BHK., B.Ed., MA
Coordinator/Instructor, Kinesiology
School of Kinesiology
604.986.1911 ext. 3493
Fir Building, room FR519
erussell@capilanou.ca
Education
MA, Curriculum and Pedagogy, University of British Columbia, 2010.
B.Ed., University of British Columbia, 2007.
BHK, University of British Columbia, 2006.
Diploma, Recreation Facility Management, Langara College, 1996.
Bio
Emma Russell (MA, University of British Columbia, 2010) has a strong background in teaching. Her goal is to make each student feel as though they belong and can succeed in the higher education academic environment.
Russell graduated from the School of Human Kinetics at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 2007 and entered the Faculty of Education, Bachelor of Education (Secondary Option) program. It was while completing this degree that she was taught by Dr. Joy Butler. From this time on, Dr. Butler played an influential role in her academic trajectory.
Through this connection, Russell co-presented at many conferences across Canada with Dr. Butler in the academic field of Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU). TGfU is a teaching method grounded in social constructivist theory. As well, Russell was a committee member for the International TGfU conference in 2008, held at UBC. This conference attracted conference attendees from across the world.
Russell was fortunate to have Dr. Butler as her faculty advisor for her Masters of Arts in Curriculum and Pedagogy thesis. Her Master's thesis was titled, Mindful physical education: Factors that facilitate physical educators' implementation of Teaching Games for Understanding into their teaching practice. She held indepth interviews with practicing physical educators regarding the challenges and successes they had experienced implementing TGfU into their teaching practices.
In 2007, Russell was employed in the K-12 school system as a middle school and high school physical educator before pursuing her Masters degree at the University of British Columbia.
Capilano University has offered many valuable opportunities for Russell to explore and expand her teaching skills and philosophy.
My teaching philosophy is based on the constructivist teaching theory. Creating students that are able to critically think and reflect about the world around them, by using their own frame of reference and experiences.
This, I believe is fundamental to a successful learning experience. To set this foundation, a supportive and stimulated as well as inclusive and safe learning environment has to be created.
When these conditions are created, students have the potential to take ownership over how and why they learn. This can only be accomplished by connecting with each student on an individual and educational level.
None of this can happen without building a culture of mutual respect between teacher and student as well as between students.
2009: Lead-Presenter, with Dr. Joy Butler and peer graduate student Fiona Hough, Council of University Professors and Researchers, Physical & Health Education Canada National Conference, Banff.
Title: TGfU's Inventing Games Chaotic or Controlled: Responding to pre-service teacher's concerns following Inventing Games unit using the 3-2-1 assessment tool.
2008: Volunteer Coordinator & Committee Member Teaching Games for Understanding International Conference, UBC, Vancouver.
2008: Academic Poster Co-Presenter, with Dr. Joy Butler, and peer teacher Shannon Sullivan, pre-service-teachers Teresa Gomme and Frederike Siess, Teaching Games for Understanding International Conference, UBC, Vancouver.
2008: Co-Presenter, with Dr. Joy Butler, Douglas College Quality Daily PE Pro-Development Conference, New Westminster.
Practical session: TGfU‘s Inventing Games
2007: Co-presenter, with Dr. Joy Butler and peer teacher Shannon Sullivan, Physical & Health Education Canada National Conference, Moncton.
Practical Session: Danish Longball using the Teaching Games for Understanding Approach
2007: Co-Presenter, with Dr. Joy Butler, Douglas College Quality Daily PE Pro- D Conference, New Westminster.
Practical session: Danish Longball using the Teaching Games for Understanding Approach, TGfU's Inventing Games Chaotic or Controlled: Responding to pre-service teacher's concerns following Inventing Games unit using the 3-2-1 assessment tool.