CREATIVE CONSULTANT IN MONTESSORI AND GLOBAL EDUCATIONAL REFORM
sustainabilityfrontiers.ca
8421 Line 6, RR 4 Kenilworth Ontario, Canada N0G 2E0, (519) 848-5039
wagnew03@gmail.com
EDUCATION
Ph.D., Holistic Learning, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Canada, 2003 – 2007
Adolescent Studies Certificate, Secondary school curriculum as a function of eco- literacy, North American Montessori Teachers Association, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A., 2003
Teacher Educator Diploma, Training of Trainers, Toronto Montessori Institute, Toronto, Canada, 2001 – 2002
M.A., Global Education, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Canada, 1999 – 2002
Elementary Teaching Diploma, Toronto Montessori Institute, Toronto, Canada, 1999 – 2000
Advanced Studies, Drama, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada, 1983 – 1987
A M I Primary Teaching Diploma, Toronto Montessori Institute, Toronto, Canada, 1979 – 1980
B.A., English, York University, Toronto, Canada, 1970 – 1973
Horsemanship – A Level, The British Horse Society, Toronto and North York Pony Club, 1968
WORK EXPERIENCE
Director/ Program Designer/ Evaluator - Inquiry-based learning and curriculum development featuring integrated arts & farm immersion - elementary to junior high, Sunshine Montessori School, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, 1994 – present
Partner - Joint Life Skills Education Consultancy for transforming curriculum in primary, elementary, and middle school, UNICEF, West and Central Africa Region, 2020 - 2021
Teacher Educator/ Course Designer/ Evaluator, Toronto Montessori Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 2002 – 2021
Co-editor, Teacher’s Guide to Psychosocial Support in the Classroom, UNICEF, West Central Africa, 2016
Contributor, Educating for Inclusion, UNICEF, Moldova, 2016
Co-founder & Structural Consultant / Course Designer / Teacher Educator/ Systems Evaluator, The Shahid Mahdavi Educational Complex, Tehran, Iran, 2004 – 2011
Course Designer/ Presenter for Creativity in Curriculum, Montessori Teacher’s College, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 2011 - Present
Presenter/ Participant, International Conference of Holistic Learning: Breaking New Ground, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 2005 – 2013
Montessori Trainer/ Consultant/ Evaluator – Holistic Education Reform, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada, 2011
Consultant: Advisory Board for the Creation of The Equinox School, in conjunction with the University of Toronto and the Toronto District School Board, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 2007 – 2012
Consultant/ Trainer/ Evaluator, Canadian Montessori Academy, Maputo, Mozambique, Africa, 2001
Co-Founder/Artistic Director/Writer/Performer, foreign feet, Performance Art Company, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, 1996 – 2010
Co-Founder/Director/Writer/Performer, PowPow Unbound, Theatre Company, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 1991 - 1993
Field Manager and Fund Raiser, Pollution Probe, Ontario, Canada, 1989 – 1991
Primary Director, Saskatoon Montessori School, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, 1980 – 1987
Resident Councillor, Youthdale Group Home, Magnetawan, Ontario, Canada, 1978 - 1979
Director/Councillor/Instructor, Inter-Action City Farm, London, England, 1976 – 1977
SELECTED SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Presenter – Creating Curriculum through Art & Design, The Montessori Jewish Day School, Toronto, Ontario Canada, 2023
Presenter – Creativity and the Intelligence of Play, The Canadian Association of Montessori Teachers (CAMT) COVID Zoom, Toronto, Ontario Canada, 2021
Presenter – The Intelligence of Love, The Canadian Association of Montessori Teachers International Conference, ‘One Child, One Philosophy, One Universe’, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 2016
Presenter – Trance Forms – A Literacy of Belonging, Holistic Educators Group, The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 2016
Presenter - Nurturing the Seeds of Cosmic Education, C.A.M.T. International Conference, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 2014
Presenter – Naturing the Psyche, The 9th International Conference of Holistic Learning, Ryerson University & OISE, University of Toronto, Geneva Park Conference Centre, Ontario, Canada, 2013
Presenter - The Culture of Nature, C.A.M.T. Provincial Conference, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 2013
Presenter - Endangered Mind, The 8th International Conference of Holistic Learning, Ryerson University & OISE, University of Toronto, Geneva Park Conference Centre, Ontario, Canada 2011
Keynotes – Beyond Methodology // Creating the Prepared Environment: Autotelic Structures // Creative Approach to Language: The Writing Way to Reading // Order, Community, Culture, and Nature // Teacher as Observer-Inventor // Mathematics by Touch// State Education Initiative for Reform, The Shahid Montessori Educational Complex, Tehran, Iran, July – August 2010
Subject, Documentary Film – Montessori and Child-Centred Learning, Tehran, Iran, 2010
Presenter - Conversing with the Earth, The 7th International Conference of Holistic Learning, Ryerson University & OISE, University of Toronto, Geneva Park Conference Centre, Ontario, Canada, 2009
Presenter - Learning to Follow Their Lead, C.A.M.T. International Conference, The Spirit of Montessori, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 2009
Keynote – The Learning Game, The Shahid Educational Complex Training Initiative, Tehran, Iran, 2008
Keynote – Arts-Based Literacy: Public Murals as Conceptual Bridges, Somersfield Academy, Bermuda, 2005
Keynote – Structuring Pedagogy for Peace, The Shahid Educational Complex Training Initiative, Tehran, Iran, 2004
Presenter – Land Learning in Adolescence – T.M.I. Master’s Workshop, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 2003
Presenter – Visual Literacy and The Public Mural, N.A.M.T.A., Adolescent Studies Conference, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. 2003
Presenter – Holistic Vision - from Preschool to University, The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education Symposium, Toronto, Canada, 2002
Presenter - Arts Based, Science Framed Learning – The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education Symposium, University of Toronto, Canada, 2001
MULTI-MEDIA PRESENTATIONS
Concept / Writer / Realizer, A Trail of Questions: Collaborative field project exploring the relevance of place to communication and community from western to eastern provinces, Canada, 1994 – 2007
Co-Creator/ Performer, Oh Best Beloved: Independent film illuminating ecology, relationship and interdependence, Moonlight Muse Productions, Bravo! T.V., Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 1996-97
Concept/ Writer/ Realizer, The Blue People: Site-specific series exploring rituals of culture in historical and contemporary constructions of meaning, Toronto, Canada, 1991 – 1994
Core Company Member, Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan - including National tour of bilingual Romeo et Juliette, Saskatoon, Toronto, Stratford, 1985 – 1991
Please Note - The above features original research contributions and are selected from a significant body of work - 1984 to present – please see Writing, Theatre, Performance
PUBLISHED WORKS - Books / Manuals:
Co-writer Joint Life Skills Education Consultancy - transforming curriculum for primary, elementary, and middle school, UNICEF, West and Central Africa Region, 2020 to 2021
Co-editor Teacher’s Guide to Psychosocial Support in the Classroom, by Lidra Remacka, UNICEF, West Central Africa, 2016
Integrated Arts as a Multimodal Experience, in “Exploding the Reading: Building a world of responses from one small story - 50 interactive strategies for increasing comprehension”, edited by David Booth, Pembroke Publishers, 2014
Weaving Change, Improvising Global Wisdom, in “Education and Climate Change: Living and Learning in Interesting Times,” edited by Fumiyo Kagawa & David Selby, Routledge, 2010
Autopoietic Education: Contours of the Future, in “Green Frontiers: Environmental Educators Dancing Away from Mechanism,” edited by David Selby & James Gray-Donald, Rotterdam, Sense Publishers, 2008
Thematic Exploration through Visual Art, in “It’s Critical! Classroom strategies for promoting critical and creative comprehension,” edited by David Booth, Pembroke Publishers, 2008
The Universe is a Horse: Autopoietic Education for Technoprosaic Times, Ph.D. Thesis, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, 2007
A Chronicle of Stumbles: The Nature of Nature in the Learning Game, M.A. Thesis, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, The University of Toronto, 2002
Belonging in the Visual World: From Dust to Star, in “New Century: New Belongings,” Edited by Makoto Asano & David Selby, Nippon Hyoron Sha Co., Ltd., Tokyo, 2002
Poems and Articles in a variety of magazines and anthologies including Plus Zero; The Canadian Theatre Review; 100% Cracked Wheat; Constructivism in the Human Sciences; Descant
Readings across Canada include “The Scream in High Park” and “Word on the
Street”, Toronto, “The Sechelt Writers Festival”, B.C. 1992 - 1999
ARTICLES
Celebrating Strata's Climate Change Summit, in “CAMT NEWS Quarterly”, submittedJune 2023
Kurt and Maria: An Educational Synthesis, in “CAMT NEWS Quarterly”, 48 (2) June 2019
The All-Nations Water Walk, in “CAMT NEWS Quarterly”, 47 (1) September 2018
To Educate Eco-Sapiens: A Documentary Film by Philip Snow Gang, in “CAMT NEWS Quarterly”, 46 (2) April 2018
Unsung Heroes: Animal Mentors in Transformative Learning, in “CAMT NEWS Quarterly”, 45 (2) June 2017
Cycles of Embodied Learning: The Botany of Hope, in “CAMT NEWS Quarterly”, 45 (1) February 2017
Nature Mandalas, in “CAMT NEWS Quarterly”, 44 (3) October 2016
Seeds, Grains, and Pearls, in “CAMT NEWS Quarterly”, 44 (1) February 2016
The Miracle of the Light Touch, in “CAMT NEWS Quarterly”, 43 (3), October 2015
The Wild Curriculum, in “CAMT NEWS Quarterly”, 43 (2), Summer 2015
A Case for Interdependence, in “CAMT NEWS Quarterly”, 42 (2), Spring 2014
The Hand is the Organ of the Mind of Matter, in “CAMT NEWS Quarterly”, 41 (6), Winter 2013
Reviving Mathematics Through Material Logic, in “The Montessori News,” October 2013
Land-Based Learning from Casa to Junior High, in “CAMT NEWS Quarterly”, 40 (5), Summer 2013
Centaur: 1999 - 2013, in “The Montessori News,” April 2013
Permission to Create #2, in “CAMT NEWS Quarterly”, 39 (4), Winter 2012
Permission to Create #1, in “CAMT NEWS Quarterly”, 38 (3), Summer 2012
Following Montessori to Iran, Part 2, in “CAMT NEWS Quarterly”, 37 (3), Winter 2011
The Importance of 3, in “CAMT NEWS Quarterly”, 35 (1), Winter 2010
Following Montessori to Iran, Part 1, in “CAMT NEWS Quarterly”, 36 (2), Fall 2010
‘Followship’, in “CAMT NEWS Quarterly”, 34 (2), Fall 2009
Two Dimensional Totems: Image Literacy, in OISE / University of Toronto News, Autumn 2007
Fostering Peace: A Family Affair, in “M: The Magazine for Montessori Families”, 2005
EDUCATIONAL/ECOLOGICAL AWARDS AND ORGANIZATIONS
Founding Member and Consultant Sustainability Frontiers, 2009 - present https://www.sustainabilityfrontiers.org/
Founding Member and Vice President the Damascus Lake Trail Association, formerly Friends of Luther Marsh, Damascus, Ontario, Canada 2008 - present
Board Member and Advisor Equinox School in conjunction with the University of Toronto, 2007 - 2012
“Arts Educator of the Year” Presented by David Booth, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto 2005-2006
WRITING/THEATRE/PERFORMANCE
Selected works as co-founder, co-director, writer, performer of 'foreign feet' performance art group
Freda's Folly Guelph Festival of Contemporary Dance
Melanie and Lillie Explore Rome Guelph Festival of Contemporary Dance and
Best of 808, Winchester Street Theatre, Toronto
The Lillian Rillian Tales Writer, foreign feet, Dusseldorf, Germany
The Lillian Rillian Tales Guelph Festival of Contemporary Dance
Me Upside Down Festival of Modern Dance, Waterloo, Ontario
Selected works as co-founder, co-director, writer, performer of Pow Pow Unbound performance art group
Stage/Groove Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Toronto
The Naked Blue People The Theatre Centre, Toronto
Boudicca's Chariot St. Stephen in the Fields, Site Specific Events, Toronto
Horrible Night of a Man of War Margaret, Buddies in Bad Times, Toronto
Field Buddies in Bad Times, Toronto
It's the Silence that Makes it
Possible Site-specific Street Theatre Events, Toronto
Jack's Animal Stories The Theatre Centre, Toronto
The Montalbetti Walks 31-4 Site Specific Events, The Bump Process, Saskatchewan
Selected works as Co-writer, Performer, Independent Theatres/Festivals
But Love is Too Simple to Save Us Candid Stammer, The Theatre Centre, Toronto
Flaw Splice This! Film Festival, Toronto
The Three Sisters Site Specific/Philip Nessel, Toronto
Selected Theatre Roles
Blood Suite - Woman The Theatre Centre/Stan Rogal, Toronto
Soft Eclipse - Lucy 25th Street Theatre/Marina Endicott
Romeo et Juliette - Lady Montague National Tour/Robert LePage/Gordon McCall
Macbeth - Witch Shakespeare on The Saskatchewan/Gordon McCall
Exile - Sarah Playworks/Michael Springate
Spirit of the Game - Maddy Persephone Theatre/Angus Ferguson
On The Verge - Alexandra Nightcap Productions/Gordon McCall
The Oldest Profession - Lillian Carlton Trail Tour/Tom Bentley-Fisher
Dog and Crow - Grazia Playworks/Henry Woolf
Yikes - Ensemble The Edmonton Fringe Festival
The Saskatoon Soaps - Core Member Nightcap Productions
The Day I Sat with Jesus… - Gloria Second Stage/Nancy Feldstrom
Caryl Churchill - Nell/Nijo/Joyce Second Stage/Henry Woolf
Fen - Old Ivy/ Nell Second Stage/Henry Woolf
TELEVISION
Oh! Best Beloved - Principal Bravo!/ Jesse Shankland
Condottieri Exposé - Principals Stella Broadcasting/Richard Gorrie
Prairie Confidential - Principals Baton Broadcasting/Ken Adolf
72 Hour Improvathon – Principals SKTV/Gordon McCall
RADIO
The Replacement - Bee CBC/Wayne Schmalz
The Knife Sharpener - Mother CBC/Wayne Schmalz
Maired, Moira, Molly - Molly CBC/Wayne Schmalz
Dustship Glory - Louise Griffith CBC/Wayne Schmalz
PERFORMANCE & WRITING GRANTS & ORGANIZATIONS
Founding Member Sustainability Frontiers Canada, https://www.sustainabilityfrontiers.ca/
Founding Member Sustainability Frontiers International
Founding Member and vice president Damascus Lake Trail Association (Formerly Friends of Luther
Marsh)
Canada Council Explorations Grant for The Lillian Lectures
Writer's Reserve Grant for The Lillian Lectures
Toronto Arts Council for PowPow Unbound
Ontario Arts Council for PowPow Unbound
Laidlaw Foundation for foreign feet
Founding member and co-artistic director of foreign feet performance art company
Founding member and co-artistic director of Pow Pow Unbound theatre
Founding Member of The Saskatchewan Actors Guild
References:
Jack Miller
jmiller@oise.utoronto.ca
Professor Emeritus
Department of Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto, Canada
Paula Glasgow
paulaglasgow333@gmail.com
Founder, Montessori Teacher’s College
Toronto, Ontario, Canada