Add*Ed Leadership
Jordan Shurr, DirectorJordan Shurr, PhD, is an associate professor of special education at Queen's University. In addition to his roles as a teacher educator and research, Jordan has served as a teacher, assistive technology consultant and inclusion coordinator. His current university teaching focuses on inclusive education and his research centres on curricular supports for students with autism and intellectual disability in addition to teacher identity and professional development.
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Alexandra Minuk, Projects ManagerAllie Minuk is a doctoral student at Queen’s University in the Faculty of Education. Allie has worked as a teacher for students with autism spectrum disorder and as an educational consultant for special education teacher recruitment, retention, and training. At present, Allie is an instructor in the Bachelor of Education program and is focused on research that investigates the variables associated with inclusive classroom placement decisions for students with ASD.
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Haley Clark, Research Coordinator
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Haley is a doctoral student in the Faculty of Education at Queen's University. She holds an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice and Public Policy from the University of Guelph and a Master’s degree in Sociology from the University of Guelph. Her research focuses on students with learning disabilities (elementary school age) and their internalization of ablest tendencies in the classroom. Haley also examines forms of accommodations in the classroom that promote accessibility and universal design approaches. She adopts the critical disability studies perspective to understand systemic ablism and barriers for students with disabilities. She has also held multiple Teaching Assistant positions in sociology and education.
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Akomaye Undie, Leadership Team
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Akomaye Undie is a doctoral student in the Faculty of Education at Queen's University. He holds an undergraduate degree, a master’s degree, and a Ph.D. all in Guidance and Counselling from the University of Calabar, Nigeria. His research focuses on the availability and utilization of assistive technologies in the educational programme of learners with special needs at the lower basic schools in the south-south, region of Nigeria.
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Holly Crump, Leadership Team
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Holly is a Master of Education candidate at the Faculty of Education at Queen’s University. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Western Ontario, and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Windsor. She currently works as a Teaching Assistant in the Bachelor of Education Program and is researching the impacts of exclusionary discipline on middle school students with exceptionalities.
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Adrianna Arsenault, Leadership TeamAdrianna is a doctoral student in the Faculty of Education at Queen's University. She completed an Honours Bachelor of Social Science (major: Criminology, Minor: Women’s Studies) at the University of Ottawa in 2020, a Bachelor of Education at Queen’s University in 2021 and a Master of Arts in Education at the University of Ottawa in 2023. Her research interests focus on examining the experiences of disabled students and their families through a critical disability studies lens. Her broad research interests include parent involvement, advocacy, narrative methodologies and systemic ableism. Currently, Adrianna is working as a teaching assistant and research assistant in the Faculty of Education at Queen’s University.
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Research Group Members
Hannah Burrows
I am in my fourth year at Queen’s University and am working towards getting my BScH majoring in Psychology! I am currently a special directed lab student in the Social Cognition Lab, PSYC100 TA, a research group member of Add*Ed, and an honours thesis student in the Autism Spectrum Disorders lab. I am researching general psychopathology’s relationship with comorbidities in ASD for my thesis and aiding in canine comparative cognition research. With my involvement in Add*Ed, I hope to improve learning and equity in pedagogy. When I have spare time I love to play music, hang out with my dogs, get outdoors and see my friends.
Sydney Spillner
My name is Sydney and I am in the second year of my M.Ed at Nipissing University, where I am focusing my research on emotional safety in the classroom for exceptional learners. As an Occasional Teacher and a Student I look forward to creating long-lasting changes in Ontario classrooms.
Liz Arminen
My name is Liz and I am a third-year Concurrent Education Student (P/J) with a major in Psychology. As a future teacher, I hope to create a positive environment where learning is accessible for every student. I have always been passionate about working in special education as well as promoting inclusive learning. I look forward to working with the Add*Ed team to expand my knowledge and continue to explore my passion for supporting students with developmental disabilities. I am very excited to have the opportunity to work alongside such an amazing group of people!
Sydney Kalin
Sydney is in her third year with the ADD*Ed Research Group and is currently in the Exceptional Learners concentration in her final year of Concurrent Education. She has completed a practicum at Holland-Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, where she provided educational support to children with disabilities. In addition, Sydney has worked at an Easter Seals camp for several years and at Extend-A-Family Kingston. She has a strong passion for advocating for individuals with exceptionalities and hopes to go into a field working with people with disabilities.
Rebecca Cooke
Rebecca is in her final year of the Concurrent Education Program at Queen’s University, specializing in the primary-junior stream with a focus on French as a Second Language. Passionate about inclusive education, she aspires to become a special education teacher, dedicated to supporting students with exceptionalities. With a range of experiences working with children with disabilities, Rebecca has developed a strong understanding of how to tailor learning strategies to meet individual needs. Over the past three years, Rebecca has gained valuable insights into developmental supports through her involvement with Add*Ed, and she is excited to continue expanding her knowledge and applying it to create inclusive and supportive learning environments.
Julia Havey
My name is Julia (she/her), and I am a fourth-year Concurrent Education student in the Primary/Junior stream, majoring in English Language and Literature. My participation in Best Buddies, and my work as an Emergency Educational Assistant, and Disability Support Worker have nurtured a special interest and passion for facilitating the social and academic inclusion of children and youth with disabilities in mainstream education. I have enjoyed working with the Ad*Ed team and the opportunity it has given me to learn about the field of inclusive education and investigate how research best practices can be implemented within school settings. I am excited to be a part of the team again this year and to expand my research skills!
Chelsea Lam
My name is Chelsea, and I am a third-year Concurrent Education student majoring in English and History. As a future educator, I hope to create a classroom that welcomes students of different intersectionalities and promotes inclusive and accessible learning. I look forward to contributing to a significant and evolving field of special education research with Add-Ed and applying my newfound knowledge to my future work with children.
Marissa Little
My name is Marissa Little. I am in my fourth year of the Concurrent Education program at Queen’s University, majoring in History with a minor in English Language and Literature. I am in the primary/junior stream of Con Ed and plan on specializing my studies in Special Education, with intentions to work in educational consulting or curriculum development after pursuing my Master of Education. As a teacher candidate who has a passion for working with complex learners and students with exceptionalities, I am thrilled to be involved in the ADD*Ed research group once again this year!
Sabrina Du
My name is Sabrina, and I am a first year Concurrent Education student and I am working towards a Bachelors of Science Honours. As a teacher candidate, I am hoping to foster a love for learning in students and making learning more accessible. I am excited to be a part of the ADD*Ed team where I am looking forward to learning more about accessible and inclusive education and contributing towards helping current students learn in ways which work better for them.
Catherine Park
Hi, my name is Catherine Park, and I’m thrilled to be part of the AddEd Research group. This opportunity allows me to deeply explore my passions for education and human behavior. I’m excited to examine the connection between education and behavior, and how psychological principles can be applied to enhance student learning and promote inclusivity. Being a part of AddEd helps me better understand how behavior shapes effective educational strategies, and I view this experience as a significant step toward my future career in education and beyond.
Hannah Minsky
Hi, I’m Hannah Minsky (she/her) and I’m a second-year student in the Concurrent Education program, majoring in Global Development Studies within the Intermediate/Senior (I/S) stream. With a strong passion for education, I’m excited to bring valuable experience working with children of various ages through coaching and teaching. As a new member of Add Ed, I am eager to contribute to the development of a dynamic research journal alongside respected graduate students as well as work to support educators and advance best practices in special education.
Bree Michell
Hi, I’m Bree Michell and am currently a third year undergraduate student at Queen’s University, majoring in psychology. I have specific interest in clinical psychology and beyond this, I am interested in learning further about and working with children with exceptionalities as well impact on their families. I’m looking forward to working on the Add*Ed team and learning more about inclusive education as well as expanding my knowledge of children with developmental disabilities, especially in the education system as I acknowledge the crucial role learning plays in shaping a child’s development.
Julianna Ricciuti
My name is Juliana and I am a second year Concurrent Education student at Queen’s University majoring in Psychology (BScH). I’m passionate about working with children and promoting best practices for inclusive education for students with autism and other developmental disabilities. In particular I am interested in helping students with developmental speech and language disorders meet their communication and education goals and finding strategies that support learning in schools. I’m looking forward to working with the Add*Ed team and contributing to research around inclusive education.
Eleanor Balgopal
I’m Eleanor Balgopal (she/her), and I’m in my second year of Concurrent Education, majoring in Health Studies in the P/J stream. My role as head program instructor at Variety Village Children's Charity has provided valuable experience in inclusive learning and accessible programming. As a teacher candidate and member of Add*Ed, I’m looking forward to deepening my knowledge of special education research and its practical applications in the classroom.
Karissa Chang
Add*Ed Alumni
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