Allison Symonds Abbott
Allison is a passionate educator who has spent the last 14 years teaching science in grades K-8. She most enjoys bringing math, science, and STEM learning to life with hands-on challenges. Over the last several years she has enjoyed STEM and coding with students in the learning commons both on the computer and with robotics. Allison loves educational technology and is looking forward to helping other teachers embrace the wonderful world of code! When she's not working, Allison can be found exploring nature with her children. Durham District School Board Librarian. |
Dr. Shannon Accettone
Shannon is a Teaching Intensive Assistant Professor of General, Analytical and Forensic Chemistry at Trent University. She has previously taught at The University of Western Ontario as a graduate teaching assistant where she won the Faculty of Science graduate student teaching award, as a course instructor at both Trent University and Durham College, and as an assistant professor at the University of New Brunswick, Saint John. Shannon is Trent's 2021 winner of the Symons Award for Excellence in Teaching and recently received a 2021 Trent Teaching Fellowship for the curriculum redesign of labs within first-year chemistry and upper-year analytical chemistry labs. This redesign project will focus on the implementation of problem-based, inquiry-based, and argument-driven laboratory experiences for students. Shannon holds a honours B.Sc. in Comprehensive Chemistry from Ontario Tech University, a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Western Ontario, and is completing a B. Ed. in intermediate/senior chemistry and biology from Ontario Tech University. |
Maureen Asselin
Maureen is Manager, Instructional Liaison, Educational Partnerships K-12, Digital Learning at TVO on Secondment from Halton Catholic District School Board. She is an active proponent of Ed Tech and promotes a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) approach in her classroom. Maureen has led digital education projects via the Ministry’s Teacher Learning and Leadership Program (TLLP) and Provincial Knowledge Exchange and has collaborated and connected with educators across the province to build on blended learning techniques, sharing math and STEM resources and ideas for the use of devices in the classroom to benefit student's learning. |
Dr. Wendy Barber
Wendy is an award-winning educator and lifelong advocate for Physical and Health Education. Dr. Barber is a member of the PHE Research Council of Canada, and as a contributor to the Cross Canada PHE Teacher Education Research Group, will share ideas and strategies for teaching PHE in an online environment. (Associate Professor - Ontario Tech University) |
Dr. Jory Basso
Jory is an Associate Professor in the Department of Interprofessional Education at Southern California University of Health Sciences. He built a successful integrative health clinic as a Chiropractor/Sports Therapist in downtown Toronto prior to moving his family to California to teach full-time and enjoy the outdoor lifestyle including cycling and surfing. Dr. Basso has presented educational content at multiple international corporations, served as a health/fitness expert on TV, wrote 90+ blog articles, and created more than 70 videos for the HybridDrJ YouTube channel. He is a recent Ontario Tech graduate having completed the Master of Education and is passionate about empowering individuals with health and science education. https://hybriddrj.com/ https://www.youtube.com/hybriddrj |
Joy Benjamin
One of Ontario Tech University's graduates and recipient of the Faculty of Education Technology Award, Joy is living her dream to teach mathematics with conceptual understanding and real-world applications. She is currently teaching grade 9 and 10 mathematics in the Simcoe County District School Board. Joy enjoys creating new fun activities which support her students' learning. She has a passion to integrate coding and mathematics to develop student's problem-solving and thinking skills. Joy has a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto and spent 17 years in the equipment manufacturing industry prior to teaching. She is a mom of three teenagers and in her spare time, she enjoys playing strategic board games with her family, decorating cupcakes, and playing softball. |
Kim Bradley
Kim is a Registered Early Childhood Educator who graduated from the Early Childhood Education Program at Durham College in 1992. She is currently working on her Master of Education after earning her BA in Education and Digital Technology in April 2020 at Ontario Tech University. During an educational career spanning more than 25 years, Kim has enjoyed and thrived in a variety of positions, from school boards to licensed childcare. Among her many accomplishments, Kim won the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education (2019) and was nominated for the 2020 Tällberg Eliasson Global Leadership Prize, given annually to outstanding leaders from any country and any discipline whose work is innovative, courageous, rooted in universal values and global in implication. She also received an Honourable Mention in the Spirit Bear Awards from First Nations Caring Society and earned an Excellence Award from Durham Region, Children’s Services for her centre’s demonstration of “How Does Learning Happen” in 2018. |
Iain Brodie
Iain taught for 28 years in grades 1 - 8 for the TDSB. Now retired, he teaches future and in-service teachers both online and face-to-face at Ontario Tech and Western. He has a passion for teaching and learning as well as math and art . . . and science . . . and STEAM. He especially enjoys introducing teachers and teacher candidates to the world of coding and all the possibilities it allows for learning. With any extra time he has on his hands, he likes to visit teachers and their classrooms to help them jumpstart into coding, mathematics, critical thinking, or whatever they are curious about. |
Jessica Burke-Trebell
Jessica is a grade 7 virtual teacher with the Durham District School Board. She completed her M.Ed with a focus on global education, as for many years she was teaching and traveling simultaneously across 4 continents. Jessica is passionate about yoga, photography, running, and tech. As a former crown ward and an ambassador for the Toronto Children's Aid Society, she advocates for vulnerable youth and speaks publicly to various corporations and organizations about the importance of the child welfare system. As a 300-hour certified yoga teacher and elementary school teacher, she enjoys helping all of her students both in the classroom and on their mats to find mindfulness and embrace who they are. |
David Bussell
David is an Academic Associate in the Faculty of Education at Ontario Tech U and has previously been a sessional lecturer at both Ontario Tech U and OISE/UT in the Master of Teaching (MT) program. Previously, David was a secondary school teacher in the Peel District School Board for ten years. He is also a Ph.D. Candidate at OISE/UT and is completing his dissertation entitled Historical Thinking in Ontario Secondary Schools: A Multiple Case Study. |
Kim Carter
Kim Carter is a Professor in the Business School at Conestoga College in Kitchener. Her teaching has been influenced by education leaders like bell hooks and Stephen Brookfield and caring for students through their education journey is at the core of her practice. Participation in the eCampus Ontario Extend Empowered Educator program led to personal learning networks that extend beyond her own institution and a connection to the Open Education Community. While fairly new to OPEN education, it has become a passion to pursue and led to the multi-institutional collaboration project and recent publishing of Building a Medical Terminology Foundation.On the heels of that another multi-institutional collaborative Open project is underway for Therapeutic Communication for Health Office Administrators expected in Spring of 2022. |
Linda Cheng
Linda is a secondary school teacher and an alumnus from Ontario Tech University. Linda has taught at the secondary level at various schools in the TDSB, as well as at the University of Toronto Schools (CIS). She is experienced teaching senior biology, chemistry, intermediate math and senior dance. Despite her unique range of teaching subjects, Linda’s focus in the classroom is always around student wellness and educating the whole child. Linda holds an honours BSc degree from the University of Toronto specializing in Biomedical Toxicology and Neuroscience, with many years of undergraduate research experience in neuroscience and physiology. Her passion in science education is deeply rooted in inquiry based learning from her research experience, her mentorship with the FIRST Robotics Competition, and her 15 year experience with the Toronto Science Fair as a student, a mentor, a teacher coach, and currently a planning committee member. Today, Linda continues to engage in educational research in her practice and actively incorporates current mental health, basic sciences, and educational research into her classroom. |
Andria Chui-Moeini (K-12 Assistive Technology Teacher, Toronto Catholic District School Board)
Andria Chui-Moeini began her career as an educator in 2010. As a secondary classroom teacher, Andria had taught Business, Visual Art, and Social Sciences, before moving into the Guidance department where she was Department Head until 2018. From there she decided to pursue her passion for teaching within Special Education and moved back into the classroom as an Intensive Support Program (ISP) teacher. This is her first year as a K-12 Assistive Technology teacher where she is able to support special education students board-wide. |
Stephanie J. Cork
Dr. Stephanie J. Cork recently joined the Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) as the Faculty Development Coordinator. She is an internationally trained interdisciplinary scholar, with degrees in Sociology (Queen's) and Kinesiology (University of Maryland) as well as graduate certificates in English, Women’s Studies, and University Teaching. Stephanie centers Universal Design for Teaching and Learning in her work (the Pedagogy of Accessibility) and is a vocal advocate for diversity, inclusion, equity, decolonization, and disability justice both within and beyond the classroom. Twitter: @CorkStephanie; Personal Website; LinkedIn [email protected] |
Megan Douglas
Megan has taught math, science, and physical education in the Secondary Panel for 31 years for the TCDSB. Recently in the last three years, she has transitioned to the central team at the board to showcase her tech skills and help build capacity amongst staff and students to incorporate technology throughout the curriculum and focus on making the curriculum accessible for all students. She has a passion for teaching and learning as well as graphic design, website design, and photography. She especially enjoys introducing teachers/teacher candidates to the efficiency of workflow in the google workspace and all the possibilities it allows for complimenting teaching strategies to reach all learners. Megan is a passionate advocate/activist for equity and diversity initiatives as she is a part of the board Equity Committee. She has been instrumental in creating many heritage/cultural sites showcasing events, incorporating resources for staff, students, and families, as well as facilitating and hosting presentations through live streaming platforms. |
Tricia Dwyer-Kuntz
Tricia Dwyer-Kuntz is an Academic Associate in the Faculty of Education at Ontario Tech. She is a veteran educator having previously taught in both elementary and secondary schools as well as Coordinator of Special Education and Consultant for Educational Technology. Her areas of interest include online learning (she has a Master of Distance Education), gamification, special education, and digital literacies. She is a proud Apple Distinguished Educator who enjoys pushing technology to its limits. #KnowYourStudents |
Dr. Rob Elkington
Rob Elkington currently resides in Canada, where he serves as the CEO of Global Leadership Initiatives, Inc., which exists to "develop excellence in leadership globally," www.globalleader.ca. Rob also works with the Ontario Tech University's Continuous Learning Centre to develop and facilitate numerous courses for public and private-sector organizations. Rob is a member of the International Leadership Association; an ICF FLOW Certified Coach, and an MBTI practitioner. He has published a range of books, book chapters, peer-reviewed journal articles and has facilitated numerous peer-reviewed presentations. |
Dr. Cresencia Fong
Cresencia is the Head of Teacher Learning, Innovation & Research at the University of Toronto Schools. She has a special interest in the design and leveraging of digital tools to support collaborative thinking in learning communities, and global competency development. Prior roles include: Education Officer (21st Century Learning Unit, Ontario Ministry of Education), Postdoc Fellow (Research & Development, SMART Technologies), Instructional Leader (ICT & e-Learning, TDSB), Elementary Teacher (TDSB). |
Dr. Zeynep Gecu-Parmaksiz
Zeynep is a postdoctoral fellow at Ontario Tech University in the Faculty of Education. She is originally from Istanbul, Turkey. Before coming to Ontario Tech, Zeynep has worked as a researcher at Yildiz Technical University, Turkey, for six years and worked in Texas A&M University in the U.S. as a visiting scholar from June 2013 to December 2013. She is currently teaching the online course, Online Technology in Education, and working as a part of Dr. Janette Hughes’ STEAM-3D Maker Lab team. Zeynep completed her B.Sc. (Primary Mathematics Education) at Bogazici University, and her M.Sc. (Computer and Instructional Technologies) at Marmara University, and her Ph.D. (Computer Education and Instructional Technology) at Middle East Technical University. Her research interests include technology-enhanced learning, primary mathematics education, mobile learning, augmented reality, virtual reality, and spatial ability. |
Allison Haesler
Allison started her career teaching in New Zealand and Japan, and has been an educator with the Durham District School Board since 2001. Teaching primarily grades 3-5, Allison has dedicated time and energy to incorporate technology to increase student engagement. This past year she took on the role of Teacher-Librarian and used her tech skills to help staff and students have the best possible experience during virtual learning. Allison is a Google Certified Educator and is passionate about helping other educators expand their knowledge and skills with various digital tools. |
Dr. Janette Hughes
Janette is the Canada Research Chair in Technology and Pedagogy and Professor at Ontario Tech University. She is the recipient of multiple research and teaching awards and research grants. She is widely published and is the author of The Digital Principal, a guide for school administrators who are interested in promoting technology-rich learning environments for students and teachers. Dr. Hughes is a prolific author and presenter, sharing her work both nationally and internationally in prestigious scholarly and professional journals, keynote talks, and conferences. She has presented more than 100 peer-reviewed research conference papers across Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia, and South America. Attesting to the recognition of her leadership in technology and pedagogy, Dr. Hughes is routinely contacted by school districts, Ministry personnel and industry partners to consult on a variety of topics, including online teaching and learning, equity issues in ed tech, creating innovative learning environments, establishing Makerspaces in schools, shifting pedagogies in a digital era and how to foster the development of global (21st century) skills and competencies in K-12 and higher education. |
Dr. Bill Hunter
Dr. Bill Hunter was the founding dean of the Faculty of Education at UOIT. Prior to that, he spent 16 years as an education professor at the University of Calgary where he also served in such administrative roles as Director of the Educational Technology Unit, Academic Coordinator for the Distance Delivery Unit, Coordinator of the Educational Technology graduate area, and Head of the Department of Teacher Education and Supervision. He has taught educational technology, statistics, measurement, learning theory, human development, program evaluation, and other areas of educational psychology. His book, co-authored with Roger Austin of Ulster University and titled Online and Blended Learning for Global Citizenship: New Technologies and Opportunities for Intercultural Education, was published by Routledge in January. |
Chris Huxter
Chris taught for 30 years in the public and independent school systems as well as abroad. During that time, he worked with students in the areas of mathematics (including AP calculus for 14 years), physics, computer science, and engineering, as well as technology and robotics. During his career, Chris developed a senior project management course unique in its compilation of content, approach, and assessment tools. After retiring in 2019, he wrote a book, Lessons From The Classroom, and now enjoys tutoring online – once a teacher, always a teacher. |
Dr. Brenda Jacobs
Dr. Brenda Jacobs is a full-time teaching faculty member at Ontario Tech University in the Faculty of Education. She teaches in the Bachelor of Education program as well as the Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies and Digital Technology. Previously, she taught in the Faculty of Education at York University and the School of Early Childhood Education at Seneca College in Toronto. Brenda completed her B.A. (Psychology) and B.Ed. (Primary/Junior) at the University of Western Ontario and her M.Ed., Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education, and Ph.D. at York University. She is a member of the Ontario College of Teachers and the College of Early Childhood Educators. She has taught elementary school-aged children in Oxford, England, Vancouver, British Columbia, and Toronto, Ontario. Brenda is the author of the forthcoming book, Self-Regulation and Inquiry-Based Learning in the Primary Classroom, published by Canadian Scholars Press. |
Melissa Jensen
Melissa Jensen (she/her) has been a lead teacher and early adopter of ed. tech. (K-12) in Ontario, New Zealand, and Vietnam. Recently retired from Simcoe Country District School Board (SCDSB). Melissa continues to learn and teach as a TVO Ambassador. Melissa has been reaching out to Ontario educators to share TVO resources via online sessions. She continues to support reading initiatives like the Forest of Reading-Red Maple & #IREADCANADIAN Day as a committee member. Follow her @mjtlbarrie or access her ePortfolio. |
Dr. Robin Kay
Robin is currently the Dean of and a Full Professor in the Faculty of Education at Ontario Tech University in Oshawa, Canada. He has published over 160 articles, chapters, and conference papers in the area of technology in education; is a reviewer for five prominent computer education journals; and has taught in the field of computer science, mathematics, and educational technology for over 25 years at the high school, college, undergraduate and graduate level. His current projects include research on laptop use in higher education, BYOD in K-12 education, web-based learning tools, e-learning and blended learning in secondary and higher education, video podcasts, scale development, emotions and the use of computers, the impact of social media tools in education, and factors that influence how students learn with technology. Dr. Kay received his M.A. in Computer Applications in Education at the University of Toronto and his Ph.D. in Cognitive Science (Educational Psychology) at the University of Toronto. |
Shoshana Klein
Shoshana is a Behaviour Analyst with over a decade of experience creating and implementing programming for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She has a post-graduate degree in Autism and Behavioural Science (ABS), and is currently completing her Masters in Education through Ontario Tech University. Shoshana is passionate about using educational technology, gamification, and behavioural science to create meaningful learning experiences. |
Dr. Sharon Lauricella
Sharon is Full Professor in the Communication and Digital Media Studies program at Ontario Tech. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge (UK). She is the recipient of many teaching awards, including the Ontario Tech Faculty Teaching Award (twice) and the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities teaching award (twice). Sharon is a nominee for the national 3M Teaching Fellowship. She teaches courses including Communication Ethics, Communication and Conflict, and FSSH Practicum. Sharon is lead on an eCampus grant on student assessment, and is primary investigator on a SSHRC-funded project on media representations of student mental health. A native of Boston, MA, Sharon cheers for the Red Sox, but hopes that attendees won’t consider that a character flaw. |
Dr. Jia Li
Jia is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Education, Ontario Technology University. She was a Canada-U.S. Fulbright Scholar at the Harvard Graduate School of Education (2011- 2012), and a John A Sproul Research Fellow at the University of California Berkeley (2018-2019). Dr. Li’s work focuses on data-driven innovative language and literacy interventions using new technologies for linguistically diverse students, i.e., urban students from low-income families, English learners and Indigenous adolescents and youth. Her research has been funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and Fulbright Canada. Her work has been published by journals including Computers and Education, Teaching and Teacher Education, Computer Assisted Language Learning, and Language Learning and Technology. |
Isabella Liu
Isabella is an award winning science educator and currently teaches Science and AP Chemistry in Toronto, Ontario. She has taught students in three different countries, including Hong Kong and Nanjing, China. She is passionate about learning about emerging educational technologies (EdTech) to enhance her students’ learning. She has an established skill set with working in secondary education and non-profit industries. Through her learning journey with technology, she became an Apple Distinguished Educator and a Google educator for Education Certified Trainer program. Furthermore, she has worked with National Geographic in implementing their professional development program for educators around the world. |
Aaron Lupton
Aaron is a current Intermediate/Senior Teacher Candidate at the Faculty of Education at Ontario Tech University with plans to graduate in December of 2021. Aaron's aspirations and passion for teaching are all centered around making learning fun and engaging for all of his students. By integrating his own interests into the curriculum, Aaron cultivates a unique learning environment that allows students to enjoy what they are learning through the use of gamification and integrated technology that incorporates many of his students' interests as well. Aaron currently holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Honours Biology from the University of Waterloo and hopes to bring his passion for science to a classroom in the very near future. |
Bryden MacDonald
Bryden is an elementary teacher with the Vancouver School Board. A graduate of Ontario Tech’s Bachelor of Education program, she also holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts Animation degree from Sheridan College and a Certificate in Publishing from Ryerson University. She has recently completed Western University’s Intermediate and Senior ABQs in Visual Arts. Bryden is passionate about environmental education, sharing a love of reading, and creating a learning environment that encourages imagination, creativity, and critical thinking. |
Alison Mann
Alison Mann has been an educator for over 20 years and has focused on film and media education for the last 15 years. She is completing a Ph.D. in Education that focuses on film production in global online learning environments. As an online educator for secondary school students, Alison has been using instructor videos in her classes as a way to maintain engagement with students and to humanize the online learning environment.Presently, Alison is an expert advisor for the Toronto District Catholic School board and the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education for online instructor video creation. As an academic associate at the Faculty of Education at Ontario Tech University, Alison teaches variety of courses including Foundations, Learning in Digital Contexts, Equity and Diversity and Independent Inquiry and Internship. |
Judy Mendaglio
Judy describes mathematics as her happy place. She decided to study mathematics even though it was not one of her best subjects at school because, for her, there was something unique and wonderful about it. After graduate school, Judy began a career in the financial services industry. She decided to return to education to be surrounded by people who wanted to learn. In her career as an educator, she has taught at two colleges, three universities, and several secondary schools. Judy is President of the Ontario Association for Mathematics Education (OAME/AOEM) and also serves as a member of the Steering Committee of the MathEd Forum at the Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences. Assessment and evaluation in mathematics is one of her primary areas of interest. |
Lianna Metauro
Lianna is a proud graduate of Ontario Tech’s Bachelor of Education Program. While at the Faculty of Education she was the recipient of the Mary Anne O’Leary Leadership Award for integrity, professionalism, and innovation. Lianna aims to transfer these skills into her teaching practice while finding new ways to effectively implement technology in the mathematics classroom. Lianna’s current role in Education finds her teaching High School Math with PVNCCDSB. |
Laura Morrison
Laura Morrison is the Research Project Manager in Canada Research Chair, Dr. Janette Hughes' STEAM3D Maker Lab, located within the OTU Faculty of Education. She is also a sessional instructor at OTU where she co-developed and teaches the online course, Learning in Digital Contexts. Laura completed her M.A. at UOIT with a focus on the impact of digital literacies in education. She will be defending her Education Doctorate (virtually) at the University of Calgary in July 2021. Her thesis focuses on promising practices for online pre-service teacher education. Her favourite ways to communicate are through poetry, narrative and image. |
Melissa Morrison
Melissa is an educator, technology enthusiast and cheerleader of the disengaged. Throughout her teaching career, Melissa has been actively involved with Special Education at the secondary level as both a teacher and Special Education Department Head. Most recently, she is a member of the Assistive Technology Team with the Special Services Department at the TCDSB. Melissa is passionate about engaging all learners, regardless of pathway and strives to build capacity at the school level and system level through technology. She believes in supporting all learners and advocates for system level changes to better support students of all pathways. She is an alumni of Ontario Tech University Bachelor of Education program, and holds degrees in both Computer Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Queen’s University. Melissa received an Innovative Exemplary Practice Award for the work she has done with the Assistive Technology Team’s Virtual Co-op Innovators Project, which was also presented at the Ontario Co-operative Education Association 2021 Spring Conference. Equity, innovation, leadership, creativity and a growth mindset are what fuel Melissa’s professional practice as an educator. |
Tina Murray
Tina Murray has been at Ontario Tech University for over a decade, as a Learning Strategist and now as a Manager in Student Accessibility Services (SAS). She provides essential support and guidance to students, staff and faculty on campus surrounding disability accommodations in the classroom. Tina brings an intersectional approach to her work every day, as she not only supports students with learning disabilities, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD), Asperger’s syndrome, physical disabilities, visual and hearing impairments, medical disabilities, mild intellectual disabilities, acquired brain injuries and mental health disabilities, but supports English Language Learners, first generation students, nontraditional and many other diverse populations on our campus community. Student Speak “SAS Spotlight Article”; LinkedIn [email protected]; ([email protected] |
Megan Park
Megan Park is an educator with a passion for digital technology and mental health. Since completing her Master of Education in Digital Technologies at Ontario Tech University, she continues to share her love for digital technology with other educators to ensure inclusivity and continued innovation to support all learners. Megan spent the past year virtually teaching grade 4 and grade 6 students with her golden retriever teaching partner. |
Dr. Elita Partosoedarso
Elita has been teaching at Ontario Tech for 15 years, mainly within the Faculty of Health Sciences although she has also taught courses for the Faculty of Education and the Faculty of Sciences. After teaching at Ontario Tech for a few years, she realized that her PhD in pharmacology and physiology could only provide her with content knowledge and so enrolled in a fully online Master of Education (MEd) program to develop her pedagogical knowledge. Elita has sought to incorporate new and different technologies in the classroom to increase student engagement- she was part of the pilot program to incorporate audience response system (polling) into her classroom. Elita loves teaching the large undergraduate courses and has worked hard to provide open education resources for her students. |
Dr. Elan Paulson
Elan Paulson, PhD, has been an educator in Ontario’s higher education system since 2004. Elan's interests vary widely, but right now she is particularly interested in collaborative online learning, teaching communities of practice, and open education and pedagogy. Before joining Conestoga College last year as a Teaching and Learning Consultant, Elan served on the executive team at eCampusOntario and led the development of professional education programs at Western University’s Faculty of Education. |
Mel Pigozzo
Mel has been a part-time faculty member in the School of Business, IT & Management at Durham College since 2013, teaching a variety of courses, including accounting, business communications, computer applications, and professionalism. Mel also works as a full-time accountant and is a recent graduate of the Master of Education program at Ontario Tech University. She has a passion for education and exploring new technologies and is enthusiastic about using tech to help her students understand accounting. |
Shangavi Raveendran
Shangavi is an elementary teacher with the DDSB. She completed her undergraduate degree in Health Sciences with a specialization in Human Health. She worked as a behavioural therapist for children diagnosed with autism and ADHD. She is passionate about inquiry-based learning and technology integration in the classroom. Shangavi spends her free time baking, doing DIY projects with her Cricut and hiking with her dog. |
Natasha Recoskie
Natasha is a lifelong learner and is passionate about education. She completed her BSc in Human Kinetics from the University of Guelph in 2010 and paused her education to pursue motherhood. Natasha is a mother of three beautiful children, who keep her constantly on her toes. She has recently been introduced to the marvellous world of coding, specifically Scratch Jr, and has been bitten by the coding bug. The endless possibilities and opportunities to draw from a variety of knowledge backgrounds intrigues her. She loves debugging and problem-solving and thoroughly enjoys helping others, as long as she has had her morning coffee |
Michelle Reiterer
Michelle is a graduate student and researcher in the faculty of Education at Ontario Tech University. She is also a Board Certified assistant Behaviour Analyst (BCaBA) and has over a decade of experience implementing, creating and overseeing Applied Behaviour Analytic (ABA) programming for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Michelle is passionate about mental health, education, equity and social justice for individuals living with exceptional circumstances. |
Peter Sciacca
Peter is a French Immersion teacher with a passion for learning and languages. He entered teaching as a second career and has brought his life experiences into his lessons, making connections with his students and peers. Peter's background in Human Resources, including Training and Development have allowed him to create robust, learner focused and learner led lessons. His undergraduate work in Multicultural and Indigenous Studies have helped him ensure that equity and equality are at the forefront of his pedagogical practice. |
Christine Senior
Christine Senior is the department head of English at O'Neill CVI in Oshawa. With close to 20 years of teaching experience, she has held a variety of roles, including most recently as the English / Literacy Facilitator for the DDSB. Christine has written several system curriculum resources, with a focus on incorporating reading strategies for struggling adolescent and adult learners and has presented at the Reading for the Love of It conference. She considers Twitter to be an important part of her PLN and can be found @senior_mrs |
Quinn Simpson
Quinn is one of the co-founders of Graydin, an organisation working to revolutionise the ways we support, empower and connect with our next generations so they can thrive at school and at home. Together with more than 150 schools and Universities world-wide, Graydin has been at the forefront of the coaching movement in education since 2011. Quinn has 12 years of experience in coaching, teacher-training and learning content creation for teachers, students and parents. She is a certified Co-active Coach and NLP Coach Practitioner, and at the age of 24, she co-founded a small charity called Akosia that operated for 10 years using coaching as a facilitation technique in filmmaking projects for underprivileged children and women. With a deep passion to improve wellbeing in schools, Quinn currently sits on the board of Friendship in Action, a Toronto-based charity that aims to increase emotional and social intelligence in schools and co-founded The Regen Collective and ‘PAUSE’ practice, which are used in Regen Circles by educators around the world. Living in the west-end of Toronto with her family, she enjoys walking through High Park and showing her son Theo that coaching skills are for everyone. |
Charlotte Speilman
Canadian and World Studies Teacher, University of Toronto Schools. Charlotte Speilman is an educator at the University of Toronto Schools. She teaches in the Canadian and World Studies department. She also has experience teaching in English Departments and Health and Physical Education. Charlotte loves making interdisciplinary connections in the classroom and promoting lifelong learning goals. She is interested in bringing issues of social justice and equity into our daily practice as teachers and community members. Charlotte is interested in designing tools that promote student-driven collaborative learning. |
Nancy Tat
Nancy is a STEM focused teacher in an intermediate classroom. She coached Robotics and led many other school teams in science competitions. This year, her Robotics team advanced to the Canada Cup competitions. She also volunteers as a judge at the Toronto Science Fair and FIRST Lego League. As a result of the Pandemic, Nancy quickly adapted to the e-learning environment and delivered engaging virtual lessons using a variety of tools such as Gizmos, Geogebra, Minecraft Education Edition, Scratch, Microsoft OneNote and many more. |
Dr. Diane Tepylo
Diane strives to connect theory and practice in her teaching. Her PhD in teaching and learning STEAM education is supported by 20 years of teaching in mathematics, science and programming classes. Presently, Diane teaches mathematics education and coding to teacher candidates at Ontario Tech. An avid gardener and maker from coastal BC, she sees math, science and computational thinking in almost everything she does. |
Stephanie Thompson
Stephanie Thompson is an Academic Associate and the B.Ed Program Director and teaches a number of courses in the B.Ed program at Ontario Tech University. She previously taught at the Junior and Intermediate levels in the Durham District School Board. She holds a BA from the University of Toronto, a B.Ed from OISE-UT and an MA in Education in Digital Technologies from Ontario Tech University. Her research interests include digital literacies, digital storytelling, maker pedagogies and most recently, creativity and critical thinking in teacher education. She has been involved in several research projects exploring social justice topics, adolescent identities, bullying and the effects of media on young adults. She looks forward to working with teacher colleagues in this exciting learning opportunity. |
Carlo Trentadue
Carlo Trentadue is an educator, grade level coordinator, and member of the administrative leadership team at an independent school in Vancouver, BC. Carlo has an abundance of national and international education experience, having taught across Canada, the United States, and South America. In 2015, he penned an article in the International Handbook of E-Learning, focusing on the utility of Virtual World Forums (VWFs) and the socio-cultural implications on education. Having recently graduated from UBC with a Master's of Educational Technology, he plans to pursue his doctorate in education in 2022. Originally from Toronto, Carlo is thrilled to take part in a conference hosted by his alma mater, alongside some of his former instructors. |
Christine Upton
Christine Upton completed Early Childhood Education at Seneca College in 2006. From there she completed a BA Hon in Geography and English specializing in Advanced Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems at York University in 2010. Christine earned a Bachelor of Education at UOIT in 2012. Christine works full time as a Secondary teacher with DDSB and completed a M.Ed with UOIT in 2016. Christine has a passion for teaching, life-long learning, engaging her students with interactive and authentic learning opportunities and spending time with her two girls racing motocross. |
Jesslyn Wilkinson
Jesslyn is an Ontario Certified Teacher who has worked extensively with technology in teaching contexts. She holds a B.A. and B.Ed., and is currently an M.Ed candidate at Ontario Tech University. Jesslyn researches and promotes new technologies for faculty to enhance pedagogical practices as the Educational Technology Officer at Conestoga College. She brings to the role her experience as a Google and Microsoft certified technology trainer and as a classroom teacher in South Korea, Mongolia, and Ontario, focusing on special education, collaborative communities and assistive learning technologies. |