Our Team

Tannis is the Associate Vice President, Academic Innovation.

David is originally from the Tzeachten First Nation which is part of the Stó:lō Nation in the Fraser Valley. He also family connections with Squamish, Sechelt and Liwat nations. He grew up in Vancouver and as an adult he is now very connected to his home community and culture, spending as much time in his home community as he can. It is those connections that are integral to Indigenous people. He also identifies as a Two-Spirited man. His pronouns are he/him/his. He lives on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples who have been stewards of this land from time immemorial.

David is someone who has gone through an upgrading program at Native Education College, he recognizes he has much to share with the VCC campus community. From upgrading in the college prep program at NEC, he went on to UBC to complete an undergraduate degree in Social Work. Seventeen years ago, he enrolled at UBC to complete his master’s degree in education. It was a long journey taking evening and summer courses while teaching full time.

As he reflects on his journey he feels blessed to be where he is today, coming from some challenging times growing up, dropping out of high school in grade 11, and it is that experience and journey that allowed him a great understanding and compassion for the challenges that Indigenous students sometimes face in their own educational and life journeys. His past role was to teach various courses, and support faculty in their journey learning about Reconciliation and Indigenization. He developed many courses and programs while he was at Capilano University, and he brings those skills to VCC in his role as Dean Curriculum & Pedagogy. His passion is to share the teachings he has learned from Elders and Knowledge keepers with students and colleagues.

Andrew joined VCC in January 2019. After completing a degree in archaeology in Edinburgh, Scotland, he decided that his career lay "in ruins" and retrained as an elearning developer, working in academic and health care organizations.

He’s been in Canada since 2006, and when he’s not coordinating or developing online learning resources, he sings tenor in the Vancouver Gaelic Choir, is a Whitecaps season ticket holder, and likes to traumatise his cat Niichii via the medium of accordion.

Tanya Elias joined VCC in July 2024. Over the past 15 years she has used her communication, change management and problem-solving skills to successfully lead a series of major projects that have improved organizational performance across a variety of industries. She enjoys tailoring project and change management methodologies and facilitation techniques to meet specific organizational needs. She often combines her unique ability to leverage data with cross-functional collaboration to translate strategic vision into actionable plans. She is a Certified Change Management Professional (CCMP) and has completed an MEd from Athabasca University and an EdD from the University of Calgary which focused on workplace transformation, change and learning.

Tanya O’Neill has two decades of dedicated service in Indigenous Education in Chilliwack and North Vancouver School Districts and through extensive work with the səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nation Educational Department.

Tanya is a member of səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) and has blood ties to xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish). She is strongly connected to her culture and traditional practices and brings a wealth Indigenous knowledge and practice to VCC. Tanya advocates for equity and inclusivity for Indigenous learners and has actively worked on establishing culturally responsive Educational Frameworks that honour the diverse needs of Indigenous peoples. Her passion lies in creating curriculum based in Indigenous Pedagogy and World views.

Tanya obtained her Master of Education at SFU in Curriculum & Instruction: Contemplative Inquiry & Approaches in Education which complements her lived experiences and professional skills. Studying at SFU, has equipped her with theoretical insights which has deepened her understanding of curriculum development, neurodiversity, neuroplasticity, cognitive development and healing through education.

Blair joined the Centre for Instructional Development in September, 2009. He has been with VCC since 1990 and has held several positions, including working closely with Frank Fornelli (retired) to help create and manage the "Purple Door" self-paced computer lab. He has a diploma in Computer Information Systems from Langara and has also completed the Instructor Diploma Program.

Blair's teaching experience includes his time in the former Business & Computer Studies Department as well as at UAG Único in Guadalajara Mexico, where he taught introductory computer courses to students of the Bilingual Administrative Assistant Program.

John became our eLearning Media Developer in May 2011. Before working at VCC, John spent over 20 years in the high-tech sector as an art director, graphic designer, web designer, and technical writer. Early in his career, he taught computer graphics courses for the VSB evening program, and contributed in front of and behind the camera on two award-winning educational TV series for BC's Knowledge Network.

John has a Fine Arts diploma from Emily Carr College of Art + Design (1989). As student and staff at ECCAD, he contributed to published research in computer-based visual literacy projects under Dr. Tom Hudson. John continues his active interest in art, technology, and new media. For over 25 years, he's also developed his love of storytelling, blogging about his family and personal history, competing in a few local and international fiction contests, and publishing his first novel in 2009.

Todd joined us in the fall of 2017. He previously worked in administration and communications for both the City of Ottawa and the Province of Ontario, before opting for the gypsy lifestyle of professional musician. From 2007-2017, his work as a percussionist took him on many adventures and offered innumerable life lessons. In addition to his part-time work at VCC, Todd continues to manage other internationally touring musicians, as well as teach music lessons and perform in local theatre productions. He has studied at McGill, UBC, SFU, and Humber College. His greatest teachers are his children, who keep him busy doing their laundry and challenging his understanding of philosophy and ethics. Todd is an avid cyclist as well as an amateur of the fine sport of squash.

Emily joined the CTLR team in 2022. She started at VCC in 2010 as a tutor in the Learning Centre and also as faculty teaching Chemistry 11/12. Her most recent role was as Coordinator for the Learning Centre from 2016-2022, where she supported student academic success through designing and leading a variety of workshops on learning strategies for students across the College, implementing new services, and leading the department in various strategic initiatives.

Emily has a PhD in Analytical Chemistry from the University of British Columbia, a B.Sc. in Chemistry from Oregon State University with a minor in Spanish, the Provincial Instructor Diploma, and a Certificate in Online ELearning/Instruction. Emily’s interests lie in how learning works, holistic learning, student-centered / active learning, curriculum design, and Indigenization/decolonization/reconciliation and EDI. In her spare time, Emily likes to hike with her kids all over the lower mainland, bike, try new recipes, and read.

Fionna Chong (she/her) is an immigrant settler of Chinese descent, originally from South East Asia. She currently resides on the unceded territories territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. An engineer by profession, a baker by trade, and with a degree in contemplative approaches and inquiry in education, she has taught at Vancouver Community College in the Baking & Pastry Arts and Community & Career Education fields. While she is in front of students daily, her most comfortable and natural habitat is behind the scenes, making food for people and helping to move gatherings and projects forward. She is a serial curiosity hound whose guiding light is Carl Sagan’s The Pale Blue Dot. As such, she believes in worlds of connections and shared spaces, where the complexities of navigating these spaces are challenging and life-giving at the same time.

Francesco joined the CTLR team in February 2019. He has been with VCC since 2010 and has worked as an Instructor in the EAL, LINC, and Business Management departments. He also served as Coordinator for VCC’s Learning Centre from 2016 to 2017.

Francesco’s interests include learner autonomy, collaborative learning, curriculum development, and online/blending learning. He holds a B.A. in Communication (SFU), a Diploma in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) (University of Cambridge), an M.A. in TESOL (Sheffield Hallam University), and the BC Provincial Instructor Diploma (VCC).

While working in Brazil in the 2000s, Francesco rediscovered his love for soccer, and you can now find him on the field 4-5 days a week playing and coaching "the beautiful game".

Julie Gilbert joined the CTLR as an Instructional Associate in July 2019 and has been faculty at VCC since 2005. Her educational background includes a BSN from the University of British Columbia; an MN, with an education focus, from Athabasca University; the Provincial Instructor Diploma from VCC, as well as certificates in childbirth education and critical care.

As Department Leader of the Practical Nursing Program, Julie led curriculum development, implementation and evaluation. Julie has experience with education program review processes through committee involvement with the B.C. College of Nursing Professionals.

With her background in nursing and nurse education, Julie values quality education that is student centered, experiential, and competency-based. When not at VCC, Julie can be found embracing the outdoors through biking, hiking, running or skiing.

Mae Bickley is an educator and cultural advocate with roots in the Tsimshian, and Haisla communities. Mae grew up in Gitga’ata (Hartley Bay), known as the People of the Cane, she belongs to the Raven and Beaver clans. With over 30 years of experience as a coach, leader, and teacher, Mae has dedicated her career to helping all people, specifically Indigenous peoples, and students with disabilities.

Mae joined Vancouver Community College (VCC) in 2010, initially working with students with cognitive disabilities in the CACE department. Throughout her time, she earned her Provincial Instructor Diploma and eLearning Certificate and continued to pursue her academic goals by obtaining a Master of Education degree from Simon Fraser University in 2021, all while working full-time.

Since 2017, Mae has served as both auxiliary faculty and Student Services Assistant. Her commitment to education includes teaching courses such as "Impact of Colonization on the Health and Wellbeing of Indigenous People" for SHS and "Indigenous Perspectives" in the Counselling Skills Foundations program, in CS.

In March 2024, Mae transitioned to the CTLR team as an Indigenous Initiatives Faculty Advisor, where she is committed to teamwork and Indigenizing and Decolonizing curriculum. She is a co-founder of the Anti-Racism Committee and takes part with a committee to Indigenize and decolonize the VCCFA collective agreement.

Mae shows her dedication to cultural preservation in her active participation in cultural and traditional practices. She was a part of and has performed with the Git Hayetsk and the Traditional Grandmother’s dance groups. She is a member of the SayKoolum'Goot (One Heart) dance group and sings with the Indigenous ensemble at VCC with Russell Wallace. Mae is actively involved with Elders groups and has served as an Elder in Residence with Vancouver Coastal Health.

Mae volunteers at various locations, where she teaches cultural practices and traditional crafts, such as: drum making, dream catchers, button blankets, beading, jewelry making, cedar and pine needle weaving, scrapbooking, and glass etching. These activities contribute to reclaiming Indigenous ways of being and wellness for people. Mae is an enthusiastic supporter for cultural awareness, she believes that knowing one’s roots fosters a sense of belonging. Her efforts to share ancestral knowledge and wisdom have positively affected lives, transcending social, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds.

Heidi initially joined CTLR as an Online Developer and Leader in 2020. She has been with VCC since 2004 as an instructor in the Certified Dental Assisting/Dental Reception Coordinator program. She has worked as a department head and serves on various education council committees.

Heidi obtained her Provincial Instructor Diploma (VCC), Adult Education Diploma (VCC), Certificate in e-learning (VCC) and a master’s degree in Curriculum Development and Instructional Design (SFU).

Heidi enjoys the challenge of helping others with course design that is motivating and engaging for all learners.

Venecia initially joined CTLR as an Online Developer and Leader in 2020. She is a VCC instructor in the departments of Business Management and English as an Additional Language. Her educational background includes a bachelors in Spanish & International Relations, a master’s degree in Comparative Cultural Studies and certification in teaching English to non-native speakers. She has worked as an instructor and curriculum developer in Jamaica, Japan, England and Canada.

Venecia is passionate about employing technology to design and deliver engaging and inclusive course content. Venecia currently sits on the EDI Advisory Committee at SFU and is also a member of the Decolonization, Reconciliation, & Indigenization Standing Committee of the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of B.C.