Join us for an information session to learn more about UBCO’s 16-month Bachelor of Education (BEd) program. This session is designed to provide you with insights into the admissions requirements, application process, program highlights and more! The session will be comprised of a brief presentation and an opportunity to ask questions.

Wednesday, April 16, 2025
3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Online via Zoom

REGISTER

While this session will be in English, it is suitable for those interested in learning more about the BEd, French pathways. 

Can’t make the session? Reach out to us at education.ubco@ubc.ca if you have any program questions! We will also email the highlights of the presentation and the questions asked following the session if you join our Interested BEd Applicant Email list.

The UBC Faculty of Education Global Speaker Series on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Inclusion is an annual event that addresses some of society’s most pressing priorities by sharing and learning from stories from around the world. Hosted by Dean Jan Hare, an advocate for inclusive education, this event is made possible with the generous support of esteemed donor Dr. Robert Quartermain.

Distinguished Speaker

Dr. Dennis Francis (he/him) is a renowned South African scholar and activist specializing in the sociology of education with a focus on gender, sexualities, and educational practices. He is a former dean of education and currently serves as a professor at the University of Glasgow, UK. His research critically examines how educational structures, discourses, and practices reproduce and resist cisheteronormativity and social inequality in education, and how these are also resisted and challenged. Informed by queer feminist, critical, and poststructuralist theories, his recent books are Troubling the Teaching and Learning of Gender and Sexuality Diversity in South African Education and Queer Activism in South African Education: Disrupting Cis(hetero)normativity in Schools.

Date and Time

Thursday, February 13, 2025

4:30 pm PST: Doors open
5:30 pm PST: Program begins
7:00 pm PST: Event concludes

Virtual Livestream

Registrants will receive the livestream link via email closer to the event day.

In-Person

Marine Drive Ballroom
2205 Lower Mall
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada
V6T 1Z4

Register

After hearing his brother’s enthusiasm and passion while he was teaching English in Japan, Luke Roblesky, BSc ’24, BEd ‘25, was intrigued. He found a program in Thailand that offered a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate and job opportunities upon completion.

“It was four weeks of TEFL training,” says Roblesky with a smile. “Compared to the BEd, it was such a light brush on teaching. Very basic strategies on how to teach English to language learners.”

While initially Roblesky had anticipated the experience to be a working holiday, he found a shift in his perspective a couple months into teaching at a middle school.

“As the time went on, I realized I really enjoyed teaching,” he says. “I enjoyed the whole experience.”

After teaching in Thailand for two years, he decided to come back to Canada to further his education and pursue another field – Computer Science.

“I wasn’t set on going into teaching,” he says. “When I came back to Canada I was torn between teaching and working in the technology field. I had friends pursuing their Computer Science major at UBCO and decided to apply as well.”

He was two years into his degree, and in the thick of a heavy class load as well as an internship position, when he began to reflect on what would be next.

“I couldn’t see myself sitting in front of a computer for the rest of my life as my full-time career. The internship was a great experience, but I realized I missed the interactions that teaching had provided.”

Roblesky adds that his path towards becoming a teacher may have taken longer than he had planned.

“I’ve had conversations with peers who have had all kinds of different jobs that then found their own unique path to teaching, and I think when you take a longer path to get there, you bring a lot of valuable experience and ideas with you to the classroom.”

For individuals who may be interested in pursuing teaching as a new career, Roblesky recommends gaining different types of volunteer experiences and following the advice his field advisor once shared: always “be curious.” For example, if you have volunteered in a high-school math class, try exploring opportunities at the middle school level, or even look into programs outside the classroom setting.

In what could be seen as a full circle moment, Roblesky completed his final practicum experience in a middle school.

“When I set out to become a teacher, I thought I would be teaching math, science or computer science,” he says. “I never thought that I would teach inquiry-based social studies, or lead a drama station on a school field trip. It’s been a good experience for me to stretch and press myself beyond what I thought I would be doing.”

Writing Queer Utopias: Queer Thriving and Decolonial Futurity is a three day immersive co-creating ‘retreat’. There will be writing, world building, a little lecturing, self-reflection, and even some drawing! Ultimately, this event is about building community and resilience by throwing everyone into a (fun) creative crucible. The free event is open to all queer UBC Vancouver undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral students.

It will take place January 17, 18, and 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with breaks for meals and stretching.

Sessions will include:

• ‘Self-museum’ self-reflection with a poet.
• Crash course in speculative ethnography with a cultural anthropologist.
• World building using the tabletop game Microscope.
• Writing against settler-colonization with a Cree 2S literary futurist.
• Generative writing and workshopping sessions throughout with a trans novelist.
• Lots of time to drink tea and write or stare at the ceiling and think.

Instructors for the session include jaz papadopoulos, Joshua Whitehead, Róisín Seifert and A.E. Osworth.

There will be a (optional) live reading of work produced a few weeks after the event (date to be announced).

Register

Follow Queer Thriving UBC on Instagram for event updates.

This is event is cohosted by the Okanagan School of Education and UBC Vancouver School of Creative Writing. The intensive is supported by UBC Wellness and UBC Strategic Initiative Equity Funding.

Another event will be held on the UBC Okanagan campus in spring 2025.

Artist: Viktor Olynyk

As the challenges of wildland firefighting grow increasingly complex, the need for mental resilience among wildfire personnel becomes paramount. For Dan Clouston, MEd ‘24, this realization sparked an exploration into how mindfulness-based practices can support those working in high-stress environments.

Having worked the last two seasons as a rapattack wildland firefighter with the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), Clouston gained firsthand insight into the challenges and stressors of the job – from physical and mental to interpersonal and environmental.

Dan Clouston

Motivated by his own journey, Clouston set out to explore how he could integrate mindfulness-based training into the BCWS. “Mindfulness-based practices have had, and continue to have, a transformative impact on my life. I feel fortunate to explore integrating this approach into the BCWS as it may support my coworkers in navigating stress and trauma they encounter,” he says.

His research focused on creating a guidebook that introduces mindfulness-based concepts tailored to wildfire personnel. The guidebook is illustrated by graphic artist Viktor Olynyk, also affiliated with the BCWS. Says Clouston, “I hope to make mindfulness-based training accessible and relatable, allowing my coworkers to incorporate these practices into their daily routines.”

Clouston’s illustrated guidebook also serves as a possible pathway toward Mindfulness-Based Mind Fitness Training (MMFT®) – a program aimed at enhancing mental resilience for people working in high-stress environments. Developed by Dr. Elizabeth Stanley at Georgetown University, research shows that MMFT® trains people to function well during and after stressful and traumatic experiences.

As a recent graduate, Clouston hopes his project can expand beyond wildfire agencies to benefit others in high-stress situations. “In today’s world, there are a lot of challenges, disruptions, and uncertainties on the horizon,” he explains. “I believe mindfulness-based practices can empower individuals and communities to navigate these complexities with courage, resiliency, grace, and wisdom, ultimately supporting positive transformational change.”

For students considering a master’s program, Clouston encourages them to remain open to the journey ahead. “As an avid adventurer, I have been fortunate to go on many canoe expeditions. These trips have shaped me as a person and how I view education. On a river trip you never really know what’s around the corner – you can study maps, forecast the weather, strap down gear – yet ultimately paddling down a river is a journey into the unknown. That unknown can sometimes feel scary, sometimes inspiring, sometimes beautiful. I think education is also a journey into the unknown; learning is a process of coming to know things we do not yet know. I feel fortunate to have found a flow within my own master’s journey. There was so much unexpected along the way: from challenging times, to serendipitous moments, to deep learning. My best advice would be to stay open to it all – and enjoy the river.”

***

In recognition of his transformational, creative and interdisciplinary research, Clouston received the Vicki Green Graduate Award on September 12, 2024.

“Being selected for the Vicki Green award is a real honour, and feels like a trail marker on an ongoing research journey,” he says. “It means a lot to be recognized for a project which I truly believe in. I had the pleasure of meeting with Dr. Green in June, and we had a lovely conversation covering many topics. In a roundabout way, this award has also inspired me to start fly fishing!”

The UBC Okanagan Library is hosting their first Okanagan Reads book club on October 21. The first book that will be discussed is White Space: Race, Privilege, and Cultural Economies of the Okanagan Valley. The book was edited by UBCO professors, Daniel Keyes and Luis L. M. Aguiar, and features an article by Dr. Bill Cohen.

Book Club Meeting on White Spaces
October 21 at 6 pm
Kelowna Downtown Library or on Zoom

Learn more

Dr. Bill Cohen and Dr. Natalie A. Chambers, co-authors of the first chapter in this collection of essays, will offer a talk on November 15, from 4 to 5 pm at the Okanagan Regional Library.

Join us for an information session to learn more about UBCO’s 16-month Bachelor of Education (BEd) program. This session is designed to provide you with insights into the admissions requirements, application process, program highlights and more! The session will be comprised of a brief presentation and an opportunity to ask questions.

Tuesday, November 12, 2024
3:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Online via Zoom

REGISTER

While this session will be in English, it is suitable for those interested in learning more about the BEd, French pathways. 

Can’t make the session? Reach out to us at education.ubco@ubc.ca if you have any program questions! We will also email the highlights of the presentation and the questions asked following the session if you join our Interested BEd Applicant Email list.

As post-secondary students navigate their first year of university, they are introduced to many new experiences, opportunities and challenges. For some, that includes adapting to a new learning environment.

Addie Mercuri, MA ’24, had long been interested in exploring how the human body works, but after receiving her undergraduate degree in Health and Exercise Sciences, she became increasingly fascinated by how the brain works — and learns.

“The brain is just incredible and almost miraculous, especially when you look at its adaptability,” she says. “What really interests me is how education and neuroscience come together. When we learn new things and practice, different neuronal pathways develop, and the brain changes as a result. We can’t see these changes as clearly as we can see muscles growing or running faster, so it’s really interesting to figure out how we learn better and what adaptations happen in our brain.”

Addie Mercuri

For her thesis, she decided to explore first-year university students’ self-reported executive functioning skills (EFS) and investigated the differences and correlations between variables such as age and academic performance.

“EFS play a really important role in students’ wellbeing and academic achievements,” says Mercuri. “These skills are essentially your brain’s ability to coordinate different areas to execute purposeful behaviour, for example, staying on task, or remembering a series of numbers.”

Her study used a Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function questionnaire comprised of 75 questions that measured nine different EFS. Her research found that there were high levels of shortfalls in the Task Monitor scale and Working Memory scale, and significant differences in the Emotional Control scale scores between assigned at birth males and females. No scales measured by the questionnaire resulted in a correlation with overall GPA measures.

“As my data was self-reported, it was interesting to see what students felt they were good, or not good at,” she says. “However, what I found to be the most thought-provoking though, was the differences in emotional control between assigned at birth males and females in that males reported self-perceived better emotional control than females.

When I was reviewing the literature, I found different psychological, sociological and biological theories as to why there might be those differences. One area I discuss in my thesis is language socialization and intraception.”

Intraception is our ability to determine if something changes within our body physiologically, she explains, for example, your heart rate raises and you’re able to detect and label the change. With language socialization, studies have shown that when a young girl cries, a parent is more likely to ask “what’s wrong?”, while with a young boy, they are more likely to ask “what hurts?”. These early encounters can later influence how attuned a student is with their emotional and physiological connections.

As a learning strategist for UBC, Mercuri has been influenced by her findings as she seeks to support students with ADHD and other cognitive challenges, offering tailored strategies to enhance their learning experiences.

“I want people to recognize that learning is more than just studying from textbooks. It involves understanding and leveraging our cognitive strengths and addressing areas where we may need support,” she said.

***

Addie Mercuri received the School’s Master of Arts Outstanding Thesis award on September 12, 2024. She completed her degree in April 2024, and her thesis can be found on UBC’s Library website. During her time with the School, Mercuri was a teaching assistant that that supported students in a variety of ways. She was also involved with the UBC Alumni Legacy Project, where she worked with other students across campus on the “Green Ribbon Crewneck Initiative,” a project that supported mental health awareness and raised funds for the B.A.R.K. program. She also received the Outstanding Graduate Student Award in 2022.

Dr. John-Tyler Binfet (left), Dr. Camille Rousseau (right) and Henry (dog)

From the nervous stutters to trembling hands, public speaking anxiety (PSA) is a common form of anxiety amongst people of all ages. Youth are particularly impacted by PSA, yet there have been limited interventions programs designed to support them.

Recognizing this gap, Dr. Camille Rosseau, PhD ’24, decided to explore this area in her dissertation. She conducted a series of studies to design and develop a canine-assisted public speaking pilot program specifically for grade 6 and 7 students who have PSA.

In her first study, she led focus groups with grade 6 and 7 teachers to learn more about the curriculum requirements around public speaking, what activities the students participated in and how the teachers supported their students who showed signs of PSA. She also interviewed students with PSA to understand how they experienced PSA in the classroom and what supports they leaned on. In her final stage of research, she surveyed dog handlers to learn what they thought researchers needed to consider when designing a therapy dog program for children.

“This study was the first to utilize a triangulated approach to incorporate teacher, student, and dog handler voices into the development of a research and practice informed canine-assisted intervention,” says Dr. Rousseau. “This helps ensure that the programming is mindful of educational and human-animal interaction considerations.”

Her findings from across the three studies informed the seven guiding principles developed for a pilot canine-assisted PS program, called Pups Uplifting Public Speaking (P.U.P.S.), for children with PSA.

“I hope this research can help us nurture diverse generations of young people that can actively and confidently participate in learning communities through clear communication and sharing of information,” she says. “This research forges ahead by exploring an innovative way to positively impact a developmental cornerstone of learning for our young leaders of tomorrow.”

Dr. Rousseau graduated earlier this year, and as she reflects on her academic journey, she emphasizes how the skills she’s gained have been are fundamental to the course and the success of her research career.

“It is only after starting my new research position that I have come to realize the extent of the skills I learnt at UBCO,” she says. “These include transferable skills pertaining to communication, organization, analytic thinking, critical thinking, computing, and writing, but also personal traits and attitudes such as independence, curiosity, integrity, fortitude, patience, and perseverance.”

***

Dr. Camille Rousseau is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Cardiovascular Health Promotion, Education, and Social Determinants Laboratory, within the Division of Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI). She is working with Dr. Karen Bouchard to explore research priorities in heart failure using a patient- and community-oriented approach.

On September 12, 2024, Rousseau received the School’s Doctoral Studies Outstanding Dissertation Award for her dissertation titled, Pups Uplifting Public Speaking (P.U.P.S.) : developing a pilot canine-assisted intervention to support children with public speaking anxiety, which can be found on UBC’s cIRcle.

“This award acknowledges the work and the effort it took to conduct a research project with three different qualitative methods and to analyze the data within and across all three studies, whilst maintaining outstanding research quality befitting of a UBC graduate,” she says.

“Equally, receiving the award evidences the incredible support I received by my #1 cheerleader and supervisor, Dr. John-Tyler Binfet, the wonderful B.A.R.K. Coordinator, Freya Green, the B.A.R.K. student volunteers, dog-handler teams, my supervisory committee (Dr. Aisha Ravindra, Dr. Margaret Macintyre Latta, Dr. Scott Douglas, and Dr. Christine Tardif-Williams), and the OSE.

I also recognize that it is very humbling to be acknowledged by the Outstanding Doctoral Studies Award, particularly as the OSE had three students complete distinguished doctoral dissertations within the same year. Equally deserving of this award, I must acknowledge Dr. Jody Dlouhy-Nelson’s research on pre-service teachers’ perspectives on decolonizing and indigenizing learning spaces and Dr. Michael Landry’s research on developing intercultural communicative competence learning outcomes through an online, asynchronous module for students in an English for academic purposes program.”

Kelsey Heichert is this year’s recipient of the Kelowna Kiwanis Legacy Major Entrance Award in Education. Established by the Central Okanagan Kiwanis Community Service Society, the award is presented to a student pursuing the Teaching Children (Kindergarten to Grade 5+) pathway.

“I am so honoured and grateful to receive this award,” says Heichert. “The relief of this award has allowed me the opportunity to focus on my son, as well as my studies. This award has inspired me to continue to give a hand up to those needing a little extra support as it truly can make a world of a difference for them and no one should be left behind.”

***

After graduating from high-school, Heichert hadn’t decided on a career path, but she knew she wanted to help others. She went on to receive her Human Service Work Diploma from Okanagan College and quickly fell in love with working with children.

“At the time I had no idea I wanted to work with children,” says Heichert. “I had a one of my practicums in an elementary school and from there, there was no going back.”

After completing her diploma, she started working at the Boys and Girls Club (now known as BGC Okanagan) where she worked with children in the summer camps. She later started to work as a Certified Education Assistant (CEA) in elementary schools.

While working as a CEA, she was introduced to other careers within the school and became increasingly interested in obtaining a more specialized position. She decided to pursue her Bachelor of Arts Degree, Majoring in Psychology, and is now in the Bachelor of Education program. Her next plan is to complete a Master’s in Education for school counselling.

“I absolutely loved my job as a CEA and I am ready to take the next step in becoming a teacher,” she says. “I think it is important for children to have a welcoming environment where they can thrive and be proud of themselves. All students have different levels of support outside of school and I am hoping a positive learning environment can make all students feel valued. I am excited to make a positive impact in guiding the next generation in pursuing their passions.”

In her true nature of wanting to help others, she is also a volunteer for Mamas for Mamas, an organization that supports mothers and caregivers by providing essential resources and community connections.

“I am a fulltime single parent, and I am grateful for the support I have from family and friends,” says Heichert. “I could not imagine not having the support from them. I think everyone should have support to meet their needs especially when children are involved, and Mamas for Mamas gives a hand up to those in need. I really believe we are all in this together and Mamas for Mamas allows for this.”

In her free time, Heichert and taking full advantage of everything the Okanagan offers throughout all four seasons.

“I enjoy snowboarding, hiking, casual biking, and paddleboarding. I am currently enjoying introducing my four-year-old son to all these hobbies,” she says.

Congratulations Kelsey Heichert!