Retirements
Dr . Warren Wessell retired in December , 2014 after 20.5 years with the Faculty of Education . Photo ( L-R ): Dr . Paul Hart and Dr . Warren Wessell
Warren Wessel can look back on his career at the U of R with a sense of accomplishment , especially on two memorable involvements . First , he was a part of the rebuilding of the science area labs . These changes led to the science methods classes being taught in a different manner , using both the classroom and the lab area , making more efficient use of the space . Second , during his 8-year tenure as a Chair , Assistant Dean , and Associate Dean of the Faculty ’ s graduate program , the first doctoral students completed their programs and convocated . Notably , during that time , he saw the program essentially double in size to about 400 graduate students .
In the science subject area , Warren worked with colleagues to provide students with a different kind of experience in hopes that they would change the manner in which they teach science in the field . Warren says , “ We have worked hard to provide many inquiry-based and hands-on approaches to science teaching from Kindergarten to Grade 12 science classes . My colleagues and I have a reputation for providing ‘ thinking ’ experiences as we teach , and ensuring that students had to present many experiences for their colleagues .”
Warren also led the 6-year CRYSTAL ( NSERC funding ) project where more that 30 classroom teachers and several graduate students benefited from meeting with him to plan changes in the way that they taught science in their school classrooms . This project was a direct attempt to work with practicing teachers in professional development aimed at providing them with opportunities to collaborate with each other to work with colleagues to change their instruction .
So far , Warren ’ s retirement has felt more like a holiday , with momentary twinges of guilt over the idea of not getting up to go to work . Besides focussing on family , friends , and travel , Warren will complete the supervision of five graduate students as an adjunct professor . He also has four grandchildren to enjoy .
As advice to others , Warren says , “ Do what you love doing and if you don ’ t love doing what you are doing , find something else . Most of the success I have had is because I can see humour in most situations , and have shared it with colleagues .” �
Dr . Vi Maeers retired in December , 2014 after 22 years with the Faculty of Education .
Vi was born on the isle of Bute in the Firth of Clyde , Scotland . In the 60s , she responded to a Canadian teacher shortage , and found herself in Tribune , Saskatchewan . After 6 months , she returned to teach in the UK , but she would return to Canada in 1971 , to teach at Payepot School , Piapot First Nation . While there , she finished her B . Ed ., specializing in remedial reading . Next she moved to Iqaluit and taught at the Nakasuk School , a connection that has allowed Vi to support the current U of R partnership with Nunavut Arctic College , Nunavut Teacher Education Program .
In 1991 , Vi returned to the South and completed her Master ' s of Science in Mathematics at the University of Calgary . After graduating , she began her Ph . D ., and in 1992 , received her first appointment in the Faculty of Education at the U of R in Mathematics Education . She completed her Ph . D . in 1996 .
Vi has been described as a good citizen , with her energetic participation in the life of the Faculty . In 1999 , Vi received a University of Regina Alumni Association Award for Excellence and in 2002 she received the prestigious national 3M Teaching Fellowship award from the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education .
Vi has been quoted saying , “ recognition is important , but I ’ d rather be remembered as a good teacher . It doesn ’ t matter how long you have taught or how good your last class was , every new semester brings a new set of challenges . But once I started teaching I knew it was what I was meant to do .”
In 2003 , Vi became full professor and also the Director of the Centre for Academic Technologies . She served there until 2007 , and then after adminstrative leave , returned to the Faculty to take on the Community-Based programs with SIDRU . � continued on page 19 Page 18