Student Stories Visual Catalogue

“We help each other when we have some problems or challenges in our own curriculum and in our own teaching fields. That's what I appreciate, the program transcends what we learned in the classroom, and it moves on with us even if we're done the program.”

Harshaan Randhawa’s inquiry of identity, growth and resilience

How Akhila Mangalvedhe’s MEd experience began with curiosity and led to new opportunities

Kurtis Stangl’s transformative approach to alternative education

Sam le Riche’s EdD story of academic and personal growth

How Briar Elliott’s MEd experience built confidence and a commitment to champion student success

Alyssa Choroszewski’s MEd journey of growth and possibility

Kim Hollmann’s path to inclusive educational leadership

Inspired by her mother’s love of teaching, Rachel Upton’s journey through the Faculty of Education was marked by discovery, setbacks, and ultimately, a triumphant return to the classroom—reinforced by newfound connections and a transformed sense of purpose.

"We must never give up, no matter how challenging the circumstances, and strive for excellence at every opportunity. When the work is strong, its significance becomes undeniable."

Qinghua Chen and Chris Kerslake will be completing on behalf of the Faculty in the 3MT SFU Final taking place virtually on April 6!

"I have become an educator who now prioritizes developing meaningful relationships with my students," shares Eduardo. "I allocate time to collectively explore how our identities influence our learning processes and critically analyze how course content can be applied to guide decisions in our lives. Before, I focused solely on covering content during class time, but now, I invest more time in cultivating pedagogical relationships with my students and colleagues and I spend time learning about their educational priorities."

Celebrating our exceptional Education Alumni!

Kristen Abeyewardene, a seasoned educator with nearly two decades of experience in the Coquitlam School District, shares her academic journey

Doctoral student Sabrina Ngo discusses her experiences in the Educational Theory & Practice: Curriculum & Pedagogy Stream program.

This year, we introduced a new, unique tradition—the Message Tree, a heartfelt testament to the incredible support and inspiration shared among the graduating class.

Emmalee Rao shares insights into her undergraduate journey and her aspirations for the future.

As one of SFU's most outstanding graduate students from the Faculty of Education, Dr. Natalie Frandsen is recognized with the Dean of Graduate Studies Convocation Medal.

Embark on a transformative journey alongside Mohammad Alhannash, as he overcomes personal and academic challenges, embraces diverse perspectives, and emerges as an exceptional language educator, leaving an enduring legacy of inspiration and change.

As one of SFU's most outstanding graduate students from the Faculty of Education, Dr. Tanya Behrisch is recognized with the Dean of Graduate Studies Convocation Medal.

Elaina Buenaventura, who recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, gifted us with their reflections about the forum and the importance of cross-cultural considerations and practices.

The Faculty of Education is excited to have partnered with SFU Public Square, Moving Forward, The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the SFU Knowledge Mobilization Hub, and the SFU Surrey-TD Community Engagement Centre for the Cross-Cultural Mental Health: Research and Practice Forum on May 5.

Qinghua Chen and Chris Kerslake will be completing on behalf of the Faculty in the 3MT SFU Final taking place virtually on April 6!

Teachers are in high demand. AHCOTE provides prospective teachers the opportunity to pursue education close to home and begin fulfilling careers in communities they know and love.

The funding from SSHRC will allow Carr the ability to pursue her proposed research full-time on agricultural extension policies and programs, particularly in mobile learning (mLearning) interventions in Jamaica and exploring the challenges and possibilities it could have on remote communities and for women farmers.

Last week (October 6 & 7), over 1800 students across the university crossed the stage and graduated, making the transition from students to SFU Alumni, including many from the Faculty of Education!

Dr. Katherine Mulski, Doctor in Educational Practice graduand, shares her experiences as a student in the education faculty and the process of reconnecting with herself and fostering resiliency, telling her story through photography.

Len Pierre, member of Katzie First Nation and founder of his own Indigenous consulting firm, Len Pierre Consulting, says doing his Master of Education degree at SFU helped lay the foundation for the principles and practices he brings to his work facilitating Indigenous cultural safety training, reconciliation, decolonization and anti-racism in large organizations.

Congratulations to Dr. Shiva Hajian and Dr. David Chang, recipients of the Graduate Convocation Medal!

For graduand and student speaker Joanna Fraser, her passion and drive for reconciliation and nursing education comes from a lifelong journey of professional and personal experiences, beginning as a child immigrating to Canada from Nakaru East Africa.

Qinghua Chen and Chris Kerslake will be completing on behalf of the Faculty in the 3MT SFU Final taking place virtually on April 6!

Dr. Sheree Rodney has had a passion for school and teaching since childhood. However, her interest in mathematics education became apparent while pursuing teacher training studies. At the time, there were very few teacher candidates with an interest in mathematics. She saw that as a gap and an opportunity to make a difference.

Congratulations to our graduate students in the Faculty of Education and their supervisors for their success in the recent national SSHRC graduate scholarship competitions!

Indigenous student Chérie Baker, of Skwxwú7mesh Úxwimixw (Squamish Nation), entered the field of education as a result of the significant impact and trauma endured by her family as a result of the residential school system.

As a PhD student in the Faculty of Education, Tinglin’s research explores the social identities of Indigenous and Black youth, particularly those with learning “disability” labels.

If you didn’t know her, you could easily dismiss Alexandra Patzak as an exceptional doctoral graduate who is being awarded with the top honour of a dean’s convocation medal. This is an incredible achievement to be celebrated—and one that Patzak accomplished alongside her unique experience as a student with a visual impairment navigating university life.

Dr. Louise St. Pierre’s thesis, Baskets of Offerings: Design, nature, animism, and pedagogy, investigates alternate ways of knowing and learning that help designers intuit the extent to which our creations involve all human and more-than-human forms of life. Her research draws extensively from the wisdom traditions as well as contemplative practices.

Susan Luu remembers feeling anxious and overwhelmed on her first day at SFU. But the feelings quickly dissipated as she was immediately embraced by the Welcome Day leaders and Faculty of Education community.

Like many first-year students, Emerly Liu arrived at SFU knowing next to no-one. Feeling excited but anxious to meet new friends, she came up with a plan to find the people who would help her navigate university life. So successful was this strategy that she has now developed a guide to getting involved for all SFU students.

PhD student Estella Kuchta’s new historical fiction and romance novel Finding the Daydreamer, published in September 2020, tells the story of a young ranch wife’s life being turned upside down. Fleeing a dangerous husband, she and her young daughter endure a wild and unexpected adventure through Depression-era cowboy country in central British Columbia. All the while, she longs to reunite with the cowboy who compels her heart.

The Kris Magnusson Emerging Leaders Graduate Award in Education was established at Simon Fraser University in 2019 with generous gifts from friends and colleagues of Kris Magnusson in honour of his decade as Dean of Education.

Overcoming unexpected personal obstacles and persevering when times get tough has been graduate student Elaine Harder’s motto throughout her life.

Congratulations to doctoral candidate Michelle Sylliboy who tied to win the Published Poetry in English prize at the third annual Indigenous Voices Awards for her book Kiskajeyi—I am Ready (Rebel Mountain Press)!

Aneesa Hashimi, a second year Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) student in the Faculty of Education, has always had a passion for working with children.

Zhao’s research proposal Situating Radicalization as a Learned Outcome of Interpersonal Experience aims to philosophically elaborate upon the nature of the moral person within the context of education as well as the learning process intrinsic to its situations.

Frandsen, a student in the Educational Technology & Learning Design (ETLD) PhD program, was recently announced as a 2020 recipient of the Joseph-Armand Bombardier scholarship, valued at $35,000 per year for three years.

In her research, Dr. Olivia Kanna focused on identifying educational theories and practices that are successful in addressing trauma and finding wellbeing and healing in the language classroom.

In her Educational Psychology PhD dissertation, What is Social Justice? Implications for the Field of Education, Dr. Erin Thrift sought to make sense of frequent and often vague references to “social justice.” Her research linked historic political events and shifts in sociopolitical thought to contemporary divergent views of, and confusion about, social justice.

The Dean's Convocation Medal, awarded by the Senate Undergraduate Awards Adjudication Committee, recognizes graduating students whose grades place them in the top five per cent of their class.

The award recognizes Poh's leadership and advocacy for positive change in the faculty having served as an Editor-in Chief and Managing Editor of the Educational Review Journal at Simon Fraser University and as a student Representative on the Faculty Council (Faculty of Education), the Graduate Programs Committee (Faculty of Education) and the Education Graduate Student Association.

SSHRC’s Storytellers, an annual competition, challenges postsecondary students from around the country to show Canadians, in up to three minutes or 300 words, how social sciences and humanities research is affecting our lives, our world and our future for the better.

After hearing positive feedback from peers who had taken part in exchanges, Gloria Tsang began researching study abroad opportunities at SFU. In 2011, the Bachelor of General Studies in Education student decided to further pursue her interest in environmental education by taking part in the Indonesia Field School — an experience described as life-changing.

Leung and Lafresnaye were two of the student teachers invited to share their experiences at the Faculty of Education’s recent teacher education open house on November 20th.

Coquitlam teacher Nicole McKenzie has 22 years of teaching behind her. But after spending the past two years as a student in a unique SFU master of education (MEd) program focused on nature-based and place-conscious learning, she has transformed her conventional approach to teaching—and her approach to life.

A class of SFU graduate students initiated a pro-active move this summer to improve the Fraser River’s habitat for salmon. They worked with First Nations, school students, and community groups to plant 1,000 trees and indigenous plants along local creeks.

Twenty years ago, SFU established a program that brought Vietnamese educators to campus to study education—then return home to apply what they learned. This week five alumni returned to SFU for a reunion and retrospective symposium, celebrating their successes and sharing how the experience has impacted Vietnam’s education system.

As a member of the Cree Nation of Chisasibi in Northern Quebec, Smeja had earlier struggled as a clinical psychology undergrad, feeling tension from how the field has negatively impacted Indigenous peoples in the name of research and science.

Ohana, a recent MEd ESE graduand and teacher in Surrey is seeking to become the New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate in Fleetwood–Port Kells.

Congratulations to Dr. Zul Kanji and Dr. Dominic Trevisan, recipients of the Dean of Graduate Studies Convocation Medal! The Convocation Medals for graduate studies recognize graduating students from each faculty whose cumulative grade-point averages place them in the top five per cent of their class.

“I had always dreamed of going to university,” says Barbara Wilson, who at 76 years is the oldest student to convocate with a graduate degree from Simon Fraser University this summer.

Former New York City actress Angela Lundin, who is now a school teacher in Coquitlam, will convocate this month after completing an unconventional one-woman show for her MA thesis in the Faculty of Education.

Carissa Keenan teaches at Harry Hooge elementary and was presented with a 2019 National Inclusive Education Award at an annual conference.

For her thesis project, education grad Meghan Parker made an autobiographical graphic novel that argues for drawing to be recognized as a mode of scholarship.

The 2019 $100,000 Cmolik Prize for the Enhancement of Public Education in B.C. has been awarded to Debbie Leighton-Stephens, Judy Halbert and Linda Kaser for their innovative Networks of Inquiry and Indigenous Education (NOIIE). The inquiry-oriented, evidence-based approach to learning and teaching has improved education in British Columbia.

Nada El Masry, a Libyan-born Palestinian and ESE student (supervised by Dr. Ena Lee), is being recognized with a 2019 British Columbia Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Award. She received the award from B.C. Premier John Horgan on March 21, which was International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

In my work as an educator and an activist, I have long wondered why it is so difficult for us to use the word “disability.” The word “special” and the notion of “special needs” are examples of the elaborate linguistic workarounds we have adopted to talk about disability.

Finding your life’s passion often happens when you least expect it. And sometimes, that passion can take you in directions you never considered.

Education master’s student Edmond Kilpatrick set out to reimagine his thesis in a new and imaginative way, using movement, dance and storytelling to present a topic often associated with stigma and discrimination.

Nicole Wittenberg, graduate of the Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Counselling and Human Development program,will receive the Lieutenant Governor’s Silver Medal at this month’s convocation ceremony.

To say that Dr. Sanja Boskovic goes above and beyond for her students is an understatement. As head of the Department of Power Engineering at BCIT and with a PhD in engineering from the University of Wisconsin, many would say she should be done with school. Yet Boskovic, 55, is graduating with an SFU PhD in educational technology and learning design this month after defending her thesis last fall.

The award is given annually to elementary and secondary school teachers in all disciplines for their remarkable achievements in education and for their commitment to preparing their students for a digital and innovation-based economy.

North Vancouver secondary school art teacher Meghan Parker is graduating this month from SFU with an MA in education and a special distinction. She is the first Canadian to complete a comic book thesis in an autobiographical form at SFU.

Returning to university later in life is always a challenge, but Cheryl Schweizer, 53, of the Tlazt’en Nation, encountered more obstacles than usual.

The Simon Fraser University Dean’s Undergraduate Medal for the Faculty of Education was awarded to Jennifer Wilkinson last week when she graduated with her Bachelor of General Studies. The Dean’s Medal is annually awarded by instructor recommendation, to one student whose cumulative GPA is in the top five percent of their faculty.

The Simon Fraser University Dean’s Undergraduate Medal for the Faculty of Education was awarded to Jennifer Wilkinson last week when she graduated with her Bachelor of General Studies. The Dean’s Medal is annually awarded by instructor recommendation, to one student whose cumulative GPA is in the top five percent of their faculty.

The Simon Fraser University Dean’s Undergraduate Medal for the Faculty of Education was awarded to Jennifer Wilkinson last week when she graduated with her Bachelor of General Studies. The Dean’s Medal is annually awarded by instructor recommendation, to one student whose cumulative GPA is in the top five percent of their faculty.

The Simon Fraser University Dean’s Undergraduate Medal for the Faculty of Education was awarded to Jennifer Wilkinson last week when she graduated with her Bachelor of General Studies. The Dean’s Medal is annually awarded by instructor recommendation, to one student whose cumulative GPA is in the top five percent of their faculty.

The Simon Fraser University Dean’s Undergraduate Medal for the Faculty of Education was awarded to Jennifer Wilkinson last week when she graduated with her Bachelor of General Studies. The Dean’s Medal is annually awarded by instructor recommendation, to one student whose cumulative GPA is in the top five percent of their faculty.

The Simon Fraser University Dean’s Undergraduate Medal for the Faculty of Education was awarded to Jennifer Wilkinson last week when she graduated with her Bachelor of General Studies. The Dean’s Medal is annually awarded by instructor recommendation, to one student whose cumulative GPA is in the top five percent of their faculty.

The Simon Fraser University Dean’s Undergraduate Medal for the Faculty of Education was awarded to Jennifer Wilkinson last week when she graduated with her Bachelor of General Studies. The Dean’s Medal is annually awarded by instructor recommendation, to one student whose cumulative GPA is in the top five percent of their faculty.

“Being in a class with an instructor and other students enriches your learning experience, I think. You can bounce ideas off of other people; it increases the clarity of some things when you are face to face.”

The Simon Fraser University Dean’s Undergraduate Medal for the Faculty of Education was awarded to Jennifer Wilkinson last week when she graduated with her Bachelor of General Studies. The Dean’s Medal is annually awarded by instructor recommendation, to one student whose cumulative GPA is in the top five percent of their faculty.

For her dissertation, Pedagogical Efficacy of Argument Visualization Tools, Dr. Hui Niu developed a new online argumentation visualization tool which she calls the dialectical map. Students create dialectical maps by identifying and composing claims, evidence, and warrants and filling them in an online map. They then draw an integrated conclusion by evaluating arguments and counterarguments in a visually hierarchical structure.

Dr. Ann Wilson is receiving two significant awards this year: A Convocation Medal for her achievements in her EdD program and an honorary degree from Kwantlen Polytechnic University for her significant contributions to her community since 1992.

Equity Studies in Education (ESE) grad student, Annie Ohana, has been named as a recipient of the Prime Minister’s Excellence in Teaching award. Ohana, a teacher at L.A. Matheson Secondary in Surrey, is one of 6 British Columbia teachers to be recognized.

“We help each other when we have some problems or challenges in our own curriculum and in our own teaching fields. That's what I appreciate, the program transcends what we learned in the classroom, and it moves on with us even if we're done the program.”

Harshaan Randhawa’s inquiry of identity, growth and resilience

How Akhila Mangalvedhe’s MEd experience began with curiosity and led to new opportunities

Kurtis Stangl’s transformative approach to alternative education

Sam le Riche’s EdD story of academic and personal growth

How Briar Elliott’s MEd experience built confidence and a commitment to champion student success

Alyssa Choroszewski’s MEd journey of growth and possibility

Kim Hollmann’s path to inclusive educational leadership

Inspired by her mother’s love of teaching, Rachel Upton’s journey through the Faculty of Education was marked by discovery, setbacks, and ultimately, a triumphant return to the classroom—reinforced by newfound connections and a transformed sense of purpose.

"We must never give up, no matter how challenging the circumstances, and strive for excellence at every opportunity. When the work is strong, its significance becomes undeniable."

Qinghua Chen and Chris Kerslake will be completing on behalf of the Faculty in the 3MT SFU Final taking place virtually on April 6!

"I have become an educator who now prioritizes developing meaningful relationships with my students," shares Eduardo. "I allocate time to collectively explore how our identities influence our learning processes and critically analyze how course content can be applied to guide decisions in our lives. Before, I focused solely on covering content during class time, but now, I invest more time in cultivating pedagogical relationships with my students and colleagues and I spend time learning about their educational priorities."

Celebrating our exceptional Education Alumni!

Kristen Abeyewardene, a seasoned educator with nearly two decades of experience in the Coquitlam School District, shares her academic journey

Doctoral student Sabrina Ngo discusses her experiences in the Educational Theory & Practice: Curriculum & Pedagogy Stream program.

This year, we introduced a new, unique tradition—the Message Tree, a heartfelt testament to the incredible support and inspiration shared among the graduating class.

Emmalee Rao shares insights into her undergraduate journey and her aspirations for the future.

As one of SFU's most outstanding graduate students from the Faculty of Education, Dr. Natalie Frandsen is recognized with the Dean of Graduate Studies Convocation Medal.

Embark on a transformative journey alongside Mohammad Alhannash, as he overcomes personal and academic challenges, embraces diverse perspectives, and emerges as an exceptional language educator, leaving an enduring legacy of inspiration and change.

As one of SFU's most outstanding graduate students from the Faculty of Education, Dr. Tanya Behrisch is recognized with the Dean of Graduate Studies Convocation Medal.

Elaina Buenaventura, who recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, gifted us with their reflections about the forum and the importance of cross-cultural considerations and practices.

The Faculty of Education is excited to have partnered with SFU Public Square, Moving Forward, The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the SFU Knowledge Mobilization Hub, and the SFU Surrey-TD Community Engagement Centre for the Cross-Cultural Mental Health: Research and Practice Forum on May 5.

Qinghua Chen and Chris Kerslake will be completing on behalf of the Faculty in the 3MT SFU Final taking place virtually on April 6!

Teachers are in high demand. AHCOTE provides prospective teachers the opportunity to pursue education close to home and begin fulfilling careers in communities they know and love.

The funding from SSHRC will allow Carr the ability to pursue her proposed research full-time on agricultural extension policies and programs, particularly in mobile learning (mLearning) interventions in Jamaica and exploring the challenges and possibilities it could have on remote communities and for women farmers.

Last week (October 6 & 7), over 1800 students across the university crossed the stage and graduated, making the transition from students to SFU Alumni, including many from the Faculty of Education!

Dr. Katherine Mulski, Doctor in Educational Practice graduand, shares her experiences as a student in the education faculty and the process of reconnecting with herself and fostering resiliency, telling her story through photography.

Len Pierre, member of Katzie First Nation and founder of his own Indigenous consulting firm, Len Pierre Consulting, says doing his Master of Education degree at SFU helped lay the foundation for the principles and practices he brings to his work facilitating Indigenous cultural safety training, reconciliation, decolonization and anti-racism in large organizations.

Congratulations to Dr. Shiva Hajian and Dr. David Chang, recipients of the Graduate Convocation Medal!

For graduand and student speaker Joanna Fraser, her passion and drive for reconciliation and nursing education comes from a lifelong journey of professional and personal experiences, beginning as a child immigrating to Canada from Nakaru East Africa.

Qinghua Chen and Chris Kerslake will be completing on behalf of the Faculty in the 3MT SFU Final taking place virtually on April 6!

Dr. Sheree Rodney has had a passion for school and teaching since childhood. However, her interest in mathematics education became apparent while pursuing teacher training studies. At the time, there were very few teacher candidates with an interest in mathematics. She saw that as a gap and an opportunity to make a difference.

Congratulations to our graduate students in the Faculty of Education and their supervisors for their success in the recent national SSHRC graduate scholarship competitions!

Indigenous student Chérie Baker, of Skwxwú7mesh Úxwimixw (Squamish Nation), entered the field of education as a result of the significant impact and trauma endured by her family as a result of the residential school system.

As a PhD student in the Faculty of Education, Tinglin’s research explores the social identities of Indigenous and Black youth, particularly those with learning “disability” labels.

If you didn’t know her, you could easily dismiss Alexandra Patzak as an exceptional doctoral graduate who is being awarded with the top honour of a dean’s convocation medal. This is an incredible achievement to be celebrated—and one that Patzak accomplished alongside her unique experience as a student with a visual impairment navigating university life.

Dr. Louise St. Pierre’s thesis, Baskets of Offerings: Design, nature, animism, and pedagogy, investigates alternate ways of knowing and learning that help designers intuit the extent to which our creations involve all human and more-than-human forms of life. Her research draws extensively from the wisdom traditions as well as contemplative practices.

Susan Luu remembers feeling anxious and overwhelmed on her first day at SFU. But the feelings quickly dissipated as she was immediately embraced by the Welcome Day leaders and Faculty of Education community.

Like many first-year students, Emerly Liu arrived at SFU knowing next to no-one. Feeling excited but anxious to meet new friends, she came up with a plan to find the people who would help her navigate university life. So successful was this strategy that she has now developed a guide to getting involved for all SFU students.

PhD student Estella Kuchta’s new historical fiction and romance novel Finding the Daydreamer, published in September 2020, tells the story of a young ranch wife’s life being turned upside down. Fleeing a dangerous husband, she and her young daughter endure a wild and unexpected adventure through Depression-era cowboy country in central British Columbia. All the while, she longs to reunite with the cowboy who compels her heart.

The Kris Magnusson Emerging Leaders Graduate Award in Education was established at Simon Fraser University in 2019 with generous gifts from friends and colleagues of Kris Magnusson in honour of his decade as Dean of Education.

Overcoming unexpected personal obstacles and persevering when times get tough has been graduate student Elaine Harder’s motto throughout her life.

Congratulations to doctoral candidate Michelle Sylliboy who tied to win the Published Poetry in English prize at the third annual Indigenous Voices Awards for her book Kiskajeyi—I am Ready (Rebel Mountain Press)!

Aneesa Hashimi, a second year Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) student in the Faculty of Education, has always had a passion for working with children.

Zhao’s research proposal Situating Radicalization as a Learned Outcome of Interpersonal Experience aims to philosophically elaborate upon the nature of the moral person within the context of education as well as the learning process intrinsic to its situations.

Frandsen, a student in the Educational Technology & Learning Design (ETLD) PhD program, was recently announced as a 2020 recipient of the Joseph-Armand Bombardier scholarship, valued at $35,000 per year for three years.

In her research, Dr. Olivia Kanna focused on identifying educational theories and practices that are successful in addressing trauma and finding wellbeing and healing in the language classroom.