Our Team
Liz
Dr. Elizabeth Benedetto-Nasho, known as Dr. Liz to the Step By Step family, is the co-founder, Executive and Clinical Director of Step By Step Learning Group. Prior to Step by Step, Dr. Liz was a School Psychologist at the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board and before that, a Behavioural Consultant at the Hospital for Sick Children. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and her Master of Arts in Educational Psychology from McGill University. She completed her Ph.D. in School and Child Clinical Psychology at the University of Toronto in 2001. Liz became a registered Psychologist in the province of Ontario in 2003.
Dr. Benedetto-Nasho has had numerous roles in the field of education. She has been a student herself, has taught at both the college and university levels, has been an Instructor Therapist, a Senior Therapist and is presently the Clinician-in-Charge for a number of Intensive Behavioral Intervention programs. Dr. Liz has a strong interest in psychological assessment, both diagnostic and educational. She has received training at the University of Chicago in the administration of the ADI and ADOS, which are considered to be the “gold standard” autism diagnostic measures. Liz received intensive training in Applied Behaviour Analysis at Princeton Child Development Institute in New Jersey. Her areas of interest include the Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD and Learning Disabilities.
Liz enjoys spending time with her family and friends, as well as reading novels and books about early child development and family relations. She enjoys learning and is presently pursuing more courses through the University of North Texas in order to hone her skills in the area of Applied Behaviour Analysis. Liz also enjoys competitive games such as Scrabble and Trivial Pursuit. She aspires to someday be a runner.
Kevin
Kevin is the Education Director and co-founder of Step By Step Learning Group. He is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and holds a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Toronto as well as Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Temple University. Kevin is also a Level 1 Certified TAGteacher. Kevin’s clinical interests include Precision Teaching, Direct Instruction, Functional Analysis. and TAGTeach. Prior to moving to Toronto, Kevin held positions at the Princeton Child Development Institute and Bancroft School in New Jersey. Kevin has extensively presented his professional work across Canada and in the United States. Kevin’s professional affiliations include the Standard Celeration Society, Association for Behaviour Analysis, Ontario Association for Behaviour Analysis, and the Behaviour Analysis Certification Board.
In his free time, Kevin enjoys spending time with his wife, Jessica, and son, Ronan. Kevin also enjoys playing hockey and is currently teaching himself how to play the drums.
Nancy
Nancy is the Senior Therapist for Step By Step Learning Group and works closely with both Dr. Elizabeth Benedetto-Nasho and Kevin Cauley in designing a unique program that is catered to each child’s individual needs. She has been with Step By Step Leaning Group since it was established in 2003. Prior to this, Nancy was working in the private sector implementing and designing programs for children with autism. She is a member of the Ontario Association for Behaviour Analysis and the Standard Celeration Society.
Nancy graduated from McMaster University with an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Linguistics in 2001. Presently, she is pursuing her Master of Arts in Education and taking required courses needed to become a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst. When she is not studying, she is playing with her kids, reading for fun or enjoying the outdoors.
Carmine
Carmine began working with young children shortly after completing her diploma in Early Childhood Education at Canadian Mothercraft Society in 1997. She has worked as a lead E.C.E., a family resource/drop in facilitator and an instructor/therapist for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Carmine joined Step By Step Learning Group in 2003 and is presently the Program Manager. She is currently working towards additional certification through the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Ontario. In her free time, Carmine can be found participating in a multitude of health and wellness activities, reading, traveling and spending time with friends and family.
Anita
Anita has been an instructor therapist with the Step By Step @HOME and Step By Step Foundations since April 2007. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University. Recently, Anita had the opportunity to present a poster at the 2008 International Precision Teaching Conference in New Jersey. During her free time, Anita enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, cooking, and watching movies.
Kori
Kori is an instructor therapist at Step By Step Foundations in Brampton. She has been with Step By Step Learning Group since March 2006. Kori has completed her Early Childhood Education diploma through Sheridan College. Kori has a great passion for music and is a very gifted singer. She has been instrumental in the creation and orchestration of Step By Step’s musical performances. Kori is a lifelong learner and enjoys exploring new creative outlets for both her and for children. In her free time, Kori enjoys spending time with her husband and son.
Mandy
Mandy was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario and studied at York University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. In the fall, Mandy plans to complete online course work through the University of North Texas in order to sit for the Board Certified Associate Behaviour Analyst exam.
Mandy has been working with children since she was in her early teens. She has worked at various day camps and private schools, and has taught gymnastics and dance. Mandy has been working with Step by Step Learning Group for over 5 years now as an instructor therapist and finds working with special needs children a very rewarding and fulfilling career.
Outside of work Mandy enjoys working out, kickboxing, traveling, and volunteering her time to help others.
Sanjeet
Sanjeet has recently graduated from the University of Windsor, Faculty of Education where she received her teaching certificate in the Primary Junior division. She completed her undergraduate degree at York University where she majored in Psychology. Sanjeet has been with Step By Step since October 2009 as an Instructor. Sanjeet enjoys playing volleyball, cooking, traveling, trying new things and is determined to go to Europe! Sanjeet prefers hot summers over the cold winters, but never gives up the chance to go skiing.
Stephanie
Stephanie has been an instructor-therapist at Step By Step Foundations
in Brampton since November 2009. Born and raised in Sudbury, she is
ecstatic to be starting her professional career at Step By Step. She
graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from
Laurentian University in Sudbury and is currently working on her
Master’s of Applied Disability Studies through Brock University.
Through the Master’s program, Stephanie is working towards
certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She has worked
as a special needs remedial tutor and as a residential support worker
for children with special needs. Besides all of her school work,
Stephanie enjoys camping, spending time with family and friends, as
well as travelling.
Ishanthi
Ishanthi is an instructor-therapist at Step By Step Foundations in Brampton. Ishanthi graduated with an Honors Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto, specializing in Exceptionality in Human Learning. Currently she is pursuing a Masters of Applied Disability Studies degree offered at Brock university and hopes to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in the future.
Ishanthi loves the outdoors and never gives up a chance to go camping in the summer, or skiing in the winter. In her spare time she likes to travel, play sports, try new food and spend time with family and friends.
Ashley
Ashley has been with Step By Step since the beginning of November 2009. Her title is Instructor Therapist and is with the Foundations branch in Brampton. Ashley recently completed the Social Service Work diploma at Fanshawe College and has also completed the Early Childhood Education diploma and Early Childhood Resource Consultant certificate at Conestoga College. She has experience working with children with developmental needs, the deaf-blind community, Thames Valley District School Board, summer camps and home/school visiting programs. In her spare time she enjoys playing with her cats, music, painting, road trips, cooking, and spending time with friends and family. Ashley eventually plans to start a family and one day dreams of traveling to Europe.
Jesse
Jesse has been an instructor therapist with Step by Step Learning Group since May, 2010. While finishing his Honours Bachelor degree in Psychology at Laurentian University, Jesse also completed a teaching assistantship in the area of developmental psychology. After graduating, Jesse then moved to Toronto to pursue a graduate certification through the Autism and Behavioural Science Program at George Brown College. Jesse plans to return to University to become a speech and language pathologist. In his free time Jesse enjoys going to the gym, spending time with friends and going on road trips.
Vanessa
Vanessa has been working as an instructor-therapist with Step by Step Foundations in Brampton since May 2010. She graduated with an Honors Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Biology from York University and plans to attend graduate school in the next upcoming year. Vanessa finds working with special needs children to be a very satisfying career. During her free time, Vanessa enjoys playing volleyball, travelling, snowboarding, and spending time with family and friends.
Annie
Annie has been an Instructor Therapist at Step by Step Foundations in Brampton since April 2010. Annie holds a Bachelor of Arts major in Education & Psychology, a Master of Behavioural Science and a Bachelor of Teaching from University of Sydney in Australia. Before immigrating to Canada, Annie attended Macquarie University where she earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Special Education working in a research centre teaching students with special needs. Outside of work and study, Annie loves music and travel. She is determined to go overseas at least once a year until she is too old to move.
