Brock University Faculty of Education

04/22/2026

Two inspiring educators and Horizon Graduate Scholarship recipients, Wenting Rong (MEd' 19) and Chinyere Saka, are reshaping the future of learning.

Saka, a Nigerian Canadian math educator, is advancing equity by exploring Black students’ experiences in Grade 9 classrooms highlighting how identity, belonging and confidence shape success in mathematics.

Rong, an engineer-turned-education researcher, is helping future teachers harness technology like AI and robotics to create engaging, inclusive science learning experiences.

The work of these dedicated PhD in Educational Studies students is grounded in a shared goal to empower every student to believe in their potential and take charge of their future. Read more about their timely and impactful research in The Brock News. ⬇️

https://brocku.ca/brock-news/2026/04/horizon-scholars-break-down-barriers-in-stem-education/

03/30/2026

Congratulations to all of our scholars who shared their impactful research with the community during the Faculty of Education Celebration of Excellence in Research and Creative Activity on March 19.
Organized by the FOE Office of Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Student Services, the event highlighted outstanding research and creative activity that is advancing the field of education, locally and globally.

From wellness; literacy and early childhood education; adult education; equity, diversity, inclusion and decolonization; and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), innovative research happening in the FOE was front and centre. Read the full story in The Brock News. ⬇️

https://brocku.ca/brock-news/2026/03/how-innovative-research-aims-to-shape-the-future-of-learning/

03/13/2026

When local schools wrap up for summer, the learning — and fun — will continue for primary students at Brock University.

The Faculty of Education’s Brock Learning Lab (BLL) is launching SummerBoost which aims to improve early literacy and foundational numeracy skills for students who have completed junior kindergarten to Grade 2.

BLL Acting Director Yvonne Messenger says the initiative, which adds to Brock’s robust schedule of summer youth programming, meets a significant need in the community.

Messenger says researchers and educators alike are reporting higher rates of language delays and other challenges among children in primary grades who were born, and lived their toddler and preschool years, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Having the opportunity to continue structured learning in the summer, along with the social benefits of being with other children in a camp-like setting, will provide these youngsters a chance to build their skills,” says the Assistant Professor of Educational Studies.

In addition to full-group instruction, learners will work in one-on-one and small-group settings, receiving individualized instruction that covers a range of topics. Participants will boost learning in phonics, spelling, writing, reading and comprehension as well as foundational numeracy skills, including number recognition, addition and subtraction, patterns and spatial reasoning.

Registration for the SummerBoost is now open, with weeklong sessions beginning Monday, July 6; Monday, July 13; and Monday, July 20. To learn more about the programs and to register, please visit the BLL website.

https://brocku.ca/learning-lab/summer-boost-program/

02/26/2026

On Feb. 19, was thrilled to welcome future leaders in STEM to campus for a dynamic day of experiential learning.

High school students from Niagara Catholic District School Board attended the LeadHERship in Science Conference organized by Brock’s Faculty of Education in partnership with Niagara Catholic, and supported by the Faculty of Science and Mathematics, the Brock University Library Makerspace and Student Recruitment.

The day’s events featured experiential hands-on learning opportunities in biology, physics, robotics and 3D modelling. From dry ice demonstrations to learning about coding and powering robots, Professor and Department Chair of Educational Studies Kamini Jaipal-Jamani said it was inspiring to connect with so many young women interested in STEM.

“We hope that learning experiences that show how scientists and engineers solve real-world problems will inspire confidence, spark passion and show young women that they belong in STEM — whether as scientists, engineers, researchers, or innovators,” she said. “Every student can pursue their passion for science with curiosity and courage.” Read the full story in The Brock News through the link in our bio.

Thank you to all our campus and community collaborators who joined forces to make it a memorable day for all! 🧪🔬🖥️🎉

https://brocku.ca/brock-news/2026/02/science-conference-empowers-future-stem-leaders/

01/22/2026

The Faculty of Education Research Talks series is thrilled to welcome Dr. Nancy Taber, Professor of Educational Studies and PhD in Educational Studies Candidate Ash Grover for the next speaker series event! ⬇️

Methodologically connecting criticality and creativity to support transformative learning using narratives: Expressive writing, fiction, autoethnography, and memoirs
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
PL 600F, 12 -1:30 p.m. (or online)

In this session, the presenters will describe how critical and creative adult education research can support transformative learning. They will detail three distinct yet interconnected research projects that use different forms of narrative: expressive writing research with Canadian military veteran women, fiction-based research about the gendered intersections between Prince Edward Island folklore and history, and autoethnographic memoir research as relates to Ontario post-secondary education. Using analytical examples, they will discuss how their research is informed by their social locations (including as relates to their academic positioning as a PhD student and tenured faculty member), theoretical foundations, methodological choices, and transformative aims. They will conclude with recommendations for conducting critical and creative research that blends theoretical and methodological boundaries to support individual and collective learning for transformative change

Follow the link to register on ExperienceBU. ⬇️
https://experiencebu.brocku.ca/event/316

01/15/2026

Brock student-athletes are at the top of their game in the classroom.

The Brock Badgers recognized 271 student-athletes for their 2024-25 academic achievements during the annual Celebration of Academic Excellence, presented by Nothers the Award Store, on Wednesday, Jan. 14.

Congratulations to all of the student athletes, and special shout out to our impressive Faculty of Education student athletes, the is cheering you on! 🎉🏆

Read the full story in The Brock News. ⬇️
https://brocku.ca/brock-news/2026/01/student-athletes-celebrated-for-academic-excellence/

12/17/2025

For aspiring teacher Fayth Kardas, working with the Brock Learning Lab (BLL) as a tutor, and now supervisor, has been a transformative experience.

Housed in Brock’s Faculty of Education and deeply rooted in community, the BLL offers affordable math and literacy tutoring for kindergarten to Grade 12 students in Niagara.

Kardas, a sixth-year Concurrent Teacher Education student, has participated in a number of BLL opportunities available for students that have helped shaped her professional path.

“I’ve added so much knowledge, information and learning into my ‘teacher toolbox,’ and I look forward to applying it all when I have my own classroom one day. I also feel that these experiences have better prepared me for my career in education because I understand who I want to be as a teacher and recognize the skills required to be successful,” Kardas says.

To read the full story and learn more about gaining experience with the BLL, read more in The Brock News.

https://brocku.ca/brock-news/2025/12/learning-lab-seeks-mentors-tutors-to-support-local-youth/

11/13/2025

For Travis Fuchs, building a sustainable future begins with teachers and the young students who will live out classroom lessons in their daily lives.

Fuchs, who holds a Postdoctoral Fellowship at funded by the Government of Canada, is making waves through impactful research exploring environmental education. Working with Professor Xavier Fazio, together their research advocates that the emotions of teachers are an important dimension of the climate change conversation that needs to be heard.

Fuchs and Fazio will explore how addressing teacher emotions and understanding policy realities can enhance the effectiveness of environmental education in an era of climate urgency in their upcoming talk for the community 'Reimagining Environmental Sustainability Education: Emotions, Pathways, and Partnerships' on Tuesday, Nov. 18 from 12-1:30 p.m. Details below ⬇️

For Travis Fuchs, building a sustainable future begins with teachers and the young students who will live out classroom lessons in their daily lives. Fuchs, who holds a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Postdoctoral Fellowship at Brock funded ...

11/07/2025

All are invited to the second-annual Faculty of Education Speaker Series presented by the Associate Dean's Office, Research and Graduate Student Services! ⬇️

Reimagining Environmental Sustainability Education: Emotions, Pathways, and Partnerships
Presented by Dr. Travis Fuchs and Dr. Xavier Fazio
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
PL 600 F, 12 -1:30 p.m. or online

In this session, Dr. Fuchs and Dr. Fazio explore how addressing teacher emotions and understanding policy realities can enhance the effectiveness of environmental education. Drawing on research from professional development programs, community connections, and direct experiences with Members of Provincial Parliament, they will examine both internal emotional capacity-building and how external actors, such as policymakers, can bring value to education. Through exploration of conceptual perspectives, current gaps, emerging opportunities, and professional development examples, we will highlight strategies for equipping educators and students with both the emotional infrastructure and political literacy needed for meaningful environmental action in an era of climate urgency.

Please register ahead of time on ExperienceBU: https://experiencebu.brocku.ca/event/308765

11/05/2025

Associate Professor of Educational Studies Leanne Taylor believes deeply that advancing equity is an educational enterprise — one that requires collaboration each step of the way.

“It’s about listening, it’s about learning, it’s about leading and showing up for people.”

Dr. Taylor was recently honoured with the Senior Leader Diversity Champion award at the Greater Golden Horseshoe Diversity Awards. The ceremony honoured the impactful work of leaders and changemakers advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in community through education and advocacy in the Greater Golden Horseshoe area.

“I am so grateful for everyone at Brock who walks alongside each other, and me, every day, doing this equity work. None of it happens alone. It’s grounded in collaboration, in listening and in community,” Taylor said.

Congratulations to all the inspiring nominees and award winners! 🎉 Thank you for bringing us together, it was an afternoon of community, celebration and shared purpose we won’t soon forget.

Read the full story in The Brock News through the link in our bio. 🔗