Please join us in congratulating Dr. Jessica Chan on receiving the Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Language, Literacy and Early Learning (Tier II)
Growing up, Dr. Chan navigated two languages and two cultures—learning English at school while keeping her home language and heritage alive with her family. Her experience inspired her to dedicate her career to understanding how language and literacy develop in children from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, including those who have more than one language and those at risk for language-based disorders.
Dr. Stephen Berg is a leader in online course design and teaching whose thoughtful, accessible approach has had a clear impact on student learning, particularly in the field of early childhood education. His courses are intentionally designed to support independent learning and engagement while remaining closely connected to real-world educational contexts.
Throughout his career, Dr. Berg has received consistently strong student evaluations of teaching effectiveness and has been recognized through multiple Teaching Honour Roll Awards at UBC Okanagan. Student feedback highlights that course content is immediately applicable to teaching practice, particularly in areas such as inclusive pedagogy, non-biased instruction, and supporting multicultural school communities. Dr. Berg’s teaching reflects a strong commitment to student voice. His approach to assessment is described as personalized and fair, contributing to a supportive learning environment that encourages creativity, reflection, and professional growth.
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Berg’s work in program and resource development has reached more than 5,000 educators nationally and internationally, demonstrating the broader impact of his educational leadership.
"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 Kyra Sewell's full article at canadianteachermagazine.com > Winter 2026 Issue or Link in Bio
Anita Veal is an experienced sessional lecturer in the Okanagan School of Education whose teaching reflects strong curricular knowledge and a clear commitment to student learning. Since 2020, she has taught credit-bearing first year English for Academic Purposes 103 and 104 (Reading and Writing) courses, playing a key role in strengthening both the reading and vocabulary components and the writing and grammar components of the English Foundation Program (EFP) curriculum.
Anita’s lessons are skillfully planned and purpose-driven. The learning objectives are clearly articulated and consistently reflected in her lessons, and she keeps classes focused while remaining responsive to student needs. She regularly checks for understanding, asks meaningful questions, and takes the time to clarify challenging concepts. Student feedback describes her courses as academically engaging, supportive for international students, and characterized by clear explanations and an approachable teaching style.
Beyond the classroom, Anita was central to the development and initial implementation of the EFP co-curricular Chat Cafés, enhancing opportunities for authentic language practice and community building.
Congratulations Anita!
In this upcoming summer institute course, students will explore the relationship between educational values and the social practice of games/gaming with a focus on in-person hobbies as a paradigm case (e.g., board games; sports, card games; table-top/role-playing games). Students will be given an opportunity to explore a variety of conceptual questions related to games/gaming and education and assess their practical significance for teaching and learning through the development of gaming-informed pedagogical approaches
Register via Workday Student.
#UBCO
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.
“I knew I wanted it to rhyme, and I came up with this idea where the last word of every page becomes one of the first words of the next,” she says. “I’d never really seen that in a book before — I thought it created a kind of flow.”
But finishing it took far longer than she expected.
Read more: education.ok.ubc.ca/news
You are invited 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. The present study will illustrate what dimensions of SOGI programming are fruitful and may be of use to incorporate within initial teacher education programs.
Learn more at education.ok.ubc.ca/news
Applying to #UBCO's Bachelor of #Education this year or in the future? Swipe to see the course requirements along with course examples!
⭐NEW - For the teaching children pathway: 15 senior level credits (300 and/or 400 level) from faculties other than a Faculty of Education.
Not sure if your course is accepted? Check in with an Academic Advisor: students.ok.ubc.ca/advising
Visit education.ok.ubc.ca/bachelorofeducation for the full list of admission requirements.
#UBC #BEd #FutureTeachers
Alumni! 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, 2026 | 5:00PM – 6:30 PM
Kelowna Yacht Club
Register at educ.ubc.ca
In this upcoming summer institute course, students will explore the relationship between educational values and the social practice of games/gaming with a focus on in-person hobbies as a paradigm case (e.g., board games; sports, card games; table-top/role-playing games). Students will be given an opportunity to explore a variety of conceptual questions related to games/gaming and education and assess their practical significance for teaching and learning through the development of gaming-informed pedagogical approaches
Register via Workday Student.
#UBCO
Join us for an information session to learn more about UBC Okanagan’s Bachelor of Education (BEd) program.
This session is designed to provide you with insights into the program, admissions requirements, application process, and more. The session will be comprised of a brief presentation and an opportunity to ask questions.
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Online via Zoom
Register at education.ok.ubc.ca/news | Link in bio
Can't make the session? Reach out to us at [email protected] if you have any program questions
Congratulations to Kelly Terbasket, IndigenEYEZ, Dr. Margaret Macintyre Latta, UBC Okanagan School of Education, Central Okanagan Public School District 23 and Dr. Natalie Cohen, UBC Okanagan for receiving support from the Community‑University Engagement Support (CUES) Fund.
kʷu knxtwixʷ—kinSHIFT Schools brings together IndigenEYEZ, the UBCO School of Education, and Central Okanagan Public Schools to co-deliver Indigenous-led professional development that supports educators in decolonizing and indigenizing school environments across Syilx Okanagan territory.
Learn more about other CUES projects at communityengagement.ubc.ca/
