Our Team

Diane Tepylo (PhD)

Diane grew up as a hillbilly in coastal BC but is addicted to learning. Diane would work for a few years and then go back to school to learn more. Teaching is a second or third career, depending on how you count. Computers came into her high school in grade 12 and she took her one and only programming course on an Apple II which used cassettes for storage of data. When she started her teaching career, she indicated that she could teach programming to get a job. She spent her summer relearning how to program - and then attended every PD session she could find for teaching computer science.

After teaching coding and mathematics for almost 20 years, Diane is doing her dream job at Ontario Tech - she is always learning, and supporting teachers and preservice teachers teach math and coding inclusively. When not reflecting on improving student learning, Diane is an avid maker and gardener.

Favorite quote:

"Once the mind is stretched, it doesn't snap back!"

Robin Kay (PhD)

Robin is currently the Dean of and a Full Professor in the Faculty of Education at Ontario Tech University in Oshawa, Canada. He has published over 160 articles, chapters, and conference papers in the area of technology in education; is a reviewer for five prominent computer education journals; and has taught in the field of computer science, mathematics, and educational technology for over 25 years at the high school, college, undergraduate and graduate level. His current projects include research on laptop use in higher education, BYOD in K-12 education, web-based learning tools, e-learning and blended learning in secondary and higher education, video podcasts, scale development, emotions and the use of computers, the impact of social media tools in education, and factors that influence how students learn with technology. Dr. Kay received his M.A. in Computer Applications in Education at the University of Toronto and his Ph.D. in Cognitive Science (Educational Psychology) at the University of Toronto.

Iain Brodie

Iain Brodie is a long-time educator, having taught all the grades from 1 through 8, almost exclusively in combined grades. A former classical musician, he found a passion for teaching, especially in the STEAM subjects. Iain has been teaching through coding since 2014 and, now retired, is teaching teacher candidates at Ontario Tech University and in the online graduate programs at Western University.

This project would not have been possible without an amazing team of teacher candidates and former students.

Natasha Recoskie

Natasha is a lifelong learner and is passionate about education. As a graduate of the BEd Program at Ontario Tech University, she was introduced to the marvellous world of coding and was bitten by the coding bug. The endless possibilities and opportunities to draw from a variety of knowledge backgrounds intrigue her. She is completing her Master of Education, with her primary research interest being the teacher efficacy and required supports needed for coding in the classroom. She has spent months exploring Micro:bits and is fascinated by the numerous connections to Science. She loves debugging and problem-solving and thoroughly enjoys helping others, as long as she has had her morning coffee!

Yvette Samaha

Yvette is an I/S Teacher Candidate at Ontario Tech University. She took the I/S Coding & Communication course during Spring 2021 semester with practically no prior coding experience. There is so much to learn! Yet, she now feels ready to teach coding and help other develop their coding skills.

Leena Saeed

Leena is a recent graduate from the Bachelor of Education Program at Ontario Tech University with I/S General Science and Biology as her teachables. She completed the Coding & Communications course during the Spring 2020 semester. She supported students during the I/S Math and Science Spring 2021 Coding course and assisted with creating resources for science teachers with Scratch. Though still a novice, she is passionate about learning how to effectively integrate coding in her practice!

Dan Sooley

Dan is a P/J Teacher Candidate at Ontario Tech University. With a BA in Information Technology as well as 12 years of experience in the field, he brings his passion for technology to the classroom in his teaching. Dan loves developing creative ways of teaching coding to our youngest learners and has a great interest in robotics and 3D printing.

Anjum Naazneen

Anjum is an RECE and has worked in the Kindergarten classroom for 8 years. She recently graduated with BA in Educational Studies and Digital Technology from Ontario Tech University and is currently a P/J Teacher Candidate at Ontario Tech University. She implemented various cross-curricular unplugged coding activities in the kindergarten classroom and got introduced to the coding activities using different technological tools through the Learning in Digital Contexts course during the Fall 2020 semester. She is still a novice in coding but is looking for opportunities to increase her knowledge in it.

Aalyia Rehman

Aalyia is a recent graduate of the MA Education Program and is currently a P/J Teacher Candidate at Ontario Tech University. She was introduced to coding as a research assistant at the STEAM3D maker lab at Ontario Tech University. She has conducted and facilitated various workshops that build upon maker pedagogies to integrate coding skills into STEAM subjects for K to Grade 12.

Parisa Rastegar

Parisa is an I/S Teacher Candidate at Ontario Tech University. She took the I/S Coding & Communication course during Spring 2021 semester.

Jafra Allan

Jafra is an engineer who decided to follow her heart and pursue a career in teaching. She is an I/S Teacher Candidate at Ontario Tech University, her teachables being Math and Chemistry. She is a mother of two and a dance instructor. Jafra took the I/S Coding & Communication course during Spring 2021 semester. Although Jafra usually avoids anything related to technology, she found the beauty in coding and enjoyed learning to code. This is why she hopes to integrate it into her classroom in the future.

Tracy Hawco

Tracy is an P/J Teacher Candidate at Ontario Tech University. She took the Coding & Communication course during Spring 2021 semester.

Leigha Craig

Leigha is an I/S Teacher Candidate at Ontario Tech University. She took the I/S Coding & Communication course during Spring 2021. She came into the program with little coding background, but is looking forward to growing her knowledge!

Ronilea Burdeos

Ronilea is an I/S Teacher Candidate at Ontario Tech University. She took the I/S Coding & Communication course during Spring 2021 semester.

Joy Benjamin

An Ontario Tech University graduate and recipient of the Faculty of Education Technology Award, Joy is living her dream to teach mathematics with conceptual understanding and real-world applications. She is currently teaching grade 9 and 10 mathematics in the Simcoe County District School Board. Joy enjoys creating new fun activities which support her students' learning. She has a passion to integrate coding and mathematics to develop student's problem-solving and thinking skills. Joy has a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto and spent 17 years in the equipment manufacturing industry prior to teaching. She is a mom of three teenagers and in her spare time, she enjoys playing strategic board games with her family, decorating cupcakes, and playing softball.

Sultana Zarabi

Sultana is an I/S Teacher Candidate at Ontario Tech University. Her teachables are biology and general science. She took the I/S Coding & Communication course during Spring 2021 semester. The course was her first exposure to coding and she is looking forward to integrating coding into her future classrooms to help enhance student learning.

William Crosty

William is an I/S Teacher Candidate at Ontario Tech University. He took the I/S Coding & Communication course during Spring 2021 semester. My teachables are I/S general science and health and physical education. I had very little prior knowledge of coding before taking the coding course during the spring 2021 semester. However, after taking this course I have learned that there are endless possibilities when it comes to teaching and coding.

Kristen Coyle

Kristen recently graduated with a BA in Educational Studies and Digital Technologies and is currently a P/J Teacher Candidate at Ontario Tech University. She has attended coding conferences and has learned how to utilize different technological tools through her Learning in Digital Contexts Course. Throughout these experiences, she has developed a foundation for coding, but is excited to continue learning to help progress her knowledge even further.

Tess Butler-Ulrich

Tess is a P/J teacher and MA (Education) student at Ontario Tech University. She is a research assistant at the STEAM 3D Maker Lab. Tess is passionate about making, STEAM education, and the intersection of technology and environmental education. Tess took the P/J Coding Course during her B.Ed in the Spring of 2020 and has continued practicing through her involvement with virtual camps for students.

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