Summer Newsletter | May 2026

In this newsletter...

  • Faculty of Education Alumni Reception
  • Study Seeks SOGI Leads
  • Doctor of Education Information Session
  • A teacher's page turning adventure
  • Saying yes to adventure: One teacher's self-reflection journey
  • Seeing with potential
  • Research Corner
  • UBC Alumni Contests

Faculty of Education Alumni Social 

Join fellow UBC Faculty of Education alumni and friends for an evening of connection and conversation in Kelowna hosted by Dean Hare PhD’01. Reconnect with peers, expand your network, and engage with the education community in a relaxed setting.

Wednesday, May 27
5:00 to 6:30 p.m.
Kelowna Yacht Club, 1370 Water Street

Parking is free after 5 p.m. in the nearby Library Parkade and Memorial Parkade.

Register

Research Study Opportunity: Are you a SOGI-Lead?

We are inviting you to take part in a study (Voices of Inclusion: Understanding Educators’ Insights on SOGI Initiatives within British Columbia) exploring the relationship between your role as a SOGI-lead and its implications within your wider school community. Research to date has established that visibility and representation of queer, trans, and/or non-binary people in schools supports the creation of safe(r) spaces. These spaces also support the reductions in bullying, isolation, and discrimination; and increases in belonging and community. The purpose of this study is to explore the impacts that SOGI-leads have on their respective school environments within their school. The present study will illustrate what dimensions of SOGI programming are fruitful and may be of use to incorporate within initial teacher education programs.

Who: Current SOGI-Leads in British Columbia
Why: To explore the experiences of leading SOGI-events and their implications within your schools
What: You’ll be asked to complete a brief survey (15 minute online survey) and a focus group (45-60 minutes via Zoom)

Interested participants can contact: Dr. Rob Grant at robert.grant@ubc.ca.

Doctor of Education Information Session

Learn about the our Doctor of Education (EdD) program. Hosted by the Program Manager, this online information session will provide you with a brief overview of the program, what you can expect from the degree and the application process. There will also be an opportunity for questions.

Wednesday, May 20
5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific Time
​​​​​​​Online via Zoom

Register

A teacher’s page turning adventure

After Natalie Sichon, BEd, achieved her dream of becoming a teacher, she is now pursuing another lifelong passion: writing. At 18, she wrote the first draft of what would eventually become her first published children’s book, Lily’s Dreamland Adventures.

Read more

Saying yes to the adventure: One teacher’s self-reflection journey

Amanda Bukowsky’s, BA, BEd, MEd, journey to teaching was never a straight line. After completing her Bachelor of Education and working multiple jobs while trying to secure a teaching position during a hiring freeze, she received an unexpected email: Would she consider teaching in China?

Read more

Seeing with Potential | Kyra Sewell 
In Canadian Teacher Magazine

"Throughout my education program, I have been introduced to various pedagogical strategies and education theories. I have observed different teaching styles modelled by educators in my program and practicum experiences. As I consider how I want to be as an educator, I am aware that there is no one right way to teach."

Read more

Research Corner

Beyond the binary: Queer and trans activism in Ontario French as second language (FSL) classrooms

Robert Grant (OSE), and Elm Allister | Journal of Queer and Trans Studies in Education

Article Link

Do dogs enjoy supporting human wellbeing?

John-Tyler Binfet | Psychology Today

Article Link

Scholarly Learning Resources

Dr. Peter Arthur has designed a website for graduate students to help support them over the summer by completing focused, meaningful progress on their research, writing and other major academic milestones. 

Resources include a summer planning toolkit, a daily reflection starter and a 123-day journal. 

Learn more

UBC Alumni Contests

Did you know that each month UBC Alumni hosts a contest? For March, you have a chance to win two tickets to a Vancouver Whitecaps home game! Past contests have included gift cards to Aritzia and IKEA. 

Make sure to also enter the contest through the alumni UBC app to double your chances of winning!

Learn more

Okanagan School of Education
Okanagan Campus
Syilx Okanagan Nation Territory
EME 3115 - 1137 Alumni Ave
Kelowna, BC Canada V1V 1V7

education.ok.ubc.ca

 

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