Who We Are

Sharon Friesen, Ph.D.

Sharon is co-founder and president of the Galileo Educational Network and an Associate Professor in Educational Leadership, Faculty of Education at the University of Calgary. Sharon’s experience as a teacher includes kindergarten, elementary, junior high and high school. She consults on a wide range of teaching and learning topics related to curriculum reform and school improvement. Her research interests include curriculum theory, curriculum inquiry, professional development, mathematics education, instructional leadership, technology integration and school reform. She has co-authored three books: Back to the Basics of Teaching and Learning: Thinking the World Together, winner of the 2004 AERA Division B Book Award; Curriculum in Abundance; and Back to the Basics of Teaching and Learning: Thinking the World Together Second Edition. She has also assisted schools to assess their technology requirements to enhance teaching and learning environments. Sharon is a recipient of numerous awards for both research and teaching practice:

• 2007 Pacific Institute of Mathematical Sciences Math Educator of the Year;
• 2005 AERA Book Award for Curriculum Studies;
• 1999 The Alberta Teachers' Association, Educational Research Award;
• 1999 Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence;
• 1997 Aoki Award for educational research;
• 1996 ASCD Celebrating Educational Successes in Alberta award;
• 1994 National Institute Award for Technology Integration;
• 1991 Alberta Excellence in Teaching finalist.

 

Brenda Gladstone, MBA

Brenda is co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of The Galileo Network. Brenda's passion for supporting innovation in education is so that children have opportunities to show what they really know by being engaged in personally relevant, challenging work that has meaning beyond the school. Brenda has a proven track record of initiating, implementing and managing a variety of educational initiatives in collaboration with the business community. Brenda holds an Advanced Graduate Diploma in Project Management and a Masters in Business Administration from Athabasca University.

Brenda is married to Doug and they have three adult children. Jeff is an actor, musician, writer and producer out of Vancouver, Ryan is an actor, writer, director and producter often travelling across Canada but also out of Vancouver, Michael is a business man in Calgary.

Candace Saar, MA

Candace graduated from the University of Alberta in 1982 when she accepted a position with the Calgary Board of Education as a high school humanities teacher. During her tenure with the CBE, Candace was interested in and remained focused on classroom practices that improved student learning. When she became a Teaching and Learning curriculum leader, Candace spearheaded a school program designed to cultivate the leadership potential of high school students. Her work in designing and administering this high school program set a new direction for conceptualizing the role of students within public education. Candace continued to develop and coordinate this high school initiative until she was seconded to the Galileo Centre in Bragg Creek in 1998. While at the Galileo Centre Candace was able to extend her understanding of student learning through her work with elementary and middle school children. Since that time Candace has demonstrated that students from grades one through twelve become confident, self-directed learners when they are invited to do authentic intellectual work. Candace has presented these findings as well as those emerging from the ongoing work of Galileo to educators throughout Canada and the United States.

Candace holds an M.A. from the Graduate Division of Educational Research at the University of Calgary. Her research in the area of secondary schools adds a valuable dimension to the Galileo network.

Barbara Martin MEd

Barbara carries on the work of Galileo Educational Network within Foothills School Division. She holds an M.Ed. from the Graduate Division of Educational Research at the University of Calgary. Barb’s 23 years of teaching experience with grades 1 to 9 have included work in the areas of curriculum, professional development, technology and leadership. This work has lead her to become actively involved with a review of the Math Western Protocol and ICT Program of Studies, University of Lethbridge Master’s and intern programs, teacher implementation of new curriculum, technology analysis committees and the writing of the Grade 6 Social Studies provincial achievement exams. Her achievements include nominations for Excellence in Teaching Award, Pan Canadian Student Choice Award and Foothills Leadership and Learning Certification. Barbara has presented at the provincial ATACC conference and conducted professional development sessions focused on ICT integration in Foothills and in Calgary.

Jeff Stockton

Jeff Stockton brings his fine arts background to all his teaching. He is a professional story teller and harpist as well as an outstanding educator, writer and professional developer. He has particular expertise in motivating
children to create their own stories and to incorporate a variety of technologies in the telling of their stories. Jeff's work as a consultant with the Galileo Educational Network team includes principal professional learning as well as whole school and individual mentoring to bring an inquiry stance to teaching and learning.

Judy Martin

Judy has been with Galileo Educational Network since 2003. Her current role is as a mentor for educators in inquiry based teaching and integration of Information Communication Technologies. Her experiences as a teacher include kindergarten, elementary and middle school. Judy has particular expertise in implementing inquiry across all core disciplines and integrating ICT to extend and enhance students’ learning. Her achievements include working with the Rocky View School Division for twenty two years, nominations for Excellence in Teaching and Pan Canadian Student Choice Awards. She has presented her work at numerous national and international conferences.

Stacy Jackson

Stacy is the Office Manager for Galileo Educational Network Association. She earned a BA in Political Science at the University of Waterloo in 2004 and is working toward a Diploma in Educational Leadership at the University of Calgary. Before coming to Galileo, Stacy was the Publications Co-ordinator / co-ordinatrice de publications at the Canadian Education Association / Association canadienne d'éducation. Stacy is the winner of several awards and bursaries.

Stacy est le directrice du bureau au Galileo Educational Network Association. Elle a reçu son licencié ès lettres en les sciences politiques à l'université de waterloo en 2004, et elle est inscrit dans le programme gradué pour la conduite dans l'éducation à l'université de Calgary. Avant qu'elle soit arrivée au Galileo, elle était la coordonatrice de base de données et circulation à l’association canadienne d'éducation. Elle a gagné plusieurs prix et bourse d'études.

Kristen Enevold

Kristen Enevold is the communications coordinator for Galileo Educational
Network. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Applied Communications – Journalism from Mount Royal College in 2001, before starting a career as a reporter for several Alberta newspapers, including the Calgary Sun. She was eventually promoted as the managing editor of the Sun’s daily commuter publication. Kristen enjoys hearing about, and relating to others, the many successes that come from Galileo’s approach to inquiry-based learning.

 

Ginny Tran

Ginny’s role as a designer is to find the essence of what Galileo Educational Network is all about and create the visual appearance for it. She is the founder of Wrap Graphic & Exhibit and has her Bdes from ACAD. Her talent to design in both 2D and 3D has allowed her to be involved with projects such as Writing-on-Stone Visitors Centre, Royal Tyrrell Museum, Travel Alberta and Artist of the World. To look at Ginny’s work, go to www.WRAPge.com