Teaching & Learning Exchange support
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Please fill in this form to be directed to the most suitable team member(s).
If you can't find what you're looking for in the topics list on the right, please email us at tlx@georgebrown.ca.
We're looking forward to supporting you!
TLX Leadership
Heidi Marsh, Associate Vice President, Teaching & Learning
Get to know Heidi
An academic leader in higher education, with experience in the college and university sectors. Demonstrated ability to drive innovation and excellence in teaching and learning among the professoriate and across the institution, with a commitment to evidence-informed approaches. A natural collaborator who empowers individuals and teams to do their best work, with an emphasis on quality, productivity, and fun. Experienced in educational research and development, with areas of interest including 21st century learning environments and faculty development. A demonstrated track record of success with academic publishing, both as an author and an editor, in the fields of educational research and cognitive psychology.
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Jason Inniss, Director, Teaching Excellence
Get to know Jason
Jason (he/him) joined the George Brown College community in 2012 as a faculty member at the Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts. Over the years, he's worn many hats – professor, coordinator, chair of college council, UDL facilitator, TLX associate, and most recently, chair of the LEAD Values Refresh steering committee.
Jason will oversee the ongoing Professional Learning programming within the TLX, including the New Faculty Academy, the annual TLX conference, and other keystone programs. He will also lead the development of a new suite of micro-certificates in the coming months, as well as supporting the implementation of the Academic Plan.
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Joanna Friend, Manager of Universal Design for Learning and Accessible Pedagogy
Get to know Joanna Friend
With over 20 years of experience in higher education, Joanna is dedicated to fostering access and inclusion for all learners. She expertly develops and oversees diverse faculty support and training programs that drive equitable learning environments. Holding previous roles as a professor, curriculum developer, accessible learning consultant, and learning strategist, Joanna brings a rich blend of knowledge and leadership to her work. She leverages her deep understanding of adult learning theory and proficiency in e-learning development tools to create engaging, effective training tailored to varied audiences. Guided by her strong commitment to equity and disability justice, Joanna employs an intersectional approach to advance accessibility and inclusivity within higher education settings.
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Anita Acai, Director, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
Get to know Anita Acai
Dr. Anita Acai (she/her) joined the Teaching and Learning Exchange at George Brown College in 2024. In this inaugural role, Anita will be supporting the College in deploying a SoTL strategy, fostering faculty development through skills training and communities of practice, and managing funding and dissemination efforts for SoTL across the institution.
Anita previously worked as an assistant professor and education scientist at McMaster University and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton where she helped faculty, staff, and learners develop their skills in education scholarship and led a program of research in health professions education. Anita serves on the Board of Directors for the Society of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE), coordinates the 3M National Student Fellowship (3MNSF) Program, and is involved in editorial roles for both The Canadian Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning and the Canadian Medical Education Journal. She also helped establish the International Journal for Students as Partners as a founding member of its International Advisory Group.
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Digital Learning Team
Learning Technologies Specialists are e-learning specialists who work with faculty and other members of the GBC community to design online and blended learning environments. We work with faculty and coordinators to develop online learning activities for all kinds of courses: web-enhanced, hybrid and fully online. They develop multimedia components for online course content creatively exploring the use of copy, visuals, video content, and reference articles, to guide users through learning and habit-building experiences. They also design and deliver presentations on technology, as well as prepare/create original materials to facilitate one-on-one training and workshops. They also can help with strategies for transitioning from on-campus teaching to off-campus, including the re-design of lesson plans, fostering engagement and exploring alternative assessment options.
Educational Technology Specialist, and Immersive Specialist assist faculty in selecting and utilizing educational tools to enhance learning outcomes and achieve instructional goals. Through ongoing research, experimentation, and a dedication to innovation, we collaboratively create engaging learning experiences that leverage technology's full potential.
Instructional Technology Specialist supports faculty through facilitated and self-paced training for Brightspace and Zoom and provides guidance in using new functionalities to maximize positive student learning experiences.
Evelyn Chan, Learning Technologies Specialist
Get to know Evelyn
Evelyn joined George Brown in 2015 and she provides recommendations and advising on educational technology. She works with faculty and coordinators to develop online learning activities for all kinds of courses: web enhanced, hybrid and fully online. She plans the scope of projects to develop digital content and interactive learning objects for online learning using HeyGen AI, Camtasia, Vyond, Articulate/RISE e-learning Module, H5P Development, Video Production, and Podcast. She also provides Instructional Design Assistance (consultation about course layout, online pedagogy, Quality Matters Standards Rubric, how to support learning using the Brightspace tools and environment) and facilitates one-on-one training and workshops.
Contact Evelyn
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Rocio Conde, Educational Technology Specialist
Get to know Rocio
Rocio joined George Brown in 2023. She supports faculty with choosing and using Educational Technology tools to support learning outcomes and instructional goals. She enjoys researching, experimenting, and creating innovative learning experiences with technology and helping faculty create authentic and effective learning experiences for their students. She is passionate about faculty development. Additionally, Rocio can provide support on Universal Design for Learning, Accessibility of Digital Documents and learning materials, and XR in education.
Contact ROCIO
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Gian Michele Pileri, Immersive Technology Specialist
Get to know Gian
Gian joined George Brown in 2023 and he provides Instructional Design Assistance (consultation about course layout, online pedagogy, how to support learning using the Brightspace tools and environment).
Contact GIAN
gianmichele.pileri@georgebrown.ca
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Noelle Paredes-Plaza, Instructional Technology Specialist
Get to know Noelle
Noelle joined the TLX team in 2023. In her role, she supports faculty through facilitated and self-paced training for Brightspace and Zoom and provides guidance in using new functionalities to maximize positive student learning experiences. As a post-secondary educator, Noelle is experienced in designing and delivering technology-enhanced lessons grounded in UDL and adult learning principles.
CONTACT NOELLE
noelle.paredes-plaza@georgebrown.ca
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Operations Team
The Operations Team is responsible for the effective management, planning, and delivery of administrative and operational processes for the TLX (Teaching and Learning Exchange) department, ensuring that all processes are aligned with College and Academic Division strategic priorities, directions, and institutional policies.
Michelle Lee, Operations Manager
Get to know Michelle
Michelle manages the day-to-day operations of the office, file management, note taking, evidence gathering, etc. Acts as a liaison with other administrative departments, such as HR and Finance. Oversees the human resources and payroll processes, such as hiring contract employees and students, submitting timesheets to payroll, and is the lead for HR tools, such as the HRMS (i.e., Cornerstone). Oversees departmental programming calendar and schedule, including internal team meetings and events, TLX programs for faculty, and external activities, such as conferences. Also, Oversees the departmental budget and associated purchasing processes, including inter-departmental chargebacks, and is the lead for Financial tools, such as Millennium FAST, Chrome River, and Concur. Manages the day-to-day activities within the office including supporting the on- boarding of new staff.
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Sorsha Youzeir, Events Coordinator
Get to know Sorsha
Sorsha joined George Brown in 2023 and is responsible for the coordination and scheduling of all TLX professional development training, conferences, events and communications. If you have any questions regarding training or upcoming events, please feel free to contact her.
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Faculty Facilitators
Faculty Facilitators at the TLX are teaching and learning specialists who support the ongoing professional development of all faculty groups across the college. In addition to offering a variety of education-related workshops and seminars, they are also available for individual and small group coaching or consultations. They also support faculty in the creation and facilitation of learning circles and book clubs, collaborate on special projects, and can be invited to provide department specific workshops or seminars related to teaching and learning, including the use of appropriate technological tools to support student learning.
Nicki Monahan
Get to know Nicki
Nicki Monahan, M Ed. is a Faculty Coach in The Teaching and Learning Exchange (TLX). She works directly with faculty across their career span, providing training, consultation, and coaching to help advance the college’s strategic goal of “excellence in teaching and learning.” Nicki embraces principles of equity and inclusion, and her work is rooted in the belief that connection with ourselves and our students is at the heart of meaningful, transformative learning. Nicki has a Master’s in Counselling Psychology from the University of Toronto and is a certified Personal and Professional Coach through Concordia University.
Contact Nicki
Laz Simeon
Get to know Laz
Lazaros Simeon’s work includes orienting and on-boarding new contract faculty, enhancing online course development and facilitation skills, and implementing educational technology.
Contact Laz
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Patricia C. Robinson
Get to know Patricia
In addition to facilitating the New Faculty Academy, Patricia supports contract and permanent faculty in the application of learner-centered teaching strategies for online, blended, and face-to-face learning environments through the lens of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). She provides workshops, and small group/individual consultations related to teaching practice, curriculum development, reflective practice, and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). Patricia has led Faculty Learning Circles (FLCs) and Book Clubs (BCs) and assists faculty in the development of their own FLCs and BCs. She is also a Certified Instructional Skills Workshop Facilitator (ISW). Her area of research focuses on teacher development and reflective practice through the use of narrative and arts-based methods.
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Associates
A faculty associate contributes significant services to a college or department in the form of limited instruction, supervision, or other assistance.
Anna Bartosik
Get to know Anna
Anna Bartosik’s (she/ona/elle) work spans across teaching, language learning research, instructional design, tech ethics, and teacher training/facilitation. Anna’s course development focuses on digital accessibility, representation, open education resources, and creating opportunities for students to direct their own learning. Anna is looking forward to new challenges as she begins a secondment with the Teaching and Learning Exchange.
Contact Anna
Centre for Business
Centre for Arts, Design & Information Technology
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Elena Chudaeva
Get to know Elena
Elena Chudaeva, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences is a TLX Associate. She has expertise in instructional design, development and teaching of online and blended courses, and development and using Open Educational Resources for teaching and learning. Elena has been actively involved in various projects related to STEM educational technology curriculum integration and Universal Design for Learning research and practice.
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Centre for Community Services & Health Sciences
Centre for Construction & Engineering Technologies
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Griffin Epstein
Get to know Griffin
Griffin epstein (they/them) is a community-engaged researcher, mental health and harm reduction practitioner, and full-time faculty member in the Social Service Worker department. They are passionate about creating accessible, disability justice-oriented teaching and learning communities and supporting movements for justice within and outside the classroom.
Contact Griffin
Centre for Community Services & Health Sciences
Centre for Preparatory & Liberal Studies
Griffin.Epstein@georgebrown.ca
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Kate Klein
Get to know Kate
Kate Klein (they/them) is a TLX Associate and a full-time professor in the Transitions to Post-Secondary Education program in CPLS. They are passionate about practices that explore the inner lives of teachers, as well as students’ emotional experience of the classroom (with a particular focus on trauma-informed, UDL-designed, neurodiversity-centred, and anti-oppressive teaching practices). They love to create spaces where people can talk through their stuck places, their creative ideas, and all the “complicated stuff” that comes with teaching. Outside of GBC, they are a writer and facilitator, and are active in movements for social change.
Contact KATE
Centre for Preparatory & Liberal Studies
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Marissa Malkowski
Get to know Marissa
Marissa Malkowski (she/her) is an Inclusive Education Advisor in the TLX and an Accessibility Consultant in Accessible Learning Services. She is passionate about inclusive and accessible course design. Marissa has a particular interest in utilizing UDL to navigate through attitudinal and systemic barriers. Her work with faculty often includes demonstrating how the needs of students with disabilities can be addressed within a more inclusive course design, reducing the need for individual accommodations.
Contact Marissa
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Ryan Morrison
Get to know Ryan
Ryan Morrison is a cross-appointed faculty member within CPLS, and he holds an Master’s of Education with a focus on Information Technology. Since 2019, his research interests have focused on the intersection of academic integrity and large language models.
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School of ESL
CPLS
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Sharmaine Itwaru
Get to know Sharmaine
Sharmaine Itwaru is a professor in the CPLS division at the School of ESL with extensive experience in curriculum development and higher education pedagogy. She holds a Doctor of Education degree in Adult Education, and her current research focuses on decolonizing post-secondary teaching spaces. Sharmaine is passionate about collaborating with College faculty and is strongly committed to inclusive, social-justice-oriented education
Contact Sharmaine
SCHOOL OF ESL
CPLS
