This space is for sharing thriving moments — meaningful moments that reflect growth, connection, regulation, insight, or support over time. Thriving moments don’t have to be big wins or polished outcomes. They might be quiet shifts, steady routines, moments of understanding, or things that simply felt supportive or sustaining. Some thriving moments are personal. Others may come from experiences supporting learners. When sharing about learning contexts, we keep details general and non-identifying, focusing on the learning, growth, or support rather than personal information about individual learners. There’s no right way to share here, and no expectation to post regularly. Some people notice and share. Others read and reflect. Both are part of the practice. You’re invited to take what’s useful, add when it feels right, and return to this space as needed. 💜 Let’s keep noticing what supports thriving — together.

A little about me: ♾️ I'm a late-diagnosed neurodivergent adult (AuDHD) 👁️ I'm a visual learner + passionate about thriving 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 I'm part of a family of five — my husband and our three kids 🎓 I've been an educator in Ontario, Canada since 2008 🖼️ I'm an entrepreneur – I created Visually Speaking 🧠 I have a psychology background (another passion) + am committed to working with my brain 🎤 I find it challenging + fulfilling to speak at events and workshops about inclusive learning 🎶 I love music — especially singing (I'm a sucker for 3-part harmonies) 🧘‍♀️ I love yoga, fresh air, and trying new ways to move my body ☕ I'm usually found with a big mug of coffee or tea (and most of the time, a water bottle) 💜 I’m really glad you’re here.

At Visually Speaking, I use the term learning coach to refer to anyone who supports learners. That might look like: - Educators, EAs, or ECEs - Clinicians, therapists, or support professionals - Parents, caregivers, or family members - Tutors, facilitators, or mentors Often, it looks like more than one role at the same time. This term isn’t meant to replace anyone’s professional identity. It’s simply a shared way of naming support across contexts — home, school, work, and community — as we talk about learning and thriving together. If this term lands differently for you, or if you use other language in your own context, you’re welcome to add your perspective here. 📍 Access Notes: Photo shows Melissa indoors with natural light, wearing a purple top and glasses, smiling while offering a red apple toward the camera. A plant and a Visually Speaking print appear in the background.

This space is for unpacking, exploring, and making meaning together around language we use when talking about learning, learners, and thriving. The words we use matter — and they don’t always mean the same thing to everyone. Our backgrounds, roles, experiences, and contexts shape how we understand and use different terms. Rather than assuming shared definitions, this space is here to slow things down and create room for dialogue. You’ll see terms introduced here as starting points, not fixed definitions. We can layer in ideas, examples, questions, and nuance over time — and learn from one another in the process. This is meant to be a judgment-free space to: - Lead with curiosity - Reflect on language we use - Ask questions about meaning - Share lived experience or perspective - Build a richer, more shared understanding of concepts connected to thriving I’ll start new comment threads below for specific terms so we can return to them, add to them, and build on each other’s thinking over time. 🌱 The goal isn’t to get the language “right.” It’s to understand each other better — so we can thrive together.

This thread is a place to share a little about who you are — your roles, interests, curiosities, or what brings you here — if and when it feels right.