TAGSA Executive
Gerry Gourlay
Chair
University of Victoria
Gerry is the TA Coordinator in the Division of Learning and Teaching Support and Innovation at the University of Victoria (UVic). In this role, she mentors over 750 graduate TAs each term through TA-specific programming and professional development initiatives to ensure that TAs are supporting undergraduate learning. Gerry holds a PhD in biology from UVic and has completed in tandem with an accredited graduate certificate for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (LATHE) (2017, UVic). In 2019, she was the recipient of the TAGSA award for best session led by a graduate student at the STLHE annual conference.
Gerry is the TA Coordinator in the Division of Learning and Teaching Support and Innovation at the University of Victoria (UVic). In this role, she mentors over 750 graduate TAs each term through TA-specific programming and professional development initiatives to ensure that TAs are supporting undergraduate learning. Gerry holds a PhD in biology from UVic and has completed in tandem with an accredited graduate certificate for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (LATHE) (2017, UVic). In 2019, she was the recipient of the TAGSA award for best session led by a graduate student at the STLHE annual conference.
Cristina D’Amico
Vice-Chair
University of Toronto
Cristina D’Amico is the Curriculum Developer at the Teaching Assistants’ Training Program (TATP), where she provides pedagogical support to TAs and graduate student Course Instructors who want to integrate effective educational approaches into their teaching. She works with the team of TATP graduate student peer trainers to design, develop and assess curriculum and training materials for workshops and e-learning related to teaching at the University of Toronto. Supporting faculty advancement, Cristina also works with the CTSI team to support course design, teaching dossier reviews for promotion, and various e-learning initiatives. Cristina has taught at the University of Toronto and Seneca[...]
Cristina D’Amico is the Curriculum Developer at the Teaching Assistants’ Training Program (TATP), where she provides pedagogical support to TAs and graduate student Course Instructors who want to integrate effective educational approaches into their teaching. She works with the team of TATP graduate student peer trainers to design, develop and assess curriculum and training materials for workshops and e-learning related to teaching at the University of Toronto. Supporting faculty advancement, Cristina also works with the CTSI team to support course design, teaching dossier reviews for promotion, and various e-learning initiatives. Cristina has taught at the University of Toronto and Seneca College, and has an expertise in writing development and the effective support of English Language Learners. She completed her PhD in English at the University of Toronto.
Brandon Sabourin
Secretary-Treasurer
University of Windsor
Brandon is an educational developer in the Centre for Learning and Program Excellence at Red River College. In this role, he supports curriculum and program development, provides instructional design consultation, and facilitates college-wide faculty development opportunities. Brandon is currently a doctoral candidate in the Faculty of Education at the University of Windsor. His research—supported by an Educational Developer’s Caucus Grant—is exploring the educational development needs of sessional and contract instructors in connection to their approaches to teaching and conceptions of teaching. Brandon is also the co-chair of STLHE’s Contingent Faculty Teaching and Learning Network.
Brandon is an educational developer in the Centre for Learning and Program Excellence at Red River College. In this role, he supports curriculum and program development, provides instructional design consultation, and facilitates college-wide faculty development opportunities. Brandon is currently a doctoral candidate in the Faculty of Education at the University of Windsor. His research—supported by an Educational Developer’s Caucus Grant—is exploring the educational development needs of sessional and contract instructors in connection to their approaches to teaching and conceptions of teaching. Brandon is also the co-chair of STLHE’s Contingent Faculty Teaching and Learning Network.
Georges-Philippe Gadoury-Sansfaçon
Secrétaire Français
Université Laval
Georges-Philippe is entering the Master’s degree in Intelligence and Transformation at Université Laval, and recently graduated as a mathematics and psychology student from Bishop’s University. He was awarded the 3M National Student Fellow in 2021 and acts as a senior advisor for the Online Learning and Technology Consultants program, which he co-founded in 2020. He is a strong advocate for francophone representation in national organisations and is very excited to develop TAGSA’s outreach to the francophones of Canada.
Georges-Philippe is entering the Master’s degree in Intelligence and Transformation at Université Laval, and recently graduated as a mathematics and psychology student from Bishop’s University. He was awarded the 3M National Student Fellow in 2021 and acts as a senior advisor for the Online Learning and Technology Consultants program, which he co-founded in 2020. He is a strong advocate for francophone representation in national organisations and is very excited to develop TAGSA’s outreach to the francophones of Canada.
Jenia Blair
Western MAL
University of Northern British Columbia
Jenia has been a Sr. Lab Instructor in Biology at UNBC in Prince George, BC for 20+ years mainly coordinating and teaching first year biology labs and second year microbiology labs. She has also been actively involved with allocating TA positions and training and supervising TAs during her time at UNBC.
Jenia has been a Sr. Lab Instructor in Biology at UNBC in Prince George, BC for 20+ years mainly coordinating and teaching first year biology labs and second year microbiology labs. She has also been actively involved with allocating TA positions and training and supervising TAs during her time at UNBC.
Alexandra Kozelko
Central MAL
Red River College
Alex is an Educational Developer at the Centre for Learning and Program Excellence at Red River College (RRC) in Winnipeg. In her current role, she supports Faculty and Instructors with Curriculum and Program Development, Instructional Design, and Faculty Development to support teaching and learning at RRC. In her previous role at the Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning at the University of Manitoba (2015-2020), Alex supported teaching development for graduate students and teaching assistants through a variety of initiatives. She led the delivery of the Centre’s Level 1: Novice Graduate Teaching Program. Alex is a trained Instructional Skills[...]
Alex is an Educational Developer at the Centre for Learning and Program Excellence at Red River College (RRC) in Winnipeg. In her current role, she supports Faculty and Instructors with Curriculum and Program Development, Instructional Design, and Faculty Development to support teaching and learning at RRC. In her previous role at the Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning at the University of Manitoba (2015-2020), Alex supported teaching development for graduate students and teaching assistants through a variety of initiatives. She led the delivery of the Centre’s Level 1: Novice Graduate Teaching Program. Alex is a trained Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) facilitator and completed her Facilitator Development Workshop (FDW) in 2018. Alex has been a member of the TAGSA Executive since 2018. Alex holds a Master of Arts in Political Science and is currently pursuing a second Masters in Peace and Conflict Studies. She hopes to complete her research in 2021. Alex is passionate about education, social justice, and all things Ukrainian!
Laura Chittle
Ontario MAL
University of Windsor
Laura Chittle is an educational developer in the Centre for Teaching and Learning at the University of Windsor, Canada where she supports curriculum and program development. Her research currently focuses on student partnerships, graduate student development, and curriculum development and refinement. She earned her PhD in Kinesiology, where she was awarded the University of Windsor’s Governor General’s Gold Medal. Her research has been funded by a SSHRC Joseph-Armand Bombardier CGS Doctoral Scholarship, a Sport Canada Research Initiative Grant, and an Ontario Graduate Scholarship.
Laura Chittle is an educational developer in the Centre for Teaching and Learning at the University of Windsor, Canada where she supports curriculum and program development. Her research currently focuses on student partnerships, graduate student development, and curriculum development and refinement. She earned her PhD in Kinesiology, where she was awarded the University of Windsor’s Governor General’s Gold Medal. Her research has been funded by a SSHRC Joseph-Armand Bombardier CGS Doctoral Scholarship, a Sport Canada Research Initiative Grant, and an Ontario Graduate Scholarship.
Samantha Chang
Student MAL
University of Toronto
Samantha Chang is a Ph.D. Candidate from the Department of Art History at the University of Toronto, where she holds a Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship (CGS) Doctoral Award, a Faculty of Arts and Science Top (FAST) Doctoral Fellowship, and a Mary H. Beatty Fellowship. A professional flutist and conductor, Samantha graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in London (England), and she is a fellow of the Trinity College London and the London College of Music. Samantha is the Microteaching Coordinator and a Humanities Trainer at the Teaching Assistants’ Training Program (TATP) at the University of Toronto.
Samantha Chang is a Ph.D. Candidate from the Department of Art History at the University of Toronto, where she holds a Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship (CGS) Doctoral Award, a Faculty of Arts and Science Top (FAST) Doctoral Fellowship, and a Mary H. Beatty Fellowship. A professional flutist and conductor, Samantha graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in London (England), and she is a fellow of the Trinity College London and the London College of Music. Samantha is the Microteaching Coordinator and a Humanities Trainer at the Teaching Assistants’ Training Program (TATP) at the University of Toronto.
Karen Young
Student MAL
Ryerson University
Karen will start studying immigration and settlement studies (MA) at Ryerson University with a Canada Graduate Scholarship. She was named a 3M National Student Fellow for her work in starting one of Canada’s longest-lasting TEDx events and Canada’s first by-student for-student mental health magazine focused on interdisciplinary, intersectional, and intergenerational storytelling. She is a proud graduate of the University of Toronto Scarborough, completing a degree in social psychology & health policy. She is passionate about organizing, advocating, and learning for migrant, health, and intergenerational justice.
Karen will start studying immigration and settlement studies (MA) at Ryerson University with a Canada Graduate Scholarship. She was named a 3M National Student Fellow for her work in starting one of Canada’s longest-lasting TEDx events and Canada’s first by-student for-student mental health magazine focused on interdisciplinary, intersectional, and intergenerational storytelling. She is a proud graduate of the University of Toronto Scarborough, completing a degree in social psychology & health policy. She is passionate about organizing, advocating, and learning for migrant, health, and intergenerational justice.
Alexander Liepins
Quebec MAL
McGill University
Alex is the Associate Director for Student Learning and Development in Teaching and Learning Services at McGill University where he oversees teaching assistant training and graduate student teaching skills development, among other initiatives. He is passionate about helping students learn and enjoys working directly with graduate students on the co-development of educational resources. Alex completed his PhD in Philosophy at the University of Ottawa in 2017.
Alex is the Associate Director for Student Learning and Development in Teaching and Learning Services at McGill University where he oversees teaching assistant training and graduate student teaching skills development, among other initiatives. He is passionate about helping students learn and enjoys working directly with graduate students on the co-development of educational resources. Alex completed his PhD in Philosophy at the University of Ottawa in 2017.