School of Communication
School of Communication
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Susan has worked in post-secondary education for 20 years in various student support, leadership, and teaching roles. Her varied experiences include working in the Career Centre, Student Experience Office, Academic Integrity, Continuing Education, and the Communications department. She has also taught at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
Among her varied employment experiences, Susan also actively volunteers and has served on Faculty Council, Curriculum Development Committees, and the UFV Alumni Board of Directors.
In her spare time, Susan operates a small personal business where she teaches, leads, and motivates members in group dance and fitness.
Throughout my career I have discovered a passion for helping students through teaching, coaching, and mentoring. I believe that the classroom is a shared learning environment and learning is a joint responsibility between the student and the instructor. Students should be motivated and engaged learners, having the ability to demonstrate competencies and knowledge. The instructor is responsible for creating a safe learning environment where students feel comfortable engaging with the material, peers, and the instructor. I believe this holistic student-centric approach fosters and facilitates a positive learning environment for all students.
Building positive and respectful relationships is important. I have developed a rapport with students by being transparent and sharing my professional and personal anecdotes in relation to the class. I also draw on the experiences of the students in the class to help reinforce the learning. Building class charters and community help to develop a respectful and inclusive environment with diverse learners.
Understanding that learners arrive at my classroom with different experiences, motivations, educational preparedness, and learning styles. Wherever possible, I try to teach to each student as an individual to engage their interests, satisfy their preferred learning style, and at the level of complexity that they require to be successful in the course.
As an instructor my goal is to help develop the whole student by teaching, facilitating, and mentoring students to be successful in all aspects of their life – academically, personally, and professionally. I endeavor to make a positive difference and a lasting impact.
Invited Presenter, “Career and Professional Development: Creating leaders at all levels”, 2017
Continuing Education and Training Association of BC Conference (CETABC), Silver Star Mountain, BC
Invited Panelist, Leadership Panel - Administrative Professionals Conference, 2017
University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, BC
Presenter, “Attracting High Caliber Students: Best Practices for Student Recruitment”, 2010
Invited Presenter, BC Human Resource Management Association, Vancouver, BC
Conference Presenter, Juried/Referred, Association for Co-operative Education, SFU, Vancouver, BC
Francis, S. (2010). Career development of professional staff at the University of the Fraser Valley: Nurturing talent from within. Royal Roads University, Victoria, BC.