Karen Connort CYW, CYC (Cert.)
Program Director and Founder
Karen Connort is a Certified Child and Youth Worker with over 25 years of clinical and group experience. In addition to being a co-founder of BEHAVIOUR MATTERS, Karen is a member of the Child and Adolescent Health Services team at North York General Hospital, where she is the intake coordinator. Her expertise includes child development and behaviour, providing resource services for families, and developing and implementing dynamic and credible social skills and anger management programs for children.
Cheri Boros CYW, CYC (Cert.)
Program Director and Founder
Cheri Boros is a Certified Child and Youth Worker with over 25 years of clinical and group experience. In addition to being a co-founder of BEHAVIOUR MATTERS, Cheri has worked with children, families and teachers in hospital, educational, day-treatment, mental health and home settings. Her areas of expertise includes developing and implementing effective social skills, self-esteem and anger management group programs for children, as well as working with parents to help them increase and develop positive parenting skills.
Julie Miko
Child Development Consultant
Julie has a diploma in Early Childhood Education and is registered with the College of Early Childhood Education.
She has 20 years of experience working as part of a developmental and mental health team at North York General Hospital Child and Adolescent Services. As well, she worked for nine years with children with physical disabilities at the Holland-Bloorview Children's Rehabilitation Centre.
Julie was a part-time teacher in the Early Childhood Education Program at Centennial College of Applied Arts and Technology and has many years experience as a facilitator in workshops for children, parents and E.C.E. teachers.
Michael Markovits
Group Facilitator / Behavioural Therapist
Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Humanities from York University. For the past five years, Michael has worked with young adults with social anxieties and developmental delays. Recently he has helped create a curriculum focusing on Developing and Nurturing Social Skills at Dani's Place. As well, Michael heads the music therapy program at Zareinu.
Ann Marie Loranger
CYC. SSW. (Cert.)
Ann Marie Loranger is a Certified Child and Youth Counsellor who has been working with children, teens and their families for over 25 years. Ann Marie currently works part-time at The Eating Disorders Clinic at North York General Hospital. She has also worked with children , families and teachers in hospital, educational, mental health and daycare settings.
Ann Marie was a part-time teacher in The Child and Youth Worker Program at George Brown College.
Irrit Steinhart
Academic Consultant
Irrit Steinhart is a Special Education teacher with over 25 years of teaching with the Toronto District School Board. She holds a specialist certificate in both Special Education and reading as well as a certificate in reading recovery.
She has extensive experience as a methods and resource teacher coaching and supporting students and teachers collaboratively in variious areas of need. She brings a wealth of experience, skill and knowledge to teaching that focuses on identifying and addressing the individual needs of students with
special challenges.
Debra Levine
MSW
Debra Levine, MSW, is a Registered Social Worker who has worked with children, adolescents and their families for 25 years. Her experience has spanned a wide range of related practice areas including child protection, youth justice, academic and mental health settings. As a former social work supervisor, field instructor, college teacher and co-ordinator of the professional practice oral examinations for the provincial social work organization, Debra is able to combine her clinical expertise with a high standard of professional integrity, resulting in positive outcomes for her clients.