OUR TEAM

Chelsea McFadzen, M.A.

Supervising Consultant

Chelsea is the founder and owner of Skills to Play. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Education with a focus on inclusive education at Walden University. With over 15 years of experience in inclusive education, Chelsea has a deep passion for working with children and their families.

Chelsea's educational background includes a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology from Simon Fraser University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Alberta. Chelsea has held various roles throughout her career, such as a behaviour interventionist, educational assistant, tutor, and inclusion support worker. It was through these experiences that she discovered her passion for play-based intervention.

Dedicated to staying connected with the ever-evolving field of educational research, Chelsea integrates her practical expertise with current research findings. She has independently conducted research and co-authored peer-reviewed published articles in the field of education. Her research focuses on working with individuals who present with Pathological Demand Avoidance Profiles, atypical presentations of Autism Spectrum Disorders, and those with dual and multi-diagnoses.

While Chelsea is committed to advancing her profession through research, her true joy lies in connecting and playing with the children she works with. This love for creating a positive and engaging environment inspired her to establish Skills to Play. Chelsea is excited to share her fun-loving and refreshing intervention style with you and make a difference in the lives of children and their families.

Favourite quote: "Wildflowers don't care where they grow" — Dolly Parton

Thoughtful and dedicated, Rachel brings her all to every team, not to mention her wicked sense of humour. Rachel's career in support work has spanned over two decades where she truly found her calling in supporting children and their families. She has worked with families in a variety of capacities, but brings her determination to the table each and every time. Rachel truly personifies the Skills to Play motto as she is always leading with heart.

Favourite quote: "We all have different gifts, so we all have different ways of saying to the world who we are."
— Mr. Rogers.

Kind and compassionate, Emma brings a wealth of experience to your team. Specializing in Early Childhood Education, Emma has worked as a preschool teacher, a behaviour interventionist, and a Supported Child Development consultant. She has been supporting families in the Fraser Valley for over 20 years. Emma loves play-based intervention and creating individualized supports for each of her families based on their unique needs. She is excited to share her passion for inclusion with you and yours!

Favourite quote: "I have no special talent, I am only passionately curious." — Albert Einstein

Experienced and enthusiastic, Danielle has been serving families in the Fraser Valley for over a decade and is thrilled to have joined the Skills To Play team! With a strong dedication to supporting play skills using neurodiverse affirming practices, Danielle is passionate about making a positive impact. She enjoyed her early work as a behaviour interventionist and her unwavering passion for playing with children has never faded. Danielle still loves getting down on the floor and being a huge goofball if it will engage the child in learning and fun! In her role as a Consultant, Danielle finds great joy in connecting with parents and recognizing their invaluable contributions to their child's development.

Favourite quote: “I prefer you to make mistakes in kindness than work miracles unkindness.” — Mother Teresa

Cynthia is a calm and thoughtful presence at Skills to Play, known for her wealth of knowledge and confident energy. She has a deep appreciation for the engagement and relationship-building aspects of play-based intervention, which has made her one of our most beloved consultants. Cynthia’s journey through Skills to Play reflects her dedication and passion for making meaningful connections with every child she works with.

Favourite quote: “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.” — Dr. Seuss

Favourite quote: "The idea behind a kaleidoscope is that its a structure that's filled with broken bits and pieces, and somehow if you can look through them, you still see something beautiful. And I feel like we are all that way a little bit."

— Sarah Bareilles

Favourite quote: "The only dreams impossible to reach are the ones you never pursue." — Micheal Deckman

Favourite quote: "Consider a tree for a moment. As beautiful as trees are to look at, we don't see what goes on underground - as they grow roots. Trees must develop deep roots in order to grow strong and produce their beauty. But we don't see the roots. We just see and enjoy the beauty. In much the same way, what goes on inside of us is like the roots of a tree." — Joyce Meyer

Favourite quote: "Authenticity is the greatest gift that you have, and you are the only person that has it, because nobody else is you." — Dan Levy

Favourite quote: "We didn't realize we were making memories, we just knew we were having fun." —  A.A. Milne

Favourite quote: " 'It's okay to say, I don't know' says her mother. 'when we don't know something we get to wonder about it.' " — Annaka Harris

Favourite quote: "It's the things we play with and the people who help us play that make a great difference in our lives." —  Mr. Rogers

Favourite quote: "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless." — Mother Teresa

Favourite quote: "The measure of a real champion is not whether they can triumph, but whether they can overcome defeat." - Master Shifu

Favourite quote: "The creation of something new is not acommplished by the intellect but by the play instinct." — Carl Jung