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I am honoured to serve as Dean of the Faculty of Education. My Doctor of Education degree is from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto in the Department of Applied Psychology. I have conducted large scale research projects in the areas of: innovation in education, collaborative inquiry, early childhood and work-integrated learning models. Throughout my career, I have assumed a teacher-researcher model, reflecting on pedagogy and educational practices resulting in numerous professional and academic publications. Most recently, I received the designation of Professor Emerita for my contributions to the Brantford campus of the Schulich School of Education at Nipissing University where I was the Director/Associate Dean of the Laurier-Nipissing Concurrent Education Program and taught in the Bachelor of Education and Graduate Studies programs. I also had the privilege to establish the international practicum program in Italy and was the faculty lead for 12 years. Since 2016, I have served as the Chair of a Rideau Hall Foundation Committee working on the Education for Innovation project, designed to develop innovation skills and mindsets in Canadian students.
During my career in education, I have worked closely with school boards, provincial committees and national associations. I was a classroom teacher and subsequently worked as a program consultant with the Waterloo Catholic District School Board for 15 years. My contributions have been recognized locally and provincially with an award from the Consultants Association for Primary Education, an honorary Alumni Award from Nipissing University and several acknowledgements from cultural, educational and municipal associations. I have been a board member of Our Place Early Years Centre, Conestoga College Advisory Committee, TheMuseum, Waterloo Region Catholic Schools Foundation and the YMCA.
My research interests are related to innovation in education, work-integrated learning/practicum models, international placements, collaborative inquiry and early education. Some of my ongoing projects include the Rideau Hall Foundation initiative to develop innovation mindsets and skills in Canadian youth. Our work is featured on the website: CanadianInnovationSpace.ca.
I am also interested in continuing to research our practices in the Faculty of Education and look forward to working collaboratively with colleagues and community partners to enhance our programs increasing our positive impacts on schools and society.
- Professor Emerita, Nipissing University
- Chair, Innovation Education Committee, Rideau Hall, Education for Innovation Project
- Schulich School of Education Teaching Fellowship
- Nipissing University Honorary Alumni Award
- Canadian Bureau of International Education Award, Nominee
- Brantford Village Rossini Club Italia Citizen Award
- Kitchener-Waterloo Woman of the Year – Professional Category, Nominee
- Frances Poleschuk Provincial Award – Consultants’ Association (CAPE)
- Staff Service Recognition Award – Waterloo Catholic District School Board
- Rose M. Cassin Memorial Scholarship – Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association
- Leighton McCarthy Memorial Scholarship – Institute of Child Study, University of Toronto
I have some research grants that allow for student opportunities and assistantships. I am also very willing to supervise graduate students or serve on graduate committees. I have been a supervisor and committee member of several graduate students and have been invited as an internal and external examiner for many master’s and doctoral dissertations.
- Jarivs, D, Black, G., & Cantalini-Williams, M. (2019). Education for Innovation (E4I): A national initiative promoting innovation in Canadian schools, Alberta Journal of Educational Research.
- Cantalini-Williams, M., Guibert, J., & Spencer, M. (in progress). Developing a community of action research with educators: The CARE Project as a vehicle for exploring practices and programs. Invited submission to The International Journal of Holistic Early Learning and Development.
- Black, G. L., & Cantalini-Williams, M. (2018). Exploring elements of community networks: Family and community engagement strategy project as an innovative multi-agency partnership. Educational Planning Journal, 24(4), 7-25.
- Martinovic, D., Ratkovic, S., Cantalini-Williams, M., Spencer, T. & Grierson, A., (2018). Engaged scholarship in action: The journey of the School Board University Research Exchange Network, The Engaged Scholar, Issue 6.
- Maynes, N., Cantalini-Williams, M.& Guibert, J., (2016) To Play or Not to Play? : That is Not the Question International Journal of Holistic Early Learning and Development, 3, pp. 4-20.
- Cantalini-Williams, M., Perron, J.& Biemiller, A., (2016) Revisiting the age-old question: What are the effects of relative age and gender of young children in school settings? Journal of Childhood Studies, Vol. 41. No.2, pp. 4-12.
- Cantalini-Williams, M., Curtis, D., DeGasperis, K., Esposto, L., Guibert, J., Papp, H., & Roque, C. (2015) Exploring the benefits of a Collaborative Inquiry Team in Education (CITE) Initiative to develop a research community and enhance student engagement. Brock Journal of Education, Vol. 25, No. 1, pp. 55-72.
- Black, G. L., Cantalini-Williams, M., Elliott-Johns, S. E., & Wideman, R. (2014). It takes a child to raise a village: Evaluation of a family and community engagement strategy. The Alberta Journal of Educational Research, (59)4. 569-590.
- Elliott-Johns, S.E., Wideman, R., Black, G.L., Cantalini-Williams, M., & Guibert, J. (2013). Developing multi-agency partnerships for early learning: Seven keys to success. LEARNing Landscapes 7(1). 149–169. Themed Issue: Early Childhood Education: Successes and Challenges. Montreal, QU: LEARN Publications. www.learninglandscapes.ca
- Martinovic, D., Ratkovic, S.,Wiebe, N., Spencer, T., Willard-Holt, C., Cantalini-Williams, M., (2012). “Doing research was inspiring”: Building a research community with teachers. Educational Action Research 3(11). 385–40
- Grierson, A., Tessaro, M. L., Grant, C., Cantalini-Williams, M., Denton, R., Quigg, K., & Bumstead, J.
(2012). The bricks and mortar of our foundation for faculty development: Book study within a self-study professional learning community. Studying Teacher Education 8(1). 87–104. - Cantalini-Williams, M. & Tessaro, M.L. (2011) Self-Perceptions of teacher candidates’ professional and personal growth on an international teaching practicum in Italy. Canadian and International Education. 45–60.
- Grierson, A., Cantalini-Williams, M, Wideman-Johnston, T., & Tedesco, S. (2011). Building scaffolds in the field: The benefits and challenges of teacher candidate peer mentorship. Brock Education, 20(2). 85–103.
Contact Info:
Office location: BA314, Bricker Academic Building
Office hours: By appointment