I am a career (innovative) educator with many scholarly and informal interests. I recently completed my PhD in the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University (Vancouver, Canada). The title of my dissertation was ‘Insight-Out: A Phenomenological Exploration of the Nature and Appearance of Learning.’ It was an exciting research project, essentially confirming the idiosyncratic/subjective character of learning as it arises for each person, young or old.
I have worked for 30+ years as an innovative and award-winning educator, researcher, coach, workshop leader, tutor, and author. Frustrated as a classroom-based teacher, I helped to co-found and direct the award-winning, innovative SelfDesign and Virtual High Learning Communities (2002 and 1993, respectively) in British Columbia, Canada. I have been working and valuing online, personalized education since the early 1990s! I began teaching ‘Neurobiology and Learning’ as a directed studies course in the Individualized Masters (IMA) program of Antioch online starting in 2021 and previously taught the same course in the SelfDesign Graduate Institute (2012-2016) and the Transformative Learning Foundation (2016-2020). Other recent courses I have taught include ‘Languaging for Empowerment’ and ‘Personalizing Learning.’
Other professional interests of mine include holistic learning, Neurobiological learning, self-directed learning, Goethean and ecological sciences, and project-based learning. Informal interests of mine include writing, music (guitar), DIY projects, woodworking, gardening, swimming, hiking, camping, and ‘shrooming (I admit it, I’m a mycophile!).
Previous professional experiences/careers: Journalist – Researcher; Geologist; K-12 educator: Science, Math, and Language Arts
- PhD (Simon Fraser University), 2023)
- MA (SFU; Holistic Learning, 1997)
- BEd (Queens University, 1987)
- BA (Metropolitan University, Journalism, 1985)
- BSc (UBC; Geology-Chemistry, 1981)
nb: — these are all Canadian universities
In my teaching, it’s essential to me to personalize learning for my students as much as possible so that their experience is rich and engaging.
- Nature of Learning
- 2023 (in press): Book chapter: Personalizing learning in higher education
- 2021 (fall): Evaluating Personal Ecolography surveying; Holistic Education Review
- 2021 (summer): Where the Sidewalk Ends; Journal of Environmental and Architectural Phenomenology
- 2020 (fall): Seeking to Engage – Re-Placing SFU’s Burnaby Mountain campus; SFU Ed Review
- 2013: Learn Your Way! SelfDesigning the life you really want, starting now; book; ERAC-recommended text for middle and high school health and career planning in BC high and middle schools
- Simon Fraser Graduate Fellowship Award, 2021
- MITACS Training and Research Award, 2020
- Prime Ministers Award (Canada), 2007
- Award of Merit (British Columbia Ministry of Education), 2007
- Teaching, Mentoring, Peer-Reviewing
- BC College of Teachers – Lifetime Professional Teacher membership; Good standing
Institute of Neuroscience & Neurotechnology (Simon Fraser University), member - ASCD, member
- (past) Brain, Mind, Learning Society
- (past) International Coaching Federation
- Neurobiology and Learning; Antioch University (Online), starting in 2021
- Other institutions: Neurobiology and Learning; Optimizing communication; Personalizing Learning; since 2012