Ali and Lib Kennedy have combined decades of experience training fellow educators how to assess and address the needs of students with learning difficulties, across Canada and the US.
Together, they saw a demand for their particular set of skills in the Southern Georgian Bay area.
From their location in the Old Clarksburg Schoolhouse, the Kennedys have expanded to a 4-person Super-Team. They welcome educators, parents, and individuals to reach out and get started with life-changing Illuminated Learning.
We are so grateful to be able to live, work, and play on the traditional land of the Anishinabek, Haudenosaunee, and Wendat peoples. Kennedy Illuminated Learning is located within the boundary of Treaty 18 surrounded by the great Gchi-Bimadinaa (“The Great Cliff That Runs Along”) / The Niagara Escarpment, the winding Beaver River, lush apple valleys, and the beautiful Mnidoo Gamii (“Spirit of the Water”) / Georgian Bay. We acknowledge, respect, and honour the enduring relationship, knowledge, and stewardship of the Indigenous Peoples who have cared for these lands, waters, plants, and animals since time immemorial. We are grateful for the opportunity to learn from this deep connection to the land and from the responsibilities that come with caring for it. In the spirit of reconciliation, we commit to listening, learning, and growing as stewards of the land, water, plants, and animals, with care and humility. May our actions today help protect and nurture these gifts for all living things and for generations yet to come.
Alison “Ali” Kennedy has returned to her Thornbury roots from Vancouver, where she spent 20 years directing a private education clinic for individuals with learning difficulties.
After getting her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Waterloo, Ali trained extensively in specialized education and remediation programs.
Approachable and kind, Ali is passionate about empowering people of all ages with the tools necessary to reach their full potential.
When not working with students or their families, Ali likes to travel, play the cello, meditate, conquer mountains, and of course, read. You can always find a Nordic crime novel on her nightstand. As a child, Ali’s favourite book was, A House for Willie: A Story About Time. But one that she refers to again and again Grimm’s Fairy Tales.
To quote Einstein, If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be very intelligent, read them more fairy tales.
After several years working on Canada’s west coast, Elizabeth ‘Lib” Kennedy was excited about returning home to Thornbury.
Following graduation with a Bachelor of Arts from University of Guelph, Lib headed west and added a Bachelor of Education (with a specialization in Special Education) from the University of British Columbia.
Over the past 15 years, Lib has developed education programs, and provided personalized programming, guidance, and support to students in BC, Ontario, and Spain.
Enthusiastic, warm and fun, Lib’s favourite part of teaching is helping students build confidence, so they are better equipped to thrive as happy, well-adjusted people. Working with parents is an integral part of the learning process, and one that Lib finds most rewarding.
Like her sister, Lib loves to travel. When at home, she explores her artistic side through painting. Lib’s favourite books are Where the Wild Things Are, and Pride and Prejudice.
After several years working on Canada’s west coast, Elizabeth ‘Lib” Kennedy was excited about returning home to Thornbury.
Following graduation with a Bachelor of Arts from University of Guelph, Lib headed west and added a Bachelor of Education (with a specialization in Special Education) from the University of British Columbia.
Over the past 15 years, Lib has developed education programs, and provided personalized programming, guidance, and support to students in BC, Ontario, and Spain.
Enthusiastic, warm and fun, Lib’s favourite part of teaching is helping students build confidence, so they are better equipped to thrive as happy, well-adjusted people. Working with parents is an integral part of the learning process, and one that Lib finds most rewarding.
Like her sister, Lib loves to travel. When at home, she explores her artistic side through painting. Lib’s favourite books are Where the Wild Things Are, and Pride and Prejudice.
After several years working on Canada’s west coast, Elizabeth ‘Lib” Kennedy was excited about returning home to Thornbury.
Following graduation with a Bachelor of Arts from University of Guelph, Lib headed west and added a Bachelor of Education (with a specialization in Special Education) from the University of British Columbia.
Over the past 15 years, Lib has developed education programs, and provided personalized programming, guidance, and support to students in BC, Ontario, and Spain.
Enthusiastic, warm and fun, Lib’s favourite part of teaching is helping students build confidence, so they are better equipped to thrive as happy, well-adjusted people. Working with parents is an integral part of the learning process, and one that Lib finds most rewarding.
Like her sister, Lib loves to travel. When at home, she explores her artistic side through painting. Lib’s favourite books are Where the Wild Things Are, and Pride and Prejudice.
Wonder is running barefoot chasing fireflies. Learning is wonder with shoes on, exploring the hows and whys that cause us to wonder. It’s another circle of this incredible life.
Let’s take a break, cross legged in the grass. Eyes closed. Mind open to possibilities…
We believe in illuminating hearts and minds!
We believe in the power of community; in uplifting, helping, and encouraging each other, so that everyone has the courage and freedom to shine as their greatest selves.
We believe in kindness; kindness to others, and to ourselves, to slow down and just be... time to unlock our creativity, imagination, joy and wonder.
We believe in being curious, not judgemental.
We choose to see the light and potential in everyone.
We are educational therapy, revolutionary, research based, systematic and structured.
We believe in the healing power of nature, grounding, and meditation; in understanding and knowing ourselves.
We are rule breakers and change makers!
We see the opportunities hidden inside the challenges.
We believe in celebrating the journey; belly laughing, glowing, and having fun along the way.
We believe in the magic and the language of the universe.
Integrity, honesty, love and wisdom are what define us.
We are experts in the Science of Reading; leading educators, parents, and students to a new understanding.
We are illuminated learning