Curriculum Vitae
Education
M.Ed., University of Victoria: Curriculum, Technology, Adult Education Major Project: Designing Curriculum
B.Ed. (with distinction), University of Alberta: English, Intercultural Specializing in English and Indigenous education
Awards Received
First Prize Sunshine Coast Writers Guild for Under the Midnight Sun
Leadership Victoria for contributions to Lifelong Learning
Arctic Inspiration Prize for Dene Hero Publication Project
University Women’s Club for Trailblazer
Rutherford Award for Excellence in Written Communication
Southam Paragon Award for Outstanding Achievement
XV Commonwealth Games Award for Public Speaking
Austin O’Brien Award for Excellence in Teaching
Post-Secondary Courses Taught (online, blended and face-to-face) 1995 – ongoing
MAGL640 “Capstone Project in Global Leadership” (Master of Arts in Global Leadership, RRU)
EDLM520 / 525 “Developing Leadership Capacity Through Reflective Practice” (M.A. in Educational Leadership and Management, RRU)
EDLM570 “Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment” (M.A. in Educ. Leadership and Management, RRU)
EDLM510 “Research for School Improvement” (MA in Educational Leadership and Management, RRU)
HSPB510 “Communications, the Media and the Social Construction of Insecurity” (M.A. in Human Security and Peacebuilding, RRU)
PCOM550 “Organizational Communication” (M.A. in Professional Communication, RRU)
ENMN485 “Change Management” (B. Comm. In Entrepreneurial Management, RRU)
COMM300, COMM490 “Foundations of Communication” (B.A. in Professional Communication, RRU)
EDCA401 “Instructional Design” (Cert. in Adult and Continuing Education, University of Victoria)
JUST205 “Environmental Justice” (Justice Studies, Royal Roads University)
HUMN101 “Global Studies” (Bachelor of Business Administration, Royal Roads University)
IHMN201 “The Business of Tourism” (Hospitality and Tourism Management, Royal Roads University)
IHMN224 “Strategic Hotel Management” (Hospitality and Tourism Management, RRU)
COMM207 “Understanding Consumer and Material Culture” (B.A. in Professional Communication, RRU)
“Workplace Communication” (Leadership Development Program, Camosun College)
“Strength Through Diversity” (Leadership Development Program, Camosun College)
BUSINESS150 “Introduction to Management” (School of Business, Camosun College)
Designed, developed, delivered and evaluated the Leadership Development Certificate Program for Camosun College and more than twenty courses and workshops such as: Interpersonal Communication, Workplace Etiquette, Successful Sales Skills, Resume Writing, Powerful Presentations, and others; Contract Training and Hospitality/Tourism (EcoTourism Leadership, Communication Skills, Customer Service); Access Program (Adult Basic Education)
Conduct professional development workshops for teachers in Kenya and BC; topics include assessment, strategies for student engagement, instructional methodology, curriculum development
Personal Attributes: Characterized by colleagues and students as inspirational, reliable, energetic and able to work effectively with a wide range of people.
Overseas Experience
Ecuador: Communications Strategy Advisor for Maquita (fair trade social enterprise) Mongolia: in partnership with Global Affairs Canada, CESO and Mongolia’s National Academy of Governance, I designed and facilitated training workshops for 20,000 civil service workers.
Istanbul, Turkey: participate and work with graduate students at the ICSHPER Conference (International Council for Sport, Health, Physical Education and Recreation)
Rural China: Empowering Women of Rural China, RRU and EGRC
Beijing, China (Municipal Education Committee): teach EDLM510 and EDLM520 to Chinese school leaders for the MAELM program, RRU.
Jinhua, China: teach IHMN224 Strategic Planning at Jinhua Polytechnical University
Hanoi, Vietnam: develop and facilitate workshop on Change Management for participants in CIDA’s JUDGE project (Judicial Development and Grassroots Engagement)
Kenya (Laikipia, Naivasha): develop and facilitate professional development workshops for K – 12 teachers with Education Beyond Borders; Taita Taveta — marketing advisor
United Arab Emirates: research post-secondary education at colleges and universities (Dubai, Raz al Khaimah, al Fujayrah, Sharjah)
Recent Publications
Dene Strong (Editor, 2022) Under the Midnight Sun: Journey with the Sahtu Dene 2021 memoir (Awarded First Prize for Non-Fiction by the Sunshine Coast Writers Guild, 2023)
Dene Heroes of the Sahtu, Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4 (Editor, 2016 – 2020) Our Family 2021
Education Canada: “Voice of Experience: Love Letters” ; “Appreciative Assessment: Inquire!” http://www.cea-ace.ca/education-canada/article/appreciative-assessment-inquire ; “Engaging Students Through Effective Questions” http://www.cea-ace.ca/education-canada/article/engaging-students-through-effective-questions
Engage Me or Enrage Me – Battle Cry of Adolescent Learners (professional development book for teachers, in progress)
Governance and Security as a Unitary Concept chapter “Growing Up Kikuyu” (March, 2013)
“Career Pathways for Aboriginal Youth” for the Society for the Advancement of Excellence in Education
“Make Your Peace” project and handbook for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games
“Leading Sustainable Change in an Education System” Australian Association for Research in Education (published online by AARE and Royal Roads University, 2009)
Educational publications for BC Ministry of Education: Grad Planners, Parent Guides, policy documents, reports, pamphlets, brochures
Educational media: 52 hour-long radio broadcasts for ACCESS CKUA, various television and radio scripts for ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists)
Tree Tales publication to accompany software for Grades 4 – 8 Science teachers
Monthly columns for Edmonton Magazine; Feature articles for Edmonton Sun, Foresight, Island Parent; Articles for U VIC Centre for Youth and Society newsletter and many other publications
Youtube presentation at RRU on “Education Beyond Borders,” facilitating professional development workshops for teachers in Kenya: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_OD_3YItTM&sns=em
For a list of publications and short bio, see: http://camosun.ca.libguides.com/c.php?g=92384&p=597846
Speaking Engagements As keynote speaker, presenter, panel member and workshop facilitator, I have addressed more than 5,000 people globally in large and small audiences. In addition to presenting in Australia, Vietnam and Kenya, I have delivered keynotes to UBC, SFU, Vancouver Island University, UVIC, UNBC and many other organizations.
Professional Experience - Various BC government positions: 2000 – 2010
Student Transitions Unit, Initiatives Department, BC Ministry of Education
Partnerships and Planning, BC Min of Education: Special Projects Manager; Strategic Services and Special Programs, Program Consultant
Responsible for policy development and implementation of report card policies and graduation program requirements for 170,000 secondary school students
Plan and implement province-wide initiatives: develop vision, scope and sequence, research, consult with stakeholders, establish data integrity, identify options and risks, recommend policies, set budget, timelines and performance measures, evaluate and report results
Represent the ministry to stakeholders; lead teams of education professionals, parents, ministry staff and others; chair committees
Collaborate with School Districts and post-secondary institutions to clarify admission standards, rationales, programs of study and policies
Communications and Corporate Relations Manager and A/Director, Human Resources Planning Advisor, Strategic Communications Planner
Other Work Experience
Management Consultant (Petch & Associates); Senior Account Executive (Southam Paragon); Owner / Operator (Intermax Advertising Agency); Public Relations Manager (Kaleidoscope Theatre); college instructor; Teacher / Department Head (Edmonton Catholic School Board); ESL instructor (U Vic); Free-lance educational writer / broadcaster, spokesperson (Alberta media: ACCESS Radio and Television Broadcasting)
Professional Development (Completed webinars, workshops and courses)
Online Instructional Skills, Moodle Skills, BlackBoard Collaborate Moderator Level 3, Maximizing Global Leadership, Tri-Council Policy Statement on Ethical Research, Project Management, Media Relations, Web Writing, Leadership Action, Organizational Change, Cognitive Leadership Strategies, Discrimination Prevention, Fundamentals of Supervision, On-Line Strategic Communications, Issues Management, Speech Writing, Freedom of Information / Protection of Privacy, Contract Management, Parliamentary Procedure, Facilitating Meetings, Focus Group Research, Brain-Based Learning, Moving to Virtual Classrooms, Creative Presentations, Instructional Skills Workshop, Chartered Life Underwriter, Canadian Securities Commission course, BC SuperHost, Coaching Colleagues to Greater Effectiveness, Toastmasters International, CPR Certificate
Consistently excellent student evaluations: University of Victoria, Royal Roads University, Camosun College
Designed, developed and delivered hundreds of professional development workshops
Travelled to Ecuador, Kenya, Turkey, China, Vietnam, Peru and the United Arab Emirates to conduct workshops and education research
Volunteer Activities And Associations Mentor: CESO (Canadian Executive Services); Member: Leadership Victoria (Program Committee member and workshop facilitator); Executive Member: Education Beyond Borders (conducting professional development workshops in Kenya and BC); Member: Research Ethics Board, Royal Roads University; Member: Selection Committee, Kelly Outstanding Teaching Awards; Judge: Dare2Bdigital educational technology competition (BCcampus); Foreman: Jury trial; Chair: Governor General’s Award and Champions of Change nominating committees; Awards Presenter: Times-Colonist 10K Run; First Nations Liaison: SD#63; District Representative: Lochside School, Royal Oak and Claremont Parent Advisory Councils; Sponsor: Major Research Project, Human Security and Peacebuilding; Parent Rep: International Student Committee, Aboriginal Committee, SD #63; Treasurer: Cordova Bay Girl Guides; Coach: soccer, skiing, volleyball, badminton; Secretary: Campus View Parent Advisory Council; Member: Speakers’ Bureau (Commonwealth Games XV and IX); Hostess: BC Summer Games; Coordinator: Claremont High School Dry Grad; Fundraiser: Heart & Stroke Foundation; Committee member: Canadian Public Relations Society conference; Member: ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) Writers Guild and Performers Guild; Auditor: School District #8 Review team; Fundraiser: Red Cross (Pakistan Flood Relief); Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation; Program Committee Member: Leadership Victoria; Charter Member: RRU Toastmasters International
K – 12 Teaching Experience
Grades 8 – 10 English, Social Studies (16 years); K – 12 (all subjects, TOC for 2 years)
Coached volleyball, badminton, cheerleading, choral music, soccer, skiing
Coordinated and supervised: graduation class activities, football games, dances, drama productions, field trips, retreats, fairs, various additional extra-curricular activities
Supervised student teachers from University of Alberta
Demonstrated teaching techniques on camera (3 videotapes for U of A teachers in training)
K – 12 Leadership Experience
Graduation Program Coordinator: BC Ministry of Education; teacher selection committees
Member of District Review Team: Accountability Contract, SD #8
Participated on Admissions Review Committees (University of Victoria), cross-sector Portfolio Committees (SFU, UBC, BCIT), other educational committees
Successful collaboration with partners in BC’s K – 12 education system (i.e., BCPVPA, BCSSA, BCSTA, BCCPAC, BCTF, EAC, FNESC, FISA)
Publications (parent information booklets, Grad Planners, many others)
Web site launch, development, maintenance
Graduation Program requirements, legislation, policies; Report Card policies
Contract management; budget development and management
Province-wide project direction: design/promote/maintain electronic ListServ (1500 educators), develop publications, facilitate workshops, speak and present at conferences, manage budgets, respond to sensitive correspondence, create awards, coordinate Webcasts and other responsibilities