Initiatives and Volunteerism

Volunteer and Extra-Curricular Initiatives

The following are some initiatives I have spearheaded in various educational institutions during my career.

2004-06 – McLurg Debate Association.  This group of dedicated students were able, in a few short years, to compete provincially, nationally, and even internationally.

2007-08 – Inner City High School Digital Media Drop-In.  As another opportunity for youth accessing Inner City High’s outreach program, I volunteered my services as a digital media enthusiast to teach street-involved youth skills with various digital media tools.

2008-09 – Guru Digital Arts College Instructor Mentoring Program (IMP).  As a volunteer, I worked with the subject-matter experts at Edmonton’s Guru Digital Arts College to develop professional best practices in classroom teaching.  I also worked closely with the Owen Brierley to develop a sustainable and action research-driven Professional Learning Community at the college.

2009 (Ongoing) – Indigenous Media Institute’s I AM Program.  Working with the administrators of both IMI and Guru, I am volunteering my expertise in the development of an arts-based upgrading program focused on aboriginal youth seeking to complete their secondary-level education.

2010 (Ongoing) – Castle Downs YMCA’s Community Aikido Program.  As a first-degree black belt in Tenshinkai Aikido, I volunteer as a junior instructor in the Castle Downs Aikido classes at the YMCA.

2010 (Ongoing)- Boyle Street Education Centre Yearbook Diary Project.  Upon requests from the student body, I am organizing a student-designed and produced diary of the current educational year.

Guest Speakers Hosted

The following is a list of people or organizations who have, upon my invitation, lent their unique voices to the youth I serve.

2001 - Dr. Hiroaki Izumi, 6th Degree Black Belt in Aikido.

2002-03 – Brig. Gen. Clifford Walker.

2004 – Memories of the Holocaust presentation.

2009 - Lewis Cardinal, Educator and Community Organizer.