Faculty and Staff
Tara Gordon
Occupational Therapist
Tara Gordon joined the Third Academy team in a unique way: recognizing the immense value an in-house Occupational Therapist could provide our students, she proactively reached out to our Head of Schools, Sunil Mattu, to pitch the vision for a dedicated OT program. Today, that program continues to thrive under her expert guidance.
Born in Calgary and raised across Alberta, Tara’s professional journey is a testament to her diverse expertise and dedication to service. Before joining Third Academy, she spent six years as a respite worker and served as a coordinator for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services; she is also trained in Alberta Sign Language (ASL). Her extensive clinical background includes years with Alberta Health Services , working in high-intensity settings like the ICU, NICU, and neurology, as well as private clinic work focused on mental health and accessible transit policy.
Tara’s academic foundation is equally impressive. She holds an undergraduate degree with majors in both Linguistics and Psychology and a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Medicine/Occupational Therapy, with both awarded by the University of Alberta. She is also a Certified Handwriting Specialist through Learning Without Tears—a rare distinction, as she is the only provider in Alberta and one of only five in all of Canada.
At Third Academy, Tara works across all grade levels. She provides direct 1:1 and small-group treatment for students in Grades 1–9 and serves in a consultative role for our high school students. Her work covers everything from fine and gross motor skills to sensory integration and executive functioning. Furthermore, she partners with our Speech-Language Pathologist to lead monthly Social Emotional Learning (SEL) sessions for the entire school, ensuring our students have the communication and regulation tools they need to succeed.
Tara’s philosophy is rooted in her graduate research, which focused on the efficacy of early intervention. She believes that consistent, research-based support is the key to life-changing outcomes. By integrating these interventions in a fun, engaging, and functional way, she ensures that every student is treated with the patience, kindness, and respect they deserve.
Born in Calgary and raised across Alberta, Tara’s professional journey is a testament to her diverse expertise and dedication to service. Before joining Third Academy, she spent six years as a respite worker and served as a coordinator for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services; she is also trained in Alberta Sign Language (ASL). Her extensive clinical background includes years with Alberta Health Services , working in high-intensity settings like the ICU, NICU, and neurology, as well as private clinic work focused on mental health and accessible transit policy.
Tara’s academic foundation is equally impressive. She holds an undergraduate degree with majors in both Linguistics and Psychology and a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Medicine/Occupational Therapy, with both awarded by the University of Alberta. She is also a Certified Handwriting Specialist through Learning Without Tears—a rare distinction, as she is the only provider in Alberta and one of only five in all of Canada.
At Third Academy, Tara works across all grade levels. She provides direct 1:1 and small-group treatment for students in Grades 1–9 and serves in a consultative role for our high school students. Her work covers everything from fine and gross motor skills to sensory integration and executive functioning. Furthermore, she partners with our Speech-Language Pathologist to lead monthly Social Emotional Learning (SEL) sessions for the entire school, ensuring our students have the communication and regulation tools they need to succeed.
Tara’s philosophy is rooted in her graduate research, which focused on the efficacy of early intervention. She believes that consistent, research-based support is the key to life-changing outcomes. By integrating these interventions in a fun, engaging, and functional way, she ensures that every student is treated with the patience, kindness, and respect they deserve.