Category: New Appointments

Dean announcement

Dr. James Nahachewski
Dr. James Nahachewski
Dean, Dr. Jerome Cranston
Dean, Dr. Jerome Cranston

Announcements: “Following a national search conducted according to the provisions of University policy on out-of-scope academic appointments, Dr. James Nahachewsky will be appointed to a 5-year appointment as Dean, Faculty of Education effective July 1, 2023.” Read more about our incoming Dean at https://www.uregina.ca/president/searches-reviews/appointments-renewals.html

Our current Dean, Dr. Jerome Cranston, will complete his term, and will then be joining the University of Saskatchewan campus community as the Vice-Provost: Student and Learning effective August 1, 2023.

Faculty Spotlight | Dr. Michael Cappello, Interim Associate Dean

Dr. Michael Cappello, Acting Associate Dean of Student Services and Undergraduate Programs. Photo by Shuana Niessen

Today, our spotlight is shining on Dr. Michael Cappello, who is currently Acting Associate Dean of Student Services and Undergraduate Programs and Chair of the Elementary Education Program.

Michael teaches in Educational Core Studies (ECS), specifically in anti-racism and anti-oppressive education. Studying anti-racism/anti-oppressive education is important because, “If we acknowledge that the society that we live in is racist, sexist, homophobic, etc… what do we do we that? How do we (un)learn these things? What might it mean for the future classrooms that we teach in? Some might hear this as negative, but I want to underline that this is positive,” says Michael. He quotes Dr. Cornel West, who says, “Justice is what love looks like in public.” Michael adds, “These commitments to anti-oppressive education are rooted in and motivated by love.”

Decolonizing education has become Michael’s passion: “As a non-Indigenous person, over the last 5 or 6 years I have become increasingly passionate about decolonizing education, and what it means to live into the obligations of being a treaty person in this space. I think that schools can become places where we unlearn the genocidal dreams of my ancestors and begin to imagine what it might look like to live ethically here, in support of the dreams/futures/nationhood of Indigenous peoples.”

As advice to students, Michael says, “Your engagement is the single most important determinant of your learning. Never do an assignment that isn’t meaningful to you. To be clear – this isn’t an invitation to not do things, rather an invitation for you to make your work meaningful. While the instructor and the syllabus all matter, you alone have the ability to ensure that your work has meaning for you.”

Outside of work, Michael enjoys the outdoors, and tries to travel to the mountains every year.

New faculty – Minority language education (Francophone & immersion schools)

Mr. Stephen Davis accepted the full-time, tenure-track position in Minority Language Education (Francophone & Immersion Schools) (July 1, 2022). Mr. Davis will be nearing completion of his Ph.D. at the University of Regina with an anticipated defense in 2023. Mr. Davis holds a Master’s of Arts in Second Language Education from McGill University, a Baccalauréat en éducation (Distinction) from the University of Regina, and a Bachelor of Arts (Distinction) from the University of Saskatchewan. Mr. Davis’ research contributions broadly explore the perspectives and ideologies of educators with respect to refugee-background students in French immersion programs across the Canadian Prairies. His research examines the experiences of students with learning disabilities in French education, integrating inquiry and advocacy, focusing on equitable and inclusive French education, including newcomer learners and advocating for the inclusion of all learners.

Mr. Davis has also agreed to serve as the Interim Coordinateur of the Comité du Programme de la maîtrise en éducation française for a 1-year term while Dr. Heather Phipps is on sabbatical from September 1, 2022 to August 31, 2023.
Stephen joined the Faculty of Education in January 2020 as a term Lecturer and has been a valuable team member in le Bac.

New faculty – Queer studies in education


Dr. j wallace skelton accepted the full-time, tenure-track position in Queer Studies in Education (July 1, 2022). Dr. skelton holds a Ph.D. and Master’s of Education from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from York University. Dr. skelton’s research contributions broadly explore trans theory, queer theory, child agency, co-research with children, community engaged research, research with an ethics of care, trans parents, arts-based research and asset-based research. Dr. skelton has been working in a post-doctorate position at Concordia University and involved in two research projects: a SSHRC-funded post-doctoral project that investigates ways parents are involved in advocacy on behalf of their trans and non-binary children, the needs of parent advocates, and how parent advocate roles shift overtime and an NSERC-funded partnership between Centennial College and Dr. skelton’s publishing company (Flamingo Rampant) entitled “Gender-Affirming, Life-Affirming: Centering Gender Independent, Trans, Non-binary and Intersex Youth in Puberty Education with Adaptive Interactive Media.”

Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Programs appointed

Dr. Xia Ji has been appointed the Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Programs for a five year term, beginning July 1, 2022.

Dr. Ji joined the Faculty of Education in 2008 and teaches in the Science and Environmental Education subject area. From 2015 – 2020, she was the Director, Professional Development and Field Experiences in Education. Over the years, she has also served as the Chair of the Science & Environmental Education subject area and Chair of the Undergraduate Admissions, Studies & Scholarship Committee. She has also served on a number of other committees including: Executive of Council; Dean’s Advisory Committee on Sabbatical, Tenure, and Promotion; Dean’s Group; FGSR Scholarship Review Committee; Research & Graduate Program Development Committee in Education; and as a reviewer for the U of R Sustainability & Community Engagement Fund (SCEF). Recently she has been invited and joined the Delta Kappa Gamma Society (DKG) – Regina Chapter, which is an international coalition of women leaders in education, and the U of R’s Working Group on China Planning with the goal to strengthen partnership and collaboration with universities in China.

Dr. Ji’s work with and commitment to graduate students and programs, her administrative experience, her ability to think creatively and strategically, and the leadership she has provided to the Faculty of Education over the last several years position her well for her new role as Associate Dean.

Dr. Jerome Cranston
Dean/Professor
Faculty of Education

 

Spotlight on Dr. Andrea Sterzuk, Director of the CERCD

Today our spotlight shines on Dr. Andrea Sterzuk who has been a professor of Language and Literacies Education with the Faculty of Education since the fall of 2007. In January 2021, Dr. Sterzuk took on a new role as Director of the Centre for Educational Research, Collaboration and Development (formerly SIDRU).

The Centre for Educational Research, Collaboration and Development (CERCD) is a research unit based in the Faculty of Education at the University of Regina. CERCD supports educational researchers and research communities in conducting educational research and development projects that are meaningful to, and serve the needs of, diverse communities in local, provincial, national, and/or international contexts.

In her role as Director, Dr. Sterzuk says, “I support faculty members in their research efforts and I also co-ordinate research projects with external agencies. I work closely with the Dean and Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies to support faculty members in their scholarly and creative contributions and knowledge mobilization endeavours.”

As highlights of her role, Dr. Sterzuk points to the CERCD Lunch & Learn series that her team is hosting with communications experts, designed to help researchers learn to share their research stories with the public. The research unit’s new website is launched and the renovations on the CERCD’s office space are nearly complete. Dr. Sterzuk adds, “There are also several external research projects underway. For example, Dr. Pamela Osmond-Johnson (Associate Dean, Student Services and Undergraduate Programs) is the principal investigator on a project that investigates the continual professional learning and currency of practice for registered teachers in the province of Saskatchewan. This project is a partnership with the Saskatchewan Professional Teachers Regulatory Board and is supported administratively by CERCD.”

Exciting news will be released soon about a new partnership. Stay tuned!

 

 

 

Inaugural Gabriel Dumont Research Chair in Métis/Michif Education

We are pleased to announce the launch of the inaugural Gabriel Dumont Research Chair in Métis/Michif Education within the Faculty of Education, University of Regina.

Dr. Melanie Brice has been appointed to the inaugural Gabriel Dumont Chair in Métis/Michif Education for a 5-year term. Dr. Brice has been working with the University of Regina Faculty of Education since 2018 as an Assistant Professor in Indigenous Education, Language & Literacy Education, and Educational Core Studies. Dr. Brice a Michif (Métis) born in Meadow Lake and raised at Jackfish Lake, Saskatchewan has a strong understanding of Indigenous histories, cultures, languages and literacies, perspectives, educational experiences, and cross-cultural education issues.

The Gabriel Dumont Chair in Métis/Michif Education will increase research and teaching capacity in Métis/Michif Education in the Faculty of Education at the University of Regina and enhance academic engagement with Gabriel Dumont Institute’s (GDI’s) Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program (SUNTEP).

As Chair, Dr. Brice will focus on the research that seeks to understand and expand the scholarship of teaching and learning by building capacity in Métis and Michif education. The research program will focus on research, learning, knowledge-keeping, language and cultural revitalization, reconciliation, and inclusion with and by the Métis through formal education systems.

According to the Statistics Canada 2016 census, with a rising population of 51.2%, the Métis were the fastest growing population in Canada between 2006 and 2016. However, less than two percent of Métis people speak the Michif language, making the Michif language one of the most vulnerable Indigenous languages in Canada.

With the establishment of this new Chair, the first in a Faculty of Education in Canada, and many other endeavours toward Truth and Reconciliation, the Faculty continues to demonstrate a concerted and sustained commitment to teaching and research that is engaging faculty, students, and other education stakeholders in gaining a deeper understanding of our shared histories and a reconciliatory approach to a more just future. (Photo credit: Sweetmoon Photography)

New appointment to the Centre for Teaching and Learning from Faculty of Education

Dr. Alec Couros

The Faculty of Education’s Dr. Alec Couros has been appointed as the Director of the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) effective September 1, 2020.

Dr. Alec Couros is a Professor of Educational Technology and Media in the Faculty of Education at the University of Regina.

Couros currently serves as the Director of the Centre for Educational Research, Collaboration, & Development (CERCD), the Faculty of Education’s research unit.  Couros’s research focuses on the areas of connected/networked/open learning, digital citizenship, social media in education, SoTL, and media/digital literacy. His work spans the traditional academic realm (including numerous book chapters, articles, and Tri-Council grants) but also includes research done in collaboration with government and industry partners. Couros is an internationally recognized expert in his field and has given hundreds of keynotes and workshops around the world to academics, educators, parents, and students. In his tenure as a faculty member at the University of Regina, Couros has been recognized on several occasions for his scholarship, with recent honours including the D2L Innovation Award in Teaching (Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE), 2018), the University of Regina Alumni Association Award for Teaching Excellence (2016), EdTech Leader of the Year in the Post-Secondary Category (Canadian EdTech Awards, 2016), and the Centre for Teaching and Learning Award for Innovation in Teaching (University of Regina, 2015). Prior to receiving his doctorate from the University of Regina in 2007, Couros held various education-related positions in K-12, technical, youth corrections, and post-secondary institutions. He also holds a Bachelor of Education and Master of Education from the University of Saskatchewan.

Dr. Nilgün Önder
Associate Vice-President Academic
University of Regina

 

The Faculty welcomes two members

The Faculty of Education welcomes two new one-year term faculty members:  Dr. Latika Raisinghani and Dr. Bree Fiissel.

Dr. Latika Raisinghani

Dr. Latika Raisinghani has accepted a lecturer position in Science and Environmental Education. She has taught as a substitute teacher with Regina Public Schools and has taught Science at the Elementary, Middle Years, and Secondary levels. Prior to February 2020, Dr. Raisinghani was at the University of British Columbia where she received a PhD in Curriculum Studies in Science Education.

 

 

Dr. Bree Fiissel

Dr. Bree Fiissel has accepted a lecturer position in Educational Psychology. Dr. Fiissel completed her Masters and PhD in Educational Psychology in the Faculty of Education at the University of Regina and has been a sessional lecturer since 2018 . She has over 24 years of experience in providing therapeutic services to children, youth, adults and families in our local community. Dr. Fiissel is currently the Vice-President of Clinical Services at Ranch Ehrlo.

New Lecturer for le Bac

The Faculty of Education welcomes Mr. Stephen Davis who joins us as a lecturer in the Baccalauréat en éducation (le Bac) program area for a one-year term (January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020).

Mr. Davis holds a B.A. in French (University of Saskatchewan), has a B.Ed./After Degree from le Bac (University of Regina), and holds an M.A. in Second Language Education (McGill University). Mr. Davis is currently a classroom teacher in a French Immersion context with Saskatoon Public School, and has held a number of teaching positions in other French-language contexts. Besides being a classroom teacher, Mr. Davis has extensive experience as a research assistant. Welcome! Bienvenue! Tawâw!