AQ/ABQ Courses

Biagio is a York Region-based educator with over thirty years of classroom teaching experience.

He has an Honour Specialist in International Languages, Master of Arts and a Doctorate in Second Language Education. Biagio joined the International Languages Instructor team in the summer of 2021. He has been a guest lecturer, researcher and teaching assistant for Italian undergraduate courses. Biago works for the York Catholic District School Board as a Moderns Department Head.

David Calverley has been teaching ABQ courses for Nipissing University since 2007.

David has worked at Crescent School in Toronto since 2002, teaching history, law, Indigenous studies, and social sciences to students in Grades 9 to 12. He was department head for eighteen years and is currently helping to support new teachers at Crescent School. He has a PhD in history, and is the author of the monograph Who Controls the Hunt? First Nations, Treaty Rights, and Wildlife Conservation in Ontario (UBC Press, 2018) and other articles on Indigenous history. David also works part-time as a historical consultant on Indigenous issues.

Adam Cox has a distinct passion for Alternative Education spanning over twenty years.

Adam developed and taught Personalized Alternative Education programs and experiential learning programs in various schools in England and in the York Region District School Board. He strongly believes that Experiential Learning Experiences are a great way to fully engage students, close achievement gaps, foster student achievement, and ultimately develop the “holistic” student to prepare them for “real life”.

Bonnie facilitated the online Intermediate ABQ Mathematics and Senior ABQ Mathematics Elective at NU for over 9 years.

Bonnie has over 15 years of teaching experience at the Near North District School Board where she taught mathematics and a variety of subjects. As a Special Education Specialist, Bonnie was fortunate enough to teach students of all levels and in a variety of programs. Bonnie specializes in distance education, e-learning and instructional design.

Liliana is an AQ developer, facilitator and educator with over 25 years experience.

Liliana offers an extensive array of experience and expertise in the areas of French and International Language programs. She values building relationships and putting student voice at the heart of learning in order to support all students in equitable and engaging learning spaces. Liliana joined the International Languages instructor team in the summer of 2022 for the introduction of the Portuguese Additional Qualification course. Liliana is a French and International Languages Instructional Coach with the Toronto District School Board.

This is Robin’s 15th year of facilitating Teaching English Language Learners Qualification courses.

With specialist qualifications in Reading, Special Education and Teaching English Language Learners, Robin brings a wealth of knowledge in various capacities including instructional roles. He has co-developed ESL/ELD resources, led professional development for educators, and contributed to various school board initiatives. Robin is also an accomplished presenter, with international teaching experience.

Frank has been a vice-principal, an English department head, and English coordinator responsible for mentoring teachers from grades 7 through 12.

Frank has taught Curriculum Development and Evaluation, Education and Schooling, Senior English, Intermediate English, and Language Across the Curriculum at Nipissing University over the past 16 years. Frank looks forward to meeting his students and sharing some thoughts on a very exciting place—the senior secondary classroom.

Nicola Townend (she/her) has been teaching German and French in Toronto for 20 years.

Nicola is a settler Canadian of British origin. Her interests include equity and inclusion, plurilingual and pluricultural approaches to teaching languages, and the integration of Indigenous content and perspectives. Nicola is a former president of the OATG and the CATG, two associations supporting German educators in Ontario. She is proud to have taught the German Part 1 AQ at Nipissing University since 2020.

Leisa is a special education teacher for the Near North District School Board.

Leisa has been an instructor with Nipissing University, for the Reading Additional Qualification Part I, Part II and the Specialist courses since 2019. As a teacher, Leisa has taught in all divisions and supported many literacy initiatives within her board. Leisa is passionate about literacy development and learning for students. As a principal, she spent 8 years working alongside educators, supporting best practices for literacy success for all students. Leisa now works as a special education teacher for the Near North District School Board.

Carly is an experienced teacher with the Simcoe County District School Board.

Carly has held roles in teaching mathematics and business, as well as in student success, guidance and assessment facilitation. Carly has facilitated, and contributed to the redevelopment of, Intermediate Math, Senior Math, and Guidance Part 1 AQ courses, as well as a remedial calculus course for prospective engineering undergraduate students. With well-being always as a focus, she sits on the board of directors with the CMHA Simcoe County Branch.