HEATHER LEE
Colombo
Summary
Educational Psychologist and school leader with 12+ years across Sri Lanka, Qatar, Kuwait, the UK, and Canada. Designs and leads inclusive, neurodiversity-affirming supports in IB schools; builds Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS); and coaches faculty in data-driven practice, Positive Discipline, restorative practices, and child safeguarding. Conducts comprehensive psycho-educational evaluations and collaborates with families and external providers to plan strengths-based supports for neurodiverse learners. Experienced department head and member of senior leadership who strengthens policies, teams, and parent partnerships. Currently completing PsyD doctoral research titled “Neurodiversity-Affirming and Multicultural Perspectives on Girls with ADHD: A Literature Review.”
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Student Support & Educational Psychologist
The Overseas School of Colombo (OSC)
Colombo, Sri Lanka
01.2024 - Current
- Lead all Student Support services (Counseling, Inclusion, EAL, Health); manage staffing, budgets, workflows, and cross-school processes.
- Coordinated and developed intensive UDL Professional Development and capacity building across primary and secondary teachers.
- Align student support with school improvement plans and IB access & inclusion policies; chair leadership forums and SST meetings.
- Built a school-wide MTSS framework from the ground up (framework, referral pathways, progress-monitoring cycles, inclusion policies).
- Conduct comprehensive psycho-educational evaluations; collaborate with external providers and families on strengths-based intervention plans.
- Designed and launched a multi-sensory integration room to support regulation and classroom access.
- Expanded inclusion capacity by formalizing an external shadow-teacher model for higher-needs learners.
- Delivered staff and parent PD (neuro-inclusive strategies, executive functioning, behavior supports, mental health, safeguarding).
- Led Positive Discipline parent trainings that shifted community practices and home–school partnership language.
- Selected achievements
- Introduced school-wide MTSS Framework and systems, improving referral clarity and resource allocation.
- Standardized Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) and accommodation documentation in alignment with IB guidelines.
- Built cross-department collaboration with EAL/Health/Counseling for integrated supports and crisis response.
Educational Psychologist · Primary Counselor · Head of Learning Support
The Overseas School of Colombo (OSC)
Colombo, Sri Lanka
01.2021 - 01.2024
- Led Learning Support across Primary & Secondary (team of specialists); coordinated interventions, scheduling, and resource allocation.
- Delivered counseling/therapy (anxiety, behavior, social skills, developmental conditions); facilitated social-skills groups.
- Served on Child Safeguarding, Inclusion & Diversity, and leadership teams.
- Conducted psycho-educational evaluations and classroom observations; advised on accommodations and exam access.
- Designed staff/parent PD; supported IB curriculum access and differentiation.
Instructor (Counseling Psychology)
Doha Courses
01.2020 - 01.2022
- Design and deliver certificate courses; author syllabi, lectures, and assessments; adapt content for varied cohorts.
- (online/in-person)
Educational Psychologist
The Learning Center, Qatar Foundation
Doha, Qatar
01.2016 - 01.2021
- Provided comprehensive psycho-educational evaluations and case consultation across three campuses (K–12).
- Co-Chair, QF Schools Crisis Team; led response protocols and training.
- Led QF Schools collaborative taskforce with Sidra CAMHS to streamline referral and care pathways.
- Implemented tiered academic/SEL supports; coached teachers; developed counselor trainings.
Special Needs School Counsellor/Psychologist
Dasman Bilingual School
Kuwait
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Behavior intervention planning, psycho-educational assessments, play/art therapy, guidance lessons, and character-education initiatives.
- Worked with students with autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, cognitive delays, and developmental disorders.
- Accreditation committee; English/Arabic core-values liaison; coached volleyball/badminton.
Counsellor & Psychotherapist (Private Practice)
UK & Kuwait
01.2012 - 01.2016
- Brief/long-term therapy and assessments for children, adolescents, and adults (anxiety, depression, trauma, divorce, attachment, DV).
- Expressive arts & play therapy; group programs.
Child Protection Officer & Youth Sports Psych
Elite Hockey Schools
Glasgow, UK
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Ran wellbeing workshops; managed risk and disciplinary processes; liaised with agencies on protection concerns.
Community Liaison
Braehead Clan Ice Hockey Club
Glasgow, UK
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Built school partnerships; delivered athlete-led health and wellness programs.
Assistant to Operations Manager
Wicker Associated Chemists
Sheffield, England
01.2007 - 01.2013
Assistant School Psychologist (Intern)
Holy Spirit Catholic Schools
Lethbridge
01.2012 - 01.2012
Student Counsellor (Practicum)
Lethbridge Family Services
01.2011 - 01.2012
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Athabasca University
01.2011 - 01.2012
Education
Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) - Clinical Psychology
California Southern University
09-2026
Master of Counseling - Counseling Psychology
Athabasca University
01.2012
Bachelor of Science - Biological Sciences
University of Lethbridge
01.2005
Skills
- MTSS (Tier 1–3) design & implementation
- Positive Discipline & restorative practices
- Neurodiversity-affirming approaches; strengths-based practice
- Psycho-educational assessment & integrated reporting
- Inclusive education & UDL (IB PYP/MYP/DP contexts)
- Supports for neurodevelopmental differences (autism, ADHD, developmental language disorder, dyslexia)
- Child safeguarding (policy, training, case management)
- Policy, procedures & compliance (access arrangements)
- Staff development & coaching; parent education
- Intervention planning (academic/behavioral/SEL)
- Relationship building
- Verbal and written communication
- Team management
Accomplishments
· Built a school‑wide MTSS framework from the ground up (framework, referral pathways, progress‑monitoring cycles).
· Designed and launched a multi‑sensory integration room at OSC to support regulation and classroom access.
· Expanded inclusion capacity by formalizing an external shadow‑teacher model for higher‑needs learners.
· Led Positive Discipline parent trainings that shifted community practices and home–school partnership language.
Affiliations
- Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)
- Middle Eastern Psychological Association (MEPA)
- British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) — previous
Certification
Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)
Middle Eastern Psychological Association (MEPA)
British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) — previous
Additional Information
· Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator
· Coaching and Supervising Your Team – TLI Institute
· Identifying Early Signs of Psychosis in Adolescents & Young Adults — Stanford Medicine/University
· DEIJ Level 1 & 2 – NESA
· Restorative Practices Intensive Workshop – Trident Training
· Advanced Child Safeguarding Training – Tim Garish
· MTSS Data Driven Framework - ISCA
· WIDA English Proficiency Testing
· Child Protection Officer Training; Safeguarding Children in Sport
· Expressive Arts Therapies Intensive — Prairie Institute
· Suicide Intervention Training — LFS
· Anxiety‑Related Disorders (CBT) — Cognitive Behavior Institute
Languages & Interests
Languages: English (native), French (fluent).
Timeline
Director of Student Support & Educational Psychologist
The Overseas School of Colombo (OSC)
01.2024 - Current
Educational Psychologist · Primary Counselor · Head of Learning Support
The Overseas School of Colombo (OSC)
01.2021 - 01.2024
Instructor (Counseling Psychology)
Doha Courses
01.2020 - 01.2022
Educational Psychologist
The Learning Center, Qatar Foundation
01.2016 - 01.2021
Special Needs School Counsellor/Psychologist
Dasman Bilingual School
01.2014 - 01.2016
Child Protection Officer & Youth Sports Psych
Elite Hockey Schools
01.2013 - 01.2014
Community Liaison
Braehead Clan Ice Hockey Club
01.2013 - 01.2014
Counsellor & Psychotherapist (Private Practice)
UK & Kuwait
01.2012 - 01.2016
Assistant School Psychologist (Intern)
Holy Spirit Catholic Schools
01.2012 - 01.2012
Student Counsellor (Practicum)
Lethbridge Family Services
01.2011 - 01.2012
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Athabasca University
01.2011 - 01.2012
Assistant to Operations Manager
Wicker Associated Chemists
01.2007 - 01.2013
Master of Counseling - Counseling Psychology
Athabasca University
Bachelor of Science - Biological Sciences
University of Lethbridge
Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) - Clinical Psychology
California Southern University
Training
- Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator
- Coaching and Supervising Your Team – TLI Institute
- Identifying Early Signs of Psychosis in Adolescents & Young Adults — Stanford Medicine/University
- DEIJ Level 1 & 2 – NESA
- Restorative Practices Intensive Workshop – Trident Training
- Advanced Child Safeguarding Training – Tim Garish
- MTSS Data Driven Framework - ISCA
- WIDA English Proficiency Testing
- Child Protection Officer Training; Safeguarding Children in Sport
- Expressive Arts Therapies Intensive — Prairie Institute
- Suicide Intervention Training — LFS
- Anxiety-Related Disorders (CBT) — Cognitive Behavior Institute
References
Available upon request (to protect referee privacy; full contact details can be provided separately).
Awards
Qatar Foundation Pre-University Award for Exceptional Contribution to Student Welfare (2020), Queen Elizabeth II Academic Scholarship (2011), Province of Alberta Graduate Student Academic Scholarship (2011), University of Lethbridge Entrance Scholarship (2000)
Hobbies and Interests
Marathons & ultra-marathons; trail running & hiking; travel; surfing; volunteering with animal rescue organizations; volleyball & badminton (provincial ranking).