Hi, I’m Susie.

I’m an elementary educator with more than 20 years of experience working with children and families. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from York University and a Bachelor of Education from OISE at the University of Toronto. I also have a particular passion for literacy and helping children become confident, capable learners. I’m a Reading Specialist and have completed additional qualifications in reading instruction.

I’m also a parent of two teenagers so I know first hand that understanding school can feel very different when it’s your own child sitting on the other side of the classroom door.

I created School, Decoded because I’ve seen how confusing school can sometimes feel from the parent side. Assessment, learning, report cards, reading, classroom expectations and when a child might need extra support, can all feel a little overwhelming when you’re trying to understand what’s happening from outside of the classroom.

My goal is to make school a little easier to understand. I’ll draw on my experience in elementary education to explain what teachers are looking for, help you know what questions to ask and share practical ways to support your child without feeling like you need to become their teacher.

School shouldn’t feel like a mystery. I hope School, Decoded helps you feel a little more informed, a little more confident, and a lot less alone when you’re trying to figure it all out.

—Susie