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Dr. Glen Sharpe is a testament to what can be achieved with an Education Doctorate from OISE.

A Mohawk of the Bay of Quinte, Dr. Sharpe is actively involved in a number of Indigenous organizations including Indspire where he serves as a mentor to teachers. In his faculty position at Nispissing University, Dr. Sharpe researches teacher abuse of elementary aged students and bullying as well as Indigenous, democratic and inclusive education.

He was recently given a tremendous honour that speaks to his dedication to the needs of students in Nipissing's Schulich School of Education.

You recently received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching from Nipissing University. Congratulations! Can you tell us what this means to you?

I have been very fortunate in my career and this distinction which honours faculty who create the opportunities and atmosphere for students to succeed is by far my most important and valued.

It represents decades of hard work and commitment. My students nominated me and I was thrilled to accept the award.

How has your degree from OISE helped you as an educator?

My degree has helped me in several significant ways. My course work at OISE has helped me access, integrate and critically examine applicable research in a meaningful way as an Associate Professor. I've adopted a seminar style of teaching that was impressed upon me at OISE and it has resonated well with my teacher candidates.

Can you tell us about your work in anti-bullying education and teaching? What drew you to this important field?

I was motivated to explore teacher abuse of students primarily as a result of my experience as an elementary student. I surveyed teacher candidates at Nipissing and the results were telling. My respondents were open about their experiences.

I wanted to integrate these findings into my work in the faculty of education at Nipissing University including by extending teacher training and applying a greater focus on classroom management. I was pleased to see the shift into a two-year teaching training program in Ontario. I've also developed a 36-hour Proactive Classroom Management course at Nipissing which is based around my research at OISE.

Thinking back to your professors at OISE, who comes to mind? In what ways did they empower or inspire you?

I enjoyed the stimulating discussions I had in Dr. Roger Simon’s class.

Dr. Simon and Dr. Ronald Duck left an indelible impression upon me while studying at OISE. Their respective classrooms were open, reflective and engaging. I've borrowed heavily from both instructors and their teaching styles. I'm indebted to them both!

With the Chancellor's Award under your belt, what are some other accomplishments that make you proud?

In 2012, I was given Nipissing’s Distinguished Alumni Award. In 2015, I was presented with the Aboriginal Circle of Educators Research/Curriculum Award and a year after that, I was presented with The Governor General’s Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers. I’ve been fortunate!

You have done very well in academia. Can you share one piece of advice for current OISE students?

Find a trusted mentor, it is of the utmost importance!

With OISE I can...

"Share what I learned with pride and distinction."

Dr. Glen Sharpe is also the 2019 recipient of the Carl Mitchell Award for Community Engagement at the University of Toronto presented annually to extraordinary alumni who make outstanding contributions to the community. .