Educational Leadership Philosophy

As a provincial leader in English language education and a past president of BC TEAL,
my educational leadership philosophy emphasizes empowering other professionals
through informed decision-making. By sharing my knowledge and expertise with peers, I
aim to advance pedagogical practices that enhance the student experience and
strengthen teaching methods. During my time as a teacher supervisor in Taiwan, I
recognized the potential to improve student outcomes through the exchange of
instructional strategies with fellow educators. When my students hit a learning plateau, I
realized the crucial role of leadership in education. Despite reaching out to colleagues
and administrators for assistance, I found little support. This gap in available expertise
inspired my pursuit of a Master of Education, where I developed the skills and knowledge
to not only tackle my challenges but also guide others. Sharing insights from my studies
allowed my colleagues to overcome their own teaching challenges, sparking my passion
for continuous learning.

Since joining UBC in 2014, I have upheld high instructional standards, consistently
refining my approach through research and best practices. My instructional style is
shaped by a desire for optimal learning outcomes, and I actively guide others in
integrating effective educational technology and innovative strategies. Leading by
example, I foster an environment where faculty members feel empowered to experiment
with new teaching methods while keeping student engagement and success as the
central focus. Recognizing the importance of inclusivity and decolonization, I incorporate
global perspectives into my courses while acknowledging my position as a privileged,
white, male settler. I provide informal workshops on communication skills, referencing,
and citation to help students and faculty alike tailor strategies for specific audiences.

My curriculum innovations and international teaching experience with culturally diverse
students are shared through workshops, class observations, and department-level
curriculum committees. My expertise in educational technology drives my passion for
effective instruction that aligns with diverse learning goals. During UBC’s transition to
online learning in 2020, I guided instructors in implementing effective online teaching
strategies through personalized support. In addition to my leadership within UBC, I share
innovative approaches more broadly through active participation in EdTech committees
and organizations like BC TEAL. I also present my findings at local and international
conferences. My goal is to lead communication education by leveraging emerging
instructional technologies to create more engaging learning experiences and sharing
these strategies with fellow professionals in the field.