Author: Wesley Butler

Wesley Butler, B.PR, B.A. Comm, and Cert. Post-Sec Teaching, brings 10 years of communications experience to Teaching and Learning. Wesley co-ordinates the semesterly observation of teaching process and oversees the implementation of credit courses offered to Conestoga faculty. He has launched a feature story series to highlight professors' successes at the college, and a weekly digital newsletter to promote Teaching and Learning's initiatives. As a Conestoga faculty, Wesley teaches in the Schools of Business and Communications/Career Development, specializing in courses related to reading and writing skills, public relations and marketing communications. He has also delivered E3 workshops on professional e-mail writing and using generative artificial intelligence for high-quality workplace correspondence.

Fatih Yegul Activates Student Learning with Case Studies and Practical Simulations

Reading Time: 4 minutesFatih Yegul is a professor at Conestoga College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning, where he has been a full-time faculty member since August 2018. He teaches a variety of courses in the International Business Management degree program, including Operations Management, Supply Chain Logistics, and Quality Planning & Analysis. Fatih has actively been involved in academic committees, such as the AACSB...

Chris Lamarucciola Teaches Workplace Skills Through Hands-On Industry Experiences

Reading Time: 4 minutesChris Lamarucciola, Conestoga College Esports Manager, has been working in the Esports industry for nine years. In college, studying event marketing, he was introduced to the competitive Esports scene, where he started a grassroots organization which eventually became Parabellum Esports. Parabellum went on to become a leader in the Canadian Esports sector with a North American Pro League team in Rainbow...

Bob Carder Engages Students with an Eco-Friendly Curriculum

Reading Time: 3 minutesBob Carder – Professor in Conestoga’s Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician program My career path has been varied and includes food service, trades, management, business ownership and teaching. In all of these there have been several things in common. First, in each case, I spent time educating myself about the industry and processes to become a valuable contributor to...

Kyle Christie Empowers Students with Video Lessons, Interactive Learning and Goal-Setting

Reading Time: 3 minutesKyle Christie is a Digital Media Professor and coordinator of the Broadcasting Performance and Digital Media program at Conestoga College. Recognized for his excellence in teaching, Christie was awarded the 2024 Aubrey Hagar Distinguished Teaching Award. With over 15 years of experience as a TV journalist for CTV News and CP24, he brings real-world insights into his courses on Entrepreneurship,...

Josh Peressotti and Ryanne Spies Co-Construct Student Learning Through Industry Software Demonstrations

Reading Time: 3 minutesRyanne Spies has taught at Conestoga full-time since 2013, and for a number of years as a part-time/sessional professor. Prior to teaching, she worked as a graphic designer in lead roles for international organizations. She holds an MFA in Media and Design and an RGD professional designation. Ryanne teaches in Conestoga’s Bachelor of Design program in the School of Creative...

Connecting Active Learning Activities and Assessments to Sustainability

Reading Time: 3 minutesLaura Matheson, an educator since 2008, joined Conestoga College in 2013 to develop and teach in the Sustainable Business Management post-graduate program. Passionate about education, Laura fosters diverse learning experiences for students and the community, influencing thoughts and actions throughout her 15-year career. In 2020, she co-founded the School of Business PRME initiative, fostering collaboration among faculty and enriching student...

Lori Martin and Rene Letoile Incorporate Gamification in Brick and Stone Mason Programs

Reading Time: 4 minutesLori Martin first taught at Conestoga in 2014. Since 2019 she has been teaching in Conestoga’s Trades and Apprenticeship, specifically in the Masonry Apprenticeship and Construction Techniques Multi-Trade programs. Lori brings with her 12 years as a Red Seal Mason, including valuable experience as a foreman. She enjoys working with future masons, helping them develop necessary skills, from hands-on construction...

Observing Behaviours and Developing Solutions in a Collaborative Environment

Reading Time: 5 minutesAmy Huskins has been a full-time professor in the Early Childhood Education program since 2015, and is currently the program coordinator for first-year students. She has worked as an educator with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children. Before coming to Conestoga, Amy was the executive director of the Conception Bay Family Resource Program in her home province of Newfoundland, providing...

The Value of Active Listening and Discussing Industry Practices

Reading Time: 3 minutesJan Vilaca has taught part-time in Conestoga’s School of Business since 2018. She worked as an executive assistant in post-secondary education, yet retired from her full-time career over three years ago. Jan owns and operates two unique businesses in Southwestern Ontario which she created from the ground up. She has a love of culinary tourism and owns/operates “Tasty Road Trips Incorporated”,...

Creating a Harmonized Assessment Tool for Capstone Projects

Reading Time: 4 minutesCapstone projects showcase students’ comprehensive learning. Conestoga’s Computer Science programs host a capstone project at the end of each semester – an opportunity for students to share the mobile apps, websites and automated project management systems they have produced for local businesses. Read on to review their process and feel free to share your own capstone experiences in the faculty...

First Annual Indigenous Faculty Learning Symposium (June 16, 17 and 18, 2022)

Reading Time: 4 minutesFrom June 16 to June 18, 2022, Teaching and Learning, in collaboration with the School of Interdisciplinary Studies and Indigenous Services, hosted the First Annual Indigenous Faculty Learning Symposium. The learning was provided by elder Lois MacDonald and knowledge holders Christina Restoule, Laini Lascelles and Clarence Cachagee, with Tyzun James as Firekeeper. It was held at Crow Shield Lodge. Voices...

Proposing, Designing, and Presenting Online – Robotics and Automation Capstone Projects

Reading Time: 3 minutesJohn Tielemans has been full-time with Conestoga College since 1998. With a background in physics and nuclear systems, he brings a strong desire to learn into his teaching. He is proud of watching students grow, excel and succeed from entry into the program through to completion with unique capstone projects. John is proud to be working with such a talented Engineering...

Teaching for Social Good and Community Building

Reading Time: 2 minutesPaula Barrett teaches in Conestoga’s public relations programs. In the past three years, Paula has launched a student-run public relations agency, and engaged students in the Creative Day for Social Good, a two-day marathon where students produce creative work for 20+ charities. This past year has created new methods to teach and interact with students. Paula Barrett, professor and co-ordinator...

How Our Online Synchronous Workshops Benefit a Trades Faculty’s Students

Reading Time: 2 minutesSheri Copplestone teaches Computer Applications in Conestoga’s School of Trades and Apprenticeship, and facilitates the Entrepreneurial Program for Newcomers. She is also involved in the School of Workforce Development’s Academic Upgrading program. In March 2020, when COVID-19 shifted education to an online synchronous and asynchronous format, many faculty sought ongoing assistance from Teaching and Learning. From last Spring to present,...