Gillian Madeley

Over the past twelve years, I have enjoyed a variety of incredible positions and opportunities: Grades 1-9 (French Immersion, English, Dual & Single-Track), Special Education Resource Teacher, Teacher-Librarian, Literacy Coach, and Technology Lead. At this time, I am thrilled to be one of four Elementary Digital Literacy Resource Teachers within the York Region Board of Education.

I received my Baccalauréat ès arts (specialization in French) from Université Sainte-Anne, in Nova Scotia. I returned to Ontario and completed my Bachelor of Education at the University of Ottawa, Faculté d’éducation, (Glendon Campus). After relocating to Nova Scotia, I graduated with my Master of Education in Curriculum: French Immersion Special Education Resource & Differentiated Instruction from St. Francis Xavier University.

I am confident that my twelve years of teaching experience, seven with the York Region District School Board and further five years with the Tri-County Regional School Board in Nova Scotia, my status as anApple Distinguished Educator, and my solid educational background and ongoing professional development will allow me to make an immediate contribution to the role of Digital Literacy Resource Teacher.

My main passion revolves around cross-curricular integration and authentic use of digital media and technology. Often times this is accomplished through resource sharing and innovative teaching methods (as technology is a tool, and not a replacement for good teaching practice). The principal focus rarely changes, as the hope is always to improve student engagement and achievement. Nevertheless, our board is unique in the sense that many of our students are learning to speak multiple languages. That said, technology must be tailored and promote such language development – a challenge at the best of times.

I am a risk taker, both great and small. I tend to focus on integrating technology in steps, while remaining within peoples comfort zones. I encourage staff and students to shift from the traditional, ineffective use of technology,