Faculty of Education Education News Fall 2013 / Winter 2014 Page 19
New Faculty and Staff
Alison Molina- Girón was born and raised in Honduras where she completed her undergraduate studies in special education . After receiving her Masters in inclusive education from the University of Kansas , she joined the Department of Education at the Universidad Pedagógica Nacional Francisco Morazán where she taught courses on inclusive education .
She has worked as a school teacher with distinct populations including lowincome and Indigenous students as well as students with disabilities in Honduras , Panama , and United States . Her experiences with students on the margins furthered her interests and commitment to advancing anti-oppressive , and social justice education .
Alison ’ s SSHRC-funded doctoral research examines the practice of citizenship education in Canada , with a focus on how conceptions of good citizenship , cultural diversity , and inequality are taught in the classroom , and the degree to which this prepares students to be actively engaged citizens in civic and political life .
Spy Dénommé- Welch is a multidisciplinary scholar and artist . Spy writes , composes , performs , and produces work in theatre , opera , and video . He completed his PhD in Education at York University ( 2011 ), focusing on an Indigenous opera creation and decolonizing performance practices . His doctoral research was funded by SSHRC and Ontario Graduate Scholarship . In recognition for his work , he received the prestigious President Susan Mann Dissertation Award .
He wrote and co-composed the Dora-nominated opera , Giiwedin , which was remounted in Winter 2014 by Wilfrid Laurier University ’ s Faculty of Music as its mainstage opera production . He has also composed shorter works for chamber ensemble and is a winner of the 2013 Baroque Idol composer competition .
He is currently completing his second full-length opera with collaborator , Catherine Magowan , and with the support of the Ontario Arts Council and the Toronto Arts Council . His academic work is published in journals such as Canadian Theatre Review , Canadian Journal of Native Education , and Public .
Melissa Berwald joined the Faculty of Education in January 2014 , accepting an Academic Advisor position . She is no stranger to the U of R . She enjoyed summer sports school as a child and became a U of R student in 1993 . She received a BA in Psychology and Sociology in 2000 , received full scholarship for a 1-year Japanese Language Course in Kitakyushu , Japan in 1998 , and completed a Master of Administration-Leadership in 2102 , not to mention numerous certificates along the way .
As a university student , Melissa has shown an interest in languages and worked in the Language Lab , ESL , and Language Department as a German assistant . She enjoys world travel and has lived in Germany , Australia , and Japan for extended periods . Her interests include hiking and walking , being outdoors , and maintaining health and fitness .
Melissa is excited to join a dynamic group of colleagues in the Student Program Centre and feels proud to be part of this reputable Faculty .