Brantford Podcast Anchor Podcasting

Joe Persia holds a M. Sc. In Ed, a B.A. and is a former PhD student with SUNY at Buffalo.  He is qualified to teach in Ontario, Alberta, California, and New York State.  His diverse teaching background includes teaching positions in post-secondary Economics in addition to those from Grade 6 right on down to Kindergarten where he has spent the past ten years and would happily spend the remainder of his career.
With a Kindergarten Specialist and Reading Specialist designation he is fascinated with the process by which we incrementally acquire the skill set that we may arguably take most for granted once we have it – Reading.

With extensive reading and research findings behind him, it soon became clear to Joe that the academic course charted for children, as well as it turns out – their long-term health trajectories are largely the result of life experiences during the formative years.

Fertile ground for his continuous inquiry in this field soon became the Early Learning Kingdom of a Kindergarten classroom where he now brings his self-regulatory philosophy and play-based pedagogy to life.



Recorded on June 23, 2020 in Brantford, Ontario.

For more information about Laurier Brantford | 20 Years of Education, please read https://campusmagazine.wlu.ca/2019/fall-winter/features/celebrating-20-years-in-brantford.html

Colleen E. Miller is a dynamic, independent training consultant specializing in Human Resource Training and Development. Her depth of knowledge in the areas of career planning, recruitment and selection, supervisory/management training, team building, and communication have established her as a leading Canadian keynote speaker.

http://www.colleenemiller.com/

If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider supporting http://www.crossingallbridges.ca/



Phil McColeman MP (born March 15, 1954) is a Canadian politician, who was elected to represent the electoral district of Brant in the 2008 Canadian federal election. He is a member of the Conservative Party. He currently represents the riding of Brantford—Brant.

Dave began his working career as an elementary school teacher in 1977 . During his career he introduced and implemented an award winning conflict resolution program for his students and in 1989 Dave became a principal. He was named OECTA Distinguished Teacher in 1994. 



Levac received the Canada 125 Medal in 1993 and was named Brantford's Citizen of the year in 1997. He also served as co-ordinator of Queen Elizabeth's Royal visit to Brantford in 1gg7. He was awarded the Queen Elizabeth ll Golden Jubilee Medal in 2A02 and the Queen Elizabeth ll Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. He has also been awarded an Ontario Service Award and the YMCA Canada Peace Medal. He recently received the inaugural "Joseph Brant Award" from Robert Land Academy for "Loyalty, Labour, courage, commitment and Honour". 



Dave brought his strong drive for community service to the Ontario Legislature, first by being elected in 1999. Re-elected in 2003, 2007 , 2011 and 2014. Dave has had several private member's bills passed into law (a rear feat), including "Smoke Free Amendment Act (first co- sponsored bill by two different parties, The Fire Fighters Memorial Day Act, and Sabrina's Law. He was awarded "The Order of Merit" by the Ukrainian President for his work on the "Holodomor Memorial Day Act." This medal is similar to a Knighthood in England. lt was also the first tri- party sponsored bill in Ontario history. 



Locally, Dave has delivered many results to his community. Among the long list of accomplishments Dave considers the following key to the success and future success of Brant and the region: a new MRl, Brownfield clean up grants, Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre complex grant, Brant Twin Pad complex grant, major grants building the Laurier Brantford Campus, funding for Steadman Hospice, Birthing Centre and Emergency expansion grants for the Brantford General Hospital., Y/Laurier complex grant, Detox/Rehabilitation Centre grant and GO Service in Brantford to name a few. 



ln 2003 Dave was appointed Chief Government Whip. He followed as Parliamentary Assistant for Community Safety and Correctional Services then PA for Energy and lnfrastructure. 



After the 2011 election, Dave looked for new opportunities to serve by running for Speaker of the Legislature of Ontario. He was elected Speaker on the second ballet, a resounding vote of confidence from all sitting members. Internationally, Levac has been a member of and lead delegations to The Council of Commonwealth Governments, Council of State Governments (CSG), Francophonie Governments and many others. He has won a special award for his contributions to the CSG. (One of only 2 Canadians awarded over 52 years.) He was also responsible for several "Friendship Agreements" with other countries. 



Dave served as Speaker from November 2011 until 2018. He was heralded by most MPPs and political commentators as one of the most effective Speakers in recent history, presiding with dignity and integrity. He is now the longest serving speaker in Ontario history. 



After 45 years of public service between teaching and politics, Dave retired, choosing not to run in the 2018 provincial election. Not to fade away, Dave accepted a position of Distinguished Visiting Professor at McMaster University where he brings experiential learning to 4th year students. 

Nathan Fleet is an award winning filmmaker, musician, and educator. He runs the film production company Blue Pick Media and the Hamilton Film Festival. Nathan is very active in the local arts community and is the chair or Lights Camera Hamilton and is a sitting member on the city of Hamilton’s Music Advisory team. Most recently he released the rock album “Love Hate City”.

Matthew Willson is an award-winning Canadian actor and director with more than 500 stage performances to his credit. A versatile and talented character actor, he also boasts numerous TV and film credits, including roles in Rookie Blue, Murdoch Mysteries, The Strain, Arrival and Queer as Folk.

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1079740/

Born in the small town of Paris, Ontario, Matthew started acting as a kid. He only decided to take the craft seriously in his early 20s as a way to productively funnel his creativity. Over the years, he has developed his techniques by studying advanced techniques of acting including stage combat, comedy and improvisation, and singing. Willson has studied under a number of esteemed performance teachers, directors and coaches in the industry.