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stufs Michelle Siegel is the spirited founder and Executive Director of Exceptional Abilities Educational Consultation & Tutoring, where she brings over 25 years of expertise—and heart—to her work with students who learn and thrive in unique ways. As a mom of three daughters (two of whom are neurodivergent, and on the Autism Spectrum), Michelle’s journey has been full of love, learning, and the occasional chaos—especially when navigating school systems that didn’t always understand her kids. That experience lit a fire under her and inspired the launch of Exceptional Abilities in 2015, with a mission to reimagine support for students and families through empowerment, advocacy, and tailored education. Long before Exceptional Abilities came to life, Michelle and her friend Jenny taught Grade 5 together at Red Deer Lake School in Calgary. Years later, they’ve come full circle—still teaming up, now through their shared passion for inclusive education. When Michelle isn’t building programs or supporting families, you might find her with a paintbrush in hand (watercolours are her jam), or trying to convince her poodles, Molly and Jessi, that obedience training is actually fun. She’s still holding out hope they’ll make it to a dog show one day—but for now, they’re winning hearts and stealing snacks.
Executive Director
& Founder
Michelle Siegel
. Jenny began her career as a classroom teacher, working closely with Michelle as grade-level teaching partners. Over 20 years later, she’s reunited with Michelle at Exceptional Abilities: Educational Consultation and Tutoring. As a parent to neurodiverse children, Jenny brings a deeply personal and insightful lens to her work — shaped not just by teaching, but lived experience. She has worked and volunteered with kids ages 3 to 18 in diverse settings, blending compassion, creativity, and curiosity. When she’s not diving into executive function strategies or championing inclusive practices, you’ll likely find her skiing through snowy trails, hiking in the mountains, or building wildly imaginative Halloween costumes.
Educational Consultant
Jenny Smith
. Bethany Torraville is a doctoral student in School and Applied Child Psychology at the University of Calgary and a consultant with the Exceptional Abilities team. She grew up in Newfoundland, raised by two passionate teacher parents, which is where her passion for education and disability advocacy first began. While completing her undergraduate degree in her home province, she worked in the nonprofit world serving people with intellectual disabilities and Down syndrome, as well as their families. After moving to Calgary to begin graduate school, she continued her involvement as an advocate within community-based organizations and the EA team, where she has been working for nearly 2 years as a social media coordinator, and most recently transitioning to her role as a Behavioural Consultant. She is passionate about providing inclusive, neuro-affirming support for all students and contributing to research that enhances evidence-based practices in psychoeducational assessment, intervention and supporting student well-being. When she’s not working or studying (which isn’t very often), she’s likely checking out a new café or restaurant in Calgary, hosting craft nights with friends, or sneaking in a bit of shopping!
Educational Consultant
Bethany Torraville
t More To Come Soon
Speech Language
Pathologist
Tara Lewis
stufs Lisa has more than 20 years experience as a certified Speech-Language Pathologist, with Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC), and as a registered member in good standing with the Alberta College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (ACSLPA). Lisa is a neurodiversity-affirming therapist, using a play-based family-centred approach with a diverse range of children, empowering parents to be active participants in their child’s language development. Lisa received her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Alberta in 2002. She began her career with Alberta Health Services and the Big Country Outreach Program in rural southern Alberta for several years, in schools, homes, and hospital settings. Following this, Lisa spent ten years working within preschool and school settings, including Renfrew Educational Services, Rockyview School Division, and Autism Partnership. Lisa values working on a multidisciplinary team and has worked closely with occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, behaviour consultants, teachers and program support aides. Lisa is Hanen-certified (It Takes Two To Talk ®) and PROMPT Level I trained. She has a special interest working with autistic children and AAC, with a focus on gestalt language development.
Speech Language
Pathologist
Lisa O'Sullivan
Speech Language
Pathologist
Nadine Moncks
