to make positive impacts on all children and their families.
She is pursuing her Master of Science in Applied Behaviour Analysis at Wayne State University.
With her ongoing education in the ABA program, she looks forward to continuing to support children
and families in need.
Rose is an outgoing, optimistic, and creative person who loves to keep sessions fun for children to be
engaged.
In her spare time, she loves spending time with her family and friends, cooking, and hanging out with
my husky pup KG (named after the basketball player – Kevin Garnett!).
Ben graduated from the University of Windsor with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a bachelor’s degree in Education. As a student teacher, he has enthusiastically and joyfully taught children from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 across multiple schools in Essex County. With a love for teaching and a passion for watching children grow, Ben has masterfully transferred his skills to VBS. He combines his deep-rooted passion for Psychology with an educational approach, utilizing ABA techniques under the clinical supervision of a Registered Behavior Analyst. Ben’s excitement for helping people is unmatched.
Outside of work, Ben enjoys watching movies and TV shows, playing video games, working out, and camping.
Ben
Instructor Therapist
Tatum
Instructor Therapist
Tatum graduated from the University of Windsor and earned a degree in Honours Psychology in 2023. With a background in Psychology, all she knew was that she wanted to make a difference in people’s lives and with her positive attitude and bubbly personality, she knew she wanted to do so while working with children.
Tatum is excited about her journey with VBS and ready to continue learning and gaining experience.
During her free time, Tatum enjoys spending time with her friends and family, playing baseball, cooking new recipes, travelling, and watching her all-time favourite show
F.R.I.E.N.D.S.
Halley is energetic, goofy and loves using her creativity to problem-solve. She has been working with individuals with Autism for more than 5 years. She has proudly achieved a certificate in Autism and Behavioural Science and a Bachelor's degree in disability studies and psychology.
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She is a passionate advocate for individuals with disabilities and their families. Outside of work, Halley loves DIY projects that are sustainable and eco-friendly.
Halley
Instructor Therapist
Daniel
Instructor Therapist
Daniel is the newest member of our team but has been working with children of all ages and abilities as a gymnastics coach for 8 years. After graduating from the Human Kinetics and Honours Psychology programs from the University of Windsor, Daniel wanted to work in the psychology field specializing in helping children and found his way to VBS. As a coach with a fresh knowledge of psychological principles and techniques, Daniel aims to help clients achieve their unique potential and fulfill their ultimate goals! With his energetic personality and kindness towards others, Daniel is sure to fit right in!
Outside of VBS, Daniel is a professional gymnast, avid video game player, and frequent gym-goer with a passion for fitness.
Chloe graduated from the University of Windsor earning a bachelor's degree in Behaviour, Cognition, and Neuroscience in 2024. With over five years of experience working with children and adolescents in play-based, as well as clinical settings within the community, Chloe has developed her love for children and her passion for helping others develop and surpass their goals. Chloe strives to be as optimistic as possible and spread happiness wherever she goes.
In her spare time, Chloe enjoys reading, travelling, spending time with her family and friends, and you will never catch her leaving the house without a coffee in hand.
Chloe
Instructor Therapist
Cass
Instructor Therapist
Cass is an Instructor Therapist dedicated to helping children and families reach their full potential through creating engaging and effective learning experiences. Cass is passionate about maintaining and building strong relationships with clients and families. With a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Disability Studies and five years experience, she brings a unique blend of knowledge and empathy to the field of ABA. She is enthusiastic about making a positive impact on young minds and fostering a love for learning.
Cass is excited to begin with VBS and to learn with her clients. In her free time, Cass enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling and experiencing new things.
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Lauren has over 10 years of experience in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). She graduated from the University of Windsor in 2012 and began her career in Ottawa, where she honed her skills in both center-based and home-based therapy sessions. She spent many years working with children and young adults in diverse educational settings. Her experience also includes four years as an Educational Assistant with the Greater Essex County District School Board.
Passionate about building strong relationships with her clients and her colleagues, Lauren thrives on creating engaging and enjoyable learning experiences that teach valuable skills. She is excited to pursue her Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis in the coming months to expand her knowledge and enhance the services she provides to her community and at VBS.
Outside of work, Lauren loves to garden, cook and read. She enjoys spending her extra time with her French Bulldog, Benny, her cat, Howie, and occasionally her husband.
Lauren