NEWSLETTER Fall 2020 Edition

Message from the Director

I said this in the spring newsletter, and somehow it is even more true now - What a year! As I write this note, I am sitting in my home, with snow on the ground (thank you, Thunder Bay), and debating on how best to set up for trick-or-treaters. Chucking candy at small children from 2m away is a bad idea, right?

Needless to say, our 20th anniversary year is off to a strange start, but our students, as always, are coming through. This year I’ve seen so many innovative ideas for conducting research, resiliency in the face of challenges, and mutual support within and amongst cohorts. You should all be very proud of the work you’ve done and the work you’re continuing to do in very challenging circumstances. We’re certainly proud to share some of that work within this newsletter.

I would like to thank all the members of the 2019-2020 Program Committee for their efforts on behalf of the program. In particular, I’d like to thank Drs. Paul Burger (Lakehead University) and Glenn Rideout (University of Windsor), who have completed their tenure on the program committee. We wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors. I’d also like to welcome Drs. Meridith Lovell-Johnston (LU) and Kara Smith (UW) who join Dr. Joyce Mgombelo (BU) and me on this year’s program committee. We’re also very pleased to welcome our new Program Administrator: Dr. Melissa Oskineegish, who has worked hard to support us through the summer.

The 2020 Doctoral Seminars were hosted online this summer, by the University of Windsor. The summer began with an orientation and welcome messages from Dr. Ken Montgomery (Dean, Faculty of Education), Dr. Kara Smith (Associate Dean, Faculty of Education), and myself. Dr. Claudia Eppert delivered a remote keynote address to students, faculty and staff on Wednesday, July 8th, 2020. Dr. Eppert is an Associate Professor of Curriculum Studies and English Language Arts Education in the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta. Her research focuses on the ethical and pedagogical complexities of witnessing social/ environmental suffering and trauma through literary, aesthetic, and contemplative engagements, and on the possibilities for psycho-social transformation and ecological well-becoming. She is co-editor of Cross- Cultural Studies in Curriculum: Eastern Thought, Educational Insights and co-editor of Between Hope and Despair: Pedagogy and the Remembrance of Historical Trauma.

I wish all of you continued physical health, mental health and safety in these difficult times. I hope wherever you are, you’re able to take a minute to congratulate yourself for all you’ve accomplished thus far. If you feel like right now you aren’t able to maintain that progress, I hope you’re being gentle with yourself. It’s a whole new world right now, and we’re all just winging it and doing our best. Feel free to reach out if you need anything.

Warmly,

Tanya Kaefer, PhD

Associate Professor & Director, Joint PhD in Educational Studies Program

1 jointphdined.org Summer 2020 Via online delivery

Orientation Gathering This year the summer sessions were a little different. Everything had to be delivered virtually which required many Faculty and staff to make adjustments and try new things in preparation for the incoming DS1 and returning DS2 students to the Summer 2020 Joint PhD in Educational Studies. On Monday July 6, 2020 a virtual Orientation Gathering was held. Dr. Tanya Kaefer, Director of the Joint PhD, began the session with opening remarks. The Summer 2020 sessions were originally planned to be held at the University of Windsor, and with that in mind, Drs. Kara Smith, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies & Research and Ken Montgomery, Dean of Education at University of Windsor welcomed everyone. The Orientation gathering also included introductions to Joint PhD staff, DS1 and DS2 instructors and ice-breaker activities. In place of the orientation breakfast, students were offered a 20 year anniversary t-shirt of the Joint Phd program.

Dr. Kara Smith (UWi) Joint PhD t-shirt Dr. Tanya Kaefer (Joint PhD Director)

2 jointphdined.org Keynote Address: 2020 Summer Session With Dr. Claudia Expert from the University of Alberta

Dr. Claudia Eppert is Associate Professor of Curriculum Studies and English Language Arts Education in the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta. Claudia kindly adjusted her presentation to fit an online format. Claudia’s presentation examined the complexities of witnessing, transformation, and ecological well- becoming in this epoch of the Anthropocene, when a million plant and animal species are threatened with extinction. She discussed how ecological destruction challenges psycho-social dynamics and pedagogies of bearing witness, and discussed ways in which transformative education might benefit from responsive/responsible engagement with the ontologies, epistemologies, and ethics of ‘wisdom traditions’ that inform many contemplative practices. With particular attention to Buddhist and Taoist/Daoist wisdom.

Students were given time to ask Claudia questions at the end of the presentation, and, in addition, Claudia joined the DS1 and DS2 virtual class the following day for further conversations about her work. Her research focuses on the ethical and pedagogical complexities of witnessing social/environmental suffering and trauma through literary, aesthetic, and contemplative engagements, and on the possibilities for psycho-social transformation and ecological well-becoming. She is co-editor of Cross-Cultural Studies in Curriculum: Eastern Thought, Educational Insights and co-editor of Between Hope and Despair: Pedagogy and the Remembrance of Historical Trauma. She has also served as co-editor of Philosophical Inquiry in Education: Journal of the Canadian Philosophy of Education Society (formerly known as Paideusis), for which she co-edited two special issues on the topic of contemplative practices, education, and socio- political transformation. She recently published “On Lack and Joy: Contextualizing educators’ suffering and well-being” in the Journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Curriculum Studies, and has a chapter in press titled “Forest Walks & Literary Engagement in the Anthropocene: Meditations on Grief, Joy, and a Restorative Politics” in M. Bussey & C. Mozzini (Eds). A Phenomenology of Grace: The Body, Embodiment, and Transformative Futures (Palgrave MacMillan). She can be reached at [email protected].

Other Summer Virtual Events The library staff at Brock University, Lakehead University, and As we all learn University of Windsor provided an online session titled Meet to conduct the Librarians, Q&A, and Library guide on July 9 for DS1 and classes, meetings, DS2 students to learn more about the services offered at and gatherings each university. Thank you to Jennifer Thiessan (BU), Gisella online a few of Scalese (LU), and Scott Cowan (UWi) for their support to our household students throughout the summer session. members have provided impromptu visits to our learning experiences. We would also like to thank our unexpected zoom guests during the summer sessions!

3 jointphdined.org Doctoral Seminar I and II

DS1: Class of 2020

Left to right, top down: Dr. Lisa Korteweg; Dr. Andrew Allen; Scott Cowan; Yuhan Deng; Jennifer Pirosko; Hyacinth Campbell; Michelle Pereira; Erica Miklas; Sabreena Macelheron; William Burton; Rahka Zabin; Michael Lyngstad; Ariadne Jevnikar; Dina Salinitri; Lindsay Shaw; Kelly Meservia-Collins; Lucas Johnson; Jennifer Cordiero; Simanjeet Kaur; Leslie Klodt; Niluja Muralitharan; Claudia Moreno; Zhengxi Liu; Jihan Jones; Dave Cormier.

DS2: Class of 2020

Left to right, top down: Xiaobin Li; Tanya Kaefer; Ghislaine Attema; Tasha Orasi; Yvonne Messenger; Chenkai Chi; Emilia Iacobelli; Emma Foong; Kailyn Kainulainen; Gelsea Pizzuto; Meghan Mynard; Maxine Britto; Robert Blom; Zachary Rondinelli; Sandra Johnstone; Atiya Razi; Lin Li; Ash Grover; Haojun Guo; Sacha Dubois; Giang Le; Wendy Forbes; Benjamin Laskar.

4 jointphdined.org Recent Graduates - 2020

Jimmy Avoseh (Lakehead University, 2014) On October 7, 2020, Jimmy successfully defended his PhD Dissertation entitled “Engaging Multiple Representations in Grade Eight: Exploring Mathematics Teachers’ Perspectives and Instructional Practices”. Jimmy’s supervisor was Dr. Ann Kajander.

Ziad Dabaja (University of Windsor, 2016) On August 27, 2020, Ziad successfully defended his PhD Dissertation entitled “An Explorative Case Study of the Perceptions and Attitudes of Lebanese School Educators Towards the Integration of Outdoor Education in the Teaching of School Curricula”. Ziad’s supervisor was Dr. Dragana Martinovic.

Linda Ismailos (Brock University, 2016) On June 22, 2020, Linda successfully defended her PhD Dissertation entitled “Perceptions of Change in Self-Efficacy to Pursue Postsecondary Education for Students with Exceptionalities Participating in a Postsecondary Transition Program”. Linda’s supervisor was Dr. Tiffany Gallagher.

Edwin Laryea (Brock University, 2012) On September 3, 2020, Edwin successfully defended his PhD Dissertation entitled “Exploring the Factors That African Refugee-Background Students Identify as Being Helpful to Their Academic Success”. Edwin’s supervisor was Dr. Denise Armstrong.

Jessica Msofe (Lakehead University, 2016) On May 5, 2020, Jessica successfully defended her PhD Dissertation entitled “Focusing on the Future: Congolese Students’ Perceptions of and Experiences with Secondary Education in Nyarugusu Camp”. Jessica’s supervisor was Dr. Seth Agbo.

5 jointphdined.org Comprehensive Portfolio Defences 2020

Helen DeWaard Holly Prince (Lakehead University, 2018) (Lakehead University, 2018) Helen successfully defended her PhD Holly successfully defended her PhD Comprehensive Portfolio on July 17, 2020 at Comprehensive Portfolio defence on October 6, Lakehead University. The title of her Portfolio 2020 at Lakehead University. The title of her is “Step by Step into the Labyrinth”. Dr. Angela Portfolio is: “Gikendamowin Daagikendaagwad van Barneveld is Helen’s supervisor. - Nibwaakaawin Inaadizin (Knowledge Can Be Learned - Wisdom Must Be Lived)”. Dr. Lisa Min Huang Korteweg is Holly’s supervisor. (Brock University, 2018) Soheila Shahmohammdi Min successfully defended her PhD (Brock University, 2017) Comprehensive Portfolio Defence on August 14, 2020, at Brock University. The title of her Soheila successfully defended her PhD Portfolio is: “Navigating the research sea: Comprehensive Portfolio on June 25, 2020 Exploring the potentials for mobile devices for at Brock University. The title of her Portfolio student engagement”. Dr. Dianne Collier is was “Seeking Knowledge from East to West: A Min’s supervisor. Reflection on My Doctoral Journey”. Dr. Kamini Jaipal Jamani is Soheila’s supervisor.

6 jointphdined.org Publications

Elizabeth Boileau (Lakehead University, 2016) Boileau, E. Y. S., & Dabaja, Z. F. (2020). Forest School Practice in Canada: A survey study. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42322-020-00057-4

Chenkai Chi (University of Windsor, 2019) Chi, C. K. (2020). A Book Review on Knowledge that Counts in a Global Community: Exploring the Contribution of Integrated Curriculum [review of the book knowledge that counts in a global community: exploring the contribution of integrated curriculum, by L. Rennie, G. Venville & J. Wallace], Journal of Teaching and Learning, 14(2), 70-72.

Helen DeWaard (Lakehead University, 2018) DeWaard, H., & Hoechsmann, M. (2020). Landscape and terrain of digital literacy policy and practice: Canada in the twenty-first century. In D. Frau-Meigs, S. Kotilainen, M. Pathak-Shelat, M. Hoechsmann, & S. R. Poyntz (Eds.), Handbook on media education research: Contributions from an evolving field (pp. 363–371). John Wiley & Sons, Inc. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/ doi/10.1002/9781119166900.ch34

DeWaard, H. J. (2020). Teaching, learning, literacy in our high-risk high-tech world: A framework for becoming human, 2017. By J. P. Gee. Teachers College Press. 184 pages. ISBN 978-0-8077-5860-1. Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology / La Revue Canadienne de l’apprentissage et de La Technologie, 46(1). https://doi.org/10.21432/cjlt27939

DeWaard, H. (2020). Becoming an open educator: towards an open threshold framework - A review. In R. Farrow (Ed.), GO-GN Research review (2020) (pp. 24–25). Global OER Graduate Network. http://go-gn.net/gogn_outputs/research-review-summer-2020/

Ash Grover (Brock University, 2019) Grover, A. (2020). An Exploration of Discourses on Niagara Falls: Feminist Praxis in the Exhibition 1779. In K. Sanford, D.E. Clover, N. Taber, & S. Williamson (Eds.), Feminist critique and the museum: Educating for a critical consciousness. Brill Publishing.

Terry Trzecak (Brock University, 2016) Pahl, K., Roswell, J., with Collier, D., Pool, S., Rasool, Z., & Trzecak, T. (2020). Living literacies: Literacy for Social Change. Cambridge, MA: MIT press.

7 jointphdined.org Presentations

Elizabeth Boileau (Lakehead University, 2016) Boileau, E. Y. S., (2020, October). Exploring affective relations with the more-than-human world at forest school. North American Association for Environmental Education Research Symposium [virtual].

Boileau, E. Y. S., & Born, P. (2020, July). A post-human perspective on child-animal encounters. Natural Start Alliance’s Nature-based early learning annual conference [virtual].

Helen DeWaard (Lakehead University, 2018) Irvine, V., Roberts, V., & DeWaard, H. (2020, Sept 1). Relational Online Learning. Darwin University Faculty Days, Darwin University, Australia.

Lucas Johnson (Lakehead University, 2020) Johnson, L. (2020, Sept. 16). Zoom Tips and Tricks Session. Faculty Workshop, [virtual].

Johnson, L. (2020, Oct. 21). Google Classroom for Teachers. Professional Year Seminar, [virtual].

Johnson, L. (2020, Nov. 4). When All Tech Fails. Professional Year Seminar, [virtual].

8 jointphdined.org Grants & Awards

Will Burton (Lakehead University, 2020) Will was awarded a 2020 Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence in STEM for his work at Maples Met School, a public project-based learning high school in Seven Oaks School Division in Winnipeg. Details here: https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/pmate-ppmee.nsf/eng/wz02443.html with an article from The Times here: https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/times/Maples- Met-educator-earns-teaching-excellence-award-572772571.html

Chenkai Chi (University of Windsor, 2019) Chenkai is part of a team who was awarded the Research Collaborator, Research Stimulus Fund Grant (RSFG). The research project is titled: An International and Comparative Study of Primary School Teacher Education Models: Generalist Teachers vs. Specialist Teachers in Primary Schools. Funded by University of Windsor, Canada. Principal Investigator: Dr. Shijing Xu.

Helen DeWaard (Lakehead University, 2018) Helen was awarded the Canadian Network for Innovation in Education (CNIE), AMTEC Trust Award 2020, Video celebration is available on the link (4:56 min mark) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CU Oj8FtI2yWK_3Io5Ubx7yEFdJGB3Mu-/view

Lucas Johnson (Lakehead University, 2020) In July 2020, Lucas was awarded the Mitacs Research Training Award (RTA) with a grant for the internship period of Aug 3, 2020 - Dec 2, 2020.

Rakha Zabin (Brock University, 2020) Rahka was chosen for the outstanding thesis/MRP award for the 2019–2020 academic year.

Rakha’s MRP is titled The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Ontario University Educational Policies for International Graduate Students: A Conceptual, Institutional and Auto-Ethnographic Analysis. Rakha’s supervisor is Dr. Sandra Bosaki.

Congratulations to all!!!

9 jointphdined.org Alumni profiles Class of 2000

Dr. Snežana Obradović-Ratković (Brock University, 2014 - Social/Cultural/Political Contexts of Education) Research Officer, educator, and award-winning scholar in the Faculty of Education, Brock University. Dr. Obradović-Ratković works within the Associate Dean, Graduate Student Services, Research, and International Office, collaborating with faculty members, staff members, and diverse Faculty of Education (FoE) and Brock University units, including Brock University Office of Research Services, James A. Gibson Library, and the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

In her role as Research Officer, Dr. Obradović-Ratković is responsible for supporting and sustaining a vibrant scholarly community within FoE for faculty, staff, and student researchers. She oversees the research education programs, administrative affairs of the FoE Research Matters Office, physical laboratory and office space, and the recently established The Writing Studio: A Space for Academic and Professional Writing Development (The Writing Studio). The Writing Studio offers workshops, tutorials, mindful writing sessions, proofreading services, one-on-one consultations, and Writerly Wednesdays. This writing community welcomes graduate and undergraduate students, active and retired faculty members, staff members, alumni, and community experts who have an interest or expertise in writing and publishing.

Dr. Obradović-Ratković has 29 years of teaching experience across elementary, secondary, undergraduate, and graduate educational contexts in Yugoslavia (Croatia and Serbia), and Canada. She has taught biology, chemistry, environmental science, higher level thinking in science and mathematics, diversity in education, educational research, and academic writing and publishing. Dr. Obradović-Ratković has supervised and mentored eight graduate students and 25 research assistants. In 2018, she was awarded the Marilyn Rose Graduate Leadership Award for demonstrating leadership in enhancing graduate studies at Brock University.

As a refugee woman teacher from Yugoslavia, who arrived in Canada in 1998 not speaking English, she remained committed to enhancing the scholarship of migration, indigeneity, and teacher education. Since 2007, she has published over 30 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and research reports. Dr. Obradović-Ratković coedited an international monograph, New Approaches to Research Methodology in Education, published by the Faculty of Teacher Education, University of Zagreb, Croatia. She served as guest co-editor for special issues of Brock Education: A Journal of Educational Research and Practice and Teaching and Learning. Since 2015, Dr. Obradović-Ratković has assumed the role of book review co-editor for Brock Education. She also serves as editorial board member of Nova Škola, an academic journal published by the Faculty of Teacher Education, University of Bijeljina, Republika Srpska.

In 2017, Dr. Ratković collaborated with Brock faculty, graduate students, and local Indigenous artists to develop a play honouring refugee and Indigenous women’s voices in Niagara, on the traditional territory of Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. The project mobilized the research findings of Dr. Obradović- Ratković’s doctoral dissertation through poetry, music, visual arts, and playbuilding. The play was performed at the In the Soil Arts Festival and the Festival of Readers. Dedicated to knowledge translation and knowledge mobilization, she has co-authored videos and a webinar, organized conferences and research-to- practice festivals, and facilitated academic writing retreats for faculty and students.

Dr. Obradović-Ratković is mother to Bojan and Igor, mother-in-law to Stephanie, and grandmother to Stefan Dušan.

If you would like to contact Dr. Obradović-Ratković, please email her at [email protected]

10 jointphdined.org Alumni profiles continued

Dr. Deanna Pecaski McLennan (The University of Windsor, 2008 - Social/Cultural/Political Contexts of Education) Deanna is a passionate early childhood educator, researcher, and writer from Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada who has spent over twenty years working with young children (Greater Essex County District School Board). As a teacher in Ontario’s Full Day Kindergarten program she has devoted her research and practice to exploring the potential for rich mathematics learning through playful inquiry and exploration. She instructs courses for the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario, University of Windsor, and Queen’s University. She appreciates looking at life through a mathematical lens, and recognizes opportunities for authentic, complex engagement in all experiences children have while at school. She was recently awarded the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence in STEM (https:// bit.ly/3krFLcD).

Deanna is also a mom to three children and knows firsthand the importance of supporting and improving their confidence, fluency, and accuracy in mathematics. She considers herself a lifelong learner and has spent the last several years transforming her classroom into a safe and supportive space where children can take risks without the use of rigid programming, rote practice or worksheets. Deanna believes that educators benefit from sharing their journeys with one another and actively uses reflective writing, technology, and social media to connect with others. She has built a large professional learning network and enjoys collaborating with educators from around the world. You can follow her inquiry-based mathematical adventures by connecting with her on Twitter and Instagram (@McLennan1977).

Part of Deanna’s journey has involved writing extensively and she has published over thirty articles in early childhood and mathematical journals including Young Children, Teaching Young Children, Teaching Children Mathematics, and Journal of Early Childhood Education. Deanna has also published books regarding math in early childhood including Joyful Math: Invitations to Play and Explore in the Early Childhood Classroom (Stenhouse, 2020), Kindercoding Unplugged: Screen-Free Activities for Beginners (Redleaf Press, 2020) and Embracing Math: Cultivating a Mindset for Exploring and Learning (NAEYC, 2020). She is a passionate advocate who feels deeply that the investments we make in the lives of young children benefit our society tremendously over time. She has archived over one thousand entries on her educational blog (www.mrsmclennan.blogspot.ca). Deanna uses her writing and large social media following to provoke conversations about the role math plays in emergent programs, and how educators can cultivate children’s mathematical mindset while still honouring their interests, strengths and needs. She prides herself on being an educator in, and advocate for, Ontario’s publicly funded education system. If you would like to connect with Dr. Pecaski McLennan, please email her at [email protected].

11 jointphdined.org Alumni profiles continued

Dr. Leigh Potvin (Lakehead University, 2017 - Social/Cultural/Political Contexts of Education) Leigh (she/her) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Experiential Studies in Community and Sport at Cape Breton University in Sydney, NS. A white, settler woman, she is grateful to work in Unama’ki. Leigh holds a University Research Chair in Equity and Food Justice (SSHRC Exchange). The focus of this project is guided by her interest in food justice and community- based research, particularly cultivating respectful relationships amongst people and with the Land. Her other SSHRC-funded projects focus on food experiences and governance systems in Cape Breton and Nova Scotia (Insight; Partnership Engage).

As an educator, Leigh’s equity-informed, anti-oppressive pedagogy takes shape in experiential learning opportunities for students. From hands- on research experiences and community-based learning activities, Leigh encourages students to go beyond classrooms into communities to cultivate relationships and make positive change.

Leigh’s commitment to social justice activism and the communities/organizations she works with were nurtured and supported during her time in the M. Ed and PhD at Lakehead University. She is excited about a new chapter in her career as she returns to Lakehead University in January within the School of Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism assuming the position of Director and Assistant Professor.

Office of the Joint PhD Secretariat Faculty of Education, Lakehead University 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1 Telephone: (807) 343-8891 Email: [email protected] www.jointphdined.org

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