DR. MARY ASHUN
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Courses taught 2011/2012:
EDU487 Professional Learning Community INT380 Interdisciplinary Internship INT398 Cross-Cultural Studies EDU323 Teaching in Multicultural Classrooms EDU324 Education in the Development World EDU446 Teaching Science - PJ
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EDUCATION
Ph.D. (1996), Chemistry, State University of New York Buffalo
Dissertation: "Inhibition of Murine Leukemia Virus by Poly – 2’- O- (2,4- dinitrophenyl)–Poly A."
B.Ed. (2003), Education, University of Toronto
B.Sc. (1991) Combined Sciences, University of East London
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- How do we build "glocal" perspectives into our classroom curricula? If we are to have Social Change and transformation, those involved in implementing and facilitating that change must be first made aware, and then supported. Teachers are at the heart of this transformation and I am interested in finding out how - using a blended Banks/Gorski model - we can move from Contributions of Heroes, Holidays, Food and Festivals, to Social Action where whole schools are engaged in respectful partnerships within their communities.
- How can we use science to promote literacy in classrooms? One way, I believe is to create stories that motivate children to inquire and The Adventures of Monty Horton does just that. The first book was published in 2008 and four more will be out by the end of the academic year and will be unique in the fact that it is a collaborative effort of Dr. Ashun, Dr. Sider and several students in the Education faculty of Redeemer University College. We plan to begin test-driving it in public and private schools in the coming academic year.
- How do we capture the essence of teacher growth in order to support effective teaching? I have created a program SOTLG, that will look at this question through the perspective of David Iverson’s “Spirit of the Living God’ hymn; can teachers be supported through a reflective process that is grounded in being melted, molded, filled and used by God? I am in the process of understanding this question more deeply in an effort to design a comprehensive teacher support program for use in schools.
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
ASHUN, M. & SIDER, S. (2011) Is it because I'm black?: Creating space for diversity in the Christian university. ICCTE Journal.
ASHUN, M. et al. (2010). What are some books that all Christian Educators must read? Christian Educators Journal. Vol. 49, #4.
SIDER, S. & ASHUN, M. (submitted). Concepts of wisdom amongst educational leaders in Ghana and Haiti. Canadian and International Education.
ASHUN, M. & REININK, JOHN. (2009). “Trickle down mathematics: Adult pre-service elementary teachers gain confidence in mathematics – enough to pass it along?’ ALMIJ Issue 4 (1)
ASHUN M.A, HY, Y., LI C.C, KANG I & WANG J.H. (1996). Effective Treatment of Murine Leukemia Virus by Poly-2-O-dinitrophenyl poly [A]. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 40:10, 2311-2317
ASHUN M.A. (2006). Improving Education Practice: Continuous Professional Development, Commonwealth Secretariat Best Practice.
ASHUN M.A. Turning mirrors into windows
ASHUN M.A. (2004). Bringing Global Awareness to the Classroom Education Canada.
ASHUN M.A. (1997). Innovations in Science, Mathematics and Technology Education. The Crucible (A journal of the Science Teacher's Association of Ontario)
BOOKS
ASHUN, M.A. (2008). The Adventures of Monty Horton: As Officer Bert Stein of the Space Shuttle Experience. Published by CreateSpace Amazon.
ASHUN, M.A. (2007). 22 Blessings in Disguise. Published by CreateSpace Amazon.
CITATION
Apea Emmanuel. (1997) Innovations in Science, Technology and Mathematics Education, Ajumogobia Memorial Conference, Lagos, Nigeria.
STAO. (1997, 2005). (Science Teachers of Ontario) Presentations, Toronto, Ontario.
PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS
CERTIFICATION: Ontario College of Teachers 463460
- Intermediate and Senior Divisions Science - Biology
- Intermediate and Senior Divisions, Science - Chemistry
- Primary Division
Principal's Qualification Program, Part 1
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
International Professional Development Association
Association for Supervision Curriculum & Development
Canadian Society for the Study of Education
Science Teachers Association of Ontario
Ontario College of Teachers
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Recipient of the 2008 African Canadian Women’s Achievement Award for service in the African Canadian Community.
Wrote & delivered Saturday and after-school workshops for elementary students interested in science. Based on the experiential mode of learning, this program was hands-on across all the scientific disciplines. Delivered in a group concept with individual journals and worksheets.
Designed, wrote and presented a Workplace Parent Education Series: A set of 7 workshops that teach parents about the educational system, how school works, and how to help your child succeed in school.
Designed, wrote and presented various workshops for Sunday School teachers in GTA Churches, needing to motivate volunteer adult teachers and to introduce new teaching strategies to the program already in place. Titles of these workshops include: “Teaching the hard-to-teach child”, “Understanding Today’s Teens”.
Initiated a Global Awareness Program at Kings Christian Collegiate in 2004. Since its inception, students have learned about other cultures through experiential travel to Ghana (Jan 2005) & Brazil (Jan 2006). We are currently visiting the Dominican Republic (Jan 2007) and will be in New Zealand in March 2007.
Initiated and developed a program called “Around the world in 80 days,’ which brings Canadians who have immigrated from other countries, into schools to spend lunch time with students, sharing their culture and answering questions. Countries featured include: Israel, Pakistan, and New Zealand.