Tara Gibb

Contact information:

Email: tarag@athabascau.ca

Teaching and learning, formally and informally, have been two of my passions for as long as I can remember. I began my teaching career over twelve years ago after completing a Bachelor of Arts in political science and English literature, and a Bachelor of Education. As teaching positions were scarce in Canada in the early to mid-1990s, my first teaching job took me to Asia where I taught English to professionals, academics, businesspeople, and high school students. I enjoyed the experience and challenge of living in a different culture so much, I stayed several years.

Eventually I returned to Canada, teaching adult international students and immigrants as well as working in educational administration. Particular patterns I witnessed while working as an administrator left me questioning how more equitable structures could be created for newcomers to Canada. As a result, I entered the master’s program in Educational Policy Studies at the University of Alberta. This gave me the theoretical foundation for understanding the inequities I observed and has helped to inform my teaching practice.

I have also had experience working in research on immigration and service provision as well as social responsibility in informal learning contexts. I am currently working on my doctoral degree in adult education at the University of Alberta with a focus on the role of dialogue and difference in identity formation in second language learning. I moved to Vancouver in September 2007, however, so that I can continue working with my current supervisor who is moving to UBC.

 

CDE - Last Updated by MK December 03, 2010