CV

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Research Interest

• Mitigating Structural Barriers facing Adult Literacy and English as an Additional Language students
  
• Care Based Practices in Education and Program Planning
  
• Adult Education and Mental Health
  
• Settlement, Refugees, and Immigrant Education Policies and Practices
  
• Citizenship and Social Justice
  
• Trauma-Informed Practices in Adult Education
  
• Arts based and participatory research

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Education

Mindfulness Stress Based Reduction Facilitation Certificate
2019

Doctor of Education
2015
The University of British Columbia
Concentration: Policy and Leadership

Dissertation: Inclusive EAL Classrooms: How LINC Instructors Understand and Mitigate Barriers, for Students who have Experienced Trauma

This study explored the assumptions and understandings that English as an Additional Language (EAL) teachers brought to teaching students who they believed had experienced trauma. The instructors in this study taught in a Canadian federally funded program called Language Instruction Program for Newcomers (LINC). The research was informed by the critical literacy work of Paulo Freire, particularly his critique of the banking model of education and his work on dialogue and praxis.

The research drew on participatory action research. The study illustrated the complex and contradictory understanding that instructors had about trauma and the dilemmas they faced in supporting students affected by trauma in a government funded EAL program for newcomers.

First, this project described the multiple barriers students and instructors faced in trying to create inclusive classrooms. Second, it demonstrated that instructors brought a variety of experiences, techniques and processes to support students who have experienced trauma. Third, it showed that for EAL programs to be responsive to the whole student requires a shift away from neoliberal policy and practice.

Master of Education
2005
The University of British Columbia
Concentration: Feminist Approaches to Social Justice Issues in Education
Graduating Project: Researched and developed a feminist, anti-racist, and emancipatory tutor training manual for volunteers working with live in caregivers.

CELTA-Pass A
Columbia College
1998

Bachelor of Arts
The University of Victoria
1995
Concentration: Women’s Studies

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Recognition

AMSSA Staff Recognition Award
2017
The Award recognizes an AMSSA member for innovative programming that supports diversity and promotes integration.

EdD Leadership Award
2007 and 2008
The EdD Leadership Awards program has two objectives: to recognize the academic and professional accomplishments of students in the program and to ease the financial burden of participating in the program for those who are less financially secure.

Gordon Selman Award
2005
This award recognizes one’s contributions to the understanding of social and historical foundations of Adult Education in Canada.

Nominated for Patricia Dryer Award
2004
This award is given to a student who is committed to challenging social inequity, to engaging with intellectual ideas and their practical application, especially in educational settings; and who displays a demeanour of caring and community-building in interactions with others

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Teaching

Assistant Professor in the Department of Adult Education
University of the Fraser Valley
2019 – Present

• Teach undergraduates in Blended Model of instruction
  
• Coordination of UFV’s TESL
  
• Create and maintain an environment of rapport and respect
  
• Maintain up-to-date accurate records on student progress
  
• Structures classroom activities and assignments based on learning and adult education principles and outcomes
  
• Engage in self-assessment of teaching practices and professional development needs

Limited Term Instructor in the Department of Adult Education
University of the Fraser Valley
2018 – 2019

• Teach undergraduates in Blended Model of instruction
  
• Create and maintain an environment of rapport and respect
  
• Maintain up-to-date accurate records on student progress
  
• Structures classroom activities and assignments based on learning and adult education principles and outcomes
  
• Engage in self-assessment of teaching practices and professional development needs

CALP Adult Literacy Practitioner
Burnaby Neighbourhood House
2013 — 2021

• Plan and prepare materials for tutor training workshop
  
• Deliver tutor training workshops
  
• Provide on-going instructional support to learner/tutor pairs
  
• Assess and write learning plans for students

Instructor
Capilano University
2014
Community Development and Outreach Department

• Teach EAL and Parenting Skills to Cantonese speakers in the Hasting Sunrise community
  
• Develop curriculum around nutrition, health, and community involvement
  
• Recruit participants from local schools

Instructor
Vancouver Coastal Health
2007 — 2012

• Teach ESL and Life Skills classes for people with serious mental illnesses
  
• Develop curriculum and lesson plans based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks
  
• Conduct summative and formative assessments of learners
  
• Receive non-violent crisis intervention and mental health first-aid training

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Coordination, program development and planning

Manager of Programs and Training
Pacific Immigrant Resources Society BC
2015 — 2018

• Coordination of family literacy, English as an Additional Language and Women’s Leadership programs
  
• Monitor and evaluate the delivery of programs
  
• Supervising program staff including Adult Educators and Early Childhood Educators
  
• Ensuring effective communication with funders and community partners
  
• Develop new programs that support PIRS mandate

Coordinator
Vancouver Coastal Health
2012 — 2013

• Envision, shape, and inform the advancement of the ACE Program
  
• Monitor program activities on and conduct evaluations on a scheduled basis
  
• Hire and supervise clinical and non-clinical staff
  
• Engage volunteers and peer support workers for appropriate program activities
  
• Oversee collection/maintenance of client records (adhering to confidentiality/ privacy policies)
  
• Ensure that the program operates within the approved budget

Research Coordinator, Facilitator and Manager
Canucks Family Education Centre
2005 — 2007

• Establish evaluation tools; analyze and interpret collected data; compile reports
  
• Prepare and deliver presentations on project results to funders and public
  
• Develop curriculum for Youth In Transition program
  
• Recruit participants and co-facilitate 10 week program for youth and families
  
• Develop and implement strategic plan with team of researchers and committee
  
• Provide support and guidance to researchers

Regional Coordinator
Frontier College
2000 — 2005

• Coordinate the Communities Coming Together conferences ’03 – ’05
  
• Research and develop a tutor training manual for volunteers working with caregivers in Vancouver
  
• Coordinate evaluations, interviews, questionnaires, and focus groups for all programs
  
• Supervise staff including summer staff and interns
  
• Manage and train 100 volunteers per year throughout Vancouver, Burnaby, and Victoria
  
• Maintain contact with local and national funders
  
• Develop, nurture, and maintain community partnerships within Britannia Community Education Centre, Canucks Family Education Centre, UBC Learning Exchange and Urban Native Youth Association that lead to five new college programs

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Research and evaluation

Consultant, Evaluation and Non-profit research
Alison Brewin Consulting
2014 — 2016

• Plan, coordinate and conduct stakeholder interviews and focus groups
  
• Policy research and drafting for non-profits
  
• Survey development
  
• Use various technology to create and share documents

Research Assistant to Doctor Pierre Walter
University of British Columbia
2003 — 2004

• Research and identify theories on experiential and transformative learning practices and how they relate to Labourer/Teacher experiences
  
• Recruit research participants
  
• Collect data on the Labourer/Teacher program
  
• Conduct and transcribe interviews with participants
  
• Work as part of team on research and data collection
  
• Assist with organization and implementation of research and research direction

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Associations

Current Review Membe
Canadian Journal of Applied Linguistics (CJAL)
2019 — Current

Current Peer Reviewer
BC TEAL Journal
2021 – Current

Regional Representative
Canadian Association for the Studies of Adult Education (CASEA)
2022 – Current

Board Member Higher Education
BC TEAL
2019 – 2021

Advocacy Committee Member
BC TEAL
2018 – 2020

Teacher Inquiry Board Member
BC TEAL
2011 – 2015

President
Franklin Community Preschool Board
2013 – 2014

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