Instructor Biographies

Jane Campbell has worked with International Education at York University to deliver a course in Canadian Culture and Literature with a focus on material relevant for teaching the English language in elementary and secondary school classrooms. Jane has taught in a variety of learning environments and has served as the head of English as a Second Language (ESL) departments in both adult and secondary schools.

Judi Cragg has been an educator in the Ontario school system for 32 years, in the Ottawa and Toronto areas. Her experience includes over 20 years teaching French as a Second Language, Special Education, English as a Second Language, and Dramatic Arts.

Karl is a Master of Education candidate at York University, with research interests in sustainability and global education issues. An OCT and writer, Karl has participated in development projects in Central America, the Caribbean, and the southern United States. Karl is a past board member of Peacework International.

Beverly Gorsline has taught a number of International Education programs at York University, and has assisted with, coordinated, and taught Faculty of Education professional development programs.

After retiring as a principal with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), Beverly began providing professional development for the Ontario Principals' Council (OPC) and teaching additional qualification (AQ) courses for teachers considering administrative positions. At York University, she has worked with groups of educators and teacher candidates form Hong Kong, Switzerland, and P.R. China.

Lindsey currently teaches in York University English Language Institute (YUELI) as well as in the Faculty of Education at York University. In addition to teaching ESL for academic purposes, Lindsey has worked as a teacher trainer, program coordinator, as well as curriculum and online course developer. She has published numerous ESL textbooks for elementary grades as well as resource books for ESL teachers. Lindsey has also worked as a pedagogical consultant in various locations abroad.

Terry Lawlor has over thirty years of experience in education as an elementary classroom instructor, administrator, and tertiary course instructor. Working with York University's Faculty of Education, Terry has taught the Principals Qualification Program (PQP) course, Canadian Culture and Literature, and programming for school administrators.

Kathy's 35 years of teaching experience includes teaching grade classroom, enrichment and remedial programs and English language learners of all ages. As an ESL Instructional Leader, Kathy provided professional development for teachers for many years at the Toronto District School Board. She has taught ESL Additional Qualification courses for York University, contributed to currently used language arts texts and has presented at local and international conferences.

Camille has been an educator for the past 20 years in the York Region District School Board. Camille was seconded to York University for two years as a Course Director from her position as an elementary school principal in the York Region District School Board. Throughout Camille's career she has been actively involved in addressing issues of anti-racism, equity and inclusive education in schooling at the regional and provincial levels. Most recently Camille was involved in the development of the Ministry of Education's Equity and Inclusive Strategy document, which outlines expectations for school boards regarding implementation of inclusive approaches to education in schools and school districts across the province.

Joanne Millard has been teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) to university students, immigrants to Canada, and instructors since 1981. Joanne currently teaches for York University, including a certificate program in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), and Ethnography in a Community Context and TESOL Methodology for International Education. She has also delivered programs to international pre-service teachers and practicing English teachers.

Susan Popplewell has taught secondary school English in Toronto for 30 years, with some overseas teaching in England. She has been a course director for York University since 2002, teaching English in the Middle and Senior Divisions for the Faculty of Education and Canadian Literature and Culture for International Education.

Sheena D. Robertson has been an expert in the field of drama, literacy, and equity consulting for over 15 years. She uses this experience to teach drama, create learning resources, and direct film and theatre productions.

Sheena currently teaches Drama for Educators at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto and Dramatic Techniques for Teaching ESL with York University's International Education office.

Trish Skrzypczyk taught English and English as a Second Language (ESL) in secondary schools before joining the Faculty of Education to work with pre-service English teachers from the Hong Kong Institute of Education. In addition, she has been course director for Studies in Popular Culture and Education, and Teaching English in the Intermediate/Senior Division.

Robert Wager has worked with International Education at York University's Faculty of Education to deliver professional development programs to teachers and administrators from technical schools nd vocational colleges.

For the past ten years, Robert has been a program coordinator for the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) in technological education, and a member of the Conference Board of Canada. He has conducted research and lectures across Canada on the critical relationship between education and the health/wealth of a nation, and is currently an instructor with York's Faculty of Education.

Jennifer Watt has worked with International Education at York University's Faculty of Education to deliver professional development programs to teachers and administrators from China and Bangladesh. She also was the instructor for a curriculum and teaching methodologies seminar for internationally educated teachers.

For the past twenty years, Jennifer has been a high school History and Social Science teacher, and Instructional Leader in the Canadian and World Studies Department at Toronto District School Board (TDSB), and a seconded Education Officer at the Ontario Ministry of Education. She is currently the Practicum Coordinator at York's Faculty of Education and is pursuing her doctorate in the field of Teacher Education. She is the author of several textbooks used in Ontario high school History, Civics, and Social Science classrooms.

Magdalena Weller's years of experience include teaching elementary and secondary school English and Dramatic Arts, Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association (OECTA) professional development courses, and programs for English Teachers with York University's International Education office.

Lorna is a course director in Dramatic Arts in the intermediate and senior divisions at York University's Faculty of Education. Lorna has worked with International Education to teach Expanding Oral Language through Drama to new and experienced English teachers.