Meet the Authors
This project was created for CTL 1799 (Enhancing
Holistic Learning with Computers), a graduate level education course lead by
professor Selia Karsten during the 2004 winter session at The Ontario Institute
for Studies in Education of The University of Toronto (OISE/UT). “Fire” Team members Sasha Fung-Vardy,
Mark McCallen, Cynthia Murnaghan, Alexandra Upton and Karen
Weilgosh worked collaboratively in an online environment to create this
site whose purpose is to introduce students to performance arts around the
world and more specifically provide some exploration of spirituality through
music, drama and dance in Bali, India, Japan and Thailand. “Fire” Team members consist of:
Sasha Fung-Vardy
is an elementary school Core Resource (special ed.) teacher in York
Region. She will be completing her
M.Ed. in Adaptive Instruction and Special Education this fall. (She is currently completing her last
course!)
Mark McCallen
is currently completing his fifth course towards his M.Ed (and also his fourth
online). He is currently teaching grade
5 with the Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board. During his ten years teaching his “brief”
career has included instructing both Vocal and Instrumental music. He is married with 3 children; Caitlin 7,
Paul 5 and Patrick 2. He enjoys playing
sports, running, reading and spending time with his family. He is also a church organist and choir
director of St. Joan of Arc Parish in Toronto.
Cynthia Murnaghan
- After finishing her teaching degree in Eccuador eight years ago, Cynthia has
taught for two years in Lao and one year in both England and Alberta (As you
can tell she loves to travel anywhere, anytime!). She is currently five months pregnant and excitedly awaiting the
arrival of her first child.
Alexandra Upton
is a secondary school special education and mathematics teacher for the
Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board.
Currently on leave to spend time with her fourteen-month-old son
Michael, she is completing her last courses towards her M.Ed. in Curriculum
Studies this spring. She enjoys
swimming, camping, spending time with her family and sleeping (whenever she
gets the chance!).
Karen Weilgosh
is currently a teacher of Dramatic Arts, and also a student in the Comparative,
International and Development Education Program at OISE. She taught overseas in
Japan for several years, and her love of performing arts and culture prompted
her to travel extensively throughout Southeast Asia, where she cultivated her knowledge
of Thailand and its exquisite dramatic forms.