About
Melissa Alstad
B.Ed
Owner/Educator/Child Development Consultant
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I have been working with children much of my life and professionally for a span of 25 years teaching Community Preschool classes, Coordinating Early Education Programs with Strathcona County, Coordinating programs and support services for Children and Adults with mild to Severe developmental diagnostics and complex medical needs as a Child Development Consultant, a Child Development Specialist, and as a Primary Care Counselor with Transitions Rehabilitation Association, Elves Special Needs Society, FSCD, and with Alberta Health Services providing direct support services to children, adults, seniors in families homes, in school settings, and in the community. My primary Counselor role involved a coaching model whereby myself as the Coordinator coached parents with a team consisting of Speech therapists, Occupational therapists, and Psychologists coaching the primary coach then acting as the Primary support in the home. This role enabled me to sponge a great deal of knowledge from a vast variety of professionals over a span of 7 years to then be able to coach parents more effectively, as well as spending over 20 years immersed in Families homes, where the heart of a child lies.
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I have extensive experience supporting children with Autism, Social-Emotional concerns, Anxiety, OCD, giftedness, Downs Syndrome, Complex Neurological disorders, Non-verbal communicators, Cerebral Palsy, Blindness, G-Tube fed, Quadriplegia, holding positions that required me to be responsible for all aspects of care including g-tube feeding, adapted foot orthotics, wheelchair use, augmentative communication device use, medication administration, adapted sign language, utilizing mechanical lifts and have grown up with a Mom who is an amputee.
I have also worked as a Recreation Coordinator for Seniors organizing and running their wellbeing programs, outings, and events with GEF Housing. As well as, have supported seniors with complex needs in a group home setting to offer 48 hour care.
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A former long time Athlete in wrestling for 15 years, among them, competitively with the University of Alberta Pandas, the Jr. Canadian National Team as a 4 time National Champion and 6 time Provincial Champion, placing 8th at Jr. Worlds in Romania. I sat on the board of Directors for Friends of the World Cup of Wrestling Society from 2019-2022. My athletic endeavors laid a strong foundation in personal commitment to growth, life skill development, learning the importance of self care, nutrition, leadership, and being able to pave the way with confidence.
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Blessed to have spent 25 years with my husband Clint, and to be a mom to Grace, Everett, and Tristan who are at the heart of deciding to embark on a Home Education journey with my two elementary aged boys having a strong desire and inner call to use my background and skills to create this avenue of offerings for children and Families.
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I value heart centered alignment, mindfulness, interconnectedness, personal autonomy, sovereignty, wellbeing, soul led living honoring connection to God/source/Universe (however that may be for others) and will be incorporating these principles into my everyday offerings though embodiment of my values, as I see my role as more of a guide/mentor.
I offer private Child Development Consulting as a separate service supporting Families to navigate the systems that be with their child and to create cohesive goal based developmental plans for children with 2 or more concerns with their development or a diagnosed disability. For those interested in child development consulting services, my website will be available shortly. You may contact me below to inquire.
I am so excited to welcome you all along for the Homeschool journey as to me, Life is ALL about the journey!
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Education Degree specializing in Elementary Education
Sanoviv Certified Nutritional Advisor
Grant MacEwan Photography Course completed
Children's Red Cross/CPR Certification
Children's Pre-school Yoga Course
Medication Administration Course completion
Scuba Diving License
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U of A Academic/Athletic All Canadian
U of A Presidents Award for High Achievement
Delta Team Excellence Ignited Award -2015
6-Time Canadian National Wrestling Champion
USA Cadet Nationals Gold Medalist
Jr World Wrestling Championships in Romania 8th place finisher out of 52 Countries-1999
Most Outstanding Athlete-Canadian Woman's Wrestling Championships -1998
Team Most Valuable Player-U of A Pandas Wrestling -2000
Rookie of the year, U of A Pandas Wrestling-2000
2 time Employee of the Year, Blimpie/Baskin Robbins-1998/2000
Most Valuable Player, Track and Field-1994
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In my spare time, I enjoy writing, photography, painting, reading about Energy/Sound/Frequency Medicine, plant and crystal healing, Quantum and Metaphysics, singing, exploring mountains, oceans, trails, travelling the world and spending time with Family, Friends, and our sweet dog Harper.
Mission
To redefine stories around what a child's educational journey is to look like from systematic delivery to custom, from rigid to flexible, from outcome based to fulfilment based, from in the box learning to community based experiential learning, from separated grade based to Common interest Based learning. All within the guidance of heart centred, joyful and present human beings connected deeply to wholeness, discovery, and joy based learning. There is alot going on in our world, it is of upmost importance providing a safe and nurturing container to land and just be.
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