Educational Development Specialist
I design evidence-informed programs and curriculum solutions that empower educators, ignite curiosity, and build inclusive learning communities where all learners thrive.
About Me
As an educational development specialist, I design and implement educator development programs, curriculum enhancement initiatives, and teaching excellence frameworks. My background combines university teaching experience across multiple institutions with a strong foundation in supporting educators through evidence-based pedagogical approaches.
I bring a scholarly lens to educational practice, with research interests spanning classical education approaches and modern pedagogical frameworks. My training through the Instructional Skills Workshop and Quality Matters has further enhanced my ability to evaluate and improve educational experiences across modalities.
Whether facilitating workshops on effective questioning techniques, developing competency-based curriculum, or implementing Universal Design for Learning principles, I remain committed to creating collaborative learning environments that advance teaching excellence and foster student success.
Academic Foundations
- Evidence-based teaching practices
- Scholarly engagement in pedagogy
- Inclusive educational design
- Educator development & mentorship
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
Academic Foundations
My academic background spans Classical Studies, critical analysis, research methodology, and language acquisition — all of which inform my work in educational development and instructional design today.
PhD in Classics
University of Western Ontario, London
My dissertation "The Modalities of Roman Translation" examined how Roman translators positioned themselves within their literary world through strategic translation choices. This work has informed my approach to cultural adaptation and knowledge transfer in educational contexts.
Master of Arts in Classics
University of Manitoba, Winnipeg
My thesis focused on Cicero's translation practices when dealing with Greek philosophical concepts, examining how he navigated cultural adaptation for Roman audiences.
Bachelor of Arts in Classics
University of Manitoba, Winnipeg
Advanced degree with a major in Classics and a minor in History, developing strong foundations in critical analysis, language acquisition, and cultural interpretation.
Professional Designations
Quality Matters (QM) Certified Peer Reviewer
Quality Matters • April 2025
Certified to evaluate and provide feedback on online and blended courses using the rigorous QM Rubric and quality assurance framework.
ISW Facilitator Apprenticeship Certified
ISW Network • June 2025
Competency-based certification to facilitate instructor development through microteaching, structured feedback, and reflective practices that improve teaching effectiveness.
View Certificate (PDF) →Project Management Professional (PMP)
Project Management Institute
Pursuing certification in advanced project management methodologies for educational technology initiatives.
Tags represent major professional development focus areas
Educator Development
As a certified Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) facilitator, I design and deliver evidence-informed professional development experiences that support educators in building inclusive, engaging, and research-driven teaching practices. My workshops combine structured peer feedback with reflective practice to create lasting improvements in teaching effectiveness across disciplines.
Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW)
Certified Facilitator • June 2025 – Present
Certified ISW facilitator delivering intensive professional development experiences for educators across disciplines. Guides participants through microteaching, peer feedback, and reflective practice to enhance teaching effectiveness.
Sample Lessons Facilitated:
- • Humanizing the Online Classroom
- • Reframing Learning Through Holistic and Historical Lenses
- • Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Implementation
- • Joy-Centred Teaching
ISW Impact & Methodology:
The ISW model creates a supportive environment where educators practice teaching in front of peers, receive constructive feedback, and engage in reflective dialogue about their teaching practice.
Participants develop confidence in their teaching abilities while building a community of practice focused on continuous improvement and student-centered learning.
UDL Plus One Workshop
A practical approach to implementing Universal Design for Learning, guiding educators to enhance existing content with strategies that improve accessibility and engagement.
Effective Questioning Techniques
A 60-minute workshop on using strategic questioning to promote retrieval practice and knowledge construction among learners.
Modeling and Examples
Guides educators in structured modeling approaches and strategic example usage to enhance student comprehension of complex concepts.
Tools and Techniques for Adult Learning
A comprehensive self-paced course preparing instructors for effective, inclusive teaching. Participants explore evidence-based training development, curriculum design, and adult learning strategies.
Educational Leadership
I believe educational leadership is about fostering environments where both learners and educators can thrive. My approach centers on collaboration, inclusivity, evidence-based practice, and sustainable improvement of learning outcomes.
Manager, Curriculum Department
Occupational Safety Group
Leading the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of learning programs with measurable impacts:
- Improved learner satisfaction by 17% through accessibility and engagement enhancements
- Procured and implemented a data-driven LMS, increasing assessment data collection by 600%
- Achieved 100% AODA and WCAG 2.1 compliance across digital learning environments
- Facilitated evidence-based learning workshops with 90% of participants reporting increased teaching effectiveness
Academic Experience
My academic teaching journey spans multiple universities and course formats, providing a foundation for my educational development work. Through this experience, I refined my approach to curriculum design, inclusive teaching, blended learning, and student mentorship.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Lecturer
Courses Taught:
- LAT 491: Readings in Latin Literature
- CLCV 222: The Tragic Spirit
- CLCV 132: Classical Archaeology, Italy and Rome
Mentored teaching assistants in interactive techniques and strategies for fostering inclusive, student-centered discussions while designing and delivering engaging courses in classical literature and archaeology.
Quest University
Visiting Faculty
Courses Taught:
- HUM 2100: Fate and Virtue (Block System)
Delivered an intensive 4-week block course, exploring ancient texts to understand themes of fate and virtue while connecting these concepts to challenges in modern life. Adapted teaching approaches based on student feedback between offerings.
University of Western Ontario
Instructor & Teaching Assistant
Courses Taught:
- Latin 1000 (Blended Format)
Supported multiple Classics courses as a teaching assistant, developing skills in assessment design and student mentorship.
Teaching Assistant roles included: Crime and Punishment in Ancient Greece and Rome, Alexander the Great, Daily Life in Ancient Rome, and Classical Civilization.
University of Manitoba
Instructor
Courses Taught:
- Latin 1080: Introduction to Latin
- Latin 1090: Introduction to Latin
Designed and delivered two introductory Latin courses, developing curriculum materials and assessment strategies for language acquisition.
Featured Projects
Featured Project: AI Chatbot Strategy Course
A comprehensive three-phase learning experience that takes learners from business case analysis to hands-on chatbot implementation. This course combines strategic decision-making with practical AI tool usage through collaborative virtual study groups.
Features virtual MBA peers powered by OpenAI, real-world retail scenarios, and step-by-step implementation using Chatbase. Learners analyze FashionForward's customer service crisis, collaborate with AI-powered study partners, then build a working chatbot prototype.
Memory Garden: Intergenerational Connection
A self-paced learning module exploring the design of spaces that preserve cultural knowledge and bridge generational gaps. This project blends insights from classical wisdom traditions with contemporary approaches to multisensory learning experiences.
View Project →
GenAI in Teaching & Learning Workshop
A four-part interactive workshop that guides faculty from AI exploration to practical implementation. Combines hands-on experimentation with evidence-based teaching strategies and addresses the gap between student adoption (45%) and faculty usage (15%) of AI tools.
View Project →
UDL Plus One Workshop
An experiential workshop that introduces safety trainers to Universal Design for Learning through the practical "Plus One" approach. Uses lockout procedures as a concrete example to demonstrate how traditional training can be enhanced.
View Project →
AI-Powered Adaptive Case Studies
An innovative solution to a common workplace training challenge: how to deliver relevant, industry-specific safety scenarios when training time is limited. This interactive tool adapts biological and chemical hazard case studies across six different industries.
View Project →Areas of Expertise
Educational Development
- Faculty consultations & support
- Workshop design & facilitation
- Teaching & learning scholarship
- Institutional change leadership
Course Design & Assessment
- Quality Matters certified review
- Outcome-based design
- Authentic assessment strategies
- ISW methodology implementation
Inclusive Teaching
- Universal Design for Learning
- Accessibility standards compliance
- Culturally responsive teaching
- Diverse learner accommodations
Educational Technology
- Learning management systems
- Interactive content development
- AI in teaching & learning
- Learning analytics implementation
Get In Touch
Interested in collaborating or learning more about my work in educational development? I'd love to connect and discuss how we might work together.