Meet the ToyBox Team

I am an Education Professor, Early Childhood Educator, School Psychologist, and Developmental Studies Director at the University of Winnipeg.

"As a founding member of the ToyBox project, I work alongside a grassroots team of parents and educators to ensure that well-researched literacy and numeracy recommendations reach families. My educational upbringing within the inner city has taught me the power of voice, grit, and of inclusive collaboration, which continues to inspire partnerships with communities across Manitoba."

"Reimer became involved as he was developing connections with Ubisoft Winnipeg, and saw an opportunity for connecting the project with these gaming designers"

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TovBox Caregiver Manual (2022)

"Kruse had governance experience, and together with Skwarchuk, they created bylaws, employee and volunteer handbooks, and policies on publications and membership for the ToyBox project."

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ToyBox Caregiver Manual (2022)

I was invited to join the research team during the ToyBox project's development phase. I have generated ideas for this research, drawing upon my speech-language pathology credentials and knowledge of educational psychology for inspiration. I have provided support to the project at various stages and am proud to be a part of this energetic research team.

I am an Early Childhood Educator who has been on the team since 2017.

"I love ToyBox because it has given me an opportunity to meet an amazing group of people who share the goal of supporting the wellbeing of children and families across Manitoba (and eventually Canada!) ToyBox has also given me the chance to connect with and collaborate with people who have diverse skills sets and expertises which I have drawn from to learn and grow as an Early Childhood Educator. I am honoured to be part of it." 

Sarah Melo (M.Ed) is a mother of three and a Student Services Teacher in an elementary French immersion school from Winnipeg, Manitoba with over 20 years of experience. After completing her master’s degree, Sarah developed Melo Math to help parents and educators to guide children in math using everyday manipulatives. Sarah is passionate about early numeracy and literacy and joined ToyBox in 2018 to help develop and promote research-based strategies for parents and caregivers. Sarah has developed and edited strategies, presented many times for ToyBox, trained parents and caregivers and continues to collaborate with the ToyBox team. Sarah’s passion is to help children learn the magic of math and to build confidence to prevent numeracy problems later in life and ToyBox allows her to continue her mission.

I am a K - gr 8 Principal in rural Manitoba and I joined this team at the very beginning. I love meeting with our team members via zoom or in person. The combination of amazing people, with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences allows for great collaboration across all of the components of the ToyBox project. I love being part of such a dynamic team.

One of the first parents to become engaged in the project. Finlayson, like other parents would be interested in ideas to engage children in learning activities based on current research.

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Paraphrased from ToyBox Caregiver Manual 2022

I joined the team in 2018, as an education student at the University of Winnipeg, to connect with others committed to the healthy development of Manitoban children.

"I have had the great privilege of supporting ToyBox in a variety of ways, such as creating activities, mentoring high school and university students, managing pilot studies, and authoring the Caregiver Handbook. As a new graduate, I look forward to contributing to the team as an educator and community member!"