Current Graduate Students
Rozhin Seifpanahi (M.Ed.)
The Influence of Cultural Differences on New Canadian Teachers’ Assessment Identity
Rozhin Seifpanahi, a graduate of Farhangian University, the only specialized university in Iran that trains teachers, earned her bachelor’s degree in Teaching English as an International Language in 2017. Her teaching career began in Kurdistan, where she taught English in high schools for over seven years. During the pandemic, she developed online grammar training and conversation sessions that prioritized inclusive practices. Additionally, she has experience as a teacher trainer for undergraduate education students in their practical traineeship courses.
She began her Master of Education program at Memorial University of Newfoundland in 2024, where her research focuses on how cultural backgrounds of international teachers influence their assessment identity (re)construction. By understanding these challenges, she aims to provide support and guidance to help these valuable educators thrive in their careers. She also works as a Teaching Assistant in undergraduate courses and as a Graduate Assistant for the Racialized Graduate Students’ Collective (RGSC) at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Her role involves supporting and removing barriers for racialized graduate students within the Faculty of Education.
Sarah Taker (M.Ed.)
Financial Literacy Measures at Memorial University
Sarah Taker is pursuing a Master of Education in Post-Secondary Studies at Memorial University of Newfoundland, with her thesis focused on financial literacy measures among university students. She previously earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with Honors Distinction from MUN’s Grenfell Campus in 2016 and later completed a certificate in Employment Services from Dalhousie University in 2020. Sarah’s academic interests include student financial literacy, student development and success in post-secondary education, career decision-making among students with financial constraints, and post-secondary choice.
With over ten years of professional experience, Sarah has worked in various educational and administrative roles. She is currently a Project Officer at the College of the North Atlantic, where she manages project coordination and stakeholder engagement for a research project studying Job Transition Pathways within the province. Sarah's experience also includes roles such as Tech Sector Employability Coordinator at MUN and Student Development Officer at the College of the North Atlantic. She has consistently demonstrated a passion for student services, financial management, and continuous professional development. In addition to her academic and professional work, Sarah has received several recognitions, including being a panelist and subject matter expert on the impact of technology on the future of work in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Former Graduate Students
2023 - Nevra Ozoren Sener (M.Ed.)
Understanding teachers' approaches to assessment and restorative justice in education in Newfoundland and Labrador
Nevra Ozoren Sener completed her bachelor’s degree in Guidance and Psychological Counseling in the Faculty of Education at Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey as a high-honor student and was awarded a merit-based scholarship. She took various responsibilities at middle school and high school levels as guidance and psychological counselor, vice principal, and Advanced Placement psychology teacher during her nine-year experience in the field of education. In 2021, she started her master’s degree in the Faculty of Education at Memorial University in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Her graduate research focuses on the approaches of teacher candidates and classroom teachers to classroom assessment and restorative justice in education in Newfoundland and Labrador. She was awarded “Fellow of the School of Graduate Studies" for her continued academic excellence throughout the program. Her research interests are classroom assessment, restorative justice in education, culturally responsive pedagogy, and teacher education in classroom assessment. She has been working as a graduate research assistant on various projects related to her research interests.
2021 - Stephanie Leigh Bourque (M.Ed.)
Understanding Evaluation and Assessment in Canada
Stephanie completed her undergraduate degree at the University of New Brunswick in Saint John before completing her Master's degree in Leadership Studies at Memorial University. She is an elementary school teacher who has taught French Immersion and English programs. She also worked as a K-5 Numeracy coach in her school district for a year. Stephanie aspires to be a school administrator one day and continues to take on leadership roles within her school and district. Stephanie completed an independent study project that focused on assessment practices in Canada. Stephanie's research project on assessment helped her to earn the final course needed for the New Brunswick Principal's Certificate. Stephanie's interests include classroom assessment practices, helping to mentor new teachers, and differentiated targeted instruction. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, reading, and baking.
2021 - Madison Long (M.Ed.)
Diving Deeper into Evaluation and Assessment