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Tania Silletta

After completing her Bachelor’s degree with specialization in Therapeutic Recreation from Concordia University in 2010, along with a variety of other sports and fitness certifications, Tania has since gained great experience in helping individuals reach their health goals and therefore enhancing their overall quality of life by offering accessible and inclusive fitness and recreation opportunities to all. She has experienced with various populations, from older adults living in long term care facilities to grassroots para-sport programs, to pediatrics palliative care as well as serving families in community-based resource centers.

More recently a Therapeutic Recreation entrepreneur, Tania founded a private practice, Bloom Therapeutic Recreation & Fitness inc., in 2018 out of passion for inclusion and accessibility in sports and recreation. Bloom currently serves a variety of populations such as older adults, post-stroke patients, youth and adults living with acquired brain injuries (ABI) and intellectual disabilities as well as developmental delays while consulting in TR development and leisure education for the general public and various non-profit and community organizations. Tania was selected for the Minister’s Award of Excellence for her work in the Therapeutic Recreation (TR) graduate certificate program.

Ashley Hilliard

Ashley Hilliard has over 10 years of experience working in Therapeutic Recreation in the Ottawa area. Ashley has worked primarily with children and youth with disabilities including autism in a community rehabilitation setting. Ashley also has some experience working with older adults in long term care and adults with brain injuries. Ashley graduated from the Educational Assistant program at Fleming College, completed a Bachelors of Arts in Women Studies from Trent university and went on to earn a post graduate certificate in Therapeutic Recreation from Georgian college. Ashley assisted with develop and design of the Therapeutic Recreation Post grad program and thoroughly enjoys the time she spends teaching students in the program. In her Leisure time Ashley enjoys traveling, spending time with her husband and cats, being a Girl Guide leader, and completing Arts and Crafts activities.

Jennifer Sterne

Jennifer Sterne has been a professor at Algonquin College since 1999, teaching in a variety of programs, including Recreation and Leisure Services. Therapeutic Recreation, General Arts and Science and Applied Science and Technology.

Jennifer has a BAH/Psychology from Queen’s University then completed the Recreation Therapy Graduate Certificate at Georgian College. As a Registered Recreation Therapist, Jennifer began working in group homes and community services in Kingston. In Ottawa she worked with adults and children with communication disorders and special needs. Jennifer spent much of her career as the Therapeutic Recreation Coordinator with the City of Ottawa managing, designing and implementing recreation programs for adults and children with developmental and physical disabilities.

Jennifer is extremely passionate about creating positive learning environments and student engagement in her courses, which include Therapeutic Recreation, Statistics, Essential Skills for Success, Fitness/Health and Dynamics of Addictions. In 2018 Jennifer developed the Therapeutic Recreation Graduate Certificate for Algonquin College and was thrilled to welcome the first cohort in Sept 2019. Jennifer was nominated for the Diane Bloor Part-time Faculty Achievement Award in 2017.

For the last 25 years Jennifer has been an active member of her professional association Therapeutic Recreation Ontario, as well as volunteering as the Membership Coordinator for her local chapter. As the Membership Coordinator for the 2018 TRO conference in Ottawa, she was a part of a team which hosted over 300 delegates.

From 2006-2009 Jennifer was fortunate to live near Paris, France with her family. A monumental experience she loves to share!