Darlene B.

I went to Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia to obtain my Bachelor of Arts Degree after I graduated from a small high school in Manitoba. From there I decided to return to my home province and become a teacher with a Bachelor of Education degree from Brandon University, Brandon Manitoba. After teaching for two years, I knew I wanted to specialize in Inclusive Education and Educational Psychology. The remaining courses and degrees were undertaken on a part-time basis while working as an educator, culminating in a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan.

I have worked as a classroom teacher, resource teacher, curriculum and program developer, administrator of special education, educational psychologist, consultant for ESL and English Enrichment for First Nations’ Peoples and as a university professor.

One of my highlights as a professor was the mentoring of a bright, graduate student who had severe learning difficulties, winning the Governor General’s award for her thesis for her Master of Education degree. She and I had spent many hours labouring over the task of conceptualizing, researching and writing the winning thesis. It was an honour to work with her to help showcase what remarkable skills people possess and their ability to succeed if given the appropriate supports.

I retired from university life at the outset of Covid but I have continued to work online as a mentor with post-secondary students from across the globe. It is rewarding to meet people from all walks of life and to be part of the exciting opportunities presented through online education experiences.

During the pandemic I also volunteered in my community with the food kitchen and donated face coverings to organizations such as the hospice and local schools where parents were not readily able to pay for the cost of masks for their children. I sewed and donated more than 2500 cloth masks. I strongly believe in the spirit of community and social responsibility.

Ruby S.

Ruby realized her passion for sharing knowledge with others at a very young age. Throughout elementary school Ruby would often volunteer to help children younger than her improve their reading and writing skills. Ruby then went on to obtain her Bachelors in Psychology from Brock University. There Ruby would occasionally work with underclassmen and peers and tutor them in certain psychology concepts. Ruby has always been interested in and extremely passionate about psychology.

Due to this. Ruby went on to work with the Canadian Mental Health Association as a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Coach. In this role Ruby would work with adolescents, adults and seniors, she would teach them how to use it to boost their mood, face their fears, and overcome things that cause them anxiety. Ruby’s objective has always been to ensure those she works with are confident enough to be able to carry on what Ruby taught them in the form of long-term healthy habits, regardless of if Ruby is there guiding them.

In order to broaden her knowledge of psychology and work with people at a deeper level, Ruby is currently pursuing a Masters in Clinical Psychology at Adler Graduate Professional School. Ruby is currently working as a student psychotherapist and as a student psychometrist in two different private practices. Ruby hopes to graduate later this year and continue working with a wide variety of populations to support them mentally, but to also teach them habits and coping mechanisms that contribute to their wellbeing. In her free time, Ruby enjoys catching up on the latest Netflix Original, reading, cooking and sharing laughs with her family and friends.