Laurier expert alert: Back to school

Aug. 26, 2020
For Immediate Release

Waterloo – This September, students across Ontario will head back to school under unprecedented circumstances. The following Wilfrid Laurier University experts are available to comment on topics related to teaching and learning, virus transmission, psychological impacts on students, challenges for parents and families, and public opinion:

Teaching and learning

Maria Cantalini-Williams, dean of the Faculty of Education, is an expert on innovation in education, early childhood and experiential learning. She is available to discuss the creative strategies and adaptability that will be required to support a successful school year in the midst of a pandemic, as well as the factors parents can consider to facilitate a safe and smooth transition back to school. Contact: mcantaliniwilliams@wlu.ca

David Johnson is an economics professor in the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics. He works in the economics of education. Johnson is available to comment on the level of resources in the Ontario elementary education system and ways those resources could be re-arranged to deliver elementary education in the presence of COVID-19. Read about his suggested model for teaching with COVID-19 restrictions in elementary schools. Contact: djohnson@wlu.ca

Virus transmission

Todd Coleman, assistant professor in the Department of Health Sciences, is an epidemiologist and expert in population health. He is available to speak about the epidemiology of COVID-19, how we can use statistical information to understand trends in disease transmission and public health efforts to control transmission in schools. Contact: tcoleman@wlu.ca

Stephanie DeWitte-Orr, an associate professor in Laurier’s Health Sciences and Biology programs, is a virologist and immunologist. She has been conducting pre-clinical testing on two antiviral drugs that could be used to prevent respiratory virus infections such as COVID-19. DeWitte-Orr is available to speak about how viruses spread across populations and how transmission can be prevented in a school environment. Contact: sdewitteorr@wlu.ca

Ahmad Firas Khalid is a faculty member in Human and Social Sciences, a medical doctor and a health policy advisor. He is available to speak about what students and families can do to protect themselves from COVID-19, the government's role in controlling the spread of the virus and what other countries are doing to control its spread in school environments. Contact: akhalid@wlu.ca

Psychological impacts on students

Carolyn FitzGerald, assistant professor in Laurier’s Faculty of Education, is an expert in mental health in education. She is available to speak about how the pandemic has impacted the mental well-being of children and youth and what parents can do to help their children during these uncertain times. Contact: cafitzgerald@wlu.ca

Challenges for parents and families

Janet McLaughlin, associate professor of Health Studies, is an expert on autism policy and services. She recently served on the Ontario Government’s Autism Advisory Panel, advising the government on autism policy reform. McLaughlin’s current research explores the impact of autism and autism policies on family health and well-being, including issues within the education system for autistic students. She is available to speak about how Ontario’s approach to reopening schools affects families and caretakers of autistic students. Contact: jmclaughlin@wlu.ca

Public opinion

Andrea Perrella is an associate professor in the Department of Political Science. He is an expert on political participation, voting, public opinion of public health and Canadian politics, particularly in Ontario and Quebec. Perrella is available to speak about how the Ontario government’s approach to reopening schools has impacted public opinion. Contact: aperrella@wlu.ca