Faculty

Dr. Ayman Aljarrah
Assistant Professor
902-585-1632
E-mail
Dr Ayman Aljarrah

Credentials
- B.Sc. (Yarmouk University)
- M.Phil. (Yarmouk University)
- Ph.D. (University of Calgary)
Teaching Interests
- Teaching Mathematics in Elementary School 1
- Teaching Mathematics in Elementary School 2
Research Interests
- Dr. Ayman Aljarrah has consciously maintained two streams of interest––collectivity and creativity—in mathematics learning environments. In his research, he always concentrates on the interactions between all the agencies in the learning environment—the program of study, the people in the classroom, and the materials and tools—and how such interactions trigger and sustain teachable moments. Indeed, Dr. Aljarrah is interested in more than one aspect of mathematics education and teacher education (e.g., mathematical understanding, mathematical creativity, the process of teacher education, and processes of mathematical thinking).
Publications
- Aljarrah, A. (2017). Creativity in mathematics classroom settings: Recognizing the collective level. delta-K Journal, 54 (1), pp. 20-27.
- Aljarrah, A. (2017). Play as a manifestation of children’s imagination and creativity. Journal for the Education of Gifted Young Scientists, 5 (1), 23-36. http://jegys.org/.
- Nelson, D., Jurkova, S., Groen, J., Aljarrah, A., Macé, F., Wu, X., & Roy, S. (2017). Transcultural perspective development: implications for cultivating our well-being as emerging academics. The Journal of Educational Thought (JET), 50 (2 & 3), 98-116.
- Aljarrah, A., & Towers, J. (2019). Discerning two creative Acts: Expanding possibilities and divergent thinking. In M. Nolte (Ed.), Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Mathematical Creativity and Giftedness (MCG 11) (pp. 103-108). University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
- Towers, J., Aljarrah, A., & Martin, L. (2019). Exploring aspects of preservice teachers’ mathematical literacy through mathematics autobiographies. In S. Otten, A. G. Candela, Z. de Araujo, C. Haines, & C. Munter (Eds.), Proceedings of the 41st Annual Meeting of the North American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education (PME-NA) (pp. 1304-1308). St. Louis,MO: University of Missouri.

Dr. Lynn Aylward
Professor
PhD Program Coordinator
902-585-1751
E-mail
Linkedin Profile
Dr. Lynn Aylward

Credentials
- B.Sc. ( Dalhousie)
- B.Ed. ( Acadia)
- M.Ed. ( University of Toronto)
- PhD (University of South Australia)
Teaching Interests
- EDUC 8023: Methodological Perspectives in Educational Research
- EDUC 5063: Foundations of Inclusive Education
- EDUC 4333: Equity and Inclusive Schooling
- EDUC 4263: Curriculum and Instruction for Diverse Learners
Research Interests
- Dr. Aylward is an activist researcher, teacher educator, and curriculum designer with expertise in intercultural teacher development, community schooling, and inclusive education. She has researched , taught and consulted across Canada (living and working in 4 provinces and 2 territories) as well as internationally through collaborative projects with colleagues in Chile, Malawi, Tanzania, China, Dominica, and Guyana. Capacity building and reciprocity form the cornerstone of her research and professional practice. Dr. Aylward’s current research and curriculum development projects are focused on accessible learning technologies, rural youth and resilience and an historic examination of Inclusive Education in Nova Scotia through the creation of a documentary film about the legal case of Luke Elwood.
Publications
- Bruce, C. & Aylward, M. L. (2021). Disability and Self-Advocacy Experiences in University Learning Contexts. Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research, 23(1), pp. 14–26. DOI: https://doi.org/10.16993/sjdr.741
- Bruce, C. & Aylward, M. L. (forthcoming, June, 2021). Accommodating Disability at University. Disability Studies Quarterly 41(2).
- Aylward, M.L. (Writer, Co-Director, Producer) (2020). “The Case of Luke Elwood” (Motion picture for festival release). Frictive Pictures INC., Canada.
- Aylward, M.L. (2018) Book Review: Promising Practices in Indigenous Teacher Education., P. Whitinui, M. del Carmen Rodriguez de France & O. McIvor (Eds). ISBN 978-981-10-6399-2 Springer: Singapore. Teachers College Record ( December 6)
- Aylward, M.L. & Bruce, C. (2018). Being Somebody: Inclusive Postsecondary Education Programs within a Disabilities Studies framework. In M.J. Harkins and S. Singer (Eds.) Educators on Diversity, Social Justice and Schooling. Toronto: Canadian Scholars’ Press pp. 329-344

Kelly Brenton
Lecturer
E-mail
Kelly Brenton

Credentials

Dr. Michael Corbett
Professor
902-585-1190
E-mail
Dr. Michael Corbett

Credentials
- BA, BEd, MA (Acadia)
- MEd (MSVU)
- PhD (UBC)
Teaching Interests
- Philosophical, Historical and Sociological Foundations of Education (undergraduate)
- Research Literacy (masters)
- Curriculum Foundations (masters)
- Foundations of Educational Inquiry (doctoral)
Biography
- Michael Corbett has worked in the School of Education at Acadia University since 2002. From 1983 to 2002, he worked as a public-school teacher, consultant and principal in Indigenous and rural communities in Manitoba and in Nova Scotia. His experience working in small schools in non-metropolitan places shaped his scholarly focus on the uneven development of modern education systems throughout the world, and particularly in the Canadian context.
- Corbett has studied of rural outmigration, youth educational decision-making, the politics of educational assessment, literacies in rural contexts, improvisation and the arts in education, the position of rural identities and experience in education, conceptions of space, place and mobilities, the viability of small rural schools, "wicked" policy problems and controversies in education, and the use of film and video as a literate medium in schools. He has published widely for academic audiences contributing more than 200 books, scholarly articles, reviews, book chapters, reports, conference presentations and invited addresses. Corbett has worked with rural communities and schools in Australia and Canada as well as doing international comparative work in Norway and Finland. From 2015-to the beginning of 2018 he served as Professor or Rural and Regional Education at the University of Tasmania where he also holds an adjunct professorship.
Publications
- Select articles and chapters: Corbett, M., & Ackerson, Z. (2019). Vocational education and training: Discourse, systems, and practices of VET in Rural Tasmania and Nova Scotia. Canadian Journal of Education/Revue Canadienne de l’éducation, 42(2), 464–491.
- Cuervo, H., Corbett, M. and White, S. (2019). Disrupting rural futures and teachers’ work: Problematising aspirations and belonging in young people’s lives. In Interdisciplinary Unsettling Space and Place. Pinto, S, Walker-Gibbs, B., Hannigan, S. and Charlton, E. (Eds). Singapore: Springer, 87-100.
- Corbett, M. and Horner F. (2019). I Never Had a Childhood: Narratives of Work and Play in Postwar Rural Atlantic Canada, In Mitchell, C. and Madrone, A. (Eds.), Our Rural Selves. Montreal and Kingston: McGill-Queens University Press, 80-97.
- Recent books: Corbett, M. & Gereluk, D. (Eds.). (2020). Rural Teacher Education: Connecting Land and People. Toronto: Springer.
- Corbett, M. (2020). Learning to Leave: The Irony of Schooling in a Coastal Community (revised edition). West Virginia University Press.
- Kember, D. & Corbett, M. (Eds.). (2018). Structuring the Doctoral Thesis: A Voyage of Discovery. Singapore: Springer.

Dr. Janet Dyment
Director
902-585-1229
E-mail

Marie Edwards
Lecturer
E-mail
Marie Edwards

Credentials

Dr. Leo Elshof
Professor
902-585-1317
E-mail
Dr. Leo Elshof

Credentials
- Bachelor: ( Waterloo , Western )
- Masters: (McMaster )
- PhD: (Toronto)
Teaching Interests
- Science Education
- Environmental Education
- Environmental Justice
- Environment and Media
Research Interests
- Sustainability thinking in science and technological education, climate and environmental justice issues for education, critical thinking, and the role of media in shaping public perception and understanding of socio-environmental and eco-justice relationships.

Dr. Heather Hemming
Professor
E-mail
Dr. Heather Hemming

Credentials
- PhD ( Dalhousie)
- M.A. (University of Calgary)
- B.Ed (Acadia)
- B.A. (Acadia)
Teaching Interests
- Primarily in the areas of Literacy, Assessment, and Curriculum
- EDUC 5633 Curriculum Development,
- EDUC 5303 Principles of Assessment
- EDUC 4133 Teaching Elementary Language Arts I
- EDUC 4233 Teaching Elementary Language Arts II
- EDUC 4263 Curriculum Practices for Diverse Learners
- EDUC 4433 Assessment for Teaching and Learning
- EDUC 4203 Literacy Across the Curriculum
- Special Topics in Leadership
Research Interests
- Mobile Tools for Literacy Learning
Exploration of effective iPad/tablet integration in literacy curricula - Curriculum Development and Renewal
Teacher Education specialist on Project Implementation Team for the OECS/USAID Early Learners Programme (Focus on literacy and assessment). In addition, team member of a project team serving in the role of Curriculum Reform Specialist working alongside Guyanese educators and leaders in the Development of a Framework for Curriculum Revision Process for Curriculum Renewal for Guyana. - Leadership in Higher Education
Recent (2019) roles as Higher Education Specialist in The University of the West Indies Cave Hill Faculty of Science and Technology Renewal and an OECS project to Improve Teacher Training Programmes and Strengthen Teaching Practice in Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Publications
- Hemming, H. (2015). Teachers, Stories About Assessment and Building Professional Communities in Online Collaborative Spaces. Proceedings of the 14th European Conference on e-Learning University of Hertfordshire Hatfield UK, (113).
- Hemming, H. (2013). Stories Teachers Tell: Complexities of Assessment for Learning. Proceedings of London International Conference on Education (LICE-2013)
- Hemming, H. & MacKinnon, D. (2012). Balancing accountability with school realities: Leadership in difficult times. Proceedings of Ireland International Conference on Education. (155-157).
- Hemming, H. & MacKinnon, G. (2010). Organizational change and distributed leadership: A case study of the Acadia advantage laptop initiative. Proceedings of the International Association of Science and Knowledge: Teaching & Learning Conference (pp 335-342).

Dr. John J. Guiney Yallop
Professor
902-585-1190
E-mail
Dr. John J. Guiney Yallop

Credentials
- B.A. (Memorial University of Newfoundland)
- B.Ed. (University of Toronto)
- M.Ed. (Brock University)
- PhD (University of Western Ontario)
Teaching Interests
- Language Arts
- Creative Arts
- Research Literacy
- Curriculum Studies
Biography
- Dr. Guiney Yallop's research is poetic inquiry and narrative inquiry. He writes poetry and stories, usually from his own lived experiences, to explore emotions, identities and communities. As a Two-Spirited person, in Dr. Guiney Yallop's teaching and research he aims to look to his past, present and future with gratitude and respect for who and what has sustained him in his journey.
Publications
- Guiney Yallop, J. J. (2019). Making Nova Scotia Home: A Matter of Choice and Resistance. In V. Oickle. My Nova Scotia Home. Lunenburg, MacIntyre Purcell. https://www.macintyrepurcell.com/books/non-fiction/my-nova-scotia-home-detail
- Guiney Yallop, J. J. (2018). Reflections on Teaching and Learning the Creative Arts: Performative, Textual, Visual. Canadian Review of Art Education (45)1, 9-11. Online: http://crae.mcgill.ca/article/viewFile/55/91
- Butler-Kisber, L., Guiney Yallop, J. J., Stewart, M., and Wiebe, S. (2017). Poetic Inquiries of Reflection and Renewal. Lunenburg: MacIntyre Purcell Publishing. https://www.macintyrepurcell.com/store-front-page/poetic-inquiries-detail
- Guiney Yallop, J. J. (2016). OUT of Place. Victoria: Friesen Press https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000009367253/John-J.-Guiney-Yallop-OUT-of-Place
- Wiebe, S., Guiney Yallop, J. J., Fels, L., Snowber, C., Richardson, P., Honein, N., Faulkner, S., Dark, K., and Leggo, C. (2016). A poetic inquiry of and on play. Canadian Journal of Education 39(2). Online

Dr. Ron Lehr
Professor
E-mail
Dr. Ron Lehr


Dr. Gregory MacKinnon
Professor
M.Ed Coordinator
902-585-1186
E-mail
202B Seminary house
Dr. Gregory MacKinnon

Credentials
- BSc-Hon.Chemistry (UNB), BEd-Science Education (Dalhousie)
- MEd-Science & Technology (UNB)
- PhD-BioOrganic Chemistry (Waterloo)
- Nova Scotia Certified Teacher TC8
Teaching Interests
- Elementary Science (BEd)
- Secondary Science (BEd)
- Research Design/Research Literacy (MEd)
- Research Projects (MEd)
- Instructional Design (MEd)
- Biotechnology (BEd)
- Computing & Multimedia (BEd)
- Pedagogical Approaches to ESL education (BEd)
Research Interests
- Dr. MacKinnon's research invokes mixed methods approaches in the following areas:
- Constructivist Science Curriculum
- Instructional Technologies in Teaching- Computers in the Classroom
- Pedagogical Leadership in Developing Countries
- International Teaching and Learning Studies- (primarily China and the Caribbean)
Publications
- MacKinnon, G. (2020). Technology Use by Teacher Interns in China: A Longitudinal Study. Ubiquitous Learning: An International Journal 13 (1): 45-53. doi:10.18848/1835-9795/CGP/v13i01/45-53.
- Click for More publications

Dr. Allison Petrie
Assistant Professor
902-585-1767
E-mail
Dr. Allison Petrie

Credentials
- B.A., M.A., M.Ed., Ph.D. (Toronto)
Research Interests
- Special education issues
- Teacher education issues
- Attachment issues

Dr. Tanya Surette
Assistant Professor
Clinical Coordinator
902-585-1363
E-mail
Dr. Tanya Surette

Credentials
- BA (University of Lethbridge)
- MOC (Gonzaga University)
- Ph.D. (University of Calgary)
Teaching Interests
- Seminar & Practicum (EDUC 5066)
- Counselling Pre-Practicum (EDUC 50F3)
- Counselling Skills (EDUC 5133)
- Counselling Across the Lifespan (EDUC 50E3)
Research Interests
- Dr. Surette is a Registered Psychologist and Certified Canadian Counsellor, with specializations in formal assessment, trauma, and creative approaches to counselling and supervision for individuals across the lifespan. Her research focus is on equity, social justice, and cultural responsiveness in counselling and education. The overarching goal of her research is to investigate opportunities to interrupt systems of oppression and integrate theory and practice into efforts to reach vulnerable, underfunded, and marginalized populations. Her research program is grounded in a curiosity of experience as it is lived, through the narratives of those currently living it, and prioritizes lived experiences as the ultimate source of validation for knowledge. Her current research projects are focused on educational inclusion of gender diverse children and youth and the development, emotional well-being, and longevity of preservice counsellors.
Publications
- Surette, T. E. (2019). Too scared to teach: Secondary students’ insights into educators silencing and stigmatization of gender and sexual diversity in Canadian public schools. Journal of Contemporary Issues in Education, 14(2), 1-12.
- Surette, T. E. (2019). Too scared to teach: Secondary students’ insights into educators silencing and stigmatization of gender and sexual diversity in Canadian public schools. Journal of Contemporary Issues in Education, 14(2), 1-12.
- Surette, T. (2019). Privileging heteronormativity in Alberta's comprehensive health and sanctioned religious curriculum: A critical discourse analysis. Alberta Journal of Educational Research, 65(2), 162-179.
- Shier, M. L., & Surette, T. E. (2018). Supporting social innovation in post-secondary counselling units: What works in student counselling. University and College Counselling, 6(4), 12-17.
- Surette, T. E., & Shier, M. L. (2017). A common factors approach to supporting university students experiencing psychological distress. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy, 31(2), 112-131.

Dr. Jennifer Tinkham
Assistant Professor
Social Studies Education
902-585-1339
E-mail
Dr. Jennifer Tinkham

Credentials
- BA (UNB)
- BEd (Acadia)
- MEd (STFX)
- PhD (UAlberta)
Teaching Interests
- Elementary Social Studies (B.Ed)
- Secondary Social Studies (B.Ed)
- Sociological, Historical, Philosophical Foundations of Education (B.Ed)
- Qualitative Research (M.Ed)
- Curriculum Foundations (M.Ed)
Research Interests
- Dr. Tinkham is a former elementary teacher and has been working in Social Studies Teacher Education since 2006. Overall, Dr. Tinkham’s research program is rooted in social studies and Indigenous education. She is actively focused on making spaces for counter narratives in Canadian history, how to decolonize the field of social studies teaching and learning, how to inspire students to engage with and enjoy social studies and how to support teachers along this same journey.
- In 2019, Dr. Tinkham along with several history education co-applicants across Canada were awarded a SSHRC Partnership Grant, valued at $2.5 million from SSHRC and totalling $8,625,498.00 with partnership contributions. The key question that motivates this research project is, What approaches to teaching and learning history contribute to the development of critically and historically minded, engaged citizens? This project is divided into two phases. The first phase focuses on mapping the terrain of History Education in Canada and will run from 2019 until 2023. The second phase of this research is focused on Knowledge Creation and Research and will being in 2023 and finish in 2026. This research has three main thematic areas: 1) historical thinking, 2) Indigenous knowledge and 3) Civic Engagement.
- In addition to the SSHRC research, Dr. Tinkham is collaborating with colleagues in Alberta and Nova Scotia around incorporating Indigenous content and perspectives into teaching. The purpose of this study is to determine ways in which teacher education programs and professional development bodies are best able to support decolonization work in K-12 classrooms by encouraging pre-service teachers to share what they perceive, to be the challenges and opportunities associated with infusing Indigenous content into the curriculum.
Publications
- Orr, J., Robinson, D., Lunney Borden, L. & Tinkham, J. (2017). “There is a difference”: Mi’kmaw students’ perceptions and experiences in a public and band operated school. Journal of American Indian Education, 56 (1).
- Tinkham, J. (2017). The Reconceptualization of Canadian History Curricula in Nova Scotia Schools in Epstein, T. & Peck, C. (Eds.) Teaching and learning difficult histories in international contexts: A critical sociocultural approach. Routledge. )
- Tinkham, J. (2017). That’s not My History! Reflections from Mi’kmaw students on the role of their teachers in decolonizing social studies education in Nova Scotia in Marie Battiste (Ed.) Mi’kmaw Humanities. Cape Breton University Press.
- Tinkham, J. (2014). We’re small enough to close but big enough to divide. The democratic complexities of the Nova Scotia school review process. Alberta Journal of Educational Research, 60 (4). [Backdated issue, accepted September, 2015, published November, 2015]
- Corbett, M. & Tinkham, J. (2014). Small schools in a big world: Thinking about a wicked problem. Alberta Journal of Educational Research, 60 (4). [Backdated issue, accepted September, 2015, published November, 2015]

Dr. Brenda Trofanenko
Associate Professor
902-585-1381
E-mail
Dr. Brenda Trofanenko

Credentials
- BA (Alberta)
- BEd (Alberta)
- MA (Alberta)
- PhD (British Columbia)
Research Interests
- History Education
- Historical Consciousness
- Museum Studies
- Qualitative Research
- Digital Humanities
- Community Informatics
Publications
- Trofanenko, B. (2017). “We Tell Stories to Live”: The Limits of Oral History as a Pedagogical Encounter. In K. Llewellyn & N. Ng Fook (Eds.), History and Education: Theories, Dilemmas, and Practices. Palgrave.
- Segall, A. & Trofanenko, B. (2016). The Victoria and Albert Museum: A subversive, playful pedagogy in action. In D. Clover (Ed.) Adult education and museums: Social and cultural animation for change. Rotterdam: Sense Publishing.
- Trofanenko, B. (2016). Public pedagogy in a museum: CMIP21, for example. In V. Gosselin & P. Livingstone (Eds.), Museums and Historical Consciousness. Vancouver, BC: University of British Columbia Press.
- Trofanenko, B. (2016). History, heritage, and education: Notes on passing as an insider at a heritage education conference. In M. Glever & C. van Boxtel (Eds.) Tangible Pasts: Questioning heritage education. Berghahn Books: New York/Oxford.
- Trofanenko, B. (2015). On the museum as a practiced place: Or, reconsidering museums and history education. In R. Sandwell & A. von Heyking (Eds.), Becoming a History Teaching in Canada: Sustaining Practices in Historical Thinking and Knowing. Toronto, ON: University of Toronto Press.

Linda Wheeldon
Lecturer
Linda Wheeldon

Credentials
Staff Members

Everett MacPherson
B.Ed. Program Manager
Practicum Coordinator
902-585-1711
E-mail
Everett MacPherson

Credentials
- BA/B.Ed. (Universite Ste-Anne)
- M.Ed. (Acadia) M.Ed. (MSVU)
Teaching Interests
- Principles and Practices

Melanie MacEachern
Administrative Assistant
902-585-1395
E-mail
Melanie MacEachern

Credentials
- Ongoing Software and Cybersecurity Training (Acadia)
- Diploma in Business Computer Operator (NSCC, Kingstec Campus)
- Diploma in Stenography (NSCC, Kingstec Campus)

Shauna Coldwell-Sweeney
Administrative Assistant
902-585-1759
E-mail
Shauna Coldwell-Sweeney

Credentials
- BSA (Acadia)
Professors Emeriti
Dr. David MacKinnon
Dr. John Sumarah
Adjunct Faculty Members
Dr. Shaughney Aston
Michael A. Belgrave
Dr. Birdie Bezanson
Dr. Sarah Burm
Donald V. Chafe
Dr. Deborah Day
C. Therese Forsythe
Dr. J. A. H. (Sandy) Fraser
Dr. Janice Graham-Migel
Dr. Carol Harris
Dr. F. Stillman Jacquard
Dr. Darlene Kyte
Dr. Kelly Ann Lackie
Dr. Jeffrey Landine
Dr. Dale Lonis
Dr. Anna MacLeod
Dr. Tanya Mudry
Dr. David Reid
Dr. Joan Sargeant
Paul Syme
Dr. Deborah Toope
Dr. Suzanne Windsor-Liscombe