AMANDA AIKENS, B.A., COMMUNITY MENTOR, RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Amanda Aikens is an Anishinaabe/Métis teacher and visual artist.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Western Ontario in First Nations Studies and Visual Arts and eventually plans to become a teacher.  Prior to furthering her education Amanda received her diploma from George Brown College in Jewellery Arts and created her own business working as a goldsmith.  She teaches jewellery making courses at St. Clair College through the Thames Institute of the Arts and works as a teaching assistant in the Bedassigewak Native Way School at the Chippewa of the Thames First Nation.  During her time at UWO Amanda filled the role of President and Vice-President of the First Nations Students Association, worked for and volunteered with the Indigenous Services Centre and volunteered her time with the Reading Buddies program at the Standing Stone School in the Oneida Nation of the Thames.  Amanda is passionate about enabling positive futures for our youth, and she feels that the 4th R’s Indigenous mentoring programs are an excellent way for her to do this. Amanda would like to leave everyone with this quote from Edward Benton-Banai: "Listen to the voice that speaks, not only to the ear but also to the soul." 

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CONNIE BRAY, B.A.,M.Ed., ED.D., TEACHER, CONSULTANT, WRITER

Connie Bray is a graduate of UWO (B.A., M.Ed.) and OISE/University of Toronto (Ed.D.) and currently works as a vice-principal in a TVDSB secondary school. She has been involved in 4thR curriculum development for the past several years and supports professional development for teachers, particularly related to the 4thR and English/Language Arts curriculum.

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RYAN BROLL, B.A.,M.A, RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Ryan Broll is currently completing a Ph.D. in Sociology at the University of Western Ontario, having previously earned his B.A. (Honours, with distinction) in Sociology and Psychology and M.A. in Sociology. Ryan’s Master’s thesis focused on intimate partner violence, while his Ph.D. dissertation examines the increasingly prevalent problem of cyber bullying. Ryan has presented his research findings internationally at academic conferences and has published articles on topics ranging from intimate partner violence to the impact of expanding media markets on policing. His research interests include bullying and school violence, cybercrime and cyber policing, adolescent risk behaviours, and interpersonal violence. At the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Centre for Prevention Science, Ryan works in schools educating students and parents about cyber bullying and online safety. He is also involved with other ongoing research projects at CAMH-CPS.

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KATIE BROOKS, B.A., M.Ed., RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

Katie joined the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Centre for Prevention Science in August 2007. She completed her B.A. Honours in Social Justice and Peace Studies and History at King's University College, The University of Western Ontario, and recently defended her Masters of Education. In 2003, Katie was a recipient of a Thames Valley District School Board Violence Prevention Award. Katie was the University of Western Ontario Violence Prevention Co-ordinator from 2005-2007 and was responsible for recruiting, training, and supporting Western student volunteers as they taught local high school students about dating violence. She has also been a Big Sister through the Children's Aid Society. As a research assistant, Katie is involved with student conferences, including the Youth Safe Schools Conference and the Grade Eight Aboriginal Transition Conference, data collection, and curriculum orders. Most recently, Katie accepted the position of Coordinating Editor of the Child Abuse and Neglect International Journal.

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SHANNA BURNS, B.A., B.ED., M.Ed., RESEARCH ASSOCIATE, TEACHER

Shanna joined the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Centre for Prevention Science in 2004. She obtained her B.A. Honours in English and Sociology and her Bachelor of Education degrees from the University of Western Ontario. Most recently Shanna achieved her Master of Education in Educational Psychology. Shanna's research interests include adolescent risk-behaviours, motivation, critical media literacy, and educational psychology. At CAMH-CPS, she oversees curriculum sales and distribution, assists with the development and implementation of programs, and designs presentations and promotional materials. Shanna is also a highly accomplished dance teacher.

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KATIE COLE, B.A., B.ED., TEACHER, CONSULTANT, WRITER

Katie Cole, a teacher with the Thames Valley District School Board, is currently the English Department Head at Medway High School in Arva.  She obtained an Honours degree in Kinesiology with English and a Bachelor of Education at the University of Western Ontario.  Continuing with her studies she earned a Specialist in Health and Physical Education through Western’s Faculty of Education and then a Specialist in English through the Faculty of Education at Queen’s University.  Combining her knowledge in the fields of Health Education and Media Studies, Katie became a member, writer and consultant for the Media Violence coalition (formed by the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association) in 2006.  As a result, Katie has produced curriculum for educators, parent resources, and workshop materials to raise awareness and promote critical media literacy in homes and classrooms.  Her recommendations for parents and educators have been published in Education Today magazine.  Katie has presented at numerous workshops across Ontario to help prevent the potential harmful effects of violent media on children and adolescents.

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SUSAN DALE, B.A., B.ED., TEACHER, CONSULANT, WRITER

Susan Dale is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario from the Faculty of Kinesiology and obtained her B.Ed from their Faculty of Education. She has 15 years of experience in education as a teacher, Department Head of Physical and Health Education, and Learning Coordinator. She is currently the Learning Coordinator for Safe Schools in the Thames Valley District School Board, in London, Ontario. In this role, Susan coordinates Safe Schools initiatives for 75,000 students from JK to Grade 12 in 170 schools. As well, Susan provides professional development to superintendents, school administrators, teachers, parents and students on general information related to bullying and the various TVDSB Safe Schools programs that are available. Susan is also a certified TRIBES Trainer for her school board, as well as a Master Trainer for the Fourth R Project. She works collaboratively with the Fourth R to coordinate semi annual Youth Safe Schools Conferences for secondary students.

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WENDY ELLIS, PH.D., PROFESSOR, KING'S UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

Dr. Ellis completed her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology at The University of Western Ontario. Before attending Western, Wendy completed her B.A. (honours) at Memorial University of Newfoundland and M.A. (Life-span developmental psychology) at Brock University. Wendy is currently a post-doctorate fellow at the CAMH Centre for Prevention Science through The Faculty of Education at The University of Western Ontario. Wendy's research interests involve children's peer networks (peer groups and friendships) and their contribution to adjustment and high-risk behaviour. She is involved in several research projects to examine these effects. Wendy is also involved in a project to adapt the Fourth R curriculum to meet the needs of youth in the Alternative Education System. In addition to these on-going research activities, Wendy has been teaching several psychology courses at Western

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PAT GIBBINGS, M.A. (ENGLISH), CONSULTANT, WRITER, RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Pat Gibbings graduated from the University of Guelph with a BA in English, and from the University of Western Ontario with a Diploma in Education and an M.A. in English. After 31 years as a department head and teacher, Pat joined the staff at the CAMH Centre for Prevention Science. She has been part of a number of writing teams, including those producing the Safe Schools Committee Manual, and Fourth R English curriculum units for grades 10 and 11. She currently is working on Fourth R English units for grades 9 and 12. Pat also works as an editor and as a research assistant on a variety of projects at the Centre for Prevention Science.

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ANDREA LAPP, B.M.Sc., COMMUNITY MENTOR, RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Andrea Lapp is a recent graduate of the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours Biochemistry with a minor in Arts and Humanities). Her family is from Aamjiwnaang First Nation. She is a research assistant and community mentor and is involved with the Fourth R's Indigenous mentoring programs for the Grade 8 and High School Peer Mentoring. She is also involved with the Grade 8 Aboriginal Transition Conferences and follow-up sessions. For two summers, Andrea worked with UWO's Indigenous Services Summer Camp for First Nations youth (both Mini University camp on UWO campus and Camp P’Skapkiidaa on Manitoulin Island). She found this experience to be very rewarding.  Andrea is one of the Canadian Prevention Science Cluster (SSHRC grant) students.

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AMY SMITH, B.A., B.Ed., RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Amy Smith is currently a masters students at the University of Western Ontario (M.Ed. - Educational Psychology) and teaches in the York Region District School Board as an Elementary Teacher. Her research interests involve Safe Schools and Violence Intervention. She is currently working on her Master`s thesis, which involves investigating the impact of a Safe Schools course on Pre-Service Teachers` attitudes towards issues of violence. In her past, she has been the Faculty of Education`s Graduate Program Committee`s Masters Student Representative, a volunteer Crisis Councilor at Victim Services, Toronto Police, and has worked with students through an Organization called Peace by Peace which encourages students to use effective strategies to de-escalate conflicts, put an end to bullying and build self esteem. Amy is one of the Canadian Prevention Science Cluster (SSHRC grant) students.

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ANGELA SNOWSHOE, B.Sc., M.Sc., RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

Angela Snowshoe is a proud member of the Ojibway and Métis Nations from Northwestern Ontario and a Ph.D. Clinical Psychology Candidate at the University of Western Ontario. Her research and practical work interests include Aboriginal enculturation or connection to culture (i.e., cultural identity, traditional practices, and traditional spirituality) as a protective factor against mental health issues, and the convergence of Aboriginal and Euro-Western worldviews for Aboriginal mental health (e.g., blending traditional healing practices with conventional psychotherapy techniques). She is currently working on the development and longitudinal validation of a measure of enculturation for use with Aboriginal adolescents for her Ph.D. dissertation and as part of the larger nation-wide evaluation of the Aboriginal Fourth R Program. Angela is the 2011 recipient of the London Regional Psychological Association Award for Outstanding Contribution by a Psychology Student for all of my efforts to encourage consideration of diversity, advocate for, and educate others on issues related to Aboriginal peoples' mental health and well-being. She also holds the Network for Aboriginal Mental Health Research (NAMHR) 2011-2012 Scholarship.

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DARREN THOMAS, B.Sc., EDUCATOR, CONSULTANT

Darren Thomas is a Seneca Nation, Bear Clan from the Haudenosaunee.  He resides at the Grand River Territory of the Six Nations.  Darren currently works part-time for Wilfrid Laurier University as a Coordinator of Community Service-Learning.  He also owns his own consulting firm, New Orators Motivational Consultants.  He travels throughout North America delivering a motivational message to all people about trying to live up to their greatest expectations.  Darren specializes in working with First Nations peoples, inspiring them to be proud of their heritage and take a rightful place in modern society.  Darren utilizes humour in all his work as he feels we desperately need to lighten up and begin to enjoy life.  Darren is an Orator, Mentor, Actor, as well as a Certified Hypnotherapist and Stage Hypnotist. Darren has twenty years of experience working in Education, Addiction and Community Development.  Darren has presented at numerous conferences throughout North America, and has consulted and helped develop programs and initiatives throughout Canada.  Darren himself after years of hard living with drugs and alcohol has been sober for twenty-one years.  After dropping out of school, he returned as an adult part-time where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree Majoring in Psychology along with a minor in Sociology.  And this fall he has also started working towards his MA in Community Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University.

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DEBBIE TOWNSLEY, B.A., B.ED., TEACHER, CONSULTANT, WRITER

Debbie Townsley is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario from the Kinesiology program and from the Education program at the University of Maine.  Debbie has worked with the Fourth R since its inception and is the lead author of the Gr.8 Fourth R Health and Physical Education program, Gr. 9 Fourth R Health and Physical Education program, Gr. 11 Peer Leadership program and the Youth Relationships After-School program.  She also worked with Ray Hughes to develop the teacher training program for the Fourth R.  Debbie presents across Canada and the United States training teachers in the Fourth R.  She is also a trainer of Master Trainers for the program.

Debbie has taught Health and Physical Education for twelve years in the Thames Valley District School Board, and has worked for the board for two years as a Teacher on Special Assignment for Safe Schools and the Learning Coordinator for Safe Schools.  She has assisted in developing school based programs and follow up activities for TVDSB in the area of safe schools.  Debbie has also written for Thompson Publishing, creating student and teacher resources for Healthy Living.

Debbie is currently a Guidance Counsellor at Banting Secondary School, TVDSB.  She also works at the University of Western Ontario Faculty of Education where she has written and teaches the Senior Additional Basic Qualifications Course and the Honour Specialist course in Health and Physical Education.

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TONI WILSON, B.A., B.ED., TEACHER, CONSULTANT, WRITER

Toni Wilson is a Learning Coordinator for Safe Schools for the Thames Valley District School Board. She is responsible for coordinating and implementing violence prevention programs for 190 schools and 80,000 students across Thames Valley. She also provides professional development to school administrators, teachers, parents and students related to safe schools. She has been involved with the 4thR Project in the development and implementation of the 4thR English curriculum for grade 9 through 12. She has created 4thR role play videos to supplement the grade 7, 8, and 9 4thR Health and Physical Education programs. She has created 2 videos with Aboriginal youth demonstrating effective strategies for dealing with conflict as well as 1 video which focuses on Aboriginal youth and counselling. She has been a secondary school teacher of English and Dramatic Arts for 25 years and has been involved in violence prevention and forum theatre for the past 15 years. She has used interactive theatre extensively to allow the practice of effective strategies for dealing with adversity.

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