The Team

Tiffany Matraxia GSDE Co-Chair Tiffany Matraxia is in her last year of the MA Ed studies degree at Concordia University. Her background is in Musical Performance with an interest in art education and funding. Recently she has shifted her interests to focus on social justice, critical pedagogy, and fostering democracy in education. She devotes her time to being active in the department of education as a DOEIGSA rep while also volunteering for non-profit organizations. When she has free time, you can find her running outside or cuddling with her enormous fluffy cat named Jack-Jack.   Neveen Sawouq GSDE Co-Chair Neveen Sawooq is a MA student in Educational Studies/second year. Neveen has an undergrad degree in English for Specific Purposes (ESP). Her research interests include, land-based education, outdoor-free playing education, storytelling and its impact on education and philosophy of education. Her career goal, once her degree is attained, is finding a balance between theory & practice and solve the conflicts and noises between teachers and students. Outside work, Neveen enjoys singing, dancing, baking, nature, and drawing smiles on peoples’ faces:)

Marlon Sanches GSDE Co-Chair Marlon Sanches is a PhD candidate in Education at Concordia University. He holds an M.A. in Educational Studies and a Certificate in Adult Education both from Concordia University. His research interests include adult education, citizenship education and critical pedagogy. Outside work, Marlon enjoys nature walks, gardening, and travelling.

Si Yu Li
Abstract Review, Communications (Social Media) & Grant Writing

Second year MA student in Educational Studies.
Si Yu graduated from Contemporary Dance from Concordia University, and her interest for dance education had lead her to pursue her graduate studies in education. Her research interest includes the inquiry for humility and creativity from  movement-based curriculum, anti-racist theory and citizenship education. During her free time, she loves to spend hours in a dance studio creating choreographyies and sharing them with other dancers. 

Antonia Macris
Communications (Social Media), Graphic Design & Outreach

Second year MA student in Educational Technology
Antonia has an interdisciplinary background with a BA double majoring in Human Environment (Geography) and Communications and Cultural Studies, followed by a Masters of Environmental Assessment and a Graduate Diploma in Public Relations & Communications Management. Her passion for environment and communications led her toward the field of education, with research interests that aim to bridge the fields of education, communications and environment at various levels across corporate, national and international sectors. Having experience working with the United Nations Environment Programme, Antonia’s recent interests consider how communications practices can be leveraged to increase educational awareness and promote global pro-environmental social and behaviour change. She currently works in higher education, running student events programming that offers experiential learning and professional skills development opportunities to students.

Dania Mohamad
Abstract Review

First year PhD student in Educational Studies.
Research interests: Power relations, decolonial theory, feminist theory and philosophy.

Monyka L. Rodriguez
Finances & IT

Fourth year PhD student in Child Studies.
Monyka is in her fourth year of PhD studies specializing in Child Studies in the Department of Education at Concordia University. Her background is in cognitive and language development, but recently has been concentrating her efforts on literacy. She is interested in the effects of reading words in different contexts (stories and lists) and the impact of the home literacy environment (e.g., shared book reading) and print exposure on language and literacy skills. When not working, you can find her reading young adult fiction, graphic novels or gaming.

Carla Samuel
Abstract Review

First Year MA student in Educational Technology
Carla is a MA student in Education Technology with an undergraduate degree in Theology. Her research interests are learning in online communities, workplace learning, and human performance technology.

Melissa Simard
Event Logistics & Finances

First year MA student in Educational Technology.
Mélissa Simard has an Honours BA with a major concentration in Canadian Studies, a diploma in Professional Cooking and is a certified Montreal Tour Guide. She has run ‘Round Table Tours, a Montreal Food Tour company since 2012. Passionate about food and history, an MA in Educational Technology seemed like the way to reach new heights after years of designing and delivering food tours and cooking workshops. Mélissa is in her first year of her MA and is excited about all of the possibilities it brings.

 

Resalath Sultana
Event Logistics & Grant Writing

Second year MA student in Educational Studies.
I hold a Certificate in TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) and a Certificate in Adult Education both from Concordia University. My research interests include adult education, counter-extremism, and critical global citizenship education.