My role as a professor is driven by absolute passion.  I am often asked how do I manage working 40+ hours a week as well as teach and prepare for up to 12 contract hours; simple, I love it!  The classroom is an energizer for me.  Every class, every day, every session is a completely different experience.    

 

My philosophy is influenced and based on industry experience to engage, inspire, and stretch students to think critically.  I believe in scaffolding the classroom experience and preparing the students for what awaits in industry, outside the academic experience.  

 

My learning theory is driven mainly from the concepts in Connectivism.  I believe we need to meet our learners where they are and create an inclusive environment for them to develop.  The learning experience must be student centred.  I believe in the use of active learning and the use of reflection, to intrinsically motivate our students.  I am a firm believer in authenticity to one’s self and one’s values. Therefore in remaining true to my values, I believe students must understand the WHY for learning transfer to occur. 

 

I also believe in reflection as a critical practice, specifically when looking at learning outcomes, lesson planning, teaching methods and assessments.  I reflect on what is successful and what could be improved and update accordingly. This is how I improve my practice.

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Students themselves have an integral role in their learning journey. Their various

experiences bring the content to life. It is rewarding to hear “real life” examples

from the students themselves. The moment the “ah ha”activation occurs

is extremely rewarding. More recently, I have been able to see the maturity

in some of the students who I have taught several courses to, and seeing

how they presented themselves in HR1 (1st semester), to see the maturity

and development in Performance Management (4th semester) and

sometimes into the degree. 

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I believe my position as a professor involves empowering students to find their authentic

selves, focus their passion to prepare for the next chapter in their lives. As I teach diverse

students, this next chapter could be their first jobs, first experience in Canada or even a

second career.  I am a firm believer in focusing on content that prepares our students for

their next chapter and experiencing it through active and lifelong learning.