UNews - Robin Bright

Final PUBlic Professor Series talk of season examines whether reading even matters in today’s world

trevor.kenney — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 17:53:11 +0000

Dr. Robin Bright (BA '79, BEd '82, MEd '88) has a provocative question — one that belies her standing as an educator and researcher in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s Faculty of Education — Does Reading Even Matter?

The query is, in fact, the title of this month’s PUBlic Professor Series talk, which Bright will deliver on Thursday, March 27, 7 to 9 p.m., at the Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge (free event, cash bar, light appetizers, open to everyone).

Dr. Robin Bright says the benefits of reading include enhanced brain health and easing stress and anxiety.

“In today’s increasingly fast-paced environment, we tend to consume and create information and entertainment online,” says Bright. “We use Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook, YouTube, and many others to read. And when we read on those platforms we tend to skim read, look for headlines, stumble upon content, but we seldom read deeply or critically.”

She explains how she has learned through her research that the act of reading a book is not only much more satisfying than the online experience, but also incredibly beneficial with respect to brain health and development.

“In this talk, I will share my research and statistics about reading, how it develops, how it’s taught and all the benefits that reading brings,” she says. “This includes benefits in areas like achievement in school and beyond, brain health, addressing mental health issues like stress and anxiety, and helping to develop empathy.”

Bright’s passion for how children develop as readers and writers began when she was a modern languages undergraduate student and as a student teacher in the Faculty of Education. These experiences led her to a 10-year teaching career, mostly at the grade-one level, and then to choose a life as a researcher, writer and teacher educator working with preservice teachers, practicing teachers, parents, children and colleagues. She is the author of several books on language and literacy development including, most recently, Sometimes Reading is Hard: Using Decoding, Vocabulary, and Comprehension Strategies to Inspire Fluent, Passionate, Lifelong Readers (2021).

This is the last of the six-talk PUBlic Professor Series lectures which feature thought-provoking discussions on the most relevant topics of the day, bringing together a diverse group of experts and researchers from across the ULethbridge campus and into the community. Every talk is free of charge, but registration is required. For those who cannot attend, the talk will be available on the ULethbridge YouTube channel following the presentation.

See more at ulethbridge.ca/research/public-professor.

Ending homelessness the first topic of engaging 2024-2025 PUBlic Professor Series

trevor.kenney — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 15:33:05 +0000

Six topics, six issues and six opportunities to engage with the experts who are at the forefront of research and fostering understanding — the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge presents the lineup for the 2024-25 PUBlic Professor Series.

Dr. Rebecca Schiff says hope is not lost in the struggle to end homelessness.

The annual lecture series designed to spark thought-provoking discussions on the most relevant topics of the day brings together a diverse group of experts and researchers from across campus and into the community. Every talk is free of charge.

“At its core, PUBlic Professor has always been about community outreach and allowing the broader community the opportunity to engage with our faculty members and tap into their insight and expertise,” says Dr. Dena McMartin, ULethbridge’s vice-president (research). “This year’s lineup of speakers is diverse in subject matter, extremely topical and one I’m really excited about. We have some very difficult issues that will hit close to home for many people and others that are more light and extremely fascinating. I think it shows the breadth of study here at ULethbridge and the opportunities our students enjoy every day.”

The first talk of the series, on Thursday, Sept. 26, 7 to 9 p.m., at the Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge, features Dr. Rebecca Schiff discussing one of the most pressing issues of the day — Ending Homelessness.

The rate of homelessness has exploded across Canada, and Schiff has an important message: hope is not cancelled. For nearly two decades, Schiff has worked with individuals experiencing homelessness, as well as homelessness agencies and organizations across the country on diverse homelessness research and action-research projects to understand how we can move towards a society where everyone is safely housed.

“Unfortunately, over the past two to three years, homelessness has doubled, tripled or more in most communities across our country,” says Schiff. “In my talk, I’ll share ideas, thoughts, solutions and actions that we can take to ensure that we can end homelessness in Canada.”

A transdisciplinary scholar and administrator whose research spans the fields of health sciences, social sciences, humanities and environmental sciences, Schiff began her role as deputy provost in May 2024. Her research work has included funding from a wide array of sources, including the Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). She has been a principal or co-applicant on 50-plus research projects totaling over $13 million in grants and has authored/co-authored over 60 peer-reviewed publications. She has also produced three books, with her most recent — Pandemic preparedness and homelessness: International lessons from COVID-19 — released in September 2024.

Ensuing talks take place in October, November and January, February and March 2025. The series will also be held at some new venues, including the Agri-Food Hub & Trade Centre, The Slice Bar and Grill, and Owl Acoustic Lounge.

“Some of the topics lend themselves well to new venues and hopefully we will welcome some new community members and ULethbridge alumni who have never experienced a PUBlic Professor presentation before,” adds McMartin.

The series lineup is as follows:

2024-25 PUBlic Professor Series

Ending Homelessness — Dr. Rebecca Schiff, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024 — Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge

Fiat Lux (Or, why honey bees are practically magic) — Dr. Shelley Hoover, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024 — Lethbridge & District Exhibition Agri-Food Hub & Trade Centre

Will Generative AI Change the World? — Dr. Sidney Shapiro, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024 — The Slice Bar and Grill

Political and Policy Innovation in Alberta: The More Things Change . . . ? — Dr. Lars Hallstrom, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 — Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge

Sentimental Songs for Sentimental People — Dr. Emily Gale, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025 — Owl Acoustic Lounge

Does Reading Even Matter Anymore? — Dr. Robin Bright (BA ’79, BEd ’82, MEd ’88), Thursday, Mar. 27, 2025 — Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge

Faculty of Education turns to Dr. Robin Bright

trevor.kenney — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 15:45:58 +0000

Dr. Robin Bright, one of the leading voices in the study of teaching and literacy, has been appointed the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s interim dean for the Faculty of Education.

Dr. Robin Bright will assume her role as interim dean on July 1, 2021.

Bright (BA’79, BEd ’82, MEd ’88), who has been in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Faculty of Education in various capacities since 1988, most recently served as a professor of education and assistant dean of field experience. Her appointment takes effect July 1, 2021.

“Dr. Bright’s commitment to education and literacy over the course of her professional career has seen her as a teacher, researcher, professor, administrator and facilitator,” says Dr. Erasmus Okine, provost and vice-president (research). “She has played a major role in shaping literacy education throughout our province and greatly enhanced the preparation of the teachers we have graduated from the Faculty of Education. We’re very fortunate to be able to draw upon her expertise for this important role.”

Bright earned her bachelor’s in French Language Education from the U of L as well as a master’s in Language Education. She completed her PhD at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Victoria, studying communication and social foundations. Her first teaching assignments were as an elementary teacher at Galbraith and Nicholas Sheran schools in Lethbridge. She came to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ on secondment as a master teacher in 1988 and began working as a tenure-track professor in 1992. Demonstrating her commitment to excellence in teaching across the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, Bright served as Board of Governors Teaching Chair from 2010-2012 and was the recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award in 2005.

“I am really looking forward to this opportunity,” says Bright, who is currently finalizing the sixth book she has either authored or co-authored. “As interim dean, I see this as a way to bridge our Faculty into the decade ahead and all the challenges and worthwhile teaching and research opportunities that we will be exploring together.”

Her dedication to writing instruction, literacy in teacher education and beginning reading and writing has led to her being a highly sought expert for professional teacher development. She has done extensive work in the area of middle school education and technology and communication patterns amongst teens, and recently, on how to teach reading throughout the grades.

Bright is also involved in a new study supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada entitled, The Inclusion of Indigenous Perspective in the Classroom: Ten Bachelor of Education Programs and Schools Working Together. The project involves collaborative work with Bachelor of Education programs from throughout the province.

“I really see this as a continuing focus for our Faculty as we look ahead,” she says. “It’s much-needed work and will build off some of the excellent research activities initiated by my colleagues Dr. Craig Loewen, Don Shade, Dr. Dawn Burleigh and many others, which have been ongoing since 2014.”

Having been associated with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Faculty of Education for as long as she has, Bright is more than aware of its reputation of excellence in producing the province’s most prepared teachers. She’s ready for the challenge of maintaining that standing.

“The Faculty of Education at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has a long-standing positive reputation among students, faculty, staff and the external educational community,” says Bright. “It is my hope to contribute to our culture of innovation, relationships and excellence, and to collaborate together on future goals in the coming year.”

Broader community invited to view popular Last Lecture Series as it moves to online format

trevor.kenney — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 17:32:27 +0000

It has become an annual rite of spring for ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge students and now, the broader community will have the opportunity to take in an enhanced online edition of the Last Lecture Series.

Presented annually by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students’ Union (ULSU), the Last Lecture Series has become one of the most popular events of the academic year. It traditionally features three U of L professors talking about life lessons that cannot be learned in the classroom, posing the question to them, “If you could talk about just one thing for your last lecture, what would it be?”

This spring, with an in-person event not possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ULSU is co-hosting with the student club PACT (philanthropy, advancement, community, traditions) and taking the event online. They have also expanded the lecturer list to an impressive eight speakers who represent a broad cross-section of disciplines from throughout campus. Celebrating a theme of adaptability, this impressive group will be online Friday, June 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to present their individual thoughts on what adaptability means to them.

“With most end-of-semester events cancelled, we wanted an initiative that could bring the uLethbridge community together,” says Kierian Turner, one of the event organizers and a past PACT president. “The Last Lecture has always been important to students of the graduating class, so we prioritized moving to an online model so that students are still able to get that final takeaway. It was important to have a panel with diverse experiences and research backgrounds so that attendees have the opportunity to connect on a deeper level and have a more holistic experience.”

The speaker schedule is as follows:

Tony Montina (BSc '08, MSc '10) — Introduction

10 a.m. — Adam Letourneau (Dhillon School of Business) — Life can Wonderfully be a Series of Career Changes

10:30 a.m. — Dr. Robin Bright (BASc '79, BEd '82, MEd '88) (Faculty of Education) — Everything I Really Need to Know, I Learned in ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ

11 a.m. — Dr. Shannon Spenceley (BN '84) (Faculty of Health Sciences) — Strange Days - Thriving in Uncertain Times

11:30 a.m. — Dr. Janay Nugent (BA '95) (Department of History) — The Empowerment of Young People in Tumultuous Times

12 to 1 p.m. — Lunch Break

1 p.m. — Don McIntrye (Dhillon School of Business) — Tricksters & Butterflies: Belonging Beyond this Day

1:30 p.m. — Dr. Robbin Derry (Dhillon School of Business) — What to Hold onto When Everything is in Flux?

2 p.m. — Dr. Anne Dymond (Faculty of Fine Arts) — Is it Too Late to Switch my Major? Or How I Learned to Live with Doubt

2:30 p.m. — Dr. Bryan Kolb (Department of Neuroscience) — Adaptability and the Brain that Changes Itself

Tony Montina — Closing

“What I love about our speaker lineup is that each of these professors apply their personal experience and expertise to a theme that is relatable to everyone — adaptability,” adds Turner. “This lineup will truly demonstrate the importance of a liberal education and how you can apply your uLethbridge experience to the many ways you will have to adapt throughout your lifetime. We have world-class faculty, and we are excited to share a glimpse of that with our community.”

The Last Lecture is a book co-authored by Randy Pausch, detailing everything he wanted his children to know after he was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Pausch delivered his last lecture entitled Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams as part of a lecture series where ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ are challenged to think about what really matters to them and give a Last Lecture.

For more on The Last Lecture speakers, follow this link: uleth.ca/alumni/last-lecture. To join the event, check in at go.uleth.ca/LastLecture2020.

The value of practicum

trevor.kenney — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 23:19:10 +0000

Students who pursue a career in education are eager to begin working in the field. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge honours their enthusiasm by having prospective students complete 60 hours of practicum in real-world classrooms before they apply to the Faculty of Education. This allows students to determine whether the teaching profession is right for them, and the Faculty to gain confidence in a student’s suitability as an educator.

Thus begins a unique education program bookended by field experiences.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has prospective students complete 60 hours of practicum in real-world classrooms before they apply to the Faculty of Education.

“On campus, students learn about theories and philosophies of education, but they need to enter classrooms to see how the concepts come alive. It’s a reciprocal relationship,” says Interim Dean of Field Experiences Dr. Robin Bright. “If we didn’t work collaboratively with teachers and administrators in the field it would be impossible for students to get a strong preparation for teaching.”

Practicing teachers who invite pre-service teachers into their classrooms welcome fresh voices, talents, ideas and up-to-date research. Many recall and expand upon their own experiences as practicum students to further enhance their student teacher’s development.

During three Professional Semesters (PS), students gain broad-based experience in rural, urban, elementary, secondary, and cultural environments such as Hutterite and First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities. Practicums are structured to ease them into the profession as they advance from classroom observation to honing developing skills and philosophies. A continuum of support is ensured as Faculty follow students into the field and work closely with Teacher Associates and administrators. By the time pre-service teachers complete PSII they have enough teaching credits for certification in Alberta. In PSIII they serve as interns assuming half their mentor’s duties while still enjoying the support and guidance of university and field-based supervisors. Having completed more than double the required practicum hours, students graduate as confident, competent educators ready to teach.

“It’s really for the students,” says Bright. “That’s the final goal. We want the educational experiences of students to be positive, empowering, challenging and worthwhile.”

If you are interested in becoming a teacher associate, please visit: becomeateacherassociate.ca

Dr. Robin Bright’s Top 5 Takeaways from her Days as a Practicum Student

— The importance of developing good relationships with the people around you — children, Teacher Associates, other teachers, educational assistants, administrators, parents, children’s siblings.
— Risk-taking was encouraged, even if it didn’t turn out. TAs were waiting for me not to do things exactly the way they did.
— Children react to who you are, not who you are trying to be. As soon as I started sharing my interests rapport developed.
— Everyone approaches teaching slightly differently. Respecting differences and trusting the people around you aids in successful teaching.
— Every day is a new beginning. Children are enormously forgiving. They approach the next day like it’s your first day with them.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge experts available to help families slide back into the school routine

caroline.zentner — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 16:29:58 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has several experts from the Faculty of Education available to discuss the challenges and opportunities that come with getting students ready for the school year.

These experts can offer insight and suggestions for parents about topics like the province’s new math curriculum, the move away from grade-based report cards, encouraging literacy, technology in education, and helping children become resilient.

School mathematics — teaching, learning, and assessment

Dr. Richelle Marynowskican provide information about the current mathematics teaching and learning directions in Alberta and how parents can help their students with math. She can also provide parents with information regarding teaching strategies that are effective in the math classroom. Her research interests also include classroom assessment practices and provincial examinations.

403-329-2269

richelle.marynowski@uleth.ca

Student report cards — a new look but one with more meaning

Dr. Carmen Mombourquettecan talk about the move away from letter grades and percentages on report cards to a system based on words, and explain the reasoning behind the move. He is also able to provide tips about how to help students get back into the learning groove, the issues that middle- and high-school-aged children can encounter with relationships, and how parents can best respond.

403-329-2018

carmen.mombourquette@uleth.ca

Help your child learn to love reading

Dr. Robin Bright, a literacy expert, can share pointers about ways parents and teachers can help children become avid readers. Her other areas of expertise include digital literacy, cyberbullying and helping school systems develop digital literacy policies.

403-329-2443

brightr@uleth.ca

Promoting resiliency in children

Dr. Dawn McBride, a registered psychologist, can offer practical suggestions on how to prepare children to return to school after a summer break. In addition, she can discuss how teachers and parents can use positive discipline principles to help children learn to manage their frustrations and anger appropriately. She can also address mental health issues, such as eating disorders, self-harm, depression and anxiety, experienced by some youth. Statistics from the Canadian Mental Health Association indicate that an estimated 10 to 20 per cent of Canadian youth are affected by a mental illness or disorder, the single most disabling group of disorders worldwide.

403-317-2877

Cell: 403-894-8460

dawn.mcbride@uleth.ca

From 3D Printing to computer apps that aid learning

Dr. Marlo Steed can discuss the role of technology in education, including 3D Printing, video creation, virtual reality and digital storytelling. Steed can speak about the ways technology can transform learning both in the classroom and at home.

403-329-2189

marlo.steed@uleth.ca

U of L study shows middle school literacy program improves reading skills and motivation

caroline.zentner — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 17:15:31 +0000

A three-year study by Dr. Robin Bright (BASc ‘79, BEd ‘82, MEd ‘88), a ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge education professor, shows middle school students who sometimes struggle with reading can become engaged and motivated readers with the right resource materials and a focused approach.

Typically, literacy is a focus of elementary education as children learn the basics of reading.

“We lose that focus somewhat in middle and high school or else it just falls to the English teachers. What makes this study groundbreaking is that teachers from all subject areas committed to wanting to learn how literacy will make the work they do as teachers better,” says Bright.

The study came about after Bright was contacted by Dean Hawkins, principal at Wilson Middle School in Lethbridge. Teachers at the school told Hawkins they wanted to focus on literacy because their students didn’t seem interested in reading, and achievement scores showed some were reading at a primary school level.

“Not everybody is a great reader by the time they get to middle school or even likes reading,” Bright says. “The teachers at Wilson were most interested in increasing students’ motivation for reading and engagement and felt reading achievement would naturally follow.”

Hawkins adjusted the school’s timetable to allow for a six-week long literacy program with 50 minutes of instruction each day. Bright offered professional development to the teachers to help them teach reading. However, finding the right resources for middle school students proved to be a challenge.

“They need resources that are going to be fun and applicable to their lives and they also needed activities that would be interesting and worthwhile,” she says.

Such literacy resources are expensive so teachers either borrowed them or created their own. Each year the school applied for a grant from the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation to help them buy the needed resources. Their application paid off this year when the school was awarded $125,000 over three years.

In each year of the study, Bright measured the effect of the literacy option by administering a questionnaire to a random sampling of students in each grade level and surveying teachers about their students’ motivation.

“The results show that, through the literacy option, children got the message from their teachers that they can learn to succeed in literacy. Even if they’re struggling readers, they still believe they can learn to read and learn to love reading,” says Bright.

The teachers also observed that their students seemed very excited about the literacy option and were more interested in reading.

The study was published last fall and Bright has since been contacted by a number of teachers and schools asking for her assistance in setting up a literacy program. This summer, she will present the results of her research in Vienna at the European Literacy Conference.

Bright will continue working with the school for the next three years, continuing to provide professional development, to act as a resource person for purchasing materials, and to measure the impact of the grant by surveying students, parents and teachers yearly.

Prominent anti-bullying experts to speak at student conference

caroline.zentner — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 17:59:25 +0000

The founder of a premier bullying website and a resident expert in cyber-bullying are among the guest speakers at the Education Undergraduate Society (EUS) anti-bullying conference on Oct. 6, 7 and 8.

Bill Belsey, a father and teacher who founded bullying.org in 2000, has spoken about bullying at events around the world. Dr. Robin Bright, a ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge education professor, has expertise in cyber-bullying based on her research into technology and communication patterns among teens. Rounding out the conference are two Lethbridge school resource officers who deal with cyber-bullying in schools.

The conference is organized by students for students and has been an annual affair for the past seven years.

“Cyber-bullying affects schools and communities beyond the boundaries of the digital world. It has serious consequences for individuals and society,” says Alexandra Pletch, a fourth-year student and vice-president external of EUS.

The conference, which promotes digital citizenship and responsible use, is designed to provide professional development and awareness for education students but the sessions are open to anyone. The focus of the conference is not so much about how to prevent bullying as it is about ways to promote Internet citizenship and responsible use, says Pletch.

Bright will deliver the first talk of the conference, scheduled for noon Monday.

On Tuesday starting at 12:05 p.m., Const. Shawn Davis and Const. Jamie Williamson will talk about cyber-bullying from their perspectives as school resource officers.

The noon session on Wednesday will be an open discussion forum for students. At 6 p.m., Belsey will talk about his involvement in anti-bullying.

The noon-hour sessions are all free and a $2 admission fee will be charged to non-EUS members for Belsey’s evening talk.

“We’re very pleased to have him and any insights he can share. We are very grateful to all of our speakers, including those who said they were willing to speak even though we couldn’t accommodate them,” says Pletch. “We welcome parents and anyone interested in bullying to come to the talks.”

All sessions are open to the public and will be held in the Students’ Union Ballrooms.

At-a-glance schedule:

Monday, noon: Dr. Robin Bright

Tuesday, 12:05 p.m.: Const. Shawn Davis and Const. Jamie Williamson

Wednesday, noon: Open discussion

Wednesday, 6 p.m.: Bill Belsey

Healing Words

david.kirby — Wed, 14 May 2014 21:02:13 +0000

Karen Ritchie, Grade 7 yearbook photo (submitted)

Karen Marie Ritchie was pretty much a typical 13-year-old in 1977. She loved animals and little kids, and as the fifth of six children, Karen was thrilled to be an auntie at a young age. She was known to get the giggles, and would often end up rolling with uncontrollable laughter for no particular reason at all. She was a dedicated pen pal, a caring sister and a nurturing soul. On the outside, Karen appeared to be a regular teenage girl, but on the inside, things must have been quite different. Because on a Tuesday afternoon in May of that year, to the shock and utter devastation of her family, Karen Marie Ritchie ended her own life.

The fact that Karen was being bullied at school wasn’t exactly unknown, but no one seemed to realize just how bad the situation was, or how desperate Karen felt about it. Her suicide rocked the small Crowsnest Pass community where Karen lived, and threw her family into emotional shambles.

Fast-forward 36 years. The date of what would have been Karen’s 50th birthday was approaching, and her sister, Patricia Poriz (BEd ‘93, BHSc ‘12), found her thoughts drifting toward her departed sibling more and more.

“She never really left my thoughts, but last spring, I was thinking about Karen all the time,” Poriz says. “I wanted to commemorate her somehow, so I started to write a poem in her memory.”

What began as a simple dedication from one sister to another became an epic piece of writing entitled Ricochet of Regrets – a lengthy and intense work of prose that is effectively the voice of anyone who’s been the target of bullying and, by their own hand, is no longer around to speak for themself. Poriz says the piece took on a life of its own, spilling out from her onto paper after almost four decades of silent reflection, sadness and unanswered questions.

“Over the years, I thought a lot about the kids who bullied Karen,” says Poriz. “I wondered what became of them. What kind of lives did they have? Did they ever think about my sister? I didn’t feel any animosity orbitterness; I just wondered. The words in the piece come from those questions, and the voice in the poem became that of victims who’ve succumbed to their tormentors.”

Ethan Calvin, Patricia Poriz and Trevor DeMaere

Bullying is not a new phenomenon, but in today’s world of instant communication and social media, kids who are bullied often can’t escape the onslaught. Cyberbullying is a relatively new aspect to the issue, and it has made the problem more prominent than ever before.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge education professor Dr. Robin Bright (BA '79, BEd '82, MEd '88) has a special interest in technology and communication patterns among students. Bright says that bullying was once seen as “kids just being kids,” but is now viewed as a social issue that cannot be tolerated.

“Provinces are looking at passing anti-bullying legislation, and Alberta has already taken the initiative,” says Bright. “There is a great deal of research on bullying out there, much more than there was even 10 years ago, because most everyone now sees bullying as unacceptable. The approach in the education system today is to focus on developing healthy relationships. The zero-tolerance policies of five years ago didn’t work – they didn’t eliminate the problem. Instead, we as educators are asking ourselves what we can do on a daily basis to ensure that all children feel valued and included, that every student has an understanding of what a positive environment is, and that every child has a safe and welcoming place in which to learn.”

“I think she’d be very pleased that we did this in her memory. She’d probably cry a little, and then burst into giggles the way she always used to.” - Patricia Poriz

Once Ricochet of Regrets was written, Poriz felt compelled to take the work further. Her husband, who’d also known Karen, encouraged Poriz to bring her words to life on screen – perhaps in the form of a dramatic monologue. Together they began a search for a videographer, eventually connecting with U of L new media student Ethan Calvin. Calvin in turn brought in Trevor DeMaere, a U of L digital audio arts student, and the duo set about creating a video representation of the poem that would portray the sense of hopelessness and desperate isolation that Poriz’s words viscerally convey.

“When I first read the piece it pierced me right through the heart,” says Calvin. “It was incredibly well written – impactful and artfully done. I took the project on and began writing a shot list. It kind of wrote itself, actually. I could picture exactly what I wanted each scene to look like. Everything came together really organically.”

Calvin devised a series of scene shots that include a number of landscapes and landmarks unique to Lethbridge, and DeMaere orchestrated an original soundtrack that features an ethereal and haunting combination of piano and strings. Not sure what they’d do in terms of casting, Poriz suggested they employ some of her young family members – a generation of relatives who never had the chance to meet her sister. The end result is a 10-minute video that pulls no punches. Ricochet of Regrets is a stark representation of bullying’s most devastating effects. Somewhat ironically, the upshot of the video is positive and hopeful.

“I hope it’s a catalyst for discussion, for dialogue on all sides of the equation – from the victims to
the tormentors, to the people who stand by and watch it happen,” says Poriz. “If we can help one person who feels alone because of bullying, then we’ve succeeded.”

Ricochet of Regrets was released on YouTube on March 9, 2014. Poriz has an open Facebook page entitled Prose by Poriz where the video can be seen, and a number of therapists and suicide-awareness organizations were quick to endorse the work. A special screening of the video took place at Lethbridge Public Library this past spring – an event that Poriz says was very healing for her and the rest of her siblings.

“When Karen died, we didn’t know how to deal with it as a family,” says Poriz. “It finally felt like we were mourning Karen the way we should have, and celebrating who she was as a person, too. I think she’d be very pleased that we did this in her memory. She’d probably cry a little, and then burst into giggles the way she always used to.”

This story appears in the Spring 2014 edition of SAM magazine. For a look at the full edition in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Long Service & Retirement Recognition Ceremony

trevor.kenney — Wed, 09 May 2012 17:44:43 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is holding its annual Long Service Awards and Retirement Recognition Ceremony on Wednesday, May 9 at 1 p.m. in the Students' Union Ballrooms.

A total of 103 employees, including 20 retiring employees and those who have completed 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years of service, will be honoured.

All employees are invited to the ceremony and reception to honour the award recipients listed below. The reception will include light refreshments.

Retirees

Nola Aitken, Pat Anderson, Bill Cade, Maria Draper, Carol Gaetz, Mary Anne Hellinga, John Johnston, Cindy Kabelka, Frank Klassen, Michael Kubara, Christina Lastuka, Rita Law, Kathy Lee, Marg McKeen, Bruce McMullin, Shari Platt, Charlene Sawatsky, Richard Tedesco, Barbara Wolstoncroft and Joan Zimmer

Long Service Recipients

40 Years

Lois Boras and
Jean Mankee

35 Years

Barbara Dickinson, Heather Mirau and Brian Parkinson

30 Years

Rene Barendregt, Annette Bright, Peter Heffernan, Barb Hodgson, Kurt Klein, William Krysak, Judy Lacey, Phill Lema, Valerie Richardson, Kim Selk and John Vokey

25 Years

Candace Dueck, John Eng, Frank Klassen, Sheila Lowe, Fiona Randle, Thomas Staples, Greg Tompkins, Kelly Vaselenak, Peter Visentin and Diana Young

20 Years

Lynn Ambedian, Robin Bright, Naomi Cramer, Mary Dyck, Rod Gelleny, Michael Kern, Judith Kulig, Rick Peter, Robert Runte, Sandy Slavin, Maxine Tedesco and Jeff Vucurevich

15 Years

Dwayne Armstrong, Mara Baldwin, Kerry Bernes, Lesley Brown, James Clark, Tom Doyle, Larry Flanagan, Carolyn Gaebel, Cam Goater, Bradley Hagen, Rob Johnson, Ed Jurkowski, Angela Luck, Goldie Morgentaler, Dan O'Donnell, Kent Peacock, Brent Selinger, Marlo Steed and
Nicole Wilson

10 Years

Peter Alward, Christine Anderson, Ebenezer Asem, Roberto Bello, Shawn Bubel, Kris Caldwell, Michael Campbell, Connie Chaplin, John Claassen, Melanie Collado, Dagmar Dahle, Alesha Farfus-Shukaliak, Bev Garnett, Daya Gaur, Joanne Gedrasik, Betsy Greenlees, Trevor Harrison, Linda Janz, Sharon Kanashiro, John Kometz, Igor Kovalchuk, Olga Kovalchuk, Bette Jo Kulak, James Linville, Douglas MacArthur, Claudia Malacrida, Kyla McFadden, Jacqueline Montain, Mandy Moser, Bob Muskovich, Janice Newberry, Tammy Paskuski, Jill Payant, Wilf Roesler, Edward Sandzewicz, Daryl Schacher, Darren Schell, Arlan Schultz, Daniela Sirbu, Debbie Tarnava, John Usher, Derek Vincent, Bernie Wirzba and Cindy Yee

UNews - Robin Bright

Final PUBlic Professor Series talk of season examines whether reading even matters in today’s world

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Ending homelessness the first topic of engaging 2024-2025 PUBlic Professor Series

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Faculty of Education turns to Dr. Robin Bright

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Broader community invited to view popular Last Lecture Series as it moves to online format

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The value of practicum

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��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge experts available to help families slide back into the school routine

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U of L study shows middle school literacy program improves reading skills and motivation

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Prominent anti-bullying experts to speak at student conference

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Healing Words

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Long Service & Retirement Recognition Ceremony

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��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge experts available to help families slide back into the school routine