Our Facilitators
Tim Bahula
Tim is the Director of Educational Technology for Horizon Education Network and has taught theology and consulted with theological educators internationally. As a student in Ontario Tech University's Master of Education program, he reviewed the literature on using video-based feedback for assessment in higher education, resulting in several conference papers and journal articles. He will begin his Doctor of Education studies at Ontario Tech this fall. |
Dr. Laura Banks
Laura is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Ontario Tech University. She is currently completing her Master’s thesis in the Faculty of Education at Ontario Tech University. She has been awarded both internal (Teaching Innovation Fund, 2020-2022) and external funding (eCampusOntario Virtual Learning Strategy, 2022-2023) to expand case-based learning curriculum in the health sciences. She also teaches first- and second-year courses in anatomy and physiology. Over the past 5 years, Dr. Banks has published 30 peer reviewed articles and formally mentored over 20 undergraduate, graduate, and medical resident trainees. |
Dr. 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 recently completed his dissertation entitled Historical Thinking in Ontario Secondary Schools: A Multiple Case Study. |
Kim Bradley
Kim is a Registered Early Childhood Educator who graduated from the ECE Program at Durham College in 1992. She is currently working on her Master of Education after earning her BA in Education and Digital Technology at Ontario Tech University. During an educational career spanning more than 25 years, Kim has enjoyed and thrived in various positions, from school boards to licensed childcare. 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. |
Tess Butler-Ulrich
Tess graduated from the Bachelor of Education program at Ontario Tech University in December 2020 after receiving an undergraduate psychology degree from Nipissing University in 2017 where she spent time as a research assistant in a cognitive ageing lab. As of January 2021, she began graduate studies at Ontario Tech University and is working towards a Master of Arts in Education under the supervision of Dr. Janette Hughes. Tess works as a research assistant in the STEAM-3D Maker Lab. Her research and academic interests include digital literacies and citizenship, STEM/STEAM education, and critical thinking especially as it relates to youth's utilization of artificial intelligence. |
Dr. Brian Campbell
Brian is a sociologist whose interests include higher education, experts in public controversies, technology diffusion/translation, and inequality in modern society. Brian was one of the founding faculty members of Ontario Tech in 2003 when he joined the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities (then Justice Studies) as Professor and Associate Dean. He has extensive curriculum development experience both at the university- and individual-program level. Brian has been extensively involved in university policy development. |
Chris D. Craig
Currently working towards an Ed.D., Chris is an Ontario Graduate Scholar with an M.Ed., B.A.EdT., A.S.Phys-Ed. At Ontario Tech, he has worked as an instructor, academic coach, and supported the development and facilitation of various microcredentials and OERs. Previous work for Fleming College includes instruction and curriculum development for health and wellness courses in the pre-service fire-fighting, police foundations, and paramedic programs. Further insights build on education and life experiences in art, construction, and small business. Recent joys—and sources of conversation outside of education—include coffee, graphic novels, strength & conditioning, and random tv or movies. |
Keisha Deoraj
Keisha Deoraj (she/they) is a neurodivergent, Indo-Guyanese-Canadian activist, academic, actor, and educator. She has completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Life Sciences, a Post-Graduate Degree in Environmental Technology. and Master of Arts in Education (The Online Identity Development of Indo-Caribbean Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics ). She is passionate about amplifying and empowering the voices of underrepresented students to build a model for education that better support their unique needs. When she is not hard at work dismantling oppressive systems from within, Keisha can be found on her yoga mat, in the garden, or fishing in the Kawartha Lakes. |
Dr. Allyson Eamer
Allyson Eamer is Associate Professor and Associate Dean at the Faculty of Education at Ontario Tech University. She is a former ESL and FSL teacher from Peel District School Board and now researches primarily in the area of applied linguistics (multilingualism, language teaching and learning), equity, and the intersection of race, disability, culture and education. She is currently developing a podcast episode about her plurilingual family (English, Cantonese, Spanish, French and German under one roof!) for Accentricity. |
Alexandra Feder
Alexandra is a graduate student in Ontario Tech's Master of Education program. She is also a Primary, Junior, OCT certified teacher, with intermediate and senior additional qualifications. Alexandra is an elementary school teacher with the York Region District School Board. She is passionate about mental health, trauma outcomes within K-12 students, and exploring school as a context of human development. When Alexandra is not working or researching, her interests and hobbies include travelling and spending time in nature! |
Devin Flynn
Devin graduated from the Bachelor of Education program at OTU in December 2020 after completing a B.Sc. in Biological Science, minoring in Forensic Psychology. In September 2021, he began graduate studies at OTU. Devin works as a research assistant in the STEAM 3D Maker lab. His research and academic interests involve STEAM education, bridging the digital divide, leveraging technologies to better support marginalized students, particularly LGBTQ2S+ students, and digital literacies. |
Dr. Zeynep Gecu-Parmaksiz
Zeynep is a Postdoctoral Fellow with Ontario Tech University's Faculty of Education. She received her Bachelor of Science in Primary Mathematics Education and completed her Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Computer Education and Instructional Technology in Turkey. She currently works as a postdoctoral fellow in the STEAM-3D Maker Lab. Her research interests include mathematics education, STEM/STEAM education, the use and impact of technology, augmented reality and virtual reality. |
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. 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 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 EdTech, 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
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 current research focuses on online learning and intercultural education. |
Dr. Brenda Jacobs
Brenda is a faculty member at Ontario Tech University in the Faculty of Education. 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 PhD 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 Emergent Curriculum Inquiries in the Primary Classroom. |
Mathew Johnson
Matthew Johnson is the Director of Education for MediaSmarts, Canada’s center for digital and media literacy. He is the architect of MediaSmarts’ Use, Understand, Engage: Digital Literacy Framework for Canadian K-12 Schools and a lead on MediaSmarts’ Young Canadians in a Wired World research project. He is a member of the Canadian Pediatric Society's Digital Health Task Force and has served on many expert panels, testified before several committees at the Senate and House of Commons and has been interviewed by outlets including he Globe and Mail, BBC News Magazine, the Wall Street Journal and CBC’s The National. |
Philip Jovanovic
Philip is currently working toward earning his Education Doctorate at Ontario Tech University. With keen interests in technology and learning, his research efforts are focused on immersive virtual reality and virtual learning environments in higher education, as well as pedagogical uses of smart wearable devices for learning in K-12 classrooms. Philip has taught English language in K-6 classrooms and adult education in South Korea for a decade. Using his experience and research, Philip created and operates an academy for youth and adult EFL learners in Korea, with programs designed to encourage meaningful language acquisition through board games, role-playing games, and technology. |
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 170 articles, books, chapters, and conference papers in the area of technology in education and has taught in the field of computer science, mathematics, educational technology and teacher education for over 30 years. His current projects include research on online and blended learning in secondary and higher education, e-learning, video podcasts, scale development, and technology-enhanced learning. He recently helped write and curate the OER Thriving Online: A Guide for Busy Educators. |
Dr. Jennifer Laffier
Dr. Jennifer Laffier, also a licensed therapist, focuses on the intersection of mental health, education and technology. Her research interests center on human development and learning and the impacts of technology, as well as mental health across the lifespan; the role of creative arts, play and nature in well-being; at-risk populations and psychological empowerment; and mental health education for teachers. |
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 the Ontario Tech Faculty Teaching Award (twice) and the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities teaching award (twice). Sharon is also a nominee for the national 3M Teaching Fellowship. She teaches courses including Communication Ethics, Communication and Conflict, and FSSH Practicum. Sharon is a 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
Dr. Jia Li is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Education, Ontario Technology University. She was a Canada-U.S. Fulbright Research 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. Her research has been funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and Fulbright Canada. |
Lauren Luchka
Lauren is an early years teacher in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and a graduate student in education at Ontario Tech University. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education from the University of Winnipeg. Lauren has over a decade of experience teaching students from kindergarten through grade four and is a certified Reading Recovery Teacher. She has a deep interest in mental health and well-being, bullying, literacy, digital technology, popular culture and student engagement. |
Dr. Diana Petrarca
Diana is a founding member of Faculty of Education at Ontario Tech University and an Associate Professor. During her time at Ontario Tech University, she has held numerous administrative roles including Practicum Coordinator, Bachelor of Education Program Director, and Assistant Dean in the Faculty of Education. Her research interests include initial teacher education programs, critical thinking and creativity in initial teacher education, web-based learning and learning tools, and (un)making teachers. Her most recent edited book is now available for free download Initial Teacher Education in Ontario: The Four-Semester Teacher Education Programs After Five Years |
Dr. Rob Power
Dr. Rob Power has been working in Education sector since 2001. His experience includes working as a Technology and Learning Resources, English Language Arts, and Social Studies teacher at the Intermediate / Secondary level in Newfoundland and Labrador. Dr. Power has been developing and teaching undergraduate and graduate-level Education courses for various Canadian universities since 2015, with a focus on Instructional Design and Development, Educational Technology Integration, Technology and the Curriculum, and Mobile Learning. Since 2013, Dr. Power has served in leading roles with the International Association for Mobile Learning (IAmLearn), and he has served as the Chair of the 12th World Conference on Mobile and Contextual Learning (mLearn 2013). |
Jennifer Robb
Jennifer finished her Master of Arts at Ontario Tech University where she explored explores how students engage in citizenship and socially-conscious activity through passion-based making with the Internet of Things. In her role with the STEAM-3D Maker Lab, Jennifer has facilitated professional learning in making and maker technologies for pre-service teacher candidates, K-12 teachers, administrators, post-secondary educators, corporate trainers, and more. She is passionate about the role of technology in education to promote meaningful, authentic, and equitable learning, and loves sharing that passion with others. Connect with Jennifer on Twitter @_JenniferRobb |
Dr. Anna Rodrigues
Anna is an interdisciplinary educator and multimodal artist who is passionate about equity, diversity, accessibility and inclusion in education. Her work explores the ways in which underprivileged communities amplify their voices through creative acts of resistance, such as art, digital media, literacy practices or through social media. As a multimodal artist, she engages in a variety of creative practices that include photography, resemiotization, video capture and editing, digital media production and collage (photomontage and assemblage). She has a PhD in Education - Language, Culture and Teaching, from York University, and a Master of Education from Ontario Tech University. Anna is currently an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Education where she teaches graduate and undergraduate courses. |
Yvette Samaha
Yvette Samaha is an OCT certified teacher with Biology and General sciences as her teachable subjects. She is currently an Occasional Teacher at Halton District School Board. She holds an M.Sc. in biology from Notre Dame University, Lebanon, and a professional master in education from the Lebanese University. She recently graduated from OTU’s BEd program, and graduating from two different programs triggered her interest in conducting research on teacher education. |
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. |
Dr. Kaitlyn Watson
Kaitlyn is an instructor in the Faculty of Education and Educational Developer in the Teaching and Learning Centre at Ontario Tech University. Kaitlyn has worked with Indigenous communities in teaching and research capacities for over a decade. This work shapes her curricular, pedagogical, and research interests which focus on equity, decolonization, and reconciliation. Kaitlyn lives and works on Williams Treaty territory with her partner, two young children, and some furry/feathery critters. |
Kelly Wang
Kelly is a Research Assistant at Dr. Janette Hughes’ STEAM-3D Maker Lab. She is currently a Master of Arts in Education student at Ontario Tech University. Kelly completed a Master of Media in Journalism and Communication degree at Western University in 2021. Her research and interests include social media, especially TikTok, and youth activism. |