ME FOREST HILL

We help children get the support they need to thrive

Meet OUR FOUNDER & CEO

Welcome to Me Forest Hill, where our journey began with a heartfelt mission to bridge the gap between home and school, ensuring every child receives the support they need to flourish academically, socially, and emotionally.

Dr. Elana Shapiro, the driving force behind Me Forest Hill, brings over two decades of experience as both a teacher and principal, coupled with a passion for educational advancement. With a Masters and PhD in Education, her expertise spans the intricacies of student development and learning methodologies.

The genesis of Me Forest Hill emerged from a poignant personal experience. When Dr. Shapiro's 16-year-old daughter was diagnosed with cancer, the family encountered a profound gap in understanding between schools, families, and hospitals regarding educational support during treatment. Witnessing her daughter's unwavering determination to continue her education illuminated the pressing need for inclusive learning programs tailored to children undergoing medical challenges.

This experience underscored the necessity for collaborative partnerships between schools and families to create supportive, challenging, and nurturing academic environments. Dr. Shapiro recognized the importance of ensuring that assessments and therapies received outside of school were comprehensively understood and integrated into each student's educational journey.

At Me Forest Hill, we believe in fostering respectful and compassionate partnerships between home and school. Whether a child is navigating cancer treatment, ADHD, anxiety, learning disabilities, or trauma, our approach is rooted in collaborative care and tailored support. We strive to keep children connected with their peers and engaged in their education, regardless of their circumstances.

Our commitment extends beyond academic success to encompass holistic development, where each child's goals are specific, attainable, and ever-evolving. Through open communication, understanding, and shared goals, we empower families to navigate the educational landscape with confidence and resilience.

Join us at Me Forest Hill, where every child's journey is met with unwavering support, understanding, and dedication to their growth and well-being.

MEET OUR TEAM

Dr. Elana Shapiro, a dedicated educator, researcher, and mom, holds a PhD and a Master of Education from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. Currently serving as a sessional lecturer at the University of Toronto, she teaches courses in special education, literacy, and curriculum development. With over two decades of experience, Dr. Shapiro has served in various leadership roles, including principal, vice principal and teacher. She is deeply committed to children's mental health and well-being, particularly during chronic illness, and actively engages in research on play-based learning, special education, and collaborative leadership. Dr. Shapiro's advocacy extends to her role as Co-Chair of the Family Advisory Council at the Hospital for Sick Children.

Leith recently graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Religious Studies. Having grown up in diverse countries including Canada, South Africa, Russia, Spain, and Singapore, her exposure to various cultures sparked a deep interest in how cultural factors influence psychological development, particularly in children. This passion is something she plans to pursue further through graduate studies.
Her dynamic experience in social media strategy, paired with a strong foundation in psychology and personal development, gives her a unique ability to create content that is not only engaging but also insightful. Leith's approach to content curation seamlessly blends research-based mental health tips with a focus on fostering personal growth, resulting in a community that feels both informed and supported.

Elana shapiro, Phd
founder and ceo

Leith Nagle, B.A., Psych
Community Engagement & Content Researcher

Heather started her career in Psychology over 25 years ago, having completed her studies at the Ontario Institute of Education (OISE) University of Toronto. She is registered with the College of Psychologists in School and Child Clinical Psychology, and has worked in many different Clinical and School Board settings. Early in her career, Heather worked at the Children’s Hospital at the Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation as an Infant-Parent Therapist and at the Hincks Dellcrest Centre in the Infant-Parent Attachment Program. She then began her work in the area of Psychoeducational Assessment by being part of The Hospital for Sick Children Learning Disabilities Research Program, working for the Chisholm Centre, The Halton Catholic District School Board, and more recently, for the past 21 years, The Peel District School Board as a Psychoeducational Consultant and Clinical Supervisor.

Robert obtained a Master of Science in school psychology from Niagara University and a Bachelor of Science in psychology from the State University of New York College at Brockport. After graduating from Niagara University in 2017, Robert worked in a variety of academic settings across the United States and Canada, including several school boards, a research center, and an early childhood service organization. Robert currently works for the Peel District School Board as a Psychoeducational Consultant where he completes psychoeducational assessments with students ranging from Kindergarten through Grade 12. His training, work experience, and appreciation for diversity allows him to effectively identify the unique strengths and needs of students. Furthermore, he is well versed in selecting intervention strategies to remediate skill deficits and accommodations to promote an inclusive learning environment.

Robert has a Master of Science in school psychology from Niagara University and a Bachelor of Science in psychology from the State University of New York College at Brockport. After graduating from Niagara University in 2017, Robert worked in a variety of academic settings across the United States and Canada, including several school boards, a research center, and an early childhood service organization. Robert currently works for the Peel District School Board as a Psychoeducational Consultant where he completes psychoeducational assessments with students ranging from Kindergarten through Grade 12. His training, work experience, and appreciation for diversity allows him to effectively identify the unique strengths and needs of students. Furthermore, he is well versed in selecting intervention strategies to remediate skill deficits and accommodations to promote an inclusive learning environment.

Heather Davidson, M.A.,
C. Psych
supervising psychologist

Robert Provencher
M.sc. (Psych) B.sc. (Psych)
Psychoeducational consultant

Me Forest Hill is all about getting to know, understand, and guide your child through a holistic, interdisciplinary lens. Whether you’re searching for the right assessment, answers, therapy, or academic support – we’re comprised of a team of compassionate experienced professionals to help you find and support your child's unique needs. We're so happy you're here, and we're excited to connect you with the most helpful resources.

We also operate a non-profit branch that’s dedicated to advocating for and supporting childhood cancer warriors who need accommodations during and after treatment. We offer assessments, IEP support, school advocacy, and therapy to help every child thrive, even when affected by the challenges and obstacles of childhood cancer.