in Focus F A L L / W I N T E R 2 0 0 6 EDUCATION edition

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THIS ISSUE

i Where in the World are our 6 Our Faculty at the Forefront 14 A Year in the life of your DAUR Education Alumni now? Department Faculty of Education 8 Exceptional Education Alumni 3700 McTavish Street, Montreal, QC, ii 150 years of Teacher Education 16 Homecoming 2006 H3A 1Y2, Canada 10 Our Donors Make a Profoud Canada Post Corporation 1 Dean’s Message Difference 18 What’s New with our Alumni? Publications Mail Agreement 40613662 2 Students on the Move 12 Highlights from the Faculty 20 Messages from the DAUR Department Where in the world are our Education Alumni now?

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Faculty of Education Newsletter Fall/Winter 2006

Co-Editors and Coordination: Ling Yuen | Anita Nowak Faculty of Education Copy Editor: Helen Dyer Development, Alumni and University Relations Writers: Martin Horn | Anita Nowak | Jennifer Coutlee | Christine Zeindler 3700 McTavish Street, Montreal, QC, H3A 1Y2, Canada Photographs: Daniel Shipp Tel: 514-398-3457 Layout/Designers: Ling Yuen | Eliot Edwards Fax: 514-398-1527 Special Thanks to our timeline advisors: Norman Henchey | Margaret Gillett Email: [email protected] Glenn Cartwright | Bruce Shore | Lynn Butler-Kisber | Helen Amoriggi | Ted Wall www.mcgill.ca/edu-alumni

EDUCATION i After the Technological Shock? Dean’s Message was privileged to have been invited by my colleague Don McLean, Dean of McGill’s Schulich School of Music, to attend the Future of Music Policy Summit’s opening forum entitled “The State of The Nation.” I Amongst the assembled panelists was Peter Jenner, former manager of Pink Floyd and current manager of the British musician Billy Bragg. I was taken by his descriptions of the profound impact of new digital download technologies on the music industry. The impact, he asserted, was akin to the impact of the invention of electricity. The industry is caught in a chaotic scramble to keep up with new consumption preferences and practices, adjusting to the “technological shock.”

It seems to this observer that educators are, or should be, engaged in a very similar conversation. The invention of the printing press and the mass production of books transformed pedagogy, extending the delivery of education beyond the control of the church and clerics. The invention of schooling, replete with its socializing rituals and industrial organization, served its historical milieu. The recent emergence of Owen Egan the World Wide Web and the Internet has contracted distances of space and time and generated an explosion of new forms of knowledge and information production and dissemination. Education institutions struggle to embrace and keep pace.

It is at this epoch-marking juncture that McGill University’s Faculty of Education prepares to celebrate 150 years of teacher education in Montreal. It is a time for taking stock and for celebrating our long roll of graduates and their impressive achievements. A time for nostalgic glances at the archival artifacts: class photographs; records of the agreement between the Quebec Provincial Government and McGill University to establish the McGill Normal School in Belmont Street in a very different Montreal central business district in 1857; plans for the new MacDonald campus where our 115 students were enrolled in the newly formed School for Teachers, the first residential teacher education facility in Canada; or indeed to read the proceedings from the research conferences convened by our first-class graduate students over the last three years.

This kind of exercise strengthens us as we confront the challenge of leading research and scholarship in education in New Times. Ours is a Faculty that is establishing itself as a leader of research into teacher education. This is made possible by the fact that we are authentically an interdisciplinary team that brings together kinesiologists, psychologists, sociologists, philosophers, historians, statisticians, cognitive scientists, linguists, artists, and scientists (the list is indicative rather than exhaustive), to the task of shaping the classrooms of tomorrow. I am both proud and humbled to be a small cog in this historical educational wheel. We look forward to celebrating our achievements and planning for the future.

Sincerely, …and from the Education Graduate Students’ Society EGSS is an open and free association that provides a welcoming environment for graduate students to come together to share insights, expertise and fellowship. I don’t hesitate to say that our graduate research is innovative, compelling and socially significant. Dr. Roger Slee Dean, Faculty of Education In March 2006, our Fifth Annual EGSS Conference successfully drew in speakers from across the globe. Titled “Engaging Social Justice: Opening Transformative Dialogue(s)” the conference addressed A message from the Education Undergraduate Society various aspects of critical pedagogy, social justice and identity politics. Seminar topics ranged from the politics of inclusion and As President of EDUS, I am very proud to represent all exclusion, peace and character education, anti-colonialism, queer undergraduate students in the Faculty of Education. We are politics and education in science and medicine. Showcasing the an incredibly bright, talented, diverse group of hardworking Faculty’s expertise, more than 50 of our own alumni, graduate individuals! I would like to express my congratulations to all students, and professors presented alongside academic Education alumni who have blazed a path before us and I representatives from institutions across Canada as well as from sincerely believe that the cohorts currently working towards Australia, Brazil, Dubai, India, Ireland and USA. their BEd degrees, who will soon join the ranks as the next generation of Education alumni, will make you very proud. To appreciate the range and quality of the research we do, I invite This year, EDUS is planning many exciting events, including a you to attend our Sixth Annual EGSS Conference which will take BBQ day, movie nights, sports tournaments, educational place March 9-10, 2007. The theme this year is: “Expanding seminars, fundraisers and much more. For more information Concepts of Education.” We hope you’ll join us! For more or to support us in any way, please visit: www.mcgilledus.ca information: www.education.mcgill.ca/egss

Sincerely, Sincerely,

Kristy Prokosh Jessica Toste President, Education Undergraduate Society President, Education Graduate Students’ Society 514-398-7048 | [email protected] 514-398-6008 | [email protected]

EDUCATION 1

Students on the Move

Kevin Chin – Human Rights Advocate

Human rights issues are important to Kevin Chin and he wants to share his enthusiasm. Thanks to a 2005 Canada-US Fulbright Scholarship, the Educational and Couselling Psychology (ECP) doctoral student, spent nine months at the University of Minnesota conducting a comparative study of approaches to human rights education in the United States and Canada. “What was interesting about this project was that it was doing practical work in the community,” he says. ”There is so much that both countries can learn from each other.” Chin worked closely with colleagues in the University’s Human Rights Center and contributed to “This is my Home” a K-Grade 12 statewide initiative to bring human rights education into the classroom. This program begins by teaching young children about creating a caring environment, and progresses to high school students developing a critical, human rights-centred approach to American “There is so much history. that both countries Chin is thankful for this experience, which he is can learn from each now describing in his other.” doctoral dissertation. “I felt it was a sign that both countries were focusing on human rights,” he says, “and believed it was important enough to give me the opportunity to do something small about it.” Chin was recently awarded a Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec (FRSQ) grant and a McGill Majors fellowship which will enable him to pursue further studies.

Julie Newin – Are you game?

By age thirteen, almost 30 percent of young athletes drop out of organized sports each year. This is of mounting concern to healthcare specialists and physical education researchers, in light of the marked increase in obesity among children. One commonly cited reason many young athletes leave team sports is that they are no longer having fun. Julie Newin, a Master’s student in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education (KPE), has been working with Professor Gordon Bloom to try to counteract this. They have created a teambuilding intervention program geared towards building communication, trust and cooperation between young athletes.

Successful activities include “the balance beam,” where athletes have to work together to place themselves in a specific order without falling off. These types of activities, says Newin, are effective in speeding up the teambuilding process. She noted that coaches also observed an improvement in their communication and motivational skills after participating in the program.

In fact, Newin’s study is unique, as it focuses on the perceptions of coaches rather than on the athletes’. “Teambuilding has only recently become very popular,” says Newin, adding, “although in sport and exercise the majority of programs examine adult participants and assess athletes’ perceptions. We’ve reversed this and are working with young athletes to assess coaches’ perceptions.” “Our intervention had a goal of getting kids to enjoy sports with the ultimate purpose of getting them to come back season after season.” 2 EDUCATION Leanne Bowler – Beyond Google

Leanne Bowler, a doctoral student at the Graduate School of Library and Information Studies (GSLIS) is studying how CEGEP students, aged 17 to 18, “Information systems that model conduct research in an academic environment. Her view is that at this age, or teach metacognitive knowledge young people are at a pivotal time of life where they are making critical academic, career, financial and health decisions, thus, their information needs may provide scaffolding for young are vast. With this in mind, she is investigating how students use people during the information metacognitive knowledge - knowledge about one's own cognitive processes - to help them search for, evaluate and use information. search process.” During the summer, Bowler ran an eight-week Institute of School Librarianship at GSLIS. She trained academic librarians from Indonesia, who will in turn, train elementary and secondary school librarians back home.

Dale Boyle – Rockin’ Education

Remember singing the ABC’s? According to Dale Boyle, music plays a “Music can be a powerful significant role in the learning process. “Music can be a powerful motivator. It’s a great way to motivator. It’s a great way to reach students and get them interested in course material.” reach students and get them

Boyle is not only a doctoral student in the Department of Integrated interested in course material.” Studies in Education (DISE), but also a professional blues and folk musician. He is interested in determining how music can best be used as an educational tool.

“Music allows students to relate to the course material, especially if contemporary music is integrated,” says Boyle. He is testing this new teaching method in an undergraduate Psychology Cognition course that he is instructing.

Boyle’s research interests around music in the classroom were inspired this summer when he traveled to perform at the Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival in Clarksdale, Mississippi. He was both impressed and intrigued by an elementary school program in Mississippi that invites local, established blues musicians to teach the kids their craft. “For kids in Mississippi, learning blues music is more than just learning a style of music, it’s learning about your history.”

Boyle recently won the 2006 Lys Blues Folk/Blues Artist Of The Year award, his second consecutive win in the Folk/Blues category, voted in by both peers and music lovers. He is actively performing in Montreal and has returned to McGill after a summer performance schedule that took him from Quebec to Southern USA. For information on his upcoming album and gigs visit www.daleboyle.com Dale wails with special guest Dean Roger Slee on drums at Smoke Meat Pete’s, Ile-Perrot, Montreal.

EDUCATION 3 Students on the Move (cont’d)

Carl-Eric Bouchard – Man in Motion

Kinesiology is the study of movement, and Carl-Eric Bouchard is on the move!

The undergraduate student in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education (KPE) asserts, “We need to use physical activity to help improve patients’ quality of life and to help prevent against obesity, diabetes and other lifestyle diseases.” Bouchard is a research assistant working with Professor David Pearsall who is interested in sports biomechanics. Together, they have been investigating a possible connection between superior equipment and better team play. For example, do better-fitting skates result in faster skating and more goals?

Bouchard has devoted much of his time to working with the Special Olympics, based at the organization’s “We need to use provincial office. He helped arrange competitions, compiled statistics on physical activity to the athletes and assisted at events. help improve He also completed a placement in the patients’ quality of Department of Family Medicine where life and to help he assisted the research staff. Active involvement in student politics is prevent against important to Bouchard as well and he obesity, diabetes is currently a member of the SSMU senate. He plans to pursue and other lifestyle postgraduate studies. diseases.”

Tania Aldred – Tooling Her Interests

Tania Aldred, BA’04 is on the cutting edge when it comes to eclectic hobbies. Her passion – making stone tools – was unleashed during her undergraduate years as an archeology student where she co-founded the stone tool club, Flintknappers.

With an eye to eventually work as an archivist in a museum, Aldred has recently enrolled as a master’s student in the Graduate School of Library and Information Studies (GSLIS). “The archival studies program is a perfect fit for me,” she says.

Having received the 2006-07 Patricia Keir Graduate Student Award in the field of archival studies, Aldred has already begun building her own network. She recently co-founded the McGill student chapter of the Association of Canadian Archivists (ACA), serves as vice president of the Redpath Museum Student Club and sits on the executive committee of the GSLIS Student Association.

As part of her work as a research assistant to Professor Eun Park, Aldred is also writing a literature review dealing with metadata schemes and projects relating to visual images. She is currently completing a paper on the perception and portrayal of archivists within films which she hopes to present at the 2007 ACA conference at Queen’s University. “The archival studies program is a perfect fit for me.”

4 EDUCATION Jessica Morris-Frebourg – Fostering Children

Jessica Morris-Frebourg, an undergraduate student in the Department of Integrated Studies in Education (DISE), is a foster-child advocate concerned about children’s well-being. Morris-Frebourg, a single mother and herself a graduate of the foster system, has been researching the educational outcomes of children placed in foster homes. “I found that children who are in foster care tend to have a lot more difficulty in school,” she says. “They are more often in special education classes and fall behind the other students.” In addition, she found that behavioural problems are more evident in this group who may change schools and foster homes frequently.

Furthermore she suggests that these children are more susceptible to dependency on social assistance; developing mental health difficulties or ending up in the criminal justice system.

Morris-Frebourg advocates for a system of permanency planning “Once foster kids reach the age of which is currently under review in Quebec. This program prioritizes 16 or 18, they graduate from the establishing stability for the children. It proposes setting a maximum period that a child can remain in the uncertainty of foster care after foster system and no longer which they will either return to their biological setting or move onto receive financial aid, shelter or adoption. food. The security that they had is She also proposes one-on-one counselling for these children as an gone. The chances of going to alternative to the standard group counselling, which she sees as less effective. Morris-Frebourg plans to finish her BA before gaining school after that are pretty slim.” practical experience in the educational field. She is hoping to extend her research into post-graduate work.

Danielle Ostfield – The Art of Understanding Autism

Autism is the most common neurological disorder affecting children, and one of the most common developmental disabilities affecting Canadians. Danielle Ostfield, a doctoral student in the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology’s (ECP) program of School and Applied Child Psychology, is looking for better intervention therapies. “Currently the government only funds therapy for autistic kids with behavioural interventions but there are a lot of other alternatives out there,” says Ostfield, who is researching social communication interventions for autistic children.

While conducting her research with Dr. Kim Cornish at McGill’s Child Laboratory for Research and Education in Developmental Disorders, Ostfield is also working in collaboration with Dr. Lee Tidmarsh at the Montreal Children’s Hospital Autism Spectrum Disorder clinic. In addition, she is participating in the Canadian Institute of Health Ling Yuen Research-funded Autism Research Training Program with Dr. Eric “Currently the government only funds therapy for Fombonne. autistic kids with behavioral interventions but Ostfield has received a prestigious Social Science and Humanities Research Council Canadian Graduate Scholarship (CGS) to continue there are a lot of other alternatives out there.” her important work.

EDUCATION 5 Our Faculty at the Forefront

Bronwen Low – Harkening to Hip-Hop

Hip-hop is a far cry from the style of music and poetry that many of us studied in high school. Bronwen Low, BA’92, MA’94, PhD’01, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Integrated Studies in Kimiz Dalkir – Corporate Chronicler Education (DISE), was recently awarded a grant from the Fonds québécois de la recherche sur la societe et la culture (FQRSC) which It was only after retired NASA employees asked to consult the will enable her to study hip-hop workshops given by Elephriends, a original tapes of the Apollo 11 moon landing that space agency local hip-hop collective. personnel realized the tapes were missing. NASA now acknowledges that it’s not just the tapes, but also the practical Low’s curiosity about society’s renewed interest in poetry and the knowledge of how to go back to the Moon, that were lost. Kimiz spoken word among young people was initially sparked following Dalkir, BSc’83, MBA’85, PhD’97 (Educational Technology), an a session of the People’s Poetry Gathering in New York City. A Assistant Professor in the Graduate School of Library and graduate student at the time, Low used her observations as a basis Information Studies (GSLIS), has been researching ways in which for a doctoral dissertation about spoken-word culture. While organizations can preserve the aspects of practical knowledge working for the Rochester school district, one of the poorest in required to run a large operation. The NASA example which New York State, she was approached by a creative-writing teacher Dalkir uses to illustrate the importance of knowledge to develop a performance poetry curriculum for the school. This management, is not atypical. Hydro-Quebec, for example, curriculum is still in use and is being adopted by two other schools contacted retired employees during the 1998 Ice Storm to benefit this year. Low is now in the process of writing a book about its from what Dalkir refers to as compiled knowledge. Compiled conception and admits that the project was not without its knowledge is the practical understanding of the ‘nuts and bolts’ difficulties. “As soon as you bring pop culture into the school, it’s a of operations and procedures and is acquired through employee tinderbox: things explode.” experience, as opposed to workplace manuals. “Although,” she adds, “all those moments of difficulty and tension “Most organizations’ biggest asset is what their employees know are actually by far the most interesting ones pedagogically.” Lively how to do,” she says pointing out that often, when employees debates and sometimes outright disputes erupted between the leave a workplace, crucial information can become lost forever. largely black student body and the mainly white staff, most often Although she acknowledges that “people are very reluctant to over content. document what didn’t work,” Dalkir places equal importance on recording those practices that were not successful, so that individuals and departments can avoid repeating mistakes.

Dalkir recently gave two talks on the subject to the Conference “As soon as you Board of Canada. She also discusses her theories in an bring pop culture introductory volume published in 2005, entitled Knowledge Management in Theory and Practice. into the school, it’s a tinderbox: things explode.” Claudio Calligaris

Low is currently examining hip-hop in Quebec, and the complex language issues that have subsequently arisen. “The hip-hop and Bill 101 generation came of age at the same time,” she says, “which means that you have a community whose base language is French, but whose inhabitants speak so many other languages. “Most organizations’ biggest asset is what their Quebec hip-hop, from a linguistic perspective, is a highly hybridized form. It certainly flies in the face of a policy that was employees know how to do.” intended to protect the French language!”

6 EDUCATION “When children were asked to promise to tell the truth in court, rates of truthful testimony increased significantly.” Claudio Calligaris

Victoria Talwar – Are You Telling the Truth?

A team of interdisciplinary researchers at McGill University and Queen’s University, headed by the Department of Educational and Gordon Bloom – Counselling Psychology’s (ECP) Assisstant Professor, Victoria Talwar MA’97, MA’99, PhD’03, have played a pivotal role in reforming Mind Over Muscle child witness laws in Canada. The passing of Bill C-2, a child A research and training program led by Gordon Bloom, BA’88, protection law, was one of the final pieces of federal legislation MA’93, PhD’97, Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology spearheaded by the former Liberal government. Talwar and her and Physical Education (KPE), in conjunction with Le Centre National associates contributed recommendations to this bill. Multisport de Montreal, may give Canadian athletes a head start in This new law will change procedures for permitting child their quest for gold at the 2010 Olympics. The federally funded witnesses to testify in court. Prior to its passing, children were program uses bio- and neuro-feedback training techniques which, required to undergo questioning to determine whether or not until recently, were primarily used for treatment of injuries or they understood the difference between truth and lies. In some ailments. Through Bloom’s research, these techniques are now being cases, children were not permitted to testify, because of their developed to enhance athletic performance. perceived inability to satisfactorily answer such questions.

Talwar studied the capabilities of children to understand the difference between truth and falsehood and their consequent “We are trying to ascertain conduct in a judicial setting. Her findings concluded that whether athletes who go appreciating this difference could not accurately predict a child’s behaviour while testifying. Her results showed, however, that through this training can “when children were asked to promise to tell the truth in court, improve their concentration, rates of truthful testimony increased significantly.” Based on focus and relaxation skills and these findings, the new law will not require children to undergo previous questioning but will instead insist that they promise to ultimately their ability to tell the truth. perform better in competition.” Talwar has received several awards that will enable her to continue her research, including grants from the FQRSC and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada The purpose of biofeedback training is to teach athletes to be aware (SSHRC). of their physiological responses to stress and, more importantly, how to control them. Neurofeedback involves direct training of brain function, helping athletes learn to sustain focus, control emotions and deal with negative thoughts and distractions.

The training appears to be working. “Some of the things the athletes are saying are, for example, if something goes wrong at competition, I don’t panic, I’m able to stay more focused, I know how to react better, I’m better prepared.”

Independent surveys with the participating athletes, their coaches and for the younger athletes, their parents, have revealed positive results both within and outside the world of sport. Initial reports illustrate more stability in athletic performance leading to increased confidence. However, Bloom is cautious with his research findings, maintaining that, “we’re still in the early stages.”

EDUCATION 7 Ling Yuen Exceptional Education Alumni

Beverly Townsend – Tireless Teacher

Beverly Townsend, DipEd‘75 (Special Ed.), MA’83 (Business Ed.), principal of Cedarcrest Elementary School in Ville-St-Laurent has dedicated her life to education and service to the community. Voted woman of the year in 2000 by the Montreal Council of Women, her outstanding contributions have established Townsend as a driving force behind the education and development of youth in Montreal. Beginning her career as a caseworker in local community centres, Townsend has since served the English Montreal School board (EMSB) and its predecessor, through countless incarnations including teacher, vice-principal and principal for the past 30 years.

Townsend’s enthusiasm for her vocation is exemplified by her commitment to introduce Integrated Communications Technology (ICT) to the classroom as an aid for developing literacy. As a result, her elementary students are learning valuable communication skills and displaying renewed enthusiasm for classroom activities. The program also incorporates participation by student teachers from both McGill and Concordia Universities. Townsend’s generosity and energy are boundless. In 2005, through an initiative of the Quebec Centre for Literacy, Cedarcrest helped raised funds to purchase supplies and books for a school in Sri Lanka which had been “Sometimes you start ravaged by the 2004 Tsunami. A computer was also purchased for the Sri Lankan School allowing for cross culture dialogues between students from your day by dealing the two countries.

with the Department Townsend has also been active on the EMSB research and planning of Youth Protection, committees as well as various education and cultural advisory boards such as the Montreal Cultural Assessment Committee. Her professional endeavours or with a child who have led her to play important roles in numerous critical workshops and hasn’t had breakfast.” McGill Summer Institutes on topics ranging from inclusive schools, cooperative learning, children with autism and development in the Black and Jamaican communities.

Bob Berry – Seeking “the Bottom Line”

Since receiving his BSc’49 (PE) at McGill, Bob Berry has spent much of his professional life fighting corporate inefficiency and waste. After working some 30 years at Cadbury-Schweppes where he served as Vice-President of Marketing and as Corporate Secretary, he returned to school where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Social Science. With this new degree in hand, Berry re-joined the private sector as a globetrotting consultant. In the Philippines he helped a baked-goods company establish effective decision-making procedures and design a salary system. “Their board meetings would last from eight to ten hours,” he says. “It had become a venue for the airing of grievances between executives.” Berry’s skill and experience helped reduce meetings to two and a half productive hours.

Later, as president of a United Way agency in Toronto, he implemented a series of cost-cutting measures that were fundamental in keeping the organization afloat for six months after all federal funding was cut. Due in part to his work while president of this organization, funding was later reinstated at a 50 percent increase. In recognition of his expertise and forty-year involvement in the non-profit sector, Berry was awarded the Queen’s Gold Jubilee medal by former Federal Minister of Justice, Allan Rock.

Berry now volunteers his time to the Islington Residents and Ratepayers Association in Toronto. Over the past few years, the association has battled with what he calls “bureaucratic local paralysis and “I get more out of my work gridlock.” Much of their work has involved fighting condominium developers that abuse the legal as a volunteer. It is really system to bypass bylaws. Recently they lobbied against a road expansion project, which included plans satisfying and I wouldn’t to build a thoroughfare through lands originally designated for parks and a school. want to miss any of it.”

8 EDUCATION Brian Petersen – Education Philanthropist

Brian Petersen, BEd’79, says his time at McGill in the ’70s and ’80s was a highlight of his life. He particularly appreciates the intellectual and personal development he experienced during his studies in the Faculty of Education. His recent $25,000 bequest to the Faculty of Education reflects his strong commitment to McGill and his lifelong belief in the importance of education./

He attributes these sentiments to his parents, who were exceptional mentors and role models. Petersen’s mother, a World War II refugee, would tell him, “Throughout life, everything can be taken away, except education. Value it and pursue it.” His father, a Danish Olympic gymnast, worked as a coach for the McGill gymnastics team and taught several classes in the Physical Education department where he learned English. “Throughout He later taught at several Montreal area schools where Petersen often life, everything visit and observe his father at work.

can be taken Two and a half years ago, Petersen and Nick van Dam, an associate from away, except Deloitte Consulting, co-founded www.e-learningforkids.org, a nonprofit foundation that offers free courseware. education. The high quality online content is intended for the classroom and for supplemental learning outside of school. It includes topics such as language arts, writing, math, and science. The organization currently employs approximately Value it and 200 volunteers worldwide. Petersen and van Dam are looking to expand, hire full-time staff, and offer course pursue it.” materials in various languages. Petersen asserts that it is important to give back to those who are less fortunate and he is hopeful that other people will also step up to bat.

/ For more information about making a bequest or a planned gift, please turn to page 20.

Sharon Zigman – Adding Colour to a World of Grey

Discussing cancer is difficult. But, as McGill Education Alumnae Sharon Zigman, BA’70, DipEd’71, MEd’76 (Special Ed.), MEd’84 (Ed. Counseling) and Mary Cowan, DipEd’85, have discovered, singing about it can be therapeutic. Cowan and Zigman have produced a CD called The Colour’s Coming Back to raise funds for cancer research while helping to unite the community of cancer sufferers and their families. Cowan, a cancer survivor, wrote the music and Zigman wrote and co- wrote the lyrics.

Zigman, a psychologist, marriage and family therapist and hypnotherapist says her work at the Montreal chapter of Gilda’s Club taught her that sharing feelings and perceptions goes a long way to help with the healing process. Zigman interviewed cancer patients and their families, using their stories as the basis for the songs.

A compilation of musical styles, the CD was financed by the Zigman Creative Projects Foundation, a non-profit “We called it ‘The organization founded by Zigman and her husband Colour’s Coming Michael, also a McGill alumnus. Their son, Daniel Zigman, a psychiatry resident at McGill University, also contributed by composing the music for two songs. Expanding on the McGill collaboration the French lyrics for Back’ because we one song were written by Sarita Benchimol, a biochemist and researcher at the McGill Cancer Centre. “We’ve hoped that the had a lot of success,” says Zigman. “People really like the music, people love the lyrics. Some people find them sad and that’s normal. It’s something that people don’t usually talk about. It’s been a taboo subject for a long music might bring a time.” bit of colour back to Launched in June at a McGill Cancer Centre and the Institut de Cancer de Montreal fundraiser, proceeds an otherwise grey from the CD go to various cancer organizations. The songs can be heard at www.newmusiccanada.ca and the CD can be purchased online from www.thecolourscomingback.ca. environment.”

EDUCATION 9 Our Donors Make a Profound Difference

The Imperial Oil Foundation Supports Science Education

The Imperial Oil Foundation has shown outstanding leadership with a significant gift of $800,000 to support improved science education in Canada. The gift will fund the Institute of Winners of Wonderment (IWOW), to be headed by Dr. Brian Alters, holder of the Tomlinson Chair in Science Education. This novel initiative will enable research and development of three-dimensional science/math teaching-method technologies. In turn, teachers of students from K–Grade 12 will have resources to teach science in a way that elicits a higher level of enthusiasm from their students, which, it is hoped, will also yield an increase in motivation and understanding.

The project will take scientific concepts that students find troublesome and create three-dimensional instructional technologies. This will reduce the need for teachers to develop their own creative ways of teaching science by providing blueprints developed by the IWOW team. Students research three-dimensional teaching methods in science. IWOW will involve McGill professors from science education and from the In the next 10 years, Faculty of Education Departments of Physics, Biology and graduates could teach more than Chemistry. Undergraduate, graduate 500,000 students across Canada and post-doctoral students will work about science, math and technology with teachers, student teachers and K–12 students to achieve IWOW’s – such is the potential impact of goal. the Imperial Oil Foundation gift. Dr. Brian Alters engages students through Thank you, Imperial Oil Foundation! his experiment in bouyancy.

The Butters Foundation

Mrs. Lily Butters founded the Cecil Butters memorial Hospital in 1948. The hospital stands at the side of Lake The Dr. John A. Bryant Memorial Award is presented annually to Memphremagog in the village of Austin, Quebec, in memory of her son, Cecil, who lost his life in World War II. graduate students pursuing studies in the integration of students From its humble beginnings in the family farmhouse to the with disabilities into schools and society at large. The Foundation time of her retirement, Mrs. Butters never refused care to also supports a growing collection of materials on the topic of any family in need. Over time the hospital complex grew to include six buildings with room for almost 450 residents. disability that is housed in the Education Library.

Today, the Butters Foundation supports the integration of the intellectually disabled into the community. It recently expanded its mandate to include those with pervasive developmental disorders, such as autism. In the past few years, the Foundation has also begun to support parents who have chosen to keep their disabled children at home.

Dr. John A. Bryant was a long-time medical director of the Cecil Butters Memorial Hospital. He was also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Butters Center, (formerly the Cecil Butters Memorial Hospital) and, at one time, the Chairman of the Board of the Butters Foundation. In recognition of his many years of service to individuals with intellectual disabilities, the Butters Foundation established the Dr. John A. Bryant Memorial Award in addition to

supporting an ever-growing library collection within the Ling Yuen Faculty of Education at McGill. Diana Colby, MEd’95, and Beverly Bryant Bradley (Chair of The Butters Foundation), with Marilyn Cohen, Head Librarian of the Education Library, next For more information about the Butters Foundation, please to some of the books supplied through donations from the Butters Foundation. contact Ron Creary, Executive Director at 450-263-4123, Diana and Beverly are the twin daughters of Dr. John A. Bryant, whose Memorial [email protected]. Award is also funded by the Butters Foundation.

10 EDUCATION Taking Skating Performance to a Whole New Level

Thanks to an infusion of funds from Nike Bauer Hockey, a team of researchers in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education (KPE) have spent several years studying elite sport skill performance. Recent research has examined the interrelation of physiological and biomechanical parameters during ice skating and/or the execution of novel multi-joint movement tasks. In other words, studying the physics of human movement. The team also conducts research on the performance of hockey skates and sticks.

Ken Covo, Senior Director of Research and Development at Nike Bauer, states enthusiastically that, “The McGill research team has helped us better understand the game of hockey at a bio-mechanical level and this has provided us with important insights to design innovative and higher performance equipment.” In addition to conducting experiments to test new prototypes, the McGill Redmen 0 Supreme ONE9 hockey team has also engaged in field testing for the organization.

“This makes for a great win-win situation,” says Dr. David Pearsall, one of the lead investigators. “Funds allow us to conduct original research on the form, function and fit of ice hockey equipment. Plus, at the same time, we provide sound ergonomic evidence to Nike Bauer on how different designs affect player outcomes on the ice.” In part, research that the KPE team has conducted has led to novel skate and stick design innovations. Indeed, the McGill research team played an important role in the development of a revolutionary new skate called the Supreme ONE90, launched last spring with great success.

“This makes for a great win-win situation,” says Dr. David Pearsall, one of the lead investigators. “Funds allow us to conduct important research. At the same time, we provide sound evidence to Nike Bauer on how different designs might change player outcomes on the ice.” Andrew Dobrowolskyj Redmen team Captain Benoit Martin. Jewish Teacher Training

In 1973, the Jewish Teacher Training Program (JTTP) was created to prepare students to be teachers of Jewish studies in various formal and informal “Mrs. Segal has literally educational settings. By 2000, however, the JTTP was in a crisis as fewer and given the program wings fewer students enrolled and financial support had nearly evaporated. It was and the Jewish community during this difficult period that Leanor Segal’s first transformational gift of $1 million, successfully revived Jewish teacher training at McGill. Her continues to reap the ongoing generosity, support and leadership continues to ensure its success. rewards of her great Subsequent to Segal’s initial gift, the Faculty of Education was able to open foresight and generosity.” up a permanent budget line for the program. With additional annual gifts - Dean Roger Slee of $50,000 as recently as this fall, the program is now flourishing under the leadership of its director, Eric Caplan. Leanor Segal

Segal believes that by enriching the training of Jewish teachers and making the profession more attractive to the community’s best and brightest, the quality of teaching in Jewish high schools will improve and more young people will be attracted into the profession.

We know that she’s absolutely right, given that already over 200 students have graduated from the program since its inception, and have found employment within the Montreal Jewish community and throughout Canada and the United States. “Mrs. Segal has literally given the JTTP program wings and the Jewish community continues to reap the rewards of her great foresight and generosity,” says Dean Slee. Mira and Aviva, both students in the JTTP, are committed to educating the next generation of Jewish children. Twenty-one year old, Aviva says: “Jewish children don’t know enough about their heritage and I want to be a part of the retrieval of their lost identities.” Mira adds, “In Israel, there is a really proud sense of community. I want to bring some of that feeling to Montreal.”

Mira Segal (no relationship to Leanor) taught English in Israel for three years from 2002-5. Aviva Gabbay is hoping to travel to Northern Israel to help rebuild bomb shelters and take care of orphaned children. Mira Segal Aviva Gabbay

EDUCATION 11 HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE FACULTY

The relevance of groundbreaking research at the Graduate School of Library and Information GSLIS Studies has this year been recognized with the award of six research grants to GSLIS professors: • Dr. Catherine Guastavino, who joined the • Leanne Bowler, also a doctoral student, was granted the Herschel school in 2005, is currently building a human and Christine Victor Fellowship in Education as well as an award computer interaction lab with the help of a from the SSHRC Grants Subcommittee of McGill University. generous award from the Canada Foundation • MLIS student Da Lei was selected for the Pfizer Canada Prize of for Innovation (CFI), in combination with Excellence. additional awards from the FQRNT and the NSERC. • MLIS student Catherine Martin was awarded the first runner-up prize in the Canadian Library Association's 2006 Student Article Catherine Guastavino • Dr. Joan Bartlett received a grant from the Contest. SSHRC. • Irene Kitimbo received the Education Graduate Students Society • Dr. Eun Park’s research: “The Social Uses of Photography on AIDS (EGSS) travel grant to present at the University of Kwazulu-Natal, and HIV: Methods for digitization and Data mining” has gained in South Africa. the support of the FQRSC. For a second year, GSLIS professors and students hosted an Institute • Dr. Kimiz Dalkir has also received funding from the SSHRC Grants on School Librarianship for six Indonesian educators and librarians, Subcommittee of McGill University for her research on who attended courses and workshops over an eight-week period. Dr. organizational memory systems. Beheshti extended his efforts to a project administered by the • Dr. Andrew Large and Dr. Jamshid Beheshti have obtained Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in Indonesia. Dr. further funding from the SSHRC to continue development of a Beheshti is part of a mission design team planning a three-year web portal for elementary school children on Canadian History. project to restore the Institute’s collection of books and art after Also achieving much deserved recognition are GSLIS’s students: severe damage from the 2004 tsunami. Initiatives include creating a digitized collection of Acehenese art. • Doctoral student Valerie Nesset received a FQRSC fellowship

The Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology has a diverse spectrum of progressive research that includes; open dialogues between academic researchers and practicing psychotherapists, ECP inclusive educational practices and technology-based intervention projects, such as:

• Dr. Kim Cornish’s groundbreaking work on the Fragile X Syndrome is developing career services and mentoring for reflected in her collaboration with the Canadian Resource and immigrants to gain better access to post- Research Centre, which provides parents, teachers and health secondary education. professionals with crucial support in understanding the effects of this rare chromosomal defect. • In 2005-2006, the Department welcomed Dr. Steven Shaw to the Department. Steven Shaw • Dr. Jeffrey Derevensky’s work through the Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High Risk Behaviours has been widely Some of the outstanding achievements of ECP’s students: featured in the international media. The Centre broadened its exposure by launching a VHS/DVD titled Clean Break/Les jeux sont • Jessica Toste received an SSHRC Graduate Scholarship, and an faits, which aims to increase awareness and understanding of FQRSC grant, and was awarded the Stansfield Award for School- “problem gambling” through the depiction of real life stories. based Classroom Research. www.youthgambling.com. • Nathalie Russo is completing her clinical internship at the • Dr. Nancy Heath’s research has led the way to the development University of North Carolina’s Treatment and Education of of the National Self-Injury in Youth Network. Since very little is Autistic and related Communication-handicapped CHildren known about this dangerous behaviour. Dr. Heath coordinates (TEACCH) division. studies with other researchers in the field to advise counselors • Meredith Gillespie won the Outstanding Master's thesis award and youth workers on effective ways to intervene. from the National Council on Problem Gambling, Washington, www.education.mcgill.ca/heathresearchteam/index.htm DC. She also holds a major SSHRC grant. • Dr. Ada Sinacore and Dr. Jeeseon Park have been awarded an • Krista Redden (cognition and instruction) was selected for the SSHRC grant to study cultural transitions in immigration. They are prestigious Canadian Graduate Scholarship (CGS).

12 EDUCATION The Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education continues to make important K&PE contributions to research and development in the field.

• Dr. Dilson Rassier and Dr. Tanja Taivassalo, were both awarded CFI awards and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) grants. This funding will contribute to their respective research areas: molecular muscle movement and mitochondrial disorders. Enrique Garcia Dilson Rassier William Harvey • In the academic year 2005-2006, Dr. Enrique Garcia and Dr. Dilson Rassier joined the Department. During the summer Dr. William • The Department is pleased to announce that its undergraduate Harvey was also welcomed to the team. Physical and Health Education program has been approved by Our students have continued to raise the bar of excellence in their the government of Quebec’s Comité d'agrément des research areas and practice: programmes de formation à l'enseignement (CAPFE). • Doctoral students Karen Lomond and Kerri Staples received • Following last year’s success, K&PE will again participate in the funding to assist in their respective ergonomics and autism hosting of an annual conference in conjunction with the Association research, while master’s candidate, Julie Newin was funded to of Physical Educators of Quebec (APEQ) to discuss ways of pursue sport psychology. improving the quality of physical education and health delivery.

While all members of the Department of Integrated Studies in Education are engaged in research across a broad spectrum of contemporary themes and issues in education, several of its professors have initiated DISE research projects in recent years that have had an international reach. These include:

• James McGill Professor Claudia Mitchell, special advisor educational institutions such as schools. on women and HIV/AIDS to the UN Secretary General and Gorbachev Foundation, respectively. Professor DISE students have also attracted attention for their Mitchell’s research also focuses on the relationship research: between the HIV/AIDS pandemic and violence against • Alison Gonsalves who received an SSHRC Doctoral girls and young women in South African schools. Her Fellowship for her investigation into how gendered research is notable for the participatory and visual practices and social relations in science influence the methodologies she employs in her studies. Joe Kincheloe formation of scientific identity. • Dr. Shaheen Shariff’s research into cyber-bullying and • Constance Lavoie was awarded the Dr. Gauri Shankar other forms of violence mediated by the internet and Guha Award for International Development Education other forms of electronic communication (e.g. text and a FQRSC grant for her work in second language messaging) have garned international media coverage. education in Burkina Faso. • Dr. Joe Kincheloe (Canada Research Chair) and Dr. Shirley Last, the Department’s PhD of record in Educational Steinberg, are engaged in internationally renowned Studies was formally approved by the Conférence des research on adult education, critical pedagogy, recteurs et des principaux des universités du Québec multiculturalism, youth culture and how to redefine what

Owen Egan(CREPUQ). The new Owen Egan program will commence in Fall, 2007. counts as learning within contexts other than formal Shirley Steinberg

Not Your Typical Field Experience...

Since 1997, the Faculty’s Centre for Educational Leadership (CEL) has students are used to a provided a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for fourth-year students in teacher-centred the Secondary Education program. Each year, two students travel to approach,” she says. the Caribbean and participate in a seven-week, hands-on field “I had such a short time experience in teaching. there, so I had to find a way to instantly The link between McGill University and the British West Indies develop a relationship Collegiate School began in 1996, when Collette Coty, then a student, with them so they arrived at McGill to begin her master’s studies in Education. Coty would be able to overheard Dr. Lynn Butler-Kisber, her new advisor, mention an upcoming participate in my vacation to the Turks and Caicos Islands, where, coincidentaly, Coty had classes.” She began co-founded a school. Encouraged to visit the School during her vacation, coaching soccer and initiating various after-school activities. “It was a Butler-Kisber co-ordinated the first student field experience which has learning experience because it’s so different from teaching in a become an ongoing initiative of CEL. “Because it’s a small staff, the cosmopolitan city like Montreal. When you’re out in the evening, you student teachers really become part of the school and the community,” see your students everywhere. I remember a couple of kids would come adds Butler-Kisber. “It’s a total immersion.” over on a Sunday morning. I would be half asleep and they would say ‘Miss, we’re here to cook you breakfast. You can go back to bed, we’ll Ramona Parkash-Puni took part in the program as a student teacher in call you when it’s ready.’ That would never happen in Canada!” 2000 and discovered that it was not a simple case of nine to five. “The

EDUCATION 13 A year in the life of your Development, Alumni

The DAUR Team

The mission of the DAUR Department is simple. First and foremost, we want you to feel a strong connection to the Faculty. Second, our goal is to raise much needed funds - through major philanthropic gifts and our annual fund program – to support our outstanding students and Faculty.

The DAUR Department consists of three very spirited individuals Jennifer Coutlee, Alumni Relations and Special dedicated to reconnecting you to your alma mater! Events Associate, has been with McGill since 1992, first working in the Faculty of Medicine Development Officer, Anita Nowak, BCom’97, PhD and then the Dean’s Office in the Faculty of Candidate, joined McGill in 2004 after many years Education. She comes to DAUR with a in the private sector where she worked in colourful background that includes special corporate communications, new business event planning, conference organizing and a development and marketing. Her doctoral work little show biz. Jen is currently pursuing a diploma in the Department of Integrated Studies in in Public Relations at McGill. Education addresses how media education can be used as a pedagogical vehicle to teach and learn issues of Ling Yuen joined the DAUR Education team in May social justice. In addition to her part-time graduate studies, she 2006. She brings with her a diverse background in teaches an undergraduate course and is the co-editor of Rethinking visual arts, photography and graphic design. She Media Education: Critical Pedagogy and Identity Politics and also has international experience with art-based Women/Advertising/ Representation: Extending Beyond Familiar NGOs. She is currently pursuing the development Paradigms (Hampton Press, forthcoming). and study of artistic and cultural initiatives in community development.

Throughout the year, we plan many special alumni events and class reunions. If you have any suggestions, or would like to volunteer at any of our events, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected].

Connecting with Alumni in Toronto Healing the Body and Spirit A Tribute to Great Canadians

A perfect match was made June 9, when A small but highly animated group of alumni met on June 9 at Education teamed up with Medicine to the Royal York Hotel for Toronto’s 12th Annual Leacock host an alumni event at the University Luncheon. Master of Ceremonies, Derek Drummond, warmed Club of Toronto on the topic of Healing. up the audience for Ian Fergusan, co-author of How to be a Educators, counsellors, nurses, doctors and Canadian. Honoured at this event were Seymour Schulich, parents joined us for a breakfast seminar BSc’61, MBA’65, and Marcel Desautels, each of whom have to hear Education alumna, Lainie Cohen, made transformational gifts to McGill totalling over $42 million. Lainie Cohen and Dr. Hutchinson. DipEd’70, speak.

Author of Crooked Smile, Lainie spoke poignantly of her family’s experiences after her son tragically suffered a brain injury. All author proceeds from the sale of the book go to the Bloorview MacMillan Children's Foundation. For more information, please visit: www.crookedsmile.org. Lainie was joined by the Faculty of Medicine’s, Dr. Tom Hutchinson, also Director of Programs in Whole Person Care, who discussed the importance of holistic medicine and healing. L-R: Bonnie Saibil, BA’67, DipEd’68, Lainie Cohen, DipEd’70, Robert Berry, BSc’49 (PE), Carol Marley-Turner, BEd’74, André Boudreau, MLIS’96, Elizabeth Griffiths, BEd’72, MEd’79, Fred Celebrating Public Education Saibil, BSc’63, MDCM’67, and DAUR’s Jennifer Coutlee and Anita Nowak. L-R: Jaclyn Seidman, On April 27, Constitution Hall at the Metro Toronto BEd’01, LLB’05, DAUR’s Anita Nowak, Peggy Convention Centre was full to capacity with Donohue, BEd’05, Susan individuals who recognize the importance of public Craig, BEd’63, Lainie Cohen, DipEd’70, Dean education in Canada. The Learning Partnership Roger Slee (Education), hosted it eighth annual Tribute Dinner, with three Leebert Wright, BSc’55 (Agr.), MSc’57, DAUR’s champions as guest speakers: The Honourable Colleen Cowman, Alexander Usher, BA’92, Frank McKenna, The Honourable Bob Rae and Dr. Ouida Wright, DipEd’53, Robert (Squee) Gordon. MA’56.

14 EDUCATION and University Relations (DAUR) Department

DAUR Events Convocation 2006 Kaffeeklatsch with our Aussie Dean

Following the convocation ceremony on Last spring the DAUR Office invited Education graduates back to May 29, the DAUR Office hosted a special the Faculty to meet with Dean Slee over coffee and muffins. The event for our new Graduates, presenting response was fabulous! After round-table introductions, alumni them with a special congratulatory gift: a shared their stories about where their lives had taken them since McGill “Class of 2006” onyx pen. graduation. The diversity of careers and extent of accomplishments were in abundance. By morning’s end, old acquaintances were After convocation, we unveiled the renewed with many new friendships in the making. ‘Symbols of Growth’ wall hanging and the accompanying poem, both created by the Art Curriculum and Instruction class, winter 2006. Each graduate present also added Dean’s Breakfast SECTION their signature to a scroll. The two historical pieces will be hung March 17th together in the Faculty to commemorate of the Class of 2006. Back (L-R): Wilma Brown, MEd‘99, Lloyd Brereton, DipEd’69, Growth is: a spiral, ongoing, continuous, DAUR MEd’78, CertEdTech’87, building momentum, moving beyond our Dean Slee, Jennifer boundaries, evolving over time, flowering Coutlee. Front (L-R): and opening, changing, versatile, looking to Susan Otis, MEd’80, CertEdTech’87, Lyna the future, taking flight, embodying spirit, Boushel, BEd’98. an increased awareness of others, unfolding, knowledge, learning from the past in building for the future, becoming. If you would like to learn more about these breakfasts, please contact Jennifer Coutlee, Tel.: 514-398-2712 I [email protected]

Celebrating World Teachers’ Day Do kids dislike Presenter: Dr. Nancy Heath, World Teachers’ Day (WTD), marking the adoption of the school or does Associate Professor and UNESCO/ILO Recommendation on the Status of Teachers, provides Director of the Inclusive the international community with an opportunity to draw public school dislike Education Program attention to the important role of teachers in our society. kids? Naturally, the Faculty of Education’s DAUR office would not let this significant day slip by without special acknowledgement. We In October, the CBC invited our Faculty members to inscribe their best wishes to invited McGill to all our Education participate in its annual, students on a giant month-long Montreal card and with the Matters program. This help of Dr. Spencer year the theme was Boudreau, Associate “School.” No parent relishes hearing their child say they don’t Dean, (Teaching, want to go to school, and for some, this anguished cry is a daily Learning and reality. The Faculty of Education and the McGill Alumni Students), the Association invited a panel of distinguished educators to address Faculty of Education the topic of “Attitude or Aptitude: Why do Children Dislike offered School?” They included: Assistant Deputy Minister of Education, congratulations and Professor Noel Burke, Dr. Nancy Heath, Associate Professor and a little gift to each Director of the Inclusive Education Program at McGill and Dean student; a ruby red Roger Slee. Alumni, educators, parents and students joined CBC apple note holder. journalist and Master of Ceremonies, Loreen Pindera, for an Students are presented with a gift from the DAUR office. evening of presentations, thought-provoking questions and an opportunity to share in their experiences on this significant theme. Welcome Back BBQ

In September, we welcomed new and returning students by hosting what is fast becoming a must-attend event; the Education “Welcome Back” BBQ, organized by our Student Affairs Office, CAPS and our two student societies. Alongside other Faculty departments, DAUR set up a booth, sparking up conversation with our students while they devoured hamburgers and listened to the Dean’s rock band - The House Band - playing at decibels only imaginable. We also held a raffle with a twist: students filled out a postcard, listing their goals and dreams for 2006-2007. Stay tuned for the unveiling of their responses! (Left): DAUR’s Jennifer Coutlee, raffle winner Ramona Parkash Puni and Dean Roger Slee.

EDUCATION 15 HOMECOMING 2006 This year’s Homecoming was the biggest and best attended on record! The excitement and flurry of activities university-wide was palpable. Ranging from educational events, reunion lunches, and dinners in hotels and at the homes of alumni, McGill graduates from around the world flooded back to Montreal. The Faculty of Education jumped on the Homecoming bandwagon with gusto, organising four class reunions, a superbly well-attended seminar on Health and Wellness and the 2nd annual David Montgomery walk-a-thon.

Homecoming Weekend 2006

Health and Wellness Seminar On the morning of October 20, the Jack Cram auditorium was packed

with alumni, students and friends Jim Harris to hear eight of our eminent David Montgomery Run Faculty members, three alumnae and a former Olympian speak on More than 100 walkers, runners and the theme of Health and Wellness. strollers came out to enjoy the last day of The wide-range of compelling Homecoming festivities by participating in topics spanned from good health the second annual David Montgomery practices, injury prevention in Memorial Walk/Run held on Sunday, sport to spiritual, emotional and Alumna Lainie Cohen describes her family’s healing October 22. The Department of physical healing. journey after her son’s tragic car accident. Kinesiology and Physical Education host this event in honour of Dr. David Montgomery, a well-loved former member of the Faculty. All proceeds from this charitable event go to the David L. Retired Professor Montgomery Francoeur and current student Donald C. Fund in Grant, (left) discuss the support of breakout session given graduate by Dr. Marilyn students in Fitzpatrick and Dr. Jack Professor Ron Morris engages those who De Stefano, (above). attended his breakout presentation, entitled, Exercise Jim Harris Bathed in glorious autumn sun, “When was the last time you danced?” Physiology. runners charge up Mont-Royal. 37th Annual Leacock Lunch The 37th Annual Leacock Luncheon hosted a record breaking 1,200 attendees this Homecoming. It’s a small wonder that it attracted such a large assembly of alumni and friends of McGill with the moderator being the dearly loved and always entertaining, Derek Drummond, Macdonald Emeritus Professor of Architecture and interim Director of Athletics and guest speaker, lawyer, Edward L. Greenspan. Professor Drummond introduced the head table with his usual wit and whimsy, while Greenspan, one of Canada’s pre-eminent Lawyer’s, had the audience rolling in the aisles with his commentary on some of the absurdities uttered in the courthouse. He ended his speech by challenging the audience Back (L-R): DAUR’s Jennifer Coutlee, Dr. Peter McNally (Education), Dr. Marilyn Fitzpatrick to consider how society must strike a balance between liberty (Education), Twinkle Rudberg, BA’56, Bruno Mital (Guest), Dean Roger Slee (Education), DAUR’s Anita Nowak. Front (L-R): Jennifer Wall, MA’71, Beverly Townsend, MEd’83, Sandi Murphy and freedom and the need for security in a post-9/11 world. (Guest).

16 EDUCATION Class Reunions - ‘46, ‘51, ‘56, ‘76

A huge vote of thanks goes out to all the class representatives: Laurie Traylen, Class of ’76 (PE); Joan Taylor, Class of ’56 (PE); John Chomay, Barbara Johnson, Ross Firth and Neil McGregor, Class of ’51 (PE) and Doreen Page, Class of ’46 (Mac), who made Homecoming 2006 such a wonderful success!

Class of ’76 (PE) For the reunion of the class of ‘76 Back (L-R): Bob (PE), Laurie Traylen reserved the Bonenberg, Graham President’s room at Le Bifteck. Neil, Greg Reid, Laurie Guests included Professors Graham Traylen, Deborah Neil, Greg Reid and Jennifer Wall. Wright, Geoffrey Dowd, And to show the world these Jennifer Wall, Carol Reid, Gord Redhead, SECTION former physical education students Karen Neasmith. can’t be kept down, the next Front (L-R): Ann morning a handful of them were at Summers, Linda the Currie Gym, playing volleyball. Gendron, Betty Koch-

Druzin, Maryse DAUR Godbout, Sue Paquette

Class of ’56 (PE) From the warmth and ease that radiated between classmates at their reunion dinner at the Castillon Restaurant, it was Back (L-R): Dorothy Crowe, Betty Muir, evident that they have a very special Anne Hull, Brenda bond. Impressively, and true to their Yates. Front (L-R): calling, they hiked to the top of Hilary Hellum, Joan Roberts, Joan Taylor. McTavish Street to attend the Health (Insert): Elizabeth and Wellness seminar, then spent the Lesser afternoon walking around Old Montreal, rediscovering favourite haunts. Class of ’51 (PE)

With the aroma of delicious food Back (L-R): Ross Firth, Neil permeating the hall outside their McGregor, Dorothy (Fee) apartment door, Phyllis and Ross Walker, Audrey Wipper, Joyce (Tubman) Wilson, Firth opened their beautiful new Betty (Haughn) Stewart, home to welcome old classmates Pauline (Ramsey) Joyal, and their spouses for a reunion Harold (Shorty) Fairhead, party. An evening of lively chatter Barbara (Dawson) Foster, George Stewart. and laughter ensued, as they Front (L-R): Alexander recounted old stories and shared (Sandy) Spence, Barbara special memories. (Birkett) Johnson, Harold (Smiley) Wilson, Daintry (Chisholm) Snyder

Class of ’46 (Mac) Back (L-R): Charles Elliott, Joyce Winser Margaret Boomhour travelled all the way from Borgan, Margaret Scotland to reminisce with her classmates about the Boomhour, Doreen days when they all lived on Mac Campus under the Field Page and Lucien Perras. Others strict eye of the Administration. Over dinner, several present during the alumni shared a little secret of how they would cover day, (not in photo): Margaret McNeill for each other when a fellow classmate snuck out Graham, Joyce Miller over the weekend. The plan was simple: when the Ness. Front (L-R): Shirley Brown Hoskin, “free spirit’s” name was called out during Saturday Grace Bunce Mullin, morning’s class, another voice would answer, “Here!” Dorothy Pangborn, in her place. Most of the time it worked – although Paulette and Mary McArthur Oulton. on a few occasions the lines of communication were crossed, causing more than one voice to answer!

EDUCATION 17 1946 Rukhshana Surty, BEd’80 (PE): Doreen Page (Field), DipEd’46: “I “Married with two boys (15 and 19), taught full time I own and run Harmoni Holistic for 36 years, took Centre in the West Island, where I my retirement work with my husband. I am a and then went WHAT’S mind/body/health consultant, on to teach part new massage therapist, Yoga and Pilates WITH OUR time in adult instructor. I am compiling a book education for about “healing stories” from inside another four years. Around 1980 I the therapy room and planning a became interested in weaving and trip in search of healing modalities spinning and in 1984 and founded a in different cultures.” weavers guild. We are going strong alumni? [email protected] and have a long waiting list for membership. In 1987, a few years 1981 after Fred, my first husband’s, death, Edward Burridge, MEd’81 I married again. Hollis and I are avid square 1976 (Administration and Policy Studies): “I was Principal of Stanley High School dancers and have been for over 15 years. I have Anne Dragemark, BEd’76: “I moved to Sweden and Tantramar High School in Sackville, NB. I no children of my own but am fortunate to have where I taught Swedish and English language then joined the school district offices serving as four generations of Hollis’ family to love and and literature. I have also been active in Supervisor of Curriculum, High Schools, enjoy. Life is good!” [email protected] European Union and Swedish Research Council Communications, Assessment and Staff language projects that concern 1962 Development as well as a brief stint as assessment. Lecturing in Heather Elliot (Dickson), BEd’62 (PE): Superintendent. I retired for health reasons in Teacher Education at Gteborg “In 1979, I moved to Vancouver with my husband 2001 and presently enjoy life as a volunteer as University I am a PhD student Charles and our three children. I was a stay-at-home well as a consultant in planning and (Language Ed.), married, have mother for 16 years returned to teaching in 1980. I organization.” [email protected] two step-children and a cat.” completed my MEd in Language Education at U.B.C. [email protected] Hazel M. Thompson (de Gourville), BEd’81 While teaching ESL at Columbia College, I became (Elementary): “Celebrating my 25th anniversary of 1978 Director of the English Language Centre. Now graduation and 18 years of teaching. Teaching Charles and I are enjoying our retirement and three Jo-Anne Allison, BA’76, MLS’78 (Library Science): Grades one-eight, ESL and Special Ed. with three grandchildren.” [email protected] “Presently working as Archivist for the Catholic years to retirement, I still find it the best part of Diocese of Prince George, I lived 14 years in my life as I take my students along a path of life- 1968 Yellowknife before moving to BC. I completed an long learning. I would love to hear from Cathy Wynnik MacCallum, DipEd’68, BEd’94: “I MA (Gender Studies) and am married with two classmates from 1981. I had a young son - Jeremy have been teaching for the ETSB since 1968 after children. It is great to hear about what is at the daycare while I was studying and he is now receiving my diploma. After a break to stay home happening at McGill. I am very proud to be an a 30-year-old living independently in Montreal.” with my four children I returned to teaching, alumna.” [email protected] [email protected] completing my B.Ed during the evenings and Marie Nudo, BEd’78: “I’ve been living in summer. I still spend a lot of time on the curling rink 1985 during the winter. My husband Bruce and I live on a Vancouver since teaching in Kuujjuaq, QC. Teaching in the independent system in a Catholic Norma Bowen, DipEd’85 (Music): “Responsible for farm beside Lake Champlain, Quebec.” building the Music Unit in my school of 1,300 girls. [email protected] school, I finally decided to undertake an MA (Literacy). I do miss Montreal at times (not the I still find time to perform as a soloist to help raise funds for some organisations on my island. I would 1970 cold and snow!). Family and friends are still living surely like to get in touch with some of the music Anda Kajaks, BEd’70 (Secondary Social Studies): “back home” so I’m usually back each year. Hope class in Music Ed. in 1985. I am presently writing a “In June 2005, I retired after 35 years of teaching all is well with fellow education grads from Music Theory book and hope to complete this geography and history at Macdonald High School. 1978.” [email protected] soon.” [email protected] I was fortunate to teach subjects that I love to 1979 students who, for the most part, enjoyed learning Jerome Wolicki, MEd’85 (Counsellor Education): and with colleagues who are so professional.” Suzanne Renaud Deme, BEd’79 (Elementary): “I “Living in Israel for almost twenty years. Two [email protected] am presently teaching a beautiful class of Grade years ago I retired from the rabbinate. I continue one students and loving it! I am married and have to practice in individual and family counseling and 1972 three wonderful sons, two in university and one run support groups for caregivers and family Myra Bard Michaelson, BEd’72: “Living in in CEGEP. Life just doesnt get any better!” members of dementia patients. I was teaching Vancouver for the past 28 years, having worked in [email protected] active listening and pastoral counselling in Israel for five years, I work as Coordinator of the Sylvie Boisvert, DipEd’79: “After teaching for the rabbinic training programs. I hope to put out a Judaic Studies Department and Learning Resources Halifax Regional School Board as a French book on the subject. ” [email protected] at Vancouver Talmud Torah School. I have two Immersion teacher for 24 years, I took a year leave Mitch Cherniak, BEd’84, DipEd’85 (Later Childhood, daughters; the eldest recently married. I would in 2005-06 (a lovely time for me to relax) and will Secondary): “After teaching for five years, I went love to reconnect with all my McGill University return in the fall.” [email protected] back to grad school and earned a PhD in friends.” [email protected] Computer Science from Brown University. I am 1980 now a tenured Associate Professor of Computer 1974 Doris Di Blasio, BEd’80 (Early Science at Brandeis University in Boston. ” Dennis Cato, MEd’74, MA’78 (Philosophy of Childhood): “I have been with CBC [email protected] Education): “My most recent paper, “Of the Trivial television for 16 years and am and the Radical: Is There a Coherent Constructivist presently the Sales Team Manager, 1986 Pedagogy?” is appearing in the current edition of selling advertising space. I use a lot Angie Veronica Montvydaite, BEd’86 (Later Paideusis, the journal of the Canadian Philosophy of what my degree has taught me; Childhood): “I married Rob Shaheen, another of Education Society. To read it, go to: it is never lost. My three years at McGill will always alumnus of McGill. With three children, we are http://journals.sfu.ca/paideusis.” be well remembered. I live with my two beautiful currently educators in Ottawa.” [email protected] boys!” [email protected] [email protected]

18 EDUCATION David McGruer, BEd’86, MA’88 (PE): “Married 1996 Education Grad Carole Deschamps in 1988, Ian Kutschke, BEd’96 (PE): “I left Quebec for taught in the Arctic for four years, then moved Calgary to teach PE. I lived in South Korea before to Ottawa and became a financial planner. Have touring South East Asia, Australia (where I wed two girls, 15 and 12, and live in a log house in my fabulous Australian wife) and Africa, where I Vars.” [email protected] climbed Mt Kilimanjaro. I am working on a book of my travel adventures.” [email protected] 1989 Gita Bali, BEd’96: Gita has always had two Chris W. Wosyanju, MEd’89 (Administration passions: teaching and television. Thanks to her and Policy studies): “Teaching in Moi University, loving and supportive parents, she was able to Eldoret, Kenya in the department of Technology experience and enjoy both, allowing her to travel Education.” [email protected] internationally and work in Bollywood for two 1990 years. Her high-spirited style in the classroom as Congratulations to Alumnae Sharon Hudson, well as in front of the camera is a testament to Daniel Épinat, BEd’80: “Teaching now for 14 MEd’95, and Susan Campbell, MEd’95, years. Travelled in many parts of the world. co-directors of College Mother House, Montreal her personal motto "You never fail until you stop Recently married for the first time. Discovered and recipients of the YWCA Women of trying." Her on-screen poise is a product of her Distinction Award in Education 2006 that teaching is my passion and I will never give many triumphs in pageantry; the titles of Miss it up.” [email protected] India-Canada '94 and Miss SECTION Asia-Canada '95 gave Gita Andre Belzile, BEd’90 (Secondary History and Lynn Baine, MEd’92 (Counselling Psychology): “Coordinator of Counselling Services at Georgian the opportunity to proudly ESL), LLB’95: “After graduation, taught English voice her cultural heritage. in Turkey and Korea. Returned to McGill to College in Barrie, ON, I am also Chair of the Ontario College Counsellors organization. I love my Nowadays, Gita is teaching complete law degree. Am now Vice-Consul to DAUR job and often think of my days as a mature student at her family’s yoga studio Hong Kong and Macau.” in downtown Montreal [email protected] at McGill. I have contact with Audrey Healy as she SURPRISE! also counsels at Ontario College. Would love to and at a South Shore high Alison Edgar, BMusic’77, DipEd’90 (Music): know what my other classmates are up to! My school. She married her third passion - her Prince “I have been a music specialist with the Surrey daughters, (22 and 20) are both pursuing post Charming (Ravi Gupta, MBA 2001) - in May of School District in B.C. for the past 15 years. It is a secondary education.” [email protected] 2006. Her best friend Hana, whom she met at an skill-based program with a strong emphasis on Art of Teaching Science class, was her bridesmaid. multicultural music. After all this time I still miss 1994 1999 Montreal and McGill. I even miss the snow in Karen MacBean (Darling), BEd’94 (Elementary): winter! I’d love to hear from my fellow grads” “Moved to Toronto teaching Grades one and five Reena Gupta, BEd’99: After graduating from [email protected] at a small private school for the last six years. I am McGill University’s Faculty of Education with flying colours (Great Distinction and Golden Key Award), Scott W. Cambell, BEd’90 (Elementary), MEd’93 a proud Mom of a two-year old girl. I look Reena moved on to Concordia University where (Later Childhood): “Began teaching in Charlotte, forward to hearing from old friends about what she earned a Master’s degree in Educational NC. Taught Resource they are doing now!” [email protected] Technology. Both degrees enabled her to obtain Special Ed. before Kim van Putten, BEd’85 (PE/English): “MA a position in Human Resource Management at teaching in a self- (Admin, Curriculum, and Instruction) Post-Bac. Pfizer Canada. After some time, she fell in love contained EBD Diploma (English): Married, summer 2006. with her soul mate Sumant, classroom. Took leave Traveled Route 66, summer 2005 - try it, it’s a SURPRISE! got married in Delhi, India last year to begin Phd great trip!” [email protected] in 2003, and then moved (Special Ed.) at the to Portland, Oregon, where University of South 1995 she currently lives with her Carolina. Roxanne and I, welcomed Ryane Carolyn Johnson, BEd‘95: Having hooked up with husband and one-year old, Makenzy into our lives in 2005.” the Dead7 at RHS, Carolyn Johnson was well beautiful baby Syona. [email protected] poised for McGill. Following her degree, she spent [email protected] a year working and traveling abroad (in Australia 1992 and South East Asia) and made good on the idea 2005 Matthew J. Meyer, BA’76, MEd’92, PhD’98 (Ed. of living life to its fullest. Upon her return, she Pinky Patel, BEd’05 (Kindergarten/Elementary): Admin.): “I am presently an Associate Professor landed a job teaching French in Toronto and has “I got married to Ankit of Education at St. Francis Xavier University, been working her magic Patel on July 17, 2005. We Antigonish, NS. Currently finishing off a four- as Mademoiselle Johnson had a traditional Indian year SSHRC funded study on Principal ever since. She met Clint, wedding. I wanted to Succession, I also do arts based research studies who sold himself as a real thank my McGill friends for in values and ethics. I live in the boonies with intellectual book worm, joining me on my special my family, cats and dog and enjoy it immensely and she was hooked. The day: Dimple, Katie, Lisa except we cannot get a decent bagel!” gorgeous couple were and Linda.” [email protected] SURPRISE! married July 3. [email protected] [email protected]

I N M E M O R I A M Mary Pickup Robert Buchanan Mary McAteerv Enid Ursula Clement (Caton) Bernice Lochhead Shelagh Keator Sorryl Hoffer Mary-Jean Watson Ramsaran Ramharack Lois Gerth Elizabeth Power John F. Geci Susan Morgan Leslie Blumenthal Gertrude Bernardin Edward (Ted) Collinson Walburg Heck Tom Moorhouse Dorothy Spence Jessie Rankin Cox (Gunn) Antonio Colannino Christine Hughe John Costigan Janice Pauch Harold Smithman Liela Kurtzman John Ferris and Howard Holloway Carol Cronkite Keith Fitzpatrick Isobel Robertson (Former Louis Cohen (1924-2006), Jean Allen Edythe Mendelsohn Ena Lazarus Faculty Member) dear friend of the Faculty.

EDUCATION 19 Messages from the DAUR Department

The Circle of Stars Our Chance to Say Thank You! Dear Alumni, I affectionately refer to the Faculty of Education as my second home. That is because in addition to teaching at the undergraduate level and working on my doctoral degree in the Department of Integrated Studies in Education (DISE), I also manage the Development, Alumni and University Relations (DAUR) department. There is no question that I feel connected to the Faculty! The diverse nature of the Faculty of Education is simply incredible. And not only are our Professors at the forefront of socially significant research, but they are unabashedly dedicated to the development and success of our students. That is why the flyer enclosed with this Newsletter was created. We felt you deserved to know about some of the important initiatives underway in the Faculty of Education! On December 6, 2005, the Faculty of Education hosted its By perusing this 4-page brochure, you inaugural Circle of Stars event. With over 70 guests present, the will learn about some of the compelling room was aglow as scholarship recipients mingled with generous projects you can help support. donors who made their awards possible. Likewise, the donors Education graduates have given generously to the annual fund for years revelled in the opportunity to meet some of the Faculty’s finest and now you will know exactly how students. your gift will be used. I am convinced Each year the Circle of Stars reception is held to honour those you will be inspired by the work underway and I encourage you to translate that into an annual who support the Faculty. Most of all, it is our chance to say fund gift. If you have questions about the content of the flyer, Thank you! please don’t hesitate to contact me at 514-398-1666. Wearing both my student and fundraising hats, I thank you wholeheartedly in advance for your leadership and generosity. The next Circle of Stars reception will take place on January 24, 2007 Best regards, in honour of our loyal annual donors.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Coutlee: Tel:. 514-398-2712 I [email protected] Anita Nowak, Development Officer

Bequests and other planned gifts For more information contact: McGill University, Bequests and Planned Gifts 1430 Peel Street, Montreal, QC, How does a planned gift work? Canada H3A 3T3. A planned gift is a charitable donation arranged Tel.: 514-398-3560 Fax.: 514-398-8012 during a donor’s lifetime but not available to Email: [email protected] McGill until sometime in the future. www.mcgill.ca/alumni-planned

20 EDUCATION WE WANT TO HEAR WHAT’S NEW WITH YOU! The In-Focus alumni newsletter is published each year and we want to hear from you! In every edition we devote two pages of the newsletter to celebrating everything you have been up to since graduation. We also want to help you reconnect with old friends.

Please fill out the following and return via: Fax: (514) 398-1527 or Mail: Jennifer Coutlee, Alumni Relations, Faculty of Education, McGill, 3700 McTavish, Montreal, QC H3A 1Y2 SECTION

NAME: (MAIDEN IF APPLICABLE) YOUR NEWS DAUR DEGREE & YEAR OF GRADUATION

PROGRAM

EMAIL - FOR CLASSMATES TO CONTACT YOU

Your news can include: career path, family, highlights/special events in your life, travel experiences, new ventures in the works, etc. Photos are also welcome!

You can also fill out an electronic form at: www.mcgill.ca/edu-alumni/whatsnew or email: [email protected]

MCGILL ALMA MATER FUND Your gift does so much Gifts from graduates designated to the priorities of the Faculty of Education ensure that our students can participate in and learn from exciting projects that provide excellent educational opportunities and foster friendships that endure beyond the years spent here. If you have not made your 2006-2007 Alma Mater Fund gift – or if you have never given – please take this opportunity to send a gift with this form. With your help, we will continue to offer an education that is well beyond the ordinary. Thank you!

Here’s my gift of $ ‰CDN$ ‰US$ ‰ My cheque payable to McGill University is enclosed. Please direct my gift to the following area of need: ‰ You may charge my gift to my credit card: ‰Visa ‰ MasterCard ‰ American Express ‰ The Priorities of the Faculty of Education (02106) ‰ McGill’s Greatest Need (00100) ‰ Scholarships and Student Aid (02100) ‰ Libraries (02119) ‰ Athletics (02121) Signature Expiry Date: /

MATCHING GIFTS: NAME If you are a current employee, retired or the spouse or widow(er) of an employee, or a member

HOME ADDRESS of the Board of Directors for a company with a matching gift program, the company could be waiting to match your gift to McGill. Please write the name of your employer below. CITY/STATE POSTAL CODE/ZIP CODE

PHONE EMPLOYER: EMAIL Visit www.mcgill.ca/alumni-support/match to see if you employer is a matching gift company.

PERMISSION: PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM TO: McGill welcomes the opportunity to thank donors by McGill University, Gifts Services printing their names in University publications. 1430 Peel Street ‰ I permit McGill to include my name in such lists. Montreal QC H3A 3T3 ‰ I do not permit McGill to include my name in such lists. Phone: (514) 398-4436 06404

EDUCATION 21 What comes to mind when you think of education?

What is your vision of education? Send us an e-mail or fax with a brief description of what education means to you, now and into the future. We want to hear from you! Email: [email protected] | Fax: 514-398-1527

Faculty of Education