Professor (PhD, C. Psych), Department of Educational Studies
Program Director, Master of Education and Undergraduate Studies
Please contact for advisement availability
St. Catharines, ON
905 688 5550 x6183
[email protected]
Dr. Savage is a Professor in the Department of Educational Studies, and a licensed Clinical Psychologist (C. Psych) certified in Child and Adolescent Clinical, School and Forensic Psychology, as well as Adult Clinical Psychology. In addition to his clinical expertise, he holds a Bachelor of Education degree (BEd) and has taught in Ontario public schools across all the divisions, informing his postsecondary teaching and research with extensive first-hand experience in K-12 educational settings.
Dr. Savage’s scholarship focuses on mental health, stress, coping, and well-being in educational settings, with particular attention to teachers, school administrators, and postsecondary students. His scholarship examines mental health literacy, educator and academic leader wellness, mentorship and support in education and the impact of mental health challenges on educational outcomes. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes. His applied research includes commissioned studies and program evaluations for school boards, professional organizations, child and family service agencies, government agencies and universities, translating research into policy and practice.
An active academic leader and mentor, Dr. Savage has held numerous academic leadership and service roles at the program, departmental, faculty and university levels, including serving on Senate and several major academic review and governance committees. He supervises doctoral and master’s students, serves as an external examiner, and is regularly invited to present on mental health, wellness, and trauma-informed practice in educational contexts. Dr. Savage has led several external reviews of university programs and has worked with government agencies to help them streamline their university and academic review procedures. He has also led initiatives to develop new undergraduate and graduate university programs.
Across all his roles, Dr. Savage is committed to fostering psychologically healthy, inclusive, and supportive learning environments and to preparing educators and leaders to promote well-being alongside academic achievement.
- Mental health and wellbeing in educational settings
- Mental health challenges, learning disabilities and psychopathology among learners
- Callous-Unemotional / Psychopathic Traits
- Innovative classroom assessment and pedagogy
- Program Development and Evaluation
Member of the following professional organizations:
- College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario
- Canadian Psychological Association (CPA)
- Ontario Psychological Association (OPA)
- American Psychological Association (APA)
- Canadian Society for the Study of Education (CSSE)
Savage, M. J., & Woloshyn, V. (2024). Promoting student well-being and academic achievement in ECE and primary school environments. In L. Wilson (Ed.), Partnerships: Families and Communities in Early Childhood. Boston, MA: Cengage Press.
Savage, M. J. (2024). New Program Proposal Brief: Master of Professional Education Program. New program proposal prepared for IQAP to create a new Master of Professional Education (MPEd) graduate degree program at Brock University.
Savage, M. J., Sanford, K., & Nashon, S. M. (2024). Program Assessment: Yorkville University, Proposed Master of Education in Curriculum and Pedagogy. Confidential program evaluation prepared for the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission. (Primary Author and Chair of the Review Panel)
Savage, M. J., & Woloshyn, V. (2023). The lived experiences of Ontario school administrators during the Covid-19 pandemic. Report prepared for the Catholic Principals’ Council of Ontario.
Woloshyn, V., & Savage, M. J. (2023). Exploring Canadian principal experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic: Challenges, tensions and insights from the first year and beyond. International Studies in Educational Administration, 51(2), 2–23.
Woloshyn, V., Savage, M. J., Maich, K., & Penney, S. (2023). Stress, coping and well-being in teachers and school administrators. Alberta Journal of Educational Research, 69(4), 492–513.
Savage, M. J., & Woloshyn, V. (2022). Coping is crucial: Exploring relations between K–12 educators’ and staff coping strategies, perceived stress and psychological wellbeing. International Journal of Emotional Education, 14(2), 3–18.
Savage, M. J., & Woloshyn, V. (2022). Ethical and methodological considerations when using social media sites as data sources: Lessons learned from a YouTube case study. Sage Research Methods Cases – Doing Research Online.
Drake, S., Reid, J., & Savage, M. J. (2021). Rethinking systematic literature reviews as the gold standard for interdisciplinary topics. Education Thinking, 1(1), 27–42.
Woloshyn, V., Savage, M. J., Kaefer, T., Martinovic, D., & Ratkovic, S. (2021). Support, mentorship, and well-being in Canadian and Croatian faculties of education: Professor and student perspectives. Journal of Education and Development, 5(1), 82–101.
Woloshyn, V., & Savage, M. J. (2020). Features of YouTube videos produced by individuals who self-identify with borderline personality disorder. Digital Health.
- 2023 Bell True Patriot Love Fund $65,000
- 2023 FOE Grad Fund $2,000
- 2022 FOE R&D Fund $1,000
- 2020 FOE R&D Fund $1,000
- 2019 FOE Grad Fund $2,000
- 2019 Newfoundland Teacher’s Association $22,000
- EDUC 4P17 Integrating Curriculum and Assessment – Primary/Junior
- EDUC 4P18 Integrating Curriculum and Assessment – Junior/Intermediate
- EDUC 4P19 Integrating Curriculum and Assessment – Intermediate/Senior
- EDUC 4P27 21st Century Literacies Across the P/J Curriculum
- EDUC 4P28 21st Century Literacies Across the J/I Curriculum
- EDUC 4P29 21st Century Literacies Across the I/S Curriculum
- EDUC 4P46 Mental Health and Wellness
- EDUC 5P39 Understanding the Reading Process and Reading Difficulties
- EDUC 5P42 Innovative Practices in Curriculum and Assessment
- EDUC 5P45 Learning Problems in the Classroom: Diagnosis and Programming
- EDUC 5P47 Emotional Lives of Children in the Classroom
- EDUC 5P99 Introduction to Studies in Education
- MPCE 6P11 Wellness in Canadian Higher Education
