A specialist council of the Alberta Teacher's Association
About Us
We are a vibrant volunteer group of teachers, counsellors, instructional leaders, and administrators. Our work experience, education, and skill set is varied among us.. What we have in common, however, is the love of teaching students with diverse learning needs and supporting teachers in doing so confidently and competently.
Meet The Executive
President
Kelly Huck
Kelly is the president of the Council for Inclusive Education. Kelly has been working with the Council for several years and is the former editor of the councils’ newsletter, “Inside Inclusion.” Along with Nancy Grigg at the University of Lethbridge she co-founded the council’s first journal, “The Inclusive Educator Journal.” Kelly works as an assistant principal for Rocky View Schools and is a former learning support teacher. She is involved in inclusive education initiatives within her school district and teaches an online inclusive education course at the University of Lethbridge. Kelly is passionate about inclusion and providing inclusive professional development opportunities and strategies for teachers working collaboratively with our executive, ATA officers, and inclusive leaders across the province.
Treasurer
Rhonda Kelly
Rhonda is the Treasurer for the Council for Inclusive Education. She had been involved with the CIE for a number of years and in the past has served as the President and Treasurer for the Northwest Regional. Rhonda has a Bachelor of Commerce Degree with a minor in Accounting as well as a Bachelor of Education degree. She is passionate about Inclusive Education and providing professional development opportunities to help Educators create Inclusive environments.
Newsletter Editor/Conference Director
Darci Fulton
Darci has been involved with the CIE since 2001 in a number of different roles including a number of years as Calgary Regional President, Conference Director, and Newsletter Editor. Darci presently works as a Behaviour Mental Health Strategist to support schools, teachers and administrators with our most challenging students. Darci is one of the co-authors of BOATS (Behaviour Observation Assessment Teaching Strategies) document, Supporting Positive Behaviours in Alberta Schools, and To Behave or Not to Behave. She continues to honor the work and collaboration with the CIE Council to support Alberta Educators.
Canadian Rockies Regional President
Janis Bekar
Janis is the president of the Canadian Rockies Regional of the CIE. She has been involved with the CIE since 2005. Janis values the collaboration, research, ongoing learning and flexibility required to support environments that demonstrate universal acceptance and promote a sense of belonging for all learners. She is a learning support teacher with Canadian Rockies Public Schools who values public education. She is honored to work alongside these council members to highlight responsive research, practical strategies and a supportive network to teachers across Alberta.
Edmonton Regional President
Carol Knott
Carol’s current role in CIE is Edmonton Regional President. She joined the council in 2006, working on the conference committee and later becoming Conference Director. Carol’s career has been a special education teacher, consultant and currently works as a Junior High Counsellor.
Northwest Regional President
Arlene Foley
Arlene has been an active member of the Council for Inclusive Education for many years. This is her first year in the role of President and is looking forward to supporting teachers in her region. She is passionate about inclusive education and obtained her graduate degree in Inclusion and Universal Design as a result. Arlene currently works as a Learning Support Teacher for Grande Prairie School Division and has completed action research on fostering a sense of belonging in middle school students who are on the autism spectrum. For the past eight years Arlene’s teaching role has been focused on supporting students with diverse learning needs.
Secretary/Central President
Jennifer Lacourse
Jennifer Lacourse is the Central Alberta Regional President for the Council for Inclusive Education. She has been involved with the CIE since 2018. Jennifer is an Inclusive Education Teacher at the high school level with Red Deer Public Schools. Jennifer delivers specialized program for her students ensuring that they are prepared for life outside of high school.
Webmaster
Nicole Belanger
Nicole is an advocate for meaningful inclusion and enjoys working with fellow teachers, educational staff, and caregivers to provide the best educational experience possible for all students. Nicole is currently teaching in a specialized program for students with learning disabilities. She has previous experience in Grades 1-6 in French and English. Although her tech skills can always be improved, she wants to give back to the council that has helped shape her as a teacher. With an extensive background working with children and adults with diverse needs, she understands the value of a council like the CIE.
University Liason/Co-Journal Editor
Chris Mattatall
Dr. Chris Mattatall is an Associate Professor of inclusive education and educational psychology at the University of Lethbridge. Dr. Mattatall’s research has helped teachers use collaborative consultation for the purpose of designing differentiated teaching interventions for students with diverse learning needs.
Calgary Regional Presidents
Tianna Melnyk
Tianna Melnyk is Calgary Regional Co-President of the Council for Inclusive Education. She has been an educator with the Calgary Board of Education for the last 16 years, working in elementary and secondary school. She is currently an Assistant Principal. Tianna has
contributed her leadership to other professional organizations as a member of boards including sitting as Chair of Open Arms Patient Advocacy, President of the Calgary chapter of Alberta ASCD and as the President of Alberta ASCD.
Cathy Wiederick
Cathy Wiederick is an upper elementary teacher in the Calgary Board of Education. For many years she was connected with educating gifted learners, first as a teacher and learning leader in each of the two junior high GATE settings in the Calgary Board, then at the Board’s system level as the specialist for gifted learners. Cathy very much believes in the power of meeting every learner where they are. She has ‘dipped her toe in’ as a CIE member for a number of years – even presenting around differentiation at the October conference one year! – and is now keen to take the plunge as a CIE executive member to support Calgary Region teachers around inclusion.