Queen's Online Graduate Studies in Education

08/26/2022

FEATURE FRIDAY - Student Spotlight 🎉
Reut Kaddar, Jewish Studies Teacher

Meet Reut and learn about her professional journey and PME experience!

PME is the best way for professional educators to deepen their knowledge, reflect on their learning and teaching strategies, and grow as educators. And here is why!

My name is Reut Kaddar, and I am 41 years old, a mother of 3 kids, an educator since I can remember, a social activist, and a PME student starting last summer!

I am currently a grade 5 Jewish studies teacher at Bialik Hebrew Day School in Toronto, ON. My professional background is in the management of educational not-for-profit organizations, which I have done since graduating with my MBA in 2007, and before joining the Bialik community in 2021.

As a manager who worked with and managed kids and educators, teaching was always part of my professional practice, and I always did it voluntarily. I believe that in order to understand the context in which our kids can thrive, we must be “up-to-date” with their school experiences.

My family and I moved to Canada in 2018. I was sent to Canada to do exactly what I did in my home country for so long. When my contract was due, it was clear that I wanted to find a job that would bring me as close as possible to the local school system. Without a local teaching diploma, without local experience, and with endless enthusiasm, I joined Bialik. After finishing a year at Bialik, it became evident that I needed to gain local professional knowledge.

My PME concentration area is Educational Administration, as I am very passionate about “leadership for all ages.” I believe that being a role model to educators is a challenge but one of the most important things we can do to change the world. I am hopeful that after graduating from the PME program, I will be able to take my career to the next level.

Education is everything: it is the past, the present, and beyond all, IT IS THE FUTURE. We all want to invest in our future, don’t we?

My advice to everyone who reads this: Do not wait until later, do not expect a leave of absence in order to start, go online and sign up for the PME at Queens University because when you do so, you are investing in yourself, but you are also investing in the future of the world we live in. As I always say to my students: “Be the change you want to see.”

Good Luck,

Reut

08/19/2022

FEATURE FRIDAY - Student Spotlight 🎉
Candice Kurji, Special Education Teacher

Meet Candice and learn about her PME experience!

I started the PME Program in January 2022 in the Classroom Specialist concentration.

I am currently a Special Education Teacher in BC. I also work as a Behaviour Interventionist for children in elementary schools and am a long-time City of Richmond employee, working in planning and development, community, and recreation services.

My advice to new/prospective students is: Don’t be afraid to ask questions and collaborate with your peers and professors! I have learned so much through the enriching conversations with my classmates. I love the fact that we are able to reach out to each other for support and resources throughout the classes. Don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone with learning and be creative with it! Soak up all of the information, enjoy the process, and be kind to yourself!

In the future, I see myself leading mental health education for educators within elementary and high schools. As well, I hope to incorporate more mental health workshops in the City of Richmond and school districts across BC.

08/08/2022

UPDATE: What's new with our dedicated instructor, Jason Shulha?

I am now entering my 4th year of teaching in the GDE/PME program. I am also the Curriculum and Assessment Coordinator for the program. I welcome emails from all students.

A growing family keeps me busy. When I have time and energy, I continue to explore read, think, and write in the areas of teacher learning, teacher identity, and curriculum theory.

FEATURE FRIDAY- Faculty Spotlight 🎉
Jason Shulha, Adjunct Assistant Professor

Jason considers himself to be a stay-at-home academic, which means he gets to retreat to his office and play with ideas. His doctoral work focused on curriculum theory and professional learning. Over the last two years, his reading and explorations have focused on the question: what does it mean to be a professional teacher in the 21st century?

This leads Jason back to a fundamental question that he thinks we should be asking ourselves regularly: what is the purpose of education? In response to this, he is exploring what it would mean to reframe teacher professional identity through a posthumanist conception of education.

Since joining the program faculty just over a year ago, Jason has been blown away and inspired by students' dedication to learning. Working in the GDPI/PME is not work at all; rather it is a journey through the challenges and success of being in the classroom which he feels privileged to share and support through his knowledge and experience.

Almost all of the students Jason encounters in the program are working full-time in another capacity. For some, that means teaching, and for others, that means being a parent. The following tips are intended to help students maximize their time and efforts.

Tip #1: Read and follow the assignment rubrics. The rubrics in the courses are excellent. Use the rubrics to guide your thinking and overall completion of the assignments.

Tip #2: Ask for specific feedback. Don't be shy about asking for specific feedback on assignments. Of course, instructors will offer feedback per the assignment description and rubric, but what about that new idea you are excited about?

Tip #3: Lastly, be kind to yourself. You are all extremely busy. Get excited about the learning, not the grades.

Outside of teaching, Jason’s newest and biggest hobby is his little girl. As his family grows, he hopes to instill in his kids a love of camping, skiing, gardening, family, and the rewards that come from living a life centered around kindness, acceptance, and giving.

07/29/2022

FEATURE FRIDAY- Faculty Spotlight 🎉
Rebecca Stroud Stasel, Adjunct Assistant Professor

Meet GDE/PME instructor, Rachel Stroud Stasel, and learn about her research and experiences in the online graduate program!

My research interests include educational leadership and policy, teaching and learning, arts-based pedagogies, arts-informed research methodologies, and Indigenous methodologies. I have always been drawn to people’s stories and this is how I am inspired and learn, by thinking about people’s stories. My primary research interest is in intercultural learning, which has been an embedded component of most of the projects that I’ve worked on. I have lived and worked overseas, and this motivated me to conduct my doctoral study in the borderland spaces that teachers, counselors, and school leaders who moved overseas to live and work negotiated.

I love teaching and was a middle and high school teacher prior to pursuing my PhD. I enjoy seeing students get inspired by their learning and growth. I view teaching as a shared and reciprocal process. Every class offers opportunities for co-learning and I always appreciate these. I’m currently teaching GDE/PME 821, a policy course that engages students in a historical scan of policy models as they impacted Indigenous students from the Indian Act, which drove assimilationist policies and practices, to the present day, where policies of repair, reconciliation, language revitalization, and resurgence are being developed in a variety of ways. The insights, academic articulations, and creative expressions that students have produced have always awed me, and this is true of what is taking place in the GDE/PME course right now.

I find policy analysis exciting because it leads to exploring policy alternatives, writing briefs, and working on policy review committees. It is my hope that educators will engage themselves in policy cycles. I used to view policy as either intimidating, inaccessible, or boring. But as I have engaged in policy analysis and review work, I now view policy as fascinating, and ultimately, engagement with it as a matter of social justice.

Each graduate course can seem like a whirlwind because of the heavy readings, the need to delve deeply into specific issues, and the need to articulate robust critical thinking about said issues, and time may seem like an enemy. In rushed times, people may have a harder time devoting quiet reflective time, but I believe that authentic reflective time is necessary, not only to come to insights about inquiry topics, but it is also necessary for learning about one’s own self and learning processes. So, I would encourage each graduate student to build reflection activities and quiet time into their schedules. Also, reach out when stuck.

When not working, I love being outside, with my family, writing poetry, reading novels and nonfiction works, playing music, gardening, and traveling.

07/22/2022

UPDATE: What's new with our long-time instructor, Gary Rasberry? Read on to find out! 😊🎵

Folks who have worked with me in the GDE/PME program know I lead a not-so-secret double life as both academic and artist. As a musician and ‘imagination consultant,’ I tour the country as a VIA Rail Artist on Board, stopping at schools for artist residencies. I’m (in)formally working on plans to create a ‘Travelling Pedagogical Road Show,’ that features students and teachers exploring the fascinating hyphenated space between artistry & education, performance & pedagogy. With apologies to beloved CBC icon, Stuart Maclean, I imagine it as a kind-of ‘Vinyl Siding Café’ for schools and communities. The plan involves working with educators in our graduate program interested in co-creating, and cultivating creativity in classrooms and beyond. Interested?

Please feel free to get in touch with me. www.garyrasberry.com

FEATURE FRIDAY- Faculty Spotlight! 🎉
Gary Rasberry, Adjunct Assistant Professor

Gary loves working and learning with the "awesomely awesome" educators in the PME program. Some of his research interests include artistry and education, pedagogy as a performative act, and performance as a pedagogical act. He embraces Malcom Gladwell’s notion of being a “connector”- a networker who specializes in bringing society together and moving ideas around. He enjoys hosting arts-based alternative practicum experiences with BEd candidates.

Gary writes, records, and performs as a JUNO nominated children’s artist. He offers Song, Story & Sound workshops to schools, and gigs regularly with a Neil Young tribute band called Sedan Delivery.

Gary’s tip for student success in the GDPI and PME programs: bring your whole self with you to your courses, risk being vulnerable by embracing learning as an inherently vulnerable act of (sometimes) not knowing, and be your best self whenever possible.

07/18/2022

UPDATE: After completing the PME program, Maya pursued her goal of becoming a certified teacher. She will be completing Queen's BEd program in Summer 2022. Congratulations, Maya! 🎉

FEATURE FRIDAY - Student Spotlight 🎉
Maya Milne - Registered Dental Hygienist

Maya recently graduated from our PME program with a concentration in Assessment and Evaluation. She is currently working as a Registered Dental Hygienist in a private dental practice and has a busy family life with four children, ages 8 to 13. Her PME experience has sparked a greater interest in the field of education, and she plans to continue her own personal education to fulfill her goals in this field.

Maya’s advice to new students in the online graduate program: Don't be afraid to explore new technologies and ask for advice from your peers. I had been out of school for 25 years before embarking on this program and, at first, I found the technological aspects quite daunting; however, as I neared the end of the program, I was making a conscious effort to seek out opportunities to incorporate new computer software programs into my learning knowing how valuable they can be to education.

07/08/2022

FEATURE FRIDAY - Faculty Spotlight 🎉
Wei Yan, Adjunct Assistant Professor

Meet one of our new instructors, Dr. Wei Yan! Wei is teaching GDE/PME 827: Planning and Implementing Classroom Assessment this term.

I always have a heart for students’ success, which is reflected in my research. I have studied the determinants of students’ academic success and the most important indicator of students’ success in classroom assessment – grades.

Working with students who are professionals from various areas excites me the most. I get to know and learn from different professionals and have the reassurance that my students will also learn something from me that they can put into practice.

Living in the age of information explosion, taking advantage of fragmented reading is an essential skill. And I think our online program fits perfectly for life-long learners like our students. When you find a suitable slot for your fragmented reading and stick to it, you will achieve your learning goals set up by our program.

Outside work, I love movies and collecting movie figures.

07/01/2022

FEATURE FRIDAY - Student Spotlight 🎉
Ana Ramirez, Elementary Teacher

Meet Ana and learn about her PME experience!

I started the PME Program in September 2020 and will be completing my last two courses this August. Although I initially got accepted into the Classroom Specialist concentration, I changed it to Literacy Education. This was one of the best professional decisions I’ve ever made.

I am a kindergarten teacher for the B.C. school district 41 in the unceded Traditional Coast Salish Lands of the Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish and Musqueam Nations. This school year was my fifth year teaching, and what I learned through the PME Literacy courses sparked a great passion for finding the best evidence-based practices to develop foundational literacy skills in young learners. This led me to re-evaluate many aspects of my teaching and make many changes. As a result, I have become an advocate for Science of Reading (SOR) aligned practices in my school and, more recently, within my district.

In the future, I see myself growing this role and being even more active during professional development opportunities, sharing and supporting other kindergarten and early primary educators as they navigate the SOR framework. I believe literacy becomes a social justice issue when we analyze the evidence proving how popular yet debunked instructional approaches widen gaps and impact our students’ opportunities and quality of life. Therefore, I look forward to continuing to share with others what I have learned and continue to learn.

My advice to new/prospective students is to reflect on your interests and to take time to explore the concentrations and course descriptions when planning. The PME program offers a variety of courses that grant opportunities to further a known professional passion or discover a new one.

06/24/2022

FEATURE FRIDAY - Faculty Spotlight 🎉
Hubert Brard, Adjunct Instructor

Meet one of our new instructors, Dr. Hubert Brard! Hubert is teaching GDE/PME 863: Equity-Focused School Leadership/Political Implications of Administration this term.

What are your research interests?
Understanding, learning, and investigating how school leadership evolves with the dynamic nature of society, globalization, and power dynamics therein is my overall interest in my research. Educational leadership reflects societal understanding of equity, narratives, agency, and advocacy in school. As a result, my research interests are based on the juxtaposition of equity with school leadership.

What excites you most about teaching at Queen’s Faculty of Education?
I have heard from former students about their positive experiences when they were at the Faculty of Education at Queen’s. When I was hired to the Faculty of Education, I was excited to be working with candidates! Engaging in discussions, inquiries and reflections with candidates is an awesome way to further evolve public education.

What tips do you have for online graduate students?
Having taught many graduate courses, students are encouraged to continue to connect with their instructors (to keep a line of communication open) as they manage their courses. Working and learning together is the key for success!

What are your hobbies or interests outside work?
As a former music teacher, I continue to perform as an orchestral musician. I hold an orchestral position as principal oboe in the York Symphony Orchestra. I find this position allows me to indulge in my passion for music.

06/17/2022

FEATURE FRIDAY - Faculty Spotlight 🎉
Esther Bettney Heidt, Adjunct Instructor

Meet one of our new GDE/PME instructors, Dr. Esther Bettney Heidt!

I recently completed my PhD at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. My dissertation research explored how students and teachers at an international school in Colombia engaged with more equitable approaches to language education. I regularly publish, present, and consult with schools and educational organizations on various topics, including multilingual education, international schools, teacher education and student identity. You can read one of my recent publications about critical approaches to language education here.

I am excited to be “back home” at Queen’s University. My university journey began in the Concurrent Education program at Queen’s, which launched me into a decade of teaching and school leadership at a bilingual school in Honduras. Later, I returned to Queen’s to complete the M.Ed. program which ignited my interest in the intersection of research and practice. I am excited to draw on my own experiences to support professionals in reaching their educational goals through the GDE/PME programs.

Online studies can feel isolating. I encourage students in the GDE/PME programs to look for virtual opportunities to connect with the Faculty of Education community, such as attending guest lectures or social events hosted by the community. While I did my M.Ed. in person at Queen’s, it was still a significant adjustment to being a student again. I wish at the time I had taken advantage of some of the resources available to the larger Queen’s community to ease my transition. Now, I encourage all students to check out resources like Student Academic Success Services which provides individual (and online!) support for writing and academic skills.

I love to travel and be outdoors with my family. Currently, I live in Medelllín, Colombia, the City of Eternal Spring, with my husband and two kids. We are always looking for an adventure, especially if it involves a mountain to climb, a beach to swim or a new city to explore.

06/10/2022

FEATURE FRIDAY - Student Spotlight 🎉
Hazel Kim, Elementary Teacher

Meet Hazel and learn about her PME experience!

I started the PME in the Spring of 2021 in the Classroom Specialist concentration. I'm particularly interested in Mathematics education at the Primary level. Currently, I'm a year 3 (Grade 2) teacher in an international school in Shanghai. I really enjoy classroom teaching but may eventually look for a position as a mathematics education consultant or a consultant focusing on bilingual education.

Some advice for new students~set aside time for the readings and your interaction with your fellow classmates to really sink in; if you are a classroom teacher, don't be afraid to try out what you read in your own practice; the results may surprise you!

06/03/2022

FEATURE FRIDAY - Student Spotlight 🎉
Simran Sandhu, Elementary Teacher

Meet Simran and learn about her PME experience!

I started my PME journey last summer in July 2021. My concentration of study is the Assessment and Evaluation strand. Currently, I am an elementary school teacher. In the future, I see myself in the classroom for the next few years, hopefully in a role that allows me to share my knowledge and experience with new educators. My advice to new students is to take it easy and enjoy the journey. Take advantage of the various learning opportunities and experience them to the fullest!