Office of the dean

Karen Ragoonaden, PhD

Dean and Professor

Twitter: @karenragoonaden

External Website

Frank is an Associate Professor, Canada Research Chair of Indigenous Education, and member of the Royal Society of Canada. Frank is Kanienkeha’ka from Kahnawake, a community that lies just south of Tiotia’ke in the eastern region of the Rotinonshonni Confederacy. Frank holds an earned PhD in Educational Administration from the University of Saskatchewan. Frank studies indigenous education and indigenous religious and spiritual orientations. Frank has previously served as a classroom teacher in Northern Manitoba and in the Inner City of Winnipeg.
 
The Office of the Associate Dean Indigenous Education (ADIE) will build on the existing mandates of the University of Manitoba Indigenous Senior Leadership Plan and the Faculty of Education’s Strategic Plan supporting Indigenous engagement and achievement. In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action 62-65, Education for reconciliation, the ADIE will support initiatives focused on such areas of concern as Indigenous history, epistemology, and perspectives. The ADIE, in consultation with the Dean, the Associate Dean Graduate and Research (ADGR) and the Associate Dean Undergraduate & Partnerships (ADUP), will support the Faculty of Education’s work as it improves our undergraduate and graduate programmes. The ADIE will support faculty and staff who seek to engage in work that involves Indigenous knowledges, histories and perspectives. This support will include overseeing such things as budget considerations, program delivery, curricular issues, admissions and student services relating to all aspects of Indigenous Education. The Associate Dean Indigenous Education will also engage with the Office of the Vice-President Indigenous and Senior Administration at the University of Manitoba.

Twitter: @Frank_Deer

Dr. Melanie Janzen is Associate Dean, Graduate Programs and Research (ADGR) of the Faculty of Education, University of Manitoba. She is also an Associate Professor in Curriculum, Teaching and Learning who specializes in teacher education and curriculum studies (www.melaniedjanzen.ca). Melanie is a vocal advocate for public education, and as a researcher, uses critical perspectives to explore the inter-related workings of power and discourses, particularly as they relate to the identities of teachers and children. Prior to earning her PhD from the University of British Columbia, Melanie was a classroom teacher and learning support teacher in numerous public schools in Winnipeg.   
 
In her role as Associate Dean, Graduate Programs and Research (ADGR), Melanie is committed to enhancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of our graduate programs as well as in faculty and graduate student research. Working alongside the Associate Dean, Indigenous Education and other community partners, she will support efforts and develop programs that foster Indigenous-focused graduate programming, cohorts, and community relationships. Melanie is also committed to supporting early career faculty as they strive to develop their research, teaching and service portfolios.
 
The Faculty of Education has a large and robust graduate program that includes Masters and PhD programs and that serves local and international students. Melanie will build on our community partnerships to better serve our rural and Northern communities through meaningful and accessible graduate programming. Our faculty members’ research interests are vast and contribute to academic and professional conversations locally, nationally and internationally. As researchers and teachers, our faculty members are committed to working with graduate students and to developing reciprocal research partnerships with individuals and organizations. Please feel free to contact Melanie if you are interested in finding out more about graduate programs or research partnerships.

Dr. Martha Koch is Associate Dean, Undergraduate and Partnerships (ADUP) of the Faculty of Education, University of Manitoba. She is also an Associate Professor in Curriculum, Teaching and Learning who specializes in mathematics education, classroom assessment, and the implications of large-scale educational assessments (www.marthakoch.ca). As an educator and researcher, she is deeply committed to identifying and addressing inequities in K-12 and post-secondary education. Prior to becoming a university-based educator, Martha was a middle years teacher in Ottawa, Ontario.  
 
In her role as Associate Dean, Undergraduate and Partnerships, Martha will focus on initiatives to enhance equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of the Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) and Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Education (PBDE) programs. Working alongside the Associate Dean, Indigenous Education, she will ensure that Indigenous perspectives are reflected across the B.Ed and PBDE programs in meaningful ways and work to increase Indigenous engagement in these programs. Martha will also strive to increase the capacity of the Faculty to provide holistic and accessible supports for all students as they complete their programs.
 
The Faculty of Education values strong collaborative relationships and is dedicated to developing and maintaining generative and dynamic partnerships with educators, schools, school divisions and provincial and national organizations. We have many longstanding partnerships in place related to the practicum courses in our undergraduate and graduate programs as well as the school-based courses in our Early Years B.Ed. program. We also participate in partnerships within Manitoba and beyond in order to offer professional learning opportunities for teachers and school leaders and to engage in research and policy initiatives. Let Martha know if you are interested in exploring a partnership with our Faculty.