Crandall University’s Faculty of Education is pleased to announce that Dr. Diandra Singh will be joining the team as Assistant Professor of Education this summer. From an early age, Dr. Singh thrived in educational settings; however, it was only after she became a Christian that she recognized that the field of education was where her passion and gifts collide.
Diandra’s teaching and research focus on the intersection of science education and marginalized youth. Her love of problem-solving, science, and mentoring led her to work in a variety of informal and formal science programs. She became an Ontario Certified Teacher, teaching classes in chemistry and general science, which enabled her not only to teach, but also to transfer her love of learning to her students.
Being born and raised in Scarborough, Ontario, Diandra had a heightened awareness of the challenges that urban youth face in schooling. Similarly, teaching in a remote fly-in community in Ontario exposed her to some of the challenges that rural Indigenous communities face. As a result of her observations in these settings, Diandra’s research mainly explores educational programs/methods that redress issues that marginalized youth encounter in schooling and often involves minority racialized groups, those with low socioeconomic status, FNIM, and those in the justice system. Her PhD research, a case study on the for-credit high school science programming that was offered to youth who were involved in the justice system, countered the misconception that success in science courses is only for those in academic streams.
When asked about welcoming Diandra to the Education faculty, Crandall’s Dean of Professional Programs, Dr. Roger Russell, said, “We are thrilled to be welcoming an academic with as much science education expertise as Diandra. Knowing her teaching background and research focuses, I am confident that she will fit into her role perfectly.”
At Crandall, Dr. Singh plans to continue her research on educational/science programs for marginalized youth. Along with being excited about teaching Science Education and Educational Foundations in the upcoming school year, Diandra is looking forward to moving to Moncton and to joining the Crandall community this summer.
