A team of great people

I am an ESL Consultant for LEARN's Special Project, The Intensive ESL Community. The best part of the project is creating, finding, and sharing resources to help build a collaborative ESL community.  I taught ESL for 15 years at the CSSMI, and I am also a member of SPEAQ's IntenSIG group, collaborating with enthusiastic Intensive ESL teachers to help support ESL in Quebec.  When I'm not working, you can find me at the local arenas either playing, or watching my family play ringette!

Having been with LEARN's Shawville Office since its inception, I have been involved with many different projects from assisting with resource development to newsletters to scrapbook updates.  I am currently assisting with the LEARN Adult Services online tutoring service which has proven to be both challenging and rewarding.  I am always happy to see our organization grow and succeed. I'm a proud grandmother of three beautiful grandkids and in my spare time I very much enjoy attending various musical venues and adventures with my trusty Nikon.

"We do not learn from experience. We learn from reflecting on experience." -John Dewey   

In a nutshell, my educational background includes a teaching degree in mathematics and a masters in educational technology. I am passionate about on going professional development, teacher training, and 21st century teaching and learning practices. Being a teacher and a consultant was always my dream job - I am a lifelong learner. During my free time, you can find me at the barn, where I enjoy spending time my horse, Sam.  Otherwise, I am a people person who loves to laugh and make laugh.

I am CEO of LEARN, a responsibility I have assumed since the inception of LEARN in 2005.  I spent the first 12 years of my professional career as a high school English teacher and basketball coach and subsequently went on to the private sector where I acquired a vast and varied experience in business and management where I was both an owner and senior executive.  I have degrees in education, economics, management, and English literature and I recently completed my doctorate in e-learning and professional development.
I am a father of two accomplished children, grandfather to 3 amazing grandchildren, husband of 43 years to an amazing woman, and partner to a Black Russian Terrier who rules my life.  I am proud to be the Chairman of the Canadian e-Learning Network of which I am one of the founders as well as creator and co-developer of a flourishing educational program in Southeast Asia.  I am a passionate and eclectic reader, a wine devotee who also enjoys fine dining.

I was a teacher for over 14 years at the secondary and elementary levels, and have morphed into a pedagogical consultant over the last 7 plus years. At LEARN, I am currently consulting on the Math, Science and Technology dossiers, among other varied technological projects. I have an extensive background in integrating technology,  supporting educators, and creating STEAM spaces in schools. When not working with educators you can find me blogging about great music, making succulent food, noodling out songs, drawing lines and dots, playing with my lovely children or braving the Canadian elements.

I believe in the power of online learning to provide access and opportunities for all learners, and to level the playing field for students in small, rural, and remote English schools. I loved teaching middle school students for several years before moving into elementary school leadership. After transitioning into online learning in 2002, I learned to use online platforms, social media, and “Flipped” staff meetings to allow me to engage with online teaching staff and students around the province. Happiness at work makes us more productive - follow my weekly tweets #3happythingsatwork . I am a proud third-generation Quebec educator.

I’ve been with LEARN since it was founded in 2005. I manage IT as well as social media. I am a recovering gadget geek with a remarkable amount of useless trivia locked in my brain.  I used to be a late night radio announcer.

I have a passion for bridging the gap between in-school education and real-world experience by developing partnerships with organizations, institutions and community groups that help give youth a voice and a choice in their future. I have degrees in Psychology, Literature and Education, combined with over 10 years experience working with school teams and students in the English sector.

When offline, I escape to the country where you will find me creating mixed-media pieces in my atelier or wandering through the trails with my dogs, trying to spot wildlife and curiosities of nature. These experiences are then captured on paper and make their way across the globe, in traveling works of mail art.

I come from a varied administrative background encompassing sectors such as transport, pharmaceutical, insurance and customer service.  I am grateful that my current position allows me to meet so many wonderful visitors to LEARN.

My weakness is chocolate and my future goal is to rediscover Italy and visit the areas I missed the first time around.  I am an avid reader, will read anything, including the back of my cereal box.

Director on LEARN’s Provincial Resource Team supporting the network of Community Learning Centres across Quebec. I have a Bachelor’s degree from Concordia University and have worked extensively in community development with the English linguistic minority community. I spent 18 years as a Commissioner with the Riverside School board, including 8 years as Vice Chairman and Past President of the Quebec English School Boards Association. I am an avid gardener, which has helped her understand how to deal with things that are totally out of her control.  I also relish relaxing by the ocean, and will always say that there is nothing more soothing to the soul than the sound of the waves crashing on the shore.

I graduated from Concordia University with a Bachelor's in Economics and went back to school at Athabasca University to complete some accounting courses. I have been with LEARN since its inception. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, wining, dining and travelling. I have many countries on my bucket list I'd like to visit.

I have worked at LEARN as a senior programmer and systems administrator since 2007. My expertise ranges from server installation and configuration to interface design and programming in a variety of languages and frameworks.

As a programmer and designer, I'm directly involved in a wide array of applications and services we offer our community. So if something doesn't work properly, there might be a bit of me in there (ah ah).

I setup, configure and maintain all Servers and Network Devices. I enjoy learning about new technologies and implementing them, building projects and watching TV Shows.

I have taught Secondary Cycle 1 Social Science and English Language Arts in Montreal.  I taught English as a Second Language on Îles de la Madeleine and in Japan.  In 2011, I travelled to Cambodia to volunteer with Cambodian Organization for Children and Development (COCD). In 2013, I had the pleasure of providing introductory remarks for Dr. David Suzuki at LeMood-Montreal, a festival of unexpected Jewish learning, arts and culture.

Any interest in my educational background?

I have a BA in Political Science from the University of Alberta, a B.Ed from the University of Toronto and MA from McGill in Education Leadership.

«Enseigner, c’est apprendre chaque jour à réapprendre à enseigner, c’est s’inscrire soi-même dans une démarche apprenante, ouverte et dynamique.» Ostiane Mathon

Depuis une quinzaine d’années, j’enseigne le français, langue seconde et d’innombrables sujets en immersion française dans les écoles primaires et secondaires anglophones. En 2009, j'ai rejoint l’équipe de LEARN comme conseillère pédagogique. En plus d’être superviseure de stages pour les étudiants en enseignement du FLS, je contribue à divers projets liés de près à l’éducation soit en traduisant ou en adaptant du matériel ainsi qu’en prêtant ma plume et ma voix pour des capsules pédagogiques. Toujours prête à relever de nouveaux défis, j’en ai trouvé un de taille: être une maman au 21e siècle. La pratique du yoga me permet de maintenir un bon équilibre dans ma vie.

Consultant in Social Sciences for LEARN almost since inception.  Completed degrees in Literary Studies & History from University of Toronto, in Education from McGill, and even a Web Design certificat  from John Abbot.  A former high school teacher, he has worked in a variety of locations, in Inuit, Cree and Mohawk communities, and in high schools in and around Montreal.  His passions are travelling any way he can, hitching around Europe, cycling across Quebec, and driving all night whenever the chance arises.  As his Twitter feed @paulrombo will attest, apart from a fascination with alternative histories and all things geographic, Paul also loves his snooker.

Technician, Support to the LEARN network. Computer gamer, Dragon Boat paddler.

I've worked for LEARN since the fall of 2009, with a background working in financial institutions and other accounting positions.  Here at LEARN, I'm responsible for accounts payable.  I'm grateful for the opportunity to be working with such inspiring and passionate people.

With a background in second language acquisition and online learning pedagogy, I have worked for LEARN since its inception. As part of an amazing team, I design and develop learning materials and online learning environments for both students and educators.

My motivation in life: raising three boys into thoughtful, healthy, inspired men… who will hopefully look after me in my golden years!  As well, a love of food, travel, words and music, guide me as I journey.

My educational background includes a Bachelor of Commerce, Marketing Major from Concordia University and a Certificate in Advertising from Université de Montréal. Wife, mom to 2 amazing children, parent volunteer who once lived in Dubai, UAE with her family  (you need to add this to your bucket list as a must visit city & country). In addition to being a marketing and communications professional, I love planning events. When I’m not working, I am enjoying the company of my family & friends, thinking up something fabulous with my friends, decorating or having fun doing Zumba.  I love to travel, play soccer and have a passion for home decor, photography and cooking.

I have been working at LEARN since its inception and I am currently serving as Director of Pedagogical Services and Educational Technology. I hold a BFA in Visual Arts and an MA in Educational Technology from Concordia University. Since 1997, I have specialized in youth sector education, creating and delivering professional development for educators, designing competency-based educational resources and building tools to help educators design curriculum. I have led a variety of educational projects that provide resources and collaborative opportunities for students and educators across Quebec. I am passionate about learning and inspiring people to unleash their full potential and achieve their wildest dreams. My interests include cycling, cooking, sewing and making things of all kinds, and a new-found love of e-textiles.