A team of great people

I am CEO of LEARN, a responsibility I have assumed since the inception of LEARN in 2005.  I spent the first 12 years of my professional career as a high school English teacher and basketball coach and subsequently went on to the private sector where I acquired a vast and varied experience in business and management where I was both an owner and senior executive.  I have degrees in education, economics, management, and English literature and I recently completed my doctorate in e-learning and professional development.
I am a father of two accomplished children, grandfather to 3 amazing grandchildren, husband of 43 years to an amazing woman, and partner to a Black Russian Terrier who rules my life.  I am proud to be the Chairman of the Canadian e-Learning Network of which I am one of the founders as well as creator and co-developer of a flourishing educational program in Southeast Asia.  I am a passionate and eclectic reader, a wine devotee who also enjoys fine dining.

I’ve been with LEARN since it was founded in 2005. I manage IT as well as social media. I am a recovering gadget geek with a remarkable amount of useless trivia locked in my brain.  I used to be a late night radio announcer.

I have worked at LEARN as a senior programmer and systems administrator since 2007. My expertise ranges from server installation and configuration to interface design and programming in a variety of languages and frameworks.

As a programmer and designer, I'm directly involved in a wide array of applications and services we offer our community. So if something doesn't work properly, there might be a bit of me in there (ah ah).

I was a teacher for over 14 years at the secondary and elementary levels, and have morphed into a pedagogical consultant over the last 7 plus years. At LEARN, I am currently consulting on the Math, Science and Technology dossiers, among other varied technological projects. I have an extensive background in integrating technology,  supporting educators, and creating STEAM spaces in schools. When not working with educators you can find me blogging about great music, making succulent food, noodling out songs, drawing lines and dots, playing with my lovely children or braving the Canadian elements.

I graduated from Concordia University with a Bachelor's in Economics and went back to school at Athabasca University to complete some accounting courses. I have been with LEARN since its inception. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, wining, dining and travelling. I have many countries on my bucket list I'd like to visit.

I have taught Secondary Cycle 1 Social Science and English Language Arts in Montreal.  I taught English as a Second Language on Îles de la Madeleine and in Japan.  In 2011, I travelled to Cambodia to volunteer with Cambodian Organization for Children and Development (COCD). In 2013, I had the pleasure of providing introductory remarks for Dr. David Suzuki at LeMood-Montreal, a festival of unexpected Jewish learning, arts and culture.

Any interest in my educational background?

I have a BA in Political Science from the University of Alberta, a B.Ed from the University of Toronto and MA from McGill in Education Leadership.

I have a background in engineering and made the transition to teaching in 2007.  At LEARN, I currently have two roles: online science teacher and secondary science consultant. I live in Ottawa with my husband and two children. In my non-working time, I am an avid reader, hippie-baker, and curling fan.

With a background in second language acquisition and online learning pedagogy, I have worked for LEARN since its inception. As part of an amazing team, I design and develop learning materials and online learning environments for both students and educators.

My motivation in life: raising three boys into thoughtful, healthy, inspired men… who will hopefully look after me in my golden years!  As well, a love of food, travel, words and music, guide me as I journey.

Much of my efforts at LEARN are directed to managing our peer-reviewed journal LEARNing Landscapes. In this online, open access publication we bring together the voices of students, teachers, community leaders and academics, and we share their work through a range of forms of representation (articles, interviews, poetry, collage, drawings etc.) to help make research accessible to everyone. Apart from family and friends, nothing makes me happier than swimming outdoors in all kinds of weather!

I come from a varied administrative background encompassing sectors such as transport, pharmaceutical, insurance and customer service.  I am grateful that my current position allows me to meet so many wonderful visitors to LEARN.

My weakness is chocolate and my future goal is to rediscover Italy and visit the areas I missed the first time around.  I am an avid reader, will read anything, including the back of my cereal box.

I've worked for LEARN since the fall of 2009, with a background working in financial institutions and other accounting positions.  Here at LEARN, I'm responsible for accounts payable.  I'm grateful for the opportunity to be working with such inspiring and passionate people.

B.A. Fine Arts, a diploma in Art Education and Special Education and an M.A. in Educational Psychology

I have worked as;

• a Special Education teacher at both the primary and secondary level,
• a McGill instructor in Educational Technology and Inclusive Education,
• a School Board consultant supporting the integrated use of technology in the classroom
• an instructional designer of e-Portfolios (APOM, DRP, EPEARL)

I am presently working for LEARN as a pedagogical consultant and Provincial RECIT / Service à la communauté Anglophone.

I enjoy photography, cross-country skiing, eclectic music and carpentry, amongst other things….

Technician, Support to the LEARN network. Computer gamer, Dragon Boat paddler.

I am an ESL Consultant for LEARN's Special Project, The Intensive ESL Community. The best part of the project is creating, finding, and sharing resources to help build a collaborative ESL community.  I taught ESL for 15 years at the CSSMI, and I am also a member of SPEAQ's IntenSIG group, collaborating with enthusiastic Intensive ESL teachers to help support ESL in Quebec.  When I'm not working, you can find me at the local arenas either playing, or watching my family play ringette!

Assistant Project Director on LEARN’s Provincial Resource Team supporting the network of Community Learning Centres across Quebec. I have a Bachelor’s degree from Concordia University and have worked extensively in community development with the English linguistic minority community. I spent 18 years as a Commissioner with the Riverside School board, including 8 years as Vice Chairman and Past President of the Quebec English School Boards Association. I am an avid gardener, which has helped her understand how to deal with things that are totally out of her control.  I also relish relaxing by the ocean, and will always say that there is nothing more soothing to the soul than the sound of the waves crashing on the shore.

I have over ten years of experience working in change management and public affairs in the private and public sector. I hold a Masters degree from Concordia University in Human Systems Intervention, which combines group and systems thinking to enhance teams and organizations, as well as degrees in Community, Public Affairs and Policy Studies and Journalism. 

I love animals, especially dogs, and I am an avid reader of fiction and non-fiction books alike.  When I am not busy fawning over my two dachshunds (i.e., hot dogs), I enjoy playing video games (especially RPGs) and spending time with my family and friends.    

I am a Mathematics and Science teacher. I am an enthusiastic learner, especially about edtech and how to use it well. Whatever I’m learning, be it edtech, history, or cooking, I prefer to learn with, as opposed to from, others, be it my students, friends or work colleagues. I love writing, reading, watching movies and gardening. I’m also an excellent whistler. No really.

I am an instructional designer committed to promoting active and engaged learning for young people and adults alike. My  expertise is in professional learning, reflective practice and informal/community learning. I hold an M.A. in Educational Technology. In my spare time, I am a swing dance teacher and performer, as well as the co-Artistic Director of Cat’s Corner, a dance school specializing in swing era dances.

«Enseigner, c’est apprendre chaque jour à réapprendre à enseigner, c’est s’inscrire soi-même dans une démarche apprenante, ouverte et dynamique.» Ostiane Mathon

Depuis une quinzaine d’années, j’enseigne le français, langue seconde et d’innombrables sujets en immersion française dans les écoles primaires et secondaires anglophones. En 2009, j'ai rejoint l’équipe de LEARN comme conseillère pédagogique. En plus d’être superviseure de stages pour les étudiants en enseignement du FLS, je contribue à divers projets liés de près à l’éducation soit en traduisant ou en adaptant du matériel ainsi qu’en prêtant ma plume et ma voix pour des capsules pédagogiques. Toujours prête à relever de nouveaux défis, j’en ai trouvé un de taille: être une maman au 21e siècle. La pratique du yoga me permet de maintenir un bon équilibre dans ma vie.

I believe in the power of online learning to provide access and opportunities for all learners, and to level the playing field for students in small, rural, and remote English schools. I loved teaching middle school students for several years before moving into elementary school leadership. After transitioning into online learning in 2002, I learned to use online platforms, social media, and “Flipped” staff meetings to allow me to engage with online teaching staff and students around the province. Happiness at work makes us more productive - follow my weekly tweets #3happythingsatwork . I am a proud third-generation Quebec educator.