How did you become interested in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning?
I was introduced to this field through my work with the Trent Teaching Commons. My work with students as both an Academic Advisor and Instructor gives me a unique and broad perspective on all the ways teaching and learning are impacted through a student's journey with us.
What keeps you engaged or motivates you in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning?
The students! Seeing the ways in which they adapt and navigate challenges and always feeling a sense of wanting to make their experience as meaningful as possible. I love that SoTL allows us to examine our relationship with students in a way that humanizes and values their development in post-secondary education.
What projects are you currently working on or hope to work on in the near future?
I'm currently developing a paper related to relational ecologies in higher education and the ways in which we (as support staff and instructors) can help mend the disruption caused by their educational experience during the pandemic. I have also worked on some projects and presentations related to Trauma-Informed Pedagogy and the intersections between that framework and Indigenous Knowledge and hope to continue that meaningful work going forward.
SoTL publications or presentations:
Needham, B. Trauma-Informed Perspective (TRIP) Guidebook.
SoTL interests:
- Mixed methods
- Student engagement
- Indigenous pedagogies
- UDL and accessible pedagogies
- Trauma-Informed Pedagogy