Dr. Tiffany Gallagher

Tiffany L. Gallagher, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Educational Studies. She is recognized for her research that aims to enhance the learning of students with literacy difficulties and learning challenges. Supporting the professional learning of teachers through instructional and inclusion coaching are also a focus of her work. Longitudinal, multi-varied participant perspectives are the cornerstone of Tiffany’s research projects.

Her work seeks to inform targeted audiences such as students, teachers, administrators, and policy makers. Tiffany is also the Director of the Brock Learning Lab that offers community-based tutoring for K-12 students and mentors undergraduate volunteer tutors.

Dr. Arlene Grierson

Arlene Grierson, Ph.D., is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Educational Studies at Brock University. At the onset of this research program, Arlene was an Associate Professor at the Brantford Campus of Nipisssing University’s Schulich School of Education. She has been recognized for her research investigating many forms of professional learning, with attention to the factors that affect educators’ change processes.

She is particularly interested in exploring the processes through which educators change their beliefs and associated practices, and how participation in different models and systems of professional learning (e.g., coaching, focus groups, field experiences) affect educators’ diverse change processes. Her work seeks to inform educators and policy makers, with the ultimate goal of understanding how to support teacher change that will positively impact student learning.

Catherine Susin (BA, BEd, MEd)

2021-present

Catherine Susin is a Sessional Course Instructor in the Department of Educational Studies at Brock University.  Her teaching has focused on mathematics education for junior/intermediate preservice teachers, supporting students studying curriculum, literacy and reading development, and incorporating video-games in the classroom.  Catherine is the Administrative Coordinator at the Brock Learning Lab that mentors undergraduate tutors in Teacher Education programs.  Catherine is also currently an Occasional Teacher for the District School Board of Niagara.

Sarah Terreberry (BEd, MEd, PhD)

Brock University 2017-2020

Sarah Terreberry is a graduate of the Applied Educational Psychology/Special Education (PhD) program at Western University in London, ON. Her graduate work focused on learning disabilities in students in higher education. As a research assistant, Sarah worked on observing and documenting coaching practices and the impact this had on teachers’ professional learning and practices. For the past 8 years, Sarah has been an instructor at Brock University where she has taught courses in the Department of Teacher Education related to special education, inclusive learning, exceptional learners, classroom management, and classroom assessment . Sarah has also been authoring and presenting on topics related to her PhD work, and work she has been conducting with the CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research.

Morgan Parker (BA, BEd, MEd)

Brock University 2019

Morgan Parker is a graduate of the MEd program at Brock University, where she was a former Concurrent Education student who graduated with a degree in Child and Youth Studies at the Primary/Junior level. As a research assistant, Morgan worked on transcribing interviews. Morgan is also currently working as a teacher with the District School Board of Niagara.

Lana Kittani (BA, BEd, MEd)

Brock University 2018-2019

Lana Kittani is a graduate of the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and Bachelor of Education program at Brock University. As a graduate student her Masters of Education focused on culturally and linguistically diverse students. As a research assistant, Lana worked on taking observation notes of the interactions between coaches and teachers, and transcribing interviews. For the last few years, Lana has been working as a class teacher at a school in central London, UK.

Katrina Jegg (BA, BEd, MEd)

Brock University 2018

Katrina Jegg is a recent graduate of the MEd program at Brock University, where she was a former Concurrent Education student who graduated with a degree in Integrated Studies at the Junior/Intermediate level. As a research assistant, Katrina worked on qualitative data collection. Katrina has been a Supervisor and Workshop Facilitator at the Brock Learning Lab for five years. Katrina is also currently working as a teacher with the District School Board of Niagara.

Ana Vintan (BA, BEd, MEd)

Brock University 2018

Ana Vintan is a graduate of the MEd program at Brock University in the Teaching, Learning and Development stream. Her graduate work focused on best practices in ESL education. As a research assistant, Ana worked on the literature review aspects of the project. For the past four years, Ana has been teaching at Seneca College. Ana has also been authoring and presenting on best practices and assessment in education.

Rachel Sulisz (St Hilaire) (BA, BEd, MEd)

2017-2021

Rachel Sulisz is a practicing teacher, as well as a part-time instructor at Brock University. Her research interests include literacy support and practices, integration of technology into the curriculum, digital technology coaching, and early childhood education. The focus of her graduate research was to support educators and students in an increasingly technological world. Rachel was also a supervisor at the Brock Learning Lab, involved in undergraduate course creation and design, as well as the Research Manager of this SSHRC IG Grant from 2017 to 2021.

Christina De Silva (BA, BEd, MEd)

Brock University 2019-2020

Christina De Silva has completed her graduate work in the Teaching and Learning Stream of the MEd program at Brock University. Her primary research focus is supporting literacy and culturally responsive pedagogy in elementary classrooms. As a research assistant, Christina worked on many different aspects of this research, including assisting with data collection and literature reviews. Christina is also currently working as a classroom teacher with the Wellington Catholic School Board.

Abigail Maunder-Collier (BA, MA in progress)

Brock University 2018-2019

Abigail Maunder-Collier is a recent graduate of the Social Sciences program at Brock University, where she majored in Women’s and Gender Studies. As a research assistant, Abigail worked on qualitative data analysis, NVivo coding, and literature reviews. Abigail’s other work in the community includes volunteer work and employment at the YWCA Niagara. Abigail is currently pursuing a Post-Degree Bachelor of Social Work at McMaster University.

Rochelle Tkach (BA, BEd, MEd)

Brock University 2017-2018

Rochelle Tkach is a graduate of the MEd program at Brock University in the Teaching, Learning, and Development stream. Her graduate work focused on how to foster 21st Century Skills through educational technology and interdisciplinary learning. As a research assistant, Rochelle observed technology coaches in action as they supported teachers. For the past eight years, Rochelle has been an Elementary Teacher at the District School Board of Niagara. Since graduating the M.Ed. program in 2017, she has stayed involved with Brock University as a Sessional Instructor and Teaching Assistant. Rochelle has also been authoring and presenting on Educational Technology, 21st Century Learning, Reading Intervention Programs, and Multiliteracy Instruction.

Jenna Overzet (BA, BEd, MEd)

Nipissing University 2017-2018

In 2019 Jenna Overzet completed her MEd at Nipissing University, which was focused primarily on Early Literacy and Children’s Mental Health. While completing her MEd, Jenna worked as a Research Assistant assisting with the completion of literature reviews on several research projects. Currently, Jenna is employed as an Academic Advisor at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo.

Jessica Van Der Kley (BA, BEd, MEd)

Nipissing University 2016-2017

While completing her MEd at Nipissing University, Jessica Van Der Kley worked as a research assistant. She assisted with data collection and the completion of literature reviews on several research projects. Jessica was also employed as an occasional teacher at a private school in Southern Ontario.