Professor Patricia Slade has retired as Associate Professor of Social Work, effective December 31, 2015. Prof. Slade was instrumental in the the development and expansion of the social work program through the design of new courses and increased internship opportunities for students. “We acknowledge Slade’s enormous impact on her students, who have faithfully served communities near and far using the knowledge and skills she has imparted to them,” says Dr. Doug Needham. “Slade will be deeply missed by the Redeemer community and we wish her God’s blessing in her retirement.”
Assistant professor, director of teacher education and chair of education Dr. Dirk Windhorst will also be retiring this year. Windhorst came to Redeemer in 2001 and has witnessed many changes to the program, including accreditation of the B.Ed. program by the Ontario College of Teachers in 2006 and the expansion of the program from two to now four semesters. “Nothing compares with coaching teacher candidates as they learn the craft of teaching in the crucible of the practicum,” he says. “It has also been wonderful to work alongside colleagues in the department of education but also the wider faculty. We – students, faculty and staff – are blessed to experience a Christian community of scholarship, teaching and service.”