Maria Cantalini-Williams, Wilfrid Laurier University
Dean
Waterloo, Ontario
mcantaliniwilliams@wlu.ca
Office:
(519) 884-0710 ext. 2212
Expert In
Collaborative inquiry
Early childhood and experiential learning
How parents ensure a safe, smooth back-to-school transition
Innovation in education
International placements
Learning from home, online classrooms
Skill development in schools
Teacher education
Work-integrated learning and practicum models
Bio/Research
I am honoured to serve as Dean of the Faculty of Education. My Doctor of Education degree is from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto in the Department of Applied Psychology. I have conducted large scale research projects in the areas of: innovation in educ...
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Bio/Research
I am honoured to serve as Dean of the Faculty of Education. My Doctor of Education degree is from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto in the Department of Applied Psychology. I have conducted large scale research projects in the areas of: innovation in education, collaborative inquiry, early childhood and work-integrated learning models. Throughout my career, I have assumed a teacher-researcher model, reflecting on pedagogy and educational practices resulting in numerous professional and academic publications. Most recently, I received the designation of Professor Emerita for my contributions to the Brantford campus of the Schulich School of Education at Nipissing University where I was the Director/Associate Dean of the Laurier-Nipissing Concurrent Education Program and taught in the Bachelor of Education and Graduate Studies programs. I also had the privilege to establish the international practicum program in Italy and was the faculty lead for 12 years. Since 2016, I have served as the Chair of a Rideau Hall Foundation Committee working on the Education for Innovation project, designed to develop innovation skills and mindsets in Canadian students.
During my career in education, I have worked closely with school boards, provincial committees and national associations. I was a classroom teacher and subsequently worked as a program consultant with the Waterloo Catholic District School Board for 15 years. My contributions have been recognized locally and provincially with an award from the Consultants Association for Primary Education, an honorary Alumni Award from Nipissing University and several acknowledgements from cultural, educational and municipal associations. I have been a board member of Our Place Early Years Centre, Conestoga College Advisory Committee, TheMuseum, Waterloo Region Catholic Schools Foundation and the YMCA.
My research interests are related to innovation in education, work-integrated learning/practicum models, international placements, collaborative inquiry and early education. Some of my ongoing projects include the Rideau Hall Foundation initiative to develop innovation mindsets and skills in Canadian youth. Our work is featured on the website: CanadianInnovationSpace.ca.
I am also interested in continuing to research our practices in the Faculty of Education and look forward to working collaboratively with colleagues and community partners to enhance our programs increasing our positive impacts on schools and society.
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During my career in education, I have worked closely with school boards, provincial committees and national associations. I was a classroom teacher and subsequently worked as a program consultant with the Waterloo Catholic District School Board for 15 years. My contributions have been recognized locally and provincially with an award from the Consultants Association for Primary Education, an honorary Alumni Award from Nipissing University and several acknowledgements from cultural, educational and municipal associations. I have been a board member of Our Place Early Years Centre, Conestoga College Advisory Committee, TheMuseum, Waterloo Region Catholic Schools Foundation and the YMCA.
My research interests are related to innovation in education, work-integrated learning/practicum models, international placements, collaborative inquiry and early education. Some of my ongoing projects include the Rideau Hall Foundation initiative to develop innovation mindsets and skills in Canadian youth. Our work is featured on the website: CanadianInnovationSpace.ca.
I am also interested in continuing to research our practices in the Faculty of Education and look forward to working collaboratively with colleagues and community partners to enhance our programs increasing our positive impacts on schools and society.
Click to Shrink <<