Our
Team

White geometric square iconography - The Centre for Literacy & Learning

The Centre for Literacy & Learning has provided assessment and tutoring services to families in Oakville-Burlington and surrounding areas for 25+ years. It was founded by Carol Jepson (Educational Consultant) in 1994.

Irene Lembesis

Co-Director

Irene has an Honours Bachelor of Science Degree in Exceptionality in Human Learning and Psychology (University of Toronto) and a postgraduate diploma – Communicative Disorders Assistant (Georgian College).  She began her career as a Communicative Disorders Assistant, where she gained a wealth of experience with children with Learning Disabilities, Hearing Impairments, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Intellectual Disabilities.  Since 2004, Irene has utilized her strong language/literacy skills within her roles as remedial instructor and Associate Director at the Centre for Literacy & Learning. She is a member of the International Dyslexia Association (Ontario Chapter) and actively pursues continuing education opportunities (e.g., Direct Instruction training in Eugene, Oregon).

Laura Cheeseman

Co-Director

Laura is an OCT certified teacher who has a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Bachelor of Education Degree (Mount St. Vincent University, Halifax).  She has over 10 years of experience working in education – as a tutor with the Learning Disabilities Association of Nova Scotia, an elementary teacher in a variety of classroom and resource settings, and as Program Director at the Centre for Literacy & Learning.  Laura has experience with children with Learning Disabilities, English as a Second Language, and a broad spectrum of mental health and developmental disorders.  She is a member of the Learning Disability Association of Ontario.  Laura is a life-long learner who continually adds to her understanding of dyslexia and reading/writing difficulties, as well as to her repertoire of teaching skills (e.g., Foundations of Orton-Gillingham, Project Read: Framing Your Thoughts).

Carol Jepson

Founder & Consultant

Carol is the founder of the Centre for Literacy & Learning and she currently acts as a consultant within the company.  Carol has 40 years of experience within the field of Special Education.  She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Science – Rehabilitation Medicine (Queen’s University), a Masters Degree in Special Education (University of Santa Clara), and a Masters Degree in Applied Psychology (University of Toronto – OISE).  Throughout her career, Carol has conducted educational and psychological assessments of school-aged children, consulted with parents and teachers, and taught students with learning disabilities.

Our Talented Tutors

Our team of professional tutors are either:  a) qualified teachers who are members of the Ontario College of Teachers or b) Communicative Disorders Assistants who have extensive experience working with language and literacy-based issues.  They are chosen for the following qualities:

  • Strong interpersonal skills – warm, patient, and positive.  Our students often lack self-esteem withrespect to their academic performance and they respond best within a safe, nurturing learning environment.
  • Excellent ability to teach/instruct – able to provide explicit, direct instruction and naturally use techniques such as scaffolding, modelling, inclusion of multi-sensory cues, etc. 
  • Enthusiasm for lifelong learning.
  • Well-developed communication skills – able to communicate effectively with clients, parents, and with the Directors (with regards to student goals & progress).  We value ongoing, open dialogue at all levels.  

“Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.”
– Margaret Fuller

The Centre For Literacy & Learning

Home  |  Services  |  Team  |  FAQ  |  Links & Resources  |  Contact Us

© 2024 The Centre for Literacy & Learning