PhD Candidate (ABD) | MEd, BEd, BSc (Physics & Mathematics)



Educational Experiences


  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (St. Francis Xavier University; 2023-Current):
    Focus: Educational Studies
    Dissertation Working Title: "Exploring the Ideology of Success for Black and African Nova Scotian Learners in High School Science Classrooms."
    Research Approach: Autoethnography
    Committee Members:     Dr. David Young, Dr. Wendy Mackey and Dr. William Ankomah
    External Examiner: TBA

  • Non-Degree Thesis for PhD Application (St. Francis Xavier University; 2018-2023):
  • Thesis Title: "Grit and student success in a high school physics classroom."
    Research Approach: Autoethnography
    Committee Members:     Dr. David Young, Dr. Joanne Tompkins (retired) and, Dr. Robert White (retired)
    External Examiner:     Dr. Thomas Ryan (Nipissing University)
    Successfully Defended on June 1, 2023

    Master of Education (St. Francis Xavier University; 2014-2017):
    Leadership and Administration

    Master of Education (St. Francis Xavier University; 2011-2014):
    Curriculum and Instruction

    Bachelor of Education (St. Francis Xavier University; 2007-2009):
    Secondary School Science Education

    Bachelors of Science (Dalhousie University; 2002-2007):
    Double Major in Physics and Mathematics

Relevant Experiences



Teaching Experiences (Halifax Regional Centre for Education)


  2. Science Courses Taught: IB Physics 11/12 (SL & HL), Physics 11/12, Oceans 11, and Science 10.
    Math Courses Taught: Math 10/11 (At-Work), Math 10 Academic, Math 10/11 Essentials, and Math Support.
    Other Courses Taught: Business Technology 11, Design 11, and Career Development 10.

    Additional Comments:
    IB Extended Essay Mentor, IB Physics Internal Assessment Mentor, and currently co-leading the HRCE/EECD PASCO Sensor Roll out for Science 10 Classes for Citadel High School.

Curriculum Writing and Publications


  2. Library and Archives: Theses Canada (February 2024):
    Formal release of Non-Degree Thesis to the National Library and Archives Canada (LAC). This is classified as a Master-level thesis because I have not produced a doctoral-level dissertation.
    Link to Library and Archives Canada can be found here.

  3. St. Francis Xavier University: StFX Scholar Publication     (December 2023):
  4. Formal release of Non-Degree Thesis from StFX Scholar. This thesis was also submitted to the National Library and Archives Canada (LAC). Original publication can be found here..

  6. University of Regina: In-Education Education Journal Submission (July 2023):
    Submission of "Teacher autoethnography of grit and student success in a high school physics classroom."
    Status: Waiting for completion of double-blind review.
    Link to draft article submitted to In-Education.

  8. St. Francis Xavier University and Human Kinetics (Publisher) (2009):
    Curriculum writer for a chapter involving weather forecasting
    Link to "Quality Lesson Plans for Outdoor Education" Book

  9. St. Francis Xavier University and Ecology Action Centre (2008):
    Curriculum writer for the Ecology Action Centre's "Making Tracks" Program
    Ecology Action Centre's web site only shows 1 of 3 of my co-projects (Cycling Program)



Additional Educational Related Experiences


  2. Canadian Society for the Study of Education (CSSE) ( June 2024):
    I will be attending CSSE at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec to examine educational issues on a regional and national level. This conference will be particularly useful to learn about educational, social, and political issues that are occuring nationally and how such circumstances may impact Nova Scotian schooling systems.

  4. International Council of Professors of Educational Leadership (ICPEL) Seminar (March 2024):
  5. Attendance and participation at the Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (JEDI) Spring Webinar
    "The Chilling Effect: Connecting Equity Work to National Standards."

  6. St. Francis Xavier University: Data Research Analyst (July to November 2023):
    Worked at the Faculty of Education as a Research Data Analyst. I utilized interpretivism and grounded theory in order to develop strategic goals for the Faculty of Education. Such goals are to be used for
    St. Francis Xavier University's 2023-2028 Strategic Plan. During this time, I worked alongside with
    Dr. Lace Marie Brogden, Dean of the Faculty of Education.

  7. NSTU Association of Science Teachers (October 2023):
    Workshop presenter for "Engaging the 21st Century Learner: Plickers, Podcasts, and PASCO Sensors."

  8. St. Francis Xavier University Educational Research Forum (July 2023):
  9. Findings related to my thesis "Grit and student success in a high school physics classroom."

  11. NSTU Association of Science Teachers (October 2022):
  12. Workshop presenter for "Developing a cohesive in-school and online education experience."

  13. St. Francis Xavier University Educational Research Forum (July 2021):
    Literature review presentation on aspects related to Grit, Incremental Theory, and Social Ideologies, and early findings from my thesis.

    NSTU Association of Science Teachers (October 2021):
  14. Workshop presenter for "Developing a cohesive online education experience".

    Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) (January 2019):
    Involvement in the Making Waves: Stories of 2nd-Generation Immigrants Book
    Link to ISANS Web Site for the Making Waves Book

  15. Vietnamese Association of Nova Scotia (2012):
    Vice-President of Internal Affairs (Elected position)