Staff

Jean Choi, Ph. D.

Dean, Teaching, Learning & Program Quality • ext. 2595 /

As dean for the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL), Dr. Jean Choi is responsible for strategic oversight of program development, review and renewal; academic quality assurance; teaching and learning; eLearning; flexible delivery; and Student Academic Learning Services (SALS).

Dr. Choi brings more than 20 years of post-secondary experience to Durham College as an academic and administrative leader in post-secondary institutions across Canada. She has a deep understanding of provincial policy frameworks and is experienced in developing high-impact teaching and digital learning initiatives. She is currently the chair of the provincial College Degree Operating Group, co-Chair of the Program Planning Committee for the Learning Outcomes Symposium, and a co-editor of the Canadian Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning.

Dr. Choi holds a Ph.D. and Master of Arts in Experimental Psychology from York University in Toronto, and a Bachelor of Arts, Honours in Psychology from Western University in London, Ontario

Kendra Down

Administrative Assistant • ext. 2593 /

Kendra joined the Centre for Teaching and Learning as an Administrative Assistant in May 2022. As the front-line contact person in the department, Kendra will answer a variety of questions related to CTL supports, and assist faculty in connecting with the appropriate person to provide any required assistance.

Previously, Kendra worked as an Executive Administrative Assistant in the Developmental Services sector where she supported management, various Boards, and provincial groups. Kendra is a proud Durham College alumna, holding a diploma in the Office Administration - Executive program. Kendra also holds an advanced diploma from Fleming College's Massage Therapy program and worked several years in the healthcare field.

Amanda Maknyik

Director, Educational Development • ext. 2736 /

Prior to joining the CTL team at Durham College, Amanda was an educator in the post-secondary sector for over a decade as a program coordinator, academic advisor, professor and lab instructor, and has been deeply involved in program, course, curriculum and instructional development. Amanda brings a passion for faculty mentorship, guidance and collaboration, with a particular interest in assessment strategies, learner engagement and experiential teaching and learning. Amanda will be responsible for managing the teaching and learning portfolio at the CTL, including the new faculty orientation programs and the College Teaching Certificate.

Amanda was a recipient of the NISOD Award of Excellence in Teaching and Learning. She has also been involved with the AAVSB in the development of the professional exam for Registered Veterinary Technicians in North America (VTNE), and was a long standing Director on the Board of the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians. Amanda holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree, a Veterinary Technician diploma from Seneca, a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Toronto - OISE, and a Masters of Education in Curriculum, Teaching & Learning from the University of Calgary.

In her off time, Amanda has a love for kickboxing, scuba diving, good food and petting dogs, and has an active family with her husband, 2 children and Rottweiler, London.

Gail Thornton, Ph. D.

Associate Dean, Teaching, Learning & Program Quality • ext. 2019 /

As Associate Dean, Gail provides co-leadership and strategic direction to the CTL while overseeing academic quality assurance within program development, review and renewal, and curriculum development. Gail is committed to ensuring that program quality processes effectively support the college as well as internal and external quality assurance audits.

Andrea Murdoch

Administrative Assistant • ext. 2675 /

Briar Jamieson

Manager, Academic Quality Assurance • ext. 2244 /

Briar Jamieson has project managed and delivered online learning programs for the past nine years. Combining her skills in human resources and public education, Briar built Manitoba's first e-learning program for newcomers learning ESL. She launched Canada's first online conference for ESL educators. Working alongside technology, multimedia and curriculum specialists, Briar enjoys bringing courses to development in both online and blended formats, and refining delivery through iterative feedback. Prior to joining Durham College, Briar ran an e-learning consultancy building client’s capacity to develop online strategies. She holds a Master's degree in Educational Technology from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Education from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto.

Anna Natoli

Manager, Program and Curriculum Development • ext. 2170 /

Anna has been a member of the administrative team at Durham College since June 2017. She brings years of experience in teaching and learning in post-secondary education in addition to her most recent experience in the college sector supporting new program development and program quality processes. As a team member of the Centre for Teaching and Learning, her area of responsibility is to support the Faculties to develop new programs, to provide curricular support on existing programs and to facilitate curriculum mapping for programs undergoing comprehensive program review at Durham College.

Anna is a graduate of Durham College holding a diploma in Business Administration: Production and Operations Management and more recently a certificate in Teaching and Training Adults. Her pursuit of higher education led to the completion of a Bachelor of Arts (Sociology) and a Master of Philosophy (Humanities) with a focus on the sociology of education and feminist and anti-racist pedagogy, and partial completion of a doctorate in Women’s Studies.

Tanya Wakelin

Manager, eLearning • ext. 2164 /

Tanya holds a Honours Bachelor of Arts degree, a Bachelor of Education from Queens University, a Masters of Arts in Higher Education Administration and Leadership from Royal Roads University, and a Masters Certificate in Project Management. Tanya joined DC in 2016 as eLearning Manager where she directed the development of online courses and learning objects for Corporate Training Services. As eLearning Manager in the CTL, Tanya is responsible for managing faculty support and professional development for DC Connect, educational technology, and multimedia.

Prior to joining the DC, Tanya taught in the classroom before deciding her passion was in online education and course development. She spent seven years at a private eLearning company, where she had senior oversight of the development of online educational courses and government regulatory compliance through Transport Canada and the U.S.C.G.

If she’s not at work, her nose is deep in a book with a mug of tea, or hanging out with her husband, two sons and dog.

Jonelle Arendoque

Multimedia Specialist • ext. 2725 /

As a Durham College alumna and graduate of the Multimedia Design program previously offered by the School of Design and Communication Arts (currently the Faculty of Media, Art and Design), Jonelle has worked for a variety of companies throughout her career, bringing years of multi-industry experience to the team. She has held various senior, lead, and management roles with companies in course development, online advertising, software development, fitness, retail, and education, winning several awards for her work along the way.

Jonelle previously joined DC as a Multimedia Specialist in Corporate Training Services. Now, as part of the eLearning team in the CTL, she works with faculty and staff to create a variety of multimedia assets - including graphics, learning objects, simulations and video - used in courses, digital communications, workshops and for CTL events. Jonelle also manages all social media accounts for the department, including Twitter and LinkedIn, and works closely with DC's Communications and Marketing team to ensure all CTL assets align with Durham College's branding guide.

Erin Banit

Multimedia Specialist • ext. 2715 /

Erin has a background in multimedia design and has worked at Durham College since 2003. As part of the eLearning team in the CTL, she develops a variety of eLearning resources, with has a focus on video. Erin also supports faculty to create their own multimedia resources and enjoys finding creative multimedia solutions to assist with student learning and engagement. She has experience working on a variety of project types, in varying roles such as coordinator, project lead, consultant and developer. Erin also brings an online and face-to-face teaching perspective to her role, through part-time teaching experience in two academic schools.

Brandon Carson

Learning Technologies Specialist • ext. 2040 /

Brandon has a background in education, website design and development, marketing, social media and accessibility. Since joining Durham College in 2008, Brandon has worked as a Web Specialist and Learning Technologies Specialist, taught part-time in three academic schools and has been involved with several committees and initiatives. His primary responsibilities are providing consultation, advice and support to faculty on the use of DC Connect and education technology.

Brandon holds a Master of Arts in Learning and Technology from Royal Roads University, a Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design from Athabasca University, a Bachelor of Arts, Honours in Adult Education and Digital Technology from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, and a Web Developer Diploma from Durham College.

Visal Chea

eLearning Developer • ext. 2776 /

Visal has a Bachelor in Software Engineering and has his Masters in Computer Science. He loves to learn new languages and technology. Visal has been working at Durham College for a few years, he started at the I.T service desk before coming into a dual role at both the CTL and Corporate Training Services. He was also a part-time instructor in our School of Business and I.T. As an eLearning Developer he helps to support and bring classroom learning online in a fun and interactive way.

Brett Clayton

Learning Technologies Specialist • ext. 2301 /

Brett has a background in education, illustration, and design. As both a student and teacher in learning communities over the past decade he has, through experience and practice, developed a broad range of expertise with respect to technology in the classroom. His primary responsibility is providing consulting, advice, and support to faculty on the use of instructional technologies as part of the learning experience.

Tyler Perras

Multimedia Specialist • ext. 2746 /

As a member of the eLearning development team, Tyler acts as a resource for staff, faculty, and administration by developing multimedia assets and online resources, as well as supports the use of technology in teaching at DC. He holds an Advanced Diploma in Multimedia Design as well as a certificate in Website Creation and Design, both obtained through Durham College.

Tyler previously worked as part of the marketing department as a Graphic and Web Designer at an emerging market investment company. He helped to improve digital media strategy by updating / designing web pages, filming / editing video and animation, producing graphic content for web and print, creating and sending newsletters, and aiding in advancing social marketing objectives.

Tyler aims to design and develop original multimedia assets to support technological solutions to teaching challenges.