Meet the Team
We support faculty to develop and deliver innovative and accessible learning experiences through the use of effective evidence-based pedagogical approaches, instructional delivery, and technology.
Dr. Kaitlyn Watson
Educational Developer
Kaitlyn Watson is an Educational Developer with the Teaching and Learning Centre. She holds a PhD in Education Studies – Critical Policy, Equity, and Leadership – from Western University, MA in Canadian Studies and Indigenous Studies from Trent University, and BEd and Honours BA from Lakehead University. Kaitlyn has taught face-to-face, online, and blended courses in the K-12 and post-secondary sectors in synchronous and asynchronous learning contexts. Kaitlyn’s curricular, pedagogical, and research interests focus on equity, decolonization, and reconciliation.
Kevin Johnson
Educational Developer
Kevin is an Educational Developer with the Teaching and Learning Centre. He is a graduate from the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities at Ontario Tech and holds an MA in Communication and Media Studies from the University of Ottawa. Kevin is passionate about life-long learning and focused on empowering students and faculty to identify and develop their personal strengths.
Lasandra Conliffe
Educational Developer
Lasandra possesses a MEd focused on Online Learning and an Honours BA in Educational Studies and Digital Technology, specializing in Adult Education, earned from Ontario Tech. Her interests include applications of and emerging trends in educational technology, and the ethical integration of generative AI. Her dedication to enhancing education underscores a drive for innovation, inclusivity, and diversity, shaping a brighter educational future.
Miranda Varricchio
Educational Developer
Miranda is a graduate of the Frazer Faculty of Education at Ontario Tech with a MEd and BA (Hons) in Educational Studies. With 7 years of teaching experience, she is passionate about sound pedagogical design, alternative assessment and is currently exploring with great curiosity the intersection of generative artificial intelligence with academic integrity.
We use media as a pedagogical tool to create a high quality student-centred learning experience by producing accessible custom course materials to drive engagement and knowledge transfer.
Alexander Pilon
Educational Media Developer
As a video specialist and communications strategist, Alexander has worked on Emmy, Grammy, and Juno winning productions. He holds a Professional Master's of Education from Queen's University, and has created content and communication plans in the fields of healthcare, education, hospitality, and the arts. Alexander joins the Teaching and Learning Centre with years of post-secondary instruction experience in Film Production, and Public Relations.
Shannon Brandejs
Educational Media Developer
Shannon has worked at the TLC since she completed her BA. Prior to that, she worked at Western University as an instructional designer. She holds a Masters of Education from Ontario Tech, a Graduate Certificate in Adult Education from Royal Roads, and a BA in Media Theory and Production (specializing in Multimedia Design) from Western. She makes videos, interactive tools, and graphics to improve learning.
We support transformative and empowering learner-centred experiences by providing faculty with evidence-based, pedagogically-informed, and engaging technologies.
Hannah Atkinson
Educational Technology Analyst
Hannah is a two-time graduate of the Frazer Faculty of Education with a MEd and a BA (Hons) in Educational Studies and Digital Technology. She is also a Registered Early Childhood Educator passionate about the intentional and meaningful use of educational technology to support learners of all ages and stages. Hannah’s research interests include online and HyFlex learning, non-disposable and alternative assessment, digital play, and innovative learning solutions such as interactive digital learning objects.By creating and advocating for high quality Open Educational Resources and open pedagogical practices, we support learner accessibility while providing students with meaningful experiential learning opportunities.
Pranjal Saloni
Open Education Lab Coordinator
Pranjal is an Open Education Coordinator in the Teaching and Learning Centre, and is a graduate of Ontario Tech with a BEng in Software Engineering and Management (specialization in Internet of Things). She is responsible for managing new and ongoing projects, working with faculty members, and supervising a team of students in creating Open Educational Resources (OERs). Her areas of expertise include project management and open educational research.
Dr. Mahboobeh Zabihhosseinian
Academic Development Facilitator
Mahboobeh holds a Doctorate and Master’s degree in health sciences from Ontario Tech University, along with a Master’s and BSc (Honours) in Physical Education and Sport Sciences. Committed to advancing her field, she has served as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Research Project Manager, Adjunct Professor, and Sessional Lecturer. Certified in University Teaching, she excels in both synchronous and asynchronous teaching environments. Mahboobeh has an extensive record of peer-reviewed publications and is passionate about empowering others through continuous learning and academic excellence.
Rammiya Jeganathan
Academic Development Facilitator
Rammiya is a graduate from the University of Toronto with a MEd in Leadership, Adult & Higher Education and BA (Hons) in English. She is committed to advancing equity, access, and student development, with a focus on cultural dissonance, identity, and systemic reform. Rammiya bridges research and practice to help build inclusive, student-focused environments that empower diverse learners to succeed.
- Subject Specialists
- Ben Fedoruk
- Mark Neville
- Mary Elizabeth Konrad
- Matthew McGravey
- Olga Bulakh
- Sarah Coombs
- Stephanie Rufh
- Tessa Troughton
Ben Fedoruk
Subject Specialist
Ben is an award-winning mathematics educator with a BSc in Applied and Industrial Mathematics, and is pursuing an MEd. He is a published researcher on the intersection of mathematics, education, and large language models. Mathematically, his interests lie in algebraic number theory. His "Math Among Friends" pedagogical approach tackles mathematics trauma through kindness and intuition-building before rigor.
Mark Neville
Subject Specialist
Mark has an MA in Applied Linguistics from York U, CTESL from UofT, and BA (Hons) from Western. With 25 years of teaching experience in Canada, Japan, and the UAE, he has taught 1000s of students from almost everywhere. He is dedicated to supporting students in all aspects of their writing and language development. Professionally, he is interested in academic integrity, affective learning, GenAI & writing, and second language acquisition.
Mary Elizabeth Konrad
Subject Specialist
Bio coming soon!
Matthew McGravey
Subject Specialist
Matthew is a Subject Specialist (Writing & ESL) with Student Learning Support at the TLC. Matthew is a graduate of the Frazer Faculty of Education | Ontario Tech University with an MEd and BA (Hons) from the University of Toronto in History. Matthew is passionate about supporting learners at all stages of their learning with his extensive knowledge of writing and language attainment. In his research, Matthew has explored numerous topic including online learning environments, topics related to Indigenous education, and artificial intelligence related to academic literacies.
Olga Bulakh
Subject Specialist
Bio coming soon!
Sarah Coombs
Subject Specialist
Bio coming soon!
Stephanie Rufh
Subject Specialist
Stephanie graduated from the University of Ottawa with an MSc in Chemistry and has been supporting students at Ontario Tech since 2018. Her chemistry workshops, drop-in sessions, and one-on-one appointments are aimed at students of all educational backgrounds and are designed with accessibility and Universal Design for Learning in mind. Stephanie is passionate about making chemistry interesting and fun for all, especially when math is involved.
Tessa Troughton
Subject Specialist
Bio coming soon!
Dr. Lidya Salim
Manager, Instructional Support
Lidya is a graduate from the Faculty of Science at Ontario Tech with a BSc in Biological Science and a PhD in Applied Bioscience. She has significant experience designing and implementing educational materials based on the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Lidya is also committed to promoting learner-centered pedagogy as well as accessibility, equity, diversity, and inclusion.Dr. Sarah Stokes
Manager, Student Learning Support
Bio coming soon!
Dr. Susan L. Forbes
Director, Teaching and Learning
Susan L. Forbes (PhD University of Western Ontario; MA Wilfrid Laurier University, BA University of Calgary) is the Director of the Teaching and Learning Centre, as well as a Sessional Instructor and Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Ontario Tech University. Dr. Forbes has over 25 years of teaching experience in both face-to-face and blended environments, as well as being a highly published researcher.
Rebecca Maynard
Faculty Development Coordinator
Rebecca is a graduate of Ontario Tech, with a BA (Hons) in Communication and Digital Media Studies. By supporting the TLC, they strive to promote accessibility in post-secondary education and a more equitable distribution of knowledge.