B.A. (Dalhousie); Certificate in Teaching Languages, (University of Montreal); M.Ed. and PhD (University of Victoria)
Language and Literacy
Areas of Interest:
My research interests are shaped by 15 years in both classroom and consulting roles for minoritized children. For example, I have served as Learning Support Teacher for students with learning difficulties in both regular and French Immersion programs (K-7) and as a Support Teacher for English Language Learners (K-12). These interests include: language and literacy teaching, differentiated instructional practices and critically reflective teacher development including how teachers use language and demeanour to support marginalized students.
I teach pre-service and graduate courses in the areas of literacy learning and differentiated instruction. My graduate students are focused on work in supporting students who find literacy learning challenging. For example, one M.Ed. student is exploring the use of ethno-drama to understand best teaching practices for students in poverty. A doctoral student is examining the dimensions of classroom community that may facilitate literacy learning for English language learners.
Selected scholarly activities:
I am the past chair of the Masters' Research Award for Language and Literacy Researchers of Canada.
I also serve as a reviewer for several scholarly journals, including Language and Literacy, Canadian Journal of Education, Teaching and Learning, and the Journal of Applied Research on Learning.
I am a reviewer for several scholarly journals including Language and Literacy; Canadian Journal of Education; Teaching and Learning and the Journal of Applied Research on Learning.
I am currently involved in "Reading Ghana" - a project to enhance the teaching of critical reading and writing in Ghana.