Associate Professor, Department of Teaching and Learning, Faculty of Education
– Oral Language Development
– Play-based Learning
– Early Literacy Instruction
– Middle Years & Adolescent Literacy
– Teaching Struggling Readers
– Using Culturally Relevant Materials to Build Identity & Literacy
– Equity and Social Justice in Education
– The Professional Development Schools Model of Teacher Education
B.A. – University of Saskatchewan (English/ History)
B.Ed. – University of Saskatchewan (Elementary Education/ Special Education)
Graduate Diploma – Brandon University (Curriculum Studies)
M.Ed – Brandon University (Curriculum Studies)
B.Ed. (A.D. Program)
02: 459 – Introduction to English Language Arts Methods (MY)
02: 475 – English Language Arts across the Curriculum (MY)
02: 342 – Student Literacy Interventions (EY- MY)
02: 458 – Introduction to English Language Arts Methods (EY)
02: 455 – Teaching Reading, Thinking, & Study Skills (MY-SY)
Graduate Studies
02:599 – Graduate Research Seminars
07:651 – Practicums in Education
07:760 – Project Supervision
07:770 – Thesis Committee Team
Thesis/Project Committees
• Ingrid Gross: Perceptions of Readiness: Experiences of First Year Bachelor of Education Students (2015)
• Jennifer Flight: Supporting English as an Additional Language Learners: A Case Study of Two Reading Recovery Teacher Leaders (2014)
• Yvonne Hodge: Diversity and the Need for Inclusion (2013)
• Sherryl Maglione: The Journey of an Aboriginal Teacher: Living Up to the Potential for Excellence (2013)
• Lorelei Kelly: Reading Recovery 12 Years Later: A Longitudinal Study (2011)
• Maureen McMullen-Razzaghi: Literacy Interventions for Struggling Readers in an Early Years French Immersion Program (2009)
• Daun Neuman: Reading Recovery: Every Child a Reader (2008)
Before coming to BU, Donna served in the public schools system for 30 years, holding positions as a classroom teacher, resource teacher, and special education teacher. She also worked extensively as an Oral Language and Early Literacy Consultant in a regional program serving students experiencing severe learning disabilities. Her subsequent roles included serving as an ELA Curriculum Consultant with Manitoba Education, and a Staff Development Consultant with Brandon School Division.
Since joining the Faculty of Education at Brandon University, Donna has worked closely with Brandon School Division to initiate the Professional Development Schools Literacy Project at Betty Gibson School, and to implement a literacy practicum for all of her students enrolled in her Literacy Interventions courses.
Donna’s current research agenda also focuses on oral language, literacy, play-based learning and the use of culturally relevant materials to build identity and literacy.
Current Position: Associate Professor, Department of Teaching and Learning, Faculty of Education, Brandon University 2006 – Present: Faculty of Education, Brandon University
2002 -2007: Staff Development Consultant, Brandon School Division
2000-2002: Language Development Program Facilitator (Early Years), Brandon School Division/Westan Region
1998 -2000: Regional Curriculum Consultant, Manitoba Education, Citizenship & Youth
1991 -1998: Language Development Program Facilitator (Early Years), Brandon School Division/ Westman Region
1997-1998: First Steps Literacy Program –Staff Trainer, Brandon School Division
1996-1997: English Language Arts Curriculum Development Team for the K-4 ELA Curriculum Foundation for Implementation Document, Manitoba Education, Citizenship & Youth
1994-1995: Reading Recovery Program Site Coordinator, Brandon School Division
1989 -1991: Special Education Teacher (Language Development Program), Riverview School, Brandon School Division
1981 -1989: Resource Teacher (K-6), Ruth Betts School, Flin Flon School Division
1975 -1980: Junior High Language Arts Teacher, Birchview & McIsaac Schools, Flin Flon School Division
1973-1975: Classroom Teacher (Grades 5 & 6), Mary Duncan School, Kelsey School Division, The Pas, MB.
Assessing and Supporting Children’s Oral Language and Writing Development through Play in Classrooms, Daycares and Homes in Northern Communities; Co-applicant, Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)/Partnership Grant 2013-2020.
Vital Outcomes Indicators for Community Education (VOICE); Collaborator, SSHRC/CURA Grant 2011- 2014.
One Foot in Each World: Integrating Literacy Theory and Practice through a Professional Development School (PDS) Model; Principal Investigator, Brandon University Research Council Grant, 2012 .
Faculty Transformation through Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Infusion (Co-investigator); 2011-2014.
Community-Based Aboriginal Curriculum Initiatives; Collaborator, SSHRC/CURA Grant, 2009 -2012.
Developing Indicators to Study the Effects of Full-day Kindergarten in Selected Schools in the Mystery Lake School District; Researcher in Residence, Centre for Aboriginal and Rural Education Studies, Brandon University, 2009 – 2010.
Publications:
Stagg-Peterson, S., McIntyre, L. & Forsyth, D. (In press). Supporting young children’s oral language and writing development: Teachers’ and early childhood educators’ perceptions and practices. Early Childhood Australia.
Stagg-Peterson, S., McIntyre, L. & Forsyth, D. (2015). Collaborative creative curriculum activity (CCCA): Finding a place for play in the standardized curriculum. Manuscript submitted for publication.
Stagg-Peterson, S., Forsyth, D., & McIntyre, L. (2015). Balancing play-based learning with curricular mandates: Considering the views of northern Canadian teachers and early childhood educators. Canadian Children, 40 (3).
Forsyth, D. & Gustafson, M. (2013). “Equity, social justice, and a Canadian professional development school”. In Zenkov, K. & Corrigan, D. (Eds.), Professional development schools and social justice: Studies of school-university partnerships. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
Forsyth, D. & Gustafson, M. (2011) The role of a professional development school model in supporting Aboriginal and EAL learners. Manitoba Educational Research Network Journal, 4, 59 -71.
Forsyth, D. (2009). Test-based accountability fails to measure up. [Review of the book Measuring up: What educational testing really tells us]. Canadian Association of University Teachers Bulletin, 56, (8).
Forsyth, D. (2009). A northern PDS experience. Professional Development School Partners. 4 (3).
Forsyth, D. (2008). Classroom materials reviews [Review of the book Engaging readers and writers with inquiry: Promoting deep understandings in language arts and the content areas with guiding questions]. Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, 52(4), 361-363.
Brandon School Division. (2008) Putting the pieces together: A teacher’s guide to writing performance indicators grades 5-8. Brandon, MB: Brandon School Division.
Forsyth, D. & Howell, B. (2008). Brandon School Division’s middle years initiative: A chronology of change. Manitoba Educational Research Network Journal. 2, 6 – 10.
Forsyth, D. & Howell, B. (2007). The middle years assessment initiative in Brandon School Division, Education Manitoba, 5(2), 12.
Presentations:
Armstrong, H. & Forsyth, D. (May 2012). Integrating Aboriginal literature to meet outcomes across the curriculum. Presented at the 14th Annual “Lighting the Fire” Education Conference, Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre, Winnipeg, MB.
Forsyth, D., Armstrong, H. & Kirk, J. (April 2012). Stories matter: Using culturally relevant literature to build identity and literacy with Indigenous students. Presented at the American Educational Research Association Annual Convention, Vancouver, BC.
Armstrong, H. & Forsyth, D. (April 2012). Integrating Aboriginal literature into curriculum for student success. Presented at the 8th Annual “Sawane Dagosiwin” Conference, Aboriginal Research Forum, Winnipeg, MB.
Forsyth, D. & Maglione, S. Engaging struggling students: Using culturally relevant materials to build identity and literacy with Aboriginal adolescents.
56th Annual International Reading Association Convention, May 8 -11, 2011; Orlando, Florida.
Armstrong, H. & Forsyth, D. Exploring the use of Aboriginal literature in the classroom and the possibilities of the indigenous inquiry kit model.
7th Annual ‘Shawane Dagosiwin” Conference; Aboriginal Education Research Forum, April 27-28, 2011; Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Forsyth, D. Using culturally relevant literature to build identity and literacy with Aboriginal adolescents.
The First Manitoba Adolescent Literacy Summit: A Call for Action. Manitoba Reading Association, April 14-15, 2011; Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Forsyth, D. & Vickers, P. Lessons in diversity: Preparing pre-service teachers for the real world
2011 Professional Development Schools National Conference, March 11-13, 2011; New Orleans, Louisiana.
Armstrong, H. & Forsyth, D. Successful relationships: Negotiating a research alliance with First Nations communities toward indigenized curriculum. Round table discussion: SIG – School-University Collaborative Research. Collaboration: School and Society.
The American Educational Research Association (AERA) Meeting; April 30 -May 4, 2010; Denver, CO.
Forsyth, D. & Gustafson, M. Equity, social justice, and a Canadian professional development school. Round table discussion, Division K, Section 9, Theme 6. Professional Development Schools and Social Justice: Studies of School-University Partnerships Committed to the Highest Ideals of Equity.
The American Educational Research Association (AERA) Convention, April 30 –May 4, 2010; Denver, CO.
Armstrong, H., Forsyth, D. & Maglione, S. Cultural visibility: Using Aboriginal literature to build identity and literacy.
Manitoba Educational Research Network (MERN) Forum on Studies in Rural and Aboriginal Education, November 13, 2009; Brandon, MB.
Armstrong, H., Brown, C., Corenblum, B., Forsyth, D., Foy, J., Gfelner, B., Kirk, J., Levasseur, M., Pratt-Murdock, O., Sinclair, J., Sandy, C. Community-based Aboriginal curriculum initiatives: An update on the SSHRC/CURA program of activities.
Manitoba Educational Research Network (MERN) Forum on Studies in Rural and Aboriginal Education, November 13, 2009; Brandon, MB.
Forsyth, D. & Gustafson, M. The role of a professional development school model in supporting Aboriginal and EAL students.
Manitoba Educational Research Network (MERN) Forum on Studies in Rural and Aboriginal Education, November 13, 2009; Brandon, MB.
Forsyth, D. The full-day kindergarten.
School District of Mystery Lake, October 27, 2009; Thompson, MB.
Symons, C. & Forsyth, D. Assessment and learning.
Sioux Valley Professional Development Institute, August 31 – September 4, 2009; Brandon, MB.
Forsyth, D. Examining student work using the 6 + 1 traits of writing (K-4).
Linden Lanes School Staff Development, April 14, 2009; Brandon, MB.
Forsyth, D. Putting the pieces together: A teacher’s guide to writing performance indicators Grades 5-8,
Linden Lanes School, April 14, 2009; Brandon, MB.
Forsyth, D., Ardila, A., Bell, K., Cummings, A., Dittmer, J., Donald, L., & Hunter, L. One foot in each world: Integrating theory and practice within a professional development school model.
Western Canadian Association of Student Teaching (WestCAST) Conference, February 18 -20, 2009, Victoria, BC.
Forsyth, D., Gustafson, M., Kilbride, S., Perreault, H., Rankin, S., Watt, C. A northern PDS experience.
National Association for Professional Development Schools Conference, April 10 -13, 2008; Orlando, FLA.
Gustafson, M. & Forsyth, D. Report on the professional development school project at Betty Gibson School.
Brandon School Division School Board, May 12, 2008 ; Brandon, MB.
Forsyth, D. Word walls and more! Helping students increase their reading vocabularies.
Brandon Reading Council, March 19, 2008; Brandon, MB.
Forsyth, D. & Howell, B. Implementing assessment for learning practices in middle years classrooms.
Fort la Bosse School Division, January 25, 2008; Virden, MB.
Forsyth, D. & Howell, B. Identifying critical competencies for ELA grades 5-8.
Middle Years Assessment and Reporting Team, Brandon School Division, February 21, 2007; Brandon, MB.
Forsyth, D. & Howell, B. Assessment practices: How do they all fit together?
Manitoba Council of School Leaders, SAG Conference, November 23 -24, 2007; Winnipeg, MB.
Forsyth, D. & Howell, B. Developing descriptive assessment and reporting formats.
Grade 7-8 Teachers, Brandon School Division, February 9, 2007; Brandon, MB.
Forsyth, D. & Howell, B. Developing descriptive assessment and reporting formats.
Grade 5-6 Teachers, Brandon School Division, February 2, 2007; Brandon, MB.
Howell, B. & Forsyth, D. The Brandon School Division middle years initiative.
Manitoba Educational Research Network (MERN) Forum on Rural Education, November 17, 2006; Brandon, MB.
Forsyth, D. & Howell, B. The middle years assessment Initiative.
Assessment for Learning Symposium, Manitoba Education, Citizenship & Youth, Winnipeg, April 28, 2006; Winnipeg. MB.
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