RESEARCH TEAM

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Dr. Robyn Ruttenberg-Rozen

Assistant Professor, STEAM Education,
Director, Ideas^s Lab
​ Ontario Tech University
In my research I explore the tensions and possibilities of inclusive pedagogies in K-16 STEAM education for typically underserved, linguistically and culturally diverse, and exceptional populations of learners and their teachers. At the centre of my research is the study of change, innovation, inclusion, and equity. Using a multidisciplinary approach, I focus on humanizing STEAM learning and disrupting deficit perceptions of ability in STEAM learning environments.

​​In 2020 I received the Ontario Tech Early Career Teaching Award. Currently I serve as co-newsletter editor for CMESG (Canadian Mathematics Education Study Group)​ and I am on the editorial board for the ​​Journal of Educational Informatics.
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AFFILIATES & RESEARCHERS

Dr. Tapo Chimbganda

Executive Director and Founder, Future Black Female
​Dr. Tapo Chimbganda is a licensed psychoanalyst, educator, and personal development and relationship coach, and writer.  She worked in higher education in Canada and England but her passion has always been strengthening individuals and families through comprehensive strategies that educate, empower, and enlighten people to meet their goals. Tapo has almost 20 years experience working for community and non-profit organisations, schools, healthcare providers, and in private practice. She has presented at conferences in Australia, Finland, Canada, and other parts of the world; and has been published on matters of mental health, education, the social family, and social justice.

Dr. Suzanne de Castelle

Visiting Professor, UBC
Suzanne de Castell is Professor Emerita in the Faculties of Education at Simon Fraser University and at Ontario Tech Univsersity, where she has held professorial, administrative and decanal roles. She has published books and articles on educational theory, literacies both traditional and digital, research technologies, educational equity, and digital games and learning. She is currently Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia.

Dr. Rob Elkington

​CEO, Global Leadership Initiatives
Adjunct Professor, Ontario Tech University
Rob has extensive experience working internationally on food security projects, HIV Aids reduction, poverty intervention, and education for disadvantaged and marginalized communities. Locally, Rob works with organizations such as  the Durham Youth in Policing Initiative, Durham Youth Services, Durham Victim Services, and disadvantaged schools in the Durham Region. Rob’s research focuses on the intersection of leadership and society by exploring topics such as Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership in Disadvantaged Contexts, and African Leadership expressed in themes such as Ubuntu, and Ukhama. Rob has published extensively in these areas.
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Rob currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at Ontario Tech University, a Senior Lecturer with the Stellenbosch University School of Public Leadership, and a faculty member of the Trent University Master of Management program.

Dr. Marc Husband

Assistant Professor, St. Francis Xavier University

Dr. Ami Mamolo

Associate Professor, Ontario Tech University
​Ami’s research is in educational mathematics. Her work explores how to foster and elicit reasoning that can disrupt misguided and ingrained preconceptions about mathematics content, learning, and teaching.  Ami is especially interested in how creative and multi-modal approaches to math teaching and learning can be networked to encourage conceptual growth, meaningful engagement, and enjoyment with mathematics. Currently, Ami serves as co-chair of the Fields Institute Mathematics Education Forum, as well as Editorial Board member of the Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, the Journal of Mathematical Behavior, and the Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education.

Dr. Helen Thouless

Lecturer, Mathematics Education 
​​University College London
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STUDENTS

Sanya Cardoza - Research Assistant

Sanya is an undergraduate student at Ontario Tech University in the BA ESDT program. She enjoys listening to audiobooks and watching movies with her family. Sanya was selected for the STAR program in 2020, where she explored and expanded her research knowledge under the supervision of Dr. Robyn Ruttenberg-Rozen. Sanya is currently an  Early Childhood Educator, mentor and co-facilitator with the DDSB.  She has worked on multiple special projects, including leading and engaging in workshops for kindergarten educators. Sanya is a Program Coordinator of the Great Beginnings Success Program for Black Students. Through this work she has learned what it means to connect with families and create a sense of belonging among students in their learning environments. She is committed and passionate about bringing awareness of how to dismantle inequities and provide a space for students' voices and education. She has made written contributions for a piece on Black cultural students to the book Partnerships by Lynn Wilson, which will be published in 2022.  Currently Sanya is involved in the Equity, Diversity  Committee, Anti Black Racism Committee and Kindergarten Educator Team committee at DDSB. She enjoys working on these initiatives because it builds awareness, self-reflection, and advocacy for others.

Andrew DiVito - Research Assistant, Digital Media Consultant

Andrew has an MA in education and digital technology from the Faculty of Education at Ontario Tech University.  Andrew's research focuses on learner autonomy, creativity and growth orientation development in online learning environments. Andrew's research questions evolved from his experiences as a teacher as well as his passion about nurturing students as individuals and recognizing students' unique skills and ways of learning. Andrew has a Bachelors of Education from Trent University and a Bachelors of Science in Biomedical Sciences from York University.

Katelin Hynes - Research Assistant, Project Manager, Lead Designer

Katelin is currently working towards an MA in Education at Ontario Tech University under the supervision of Dr. Ruttenberg-Rozen while working as a freelance Illustrator. Her research interests are built upon her concerns for agency, identity building, democracy, and power structures. Katelin's research is an autoethnographic examination of her experiences in an exclusively online educational setting. Through this, she hopes to better understand the broader social and cultural implications of individual experiences in an increasingly digital educational world. Katelin is motivated to challenge inequities and strives to help foster educational environments that nurture wonder, creativity, and the individual interests and needs of its students.

Chantal Mckenzie - Research Assistant, Social Media Coordinator

Chantal is currently an undergraduate student at Ontario Tech University. She is currently pursuing her BA in Early Childhood Specialization. Her work experience includes working with families and children in various settings across the GTA. Chantal’s experience ranges from a supervisory role with the YMCA to an Early Childhood Educator with the Durham District School Board. She sits on a committee for Black Early Childhood Educators and is a passionate advocate for Black and Brown children and youth. Through her committee work, Chantal advocates for equity through anti-black racism workshops and other fieldwork such as building awareness through social media platforms.

Jennifer Muchmaker - Research Assistant

Jenn is currently in the Master of Education program at Ontario Tech University and is a graduate of Ontario Tech’s Bachelor of Education (primary/junior) program. She completed her undergraduate degree at York University, and holds an Early Childhood Education diploma. As both a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) and Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT), Jenn’s working experience includes RECE in a childcare setting, DECE for Durham District School Board, and OCT in the capacity of both daily and long- term occasional contract work. Her pedagogical interests lie within the realms of the early years, identity, and ABAR education. Outside of her academic pursuits, Jenn is a mom of two, an animal lover, history buff, and a music enthusiast. ​

ALUMNI

Brianne Brady

Julianne Gerbrandt

Neal Gupta

Andrew Hum

Sahana Mahendirarajah

Dakota McIntyre

Mary Seres