About Us
Evolved Learning Services supports children who learn best through connection, compassion, and care. We believe every child deserves to feel seen, understood, supported, and welcomed just as they are.
We’re a small, heart-led team of educators, neurodivergent mentors, parent coaches, and learning specialists. Together, we create spaces where kids can explore academics, emotional tools, social skills, and self-understanding, without pressure or perfection.
Our work begins by slowing down. Instead of managing behaviour or rushing to intervene, we look beneath the surface and ask: What’s really going on underneath? We take time to understand each child’s nervous system, communication style, environment, and emotional world, because that’s where meaningful learning begins.
We offer 1:1 support, group sessions, family coaching, and self-guided resources designed for children with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, sensory differences, and big emotions. We also support the people around them, parents, siblings, and educators, because no one thrives in isolation.
Our approach is grounded in brain science, nervous system regulation, and critical disability studies. In practice, this means we don’t view disability as something to fix, but as a meaningful part of a child’s identity and experience. We recognize that many struggles arise not from the child, but from systems that weren’t built with them in mind. We work with those differences, not against them, offering safer, more flexible, and truly supportive learning environments.
At ELS, we define success by confidence, curiosity, emotional resilience, and a sense of belonging that lasts far beyond school.
We are here to honour children, support their growth, and walk with families through all the real, beautiful, messy parts of learning and life.
Meet The Team
Kassandra Powell
Co-Founder
Kassandra Powell is the co-founder of Evolved Learning Services and a passionate advocate for children with exceptionalities. With a background in education and a deep understanding of neurodiversity, Kass has spent years helping families move beyond behaviour charts and surface-level strategies to truly understand what their child is experiencing underneath.
Kass specializes in translating the “why” behind behaviours. Whether a child is experiencing overwhelming behaviours, melting down, zoning out, or struggling in school, Kass helps families and educators see these moments as signals, not problems. Her work is grounded in science, but always led by heart.
Families often describe Kass as the person who finally made it all make sense. She brings clarity, warmth, and deep insight to any situation. Her mission is simple: to help children feel safe, understood, and ready to learn, and to help the adults around them feel empowered, not exhausted.
Kass believes in connection over correction, curiosity over control, and above all else, never giving up on a child.
Maya Doherty
Co-Founder
Maya Doherty is the co-founder of Evolved Learning Services, a space built on the belief that learning begins with safety.
She is a guide, a co-regulator, and a steady voice for families navigating the layered, emotional, and deeply human work of raising and supporting neurodivergent children. Her work is grounded in neuroscience and critical disability studies, but just as much in presence, intuition, and the quiet power of attunement.
Maya helps parents, educators, and children slow down enough to listen to the body, to the behaviour, to what’s been missed or misunderstood. She specializes in nervous system regulation, emotional safety, and restoring a sense of peace and possibility in homes that often feel like they’re just trying to survive the day.
Whether she’s sitting beside a child who’s melting down, offering a reframe that brings a parent to tears, or creating resources that help teachers finally get it, Maya brings softness, clarity, and deep respect to every moment.
She doesn’t believe in fixing children. She believes in listening to them. In honoring the wisdom of their bodies. And in building systems of support that feel just as safe for parents as they do for kids.
Deidre Gerrits
Lead Tutor
Deidre is the lead tutor at Evolved Learning Services, where she brings both deep expertise and genuine warmth to every session. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Family and Child Studies, a Bachelor of Education from Wilfrid Laurier University, and a Master’s in Counselling Psychology, Deidre combines academic excellence with a strong understanding of child development and emotional needs.
Over the years, Deidre has worked across a wide range of educational settings, including classrooms, daycares, and one-on-one support environments. This diverse experience has given her a unique ability to meet children exactly where they are academically, emotionally, and socially.
What makes Deidre such a vital part of the ELS team is her unwavering belief in every student’s potential. Her sessions are filled with encouragement, structure, and compassion. She brings positivity, calm, and a strong sense of purpose to her work, helping children build not just their skills, but their confidence too.
Deidre is deeply committed to helping each child feel seen, supported, and capable of success.
Olivia
English and French Tutor
Olivia is an OCT Certified K-12 educator with a strong passion for helping students discover their strengths and build confidence in their learning. She completed her studies at Queen’s University through the Concurrent Education program and currently teaches English and French as a Second Language to Grade 9 and 10 students.
At ELS, Olivia brings warmth, creativity, and a deep commitment to connection. She listens closely to what students care about and thoughtfully weaves those passions into their learning journey. Her sessions are welcoming, student-centered, and always grounded in joy and purpose.
Outside of teaching, Olivia is deeply committed to equity and creating inclusive, supportive communities. In her free time, you’ll likely find her traveling, staying active, or sharing a great meal with the people she loves.
Mackenzie (Kenz)
Administrative Assistant & Tutor
Kenz brings warmth, creativity, and a deep love for education to her work at ELS. With over seven years of experience in teaching and tutoring, she has a gift for building strong connections with her students and making learning feel fun, engaging, and movement-based.
Currently completing her degree in Childhood Education and Development, Kenz is in the process of applying for her Master’s in Elementary Education. Her passion for helping children grow shines through in every session, whether she’s supporting academics or simply helping a student feel seen and supported.
When she’s not teaching, you’ll find Kenz outdoors, exploring new places, or adventuring with her pup, Winnie. She’s a valued member of the ELS team and a future superstar teacher in the making.
Sarika
Math and Science Tutor
Sarika is in her second year of Neuroscience at Dalhousie, she has a big passion for learning about the brain and helping others unlock their potential. Shes always been fascinated by how we all learn and think in different ways. She loves teaching people who help her learn more too.
She aims to make learning fun and empowering. She loves helping students build confidence and discover what works best for them and applying this individually.
If she’s not studying or working she is probably reading, puzzling or out for a walk.
Andrea Stuart, M.ADS, BCBA
Founder of Everlife ABA
Andrea is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst with a deep commitment to supporting individuals and families through a compassionate, trauma-informed lens. She holds a Master of Applied Disability Studies, along with credentials in Applied Linguistics and as a Communicative Disorders Assistant. Through her private practice, Everlife ABA, Andrea works with children, teens, and adults across a range of needs, always centering care, collaboration, and integrity.
Andrea’s approach blends evidence-based strategies with heart. She believes in involving families every step of the way and infusing both her work and life with joy, purpose, and play.
Learn more at everlifeaba.com