Amanda Joy Saoud (She/Her)

Educational Developer, Academic & Digital Communications

BSc (Biology); MScComm (Science Communication)  
 
Languages: English, Arabic 

Amanda holds a BSc in Biology from Dalhousie University and a Master’s degree in Science Communication from Laurentian University. She is the Educational Developer, Academic & Digital Communications in the Studio for Teaching and Learning, as well as a lecturer in the Engineering Department. Her focus is to create tools and resources to aid students in all forms of academic communication in this new educational landscape. 

Amanda enjoys travelling, hot yoga and watching cooking videos with zero intention of ever learning how to cook.  

Adrian Knapp (He/Him)

Academic Writing Specialist - Graduate Student Support

PhD (English Literature)

Languages: English, German

Adrian has a PhD in English Literature from the University of Leeds and has published articles on eighteenth-century and contemporary literature as well as co-edited the essay collection (Re)figuring Human Enslavement: Images of Power, Violence and Resistance (2009).

Before coming to Saint Mary’s, where he is now an adjunct professor in the English Department and a part-time instructor in Atlantic Canada Studies and the Faculty of Education, he taught in the English Department and the Language Centre at the University of Innsbruck.

Luke Togni (He/Him)

Senior Tutor 

PhD (Religious Studies: Historical Theology)  

Languages: English, French, German, Latin, Ancient Greek  

Luke completed a PhD in Religious Studies (Historical Theology) at Marquette University. His research has focused on the intersection of the ancient and medieval worlds and the sharing and transformation of ideas between Pagan, Jewish, and Christian thought. As a tutor, Luke focuses on working with students to better understand their own ideas as a key to clearer expression.  

Luke previously taught courses in Latin, Classical Mythology, Theology, and Franciscanism at Marquette University and the University of St. Francis (Ft. Wayne, IN). He is currently a Research Fellow for the Franciscan Institute at St. Bonaventure University in New York state. 

Jill Stagg (she/her) 

Senior Tutor 

BA (Honours in English); MA (Social Justice Education) 

Language: English 

Jill started working at the Writing Centre in the summer of 2013 after graduating from SMU with a Bachelor of Arts. In 2016, she moved to Toronto, Ontario to pursue her Master of Arts in Social Justice Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto. Her Master's thesis focused on the landscape of 2SLGBTQ+ (two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer) inclusion and well-being for high school students across Canada (Turtle Island). In her spare time, Jill likes being with her partner and kitten, exploring the outside, having dinner with family and friends, and listening to podcasts and audiobooks. 

Sandra Borges (She/Her)

EAL Tutor  

BA (Honours in English/Portuguese); CELTA; MA (Teaching English as an International Language).

Languages: English, Portuguese 

Sandra holds a Master’s degree in Teaching English as an International Language from Saint Mary’s University, two postgraduate degrees in Bilingual Education and English Language Teaching, and a BA in Languages - English/Portuguese. Also, she holds several international certificates for teachers of English (CELTA, ICELT, TKT). She is a member of a study group on bi/multilingual education (GEEB) that is a partner with the research group LACE (Language in Activities in the School Context) affiliated with the University PUC-SP in Brazil. Sandra enjoys going to the beach, hanging out with friends, and spending time at home with her husband and dog. 

Mahdi Ramezani (He/Him)

EAL Tutor  

MA (TEFL), M.Ed. (Educational Linguistics)  

Languages: English, Persian, Arabic (Reading)  

Mahdi has specialized in teaching English as an Additional Language (EAL) for almost 14 years.  After completing his BA in English Language and Literature, he gained his first MA in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). He is also CELTA certified by the University of Cambridge, Cambridge Assessment English. He is currently completing the International Master of Teaching English Degree, specialized in Educational Linguistics, at SMU, where he also works as an EAL instructor at The Language Centre.  

His research has focused on Task-Based Instruction, bringing authentic life experience and activities in the classroom.  He is currently researching the organization of Micro Communicative Tasks within the TBI framework.  As a tutor Mahdi brings this same practical focus to help students identify and specify their needs.  

Parisa Moghaddam Khavari (She/Her)

EAL Tutor 

BA (TEFL ); CELTA; MA (Teaching English as a Foreign Language/TEFL); MA (Teaching English as an International Language)

Languages: English, Persian  

Parisa is a CELTA-certified ESL/EAL instructor with 10 years of robust experience in teaching English, aiming at providing an interactive learning environment, through exceptional intercultural communication. She has a BA and an MA in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). Her passion for teaching and learning inspired her to complete her second Master’s in Teaching English (IMTE) specializing in Educational Linguistics, at Saint Mary's University. She focuses on facilitating students' learning and motivating them to develop their academic, and professional abilities. In her free time, Parisa enjoys doing Yoga or going on hikes.

Jennaecia Lewis (she/her)

Tutor (Science Writing Specialist)

B.A. Psychology (Honours), Diploma (Secondary Science Education)

Jennaecia attained her B.A. Psychology (Honours) degree from Saint Mary’s University in 2020; she was also class Valedictorian. During her time at SMU, she was President of the Psychology Society, a Science Writing Tutor and an Undergraduate Research Assistant in Cognitive Neuroscience. Jennaecia’s thesis focused on the relationship between implicit bias and racialized offences. Before her studies in Canada, she lived and worked in Antigua where she taught high school Biology, Integrated Science and Human and Social Biology. She currently teaches middle school Science. 

Catherine Frawley

Tutor

B.A. History

Catherine joined the Writing Centre team in 2020 after completing a BA in History with a certificate in Art History and Visual Culture at the University of King’s College. In 2021, she expanded into teaching English as an additional language, obtaining a certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and working with newcomers to Canada through the Adult English Language Learning program at the Halifax Public Library. As a tutor, Catherine aims to focus on both macro and micro writing issues, addressing the wider structural and conceptual framework of a piece, while also helping to identify and polish sentence-level issues. In her free time, Catherine enjoys dancing, cooking, and gardening.