What the Family Studies?

Welcome to our What the Family Studies? podcast, here to help family studies educators create engaging and valuable learning experiences for their students that will last a lifetime. We will interview those who are passionate about family studies education. Some weeks we will interview a current teacher or professional working in the field who will share their real experiences, insights, and strategies for successful delivery of family studies curriculum. We also want to focus some of our time on your wellness. The last couple of years have been so stressful and your wellness is so important. While we are based in Ontario, we are sure that our podcast will prove helpful and entertaining to teachers in other places too.

Contributors

Co-host

Cassandra MacEachern

I’m Cassandra MacEachern. I graduated from the Faculty of Education at Western in 2023 with teaching subjects in Religion and Family Studies. Prior to this, I received my Honours Specialization in Catholic Studies for Teachers from King's in 2021. Currently, I am working in the Huron Perth Catholic District School Board as an Occasional Teacher. I’m excited about everything that Family Studies has to offer for students and I'm glad to be part of this amazing community of educators. I am the technical support and editor for the podcast.

Co-host

Catherine Murphy

I’m Catherine Murphy. After a brief career in radio broadcasting, I decided teaching was the career I really wanted to pursue and graduated from York University’s Faculty of Education in 2004. Since then, I’ve been teaching History, Social Sciences, and of course, Family Studies at the high school level in Durham Region. Sure, I may be an experienced teacher, but I still have a lot to learn when it comes to navigating this amazing career.

Co-host

Laura Hattayer

I'm Laura Hattayer. I recently graduated from Western’s BEd program in 2022 with teaching subjects in Family Studies and Social Science. Prior to this, I completed my Honours Specialization in Nutrition and Families at Brescia. I am very passionate about food education and have worked with both Growing Chefs! Ontario and the President’s Choice Cooking School to deliver cooking camps and learning activities to children. Currently, I am working in the Thames Valley District School Board as an Occasional Teacher. In my spare time, I enjoy exploring nature, creating artwork, baking, and food photography/styling.

Co-host

Michelyn Gallant

I'm a former Family Studies teacher from the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board. Since Sept 2020 I have been an instructor at the Faculty of Education at Western University teaching the pre-service program and started teaching additional qualification courses in 2003! I a member of the Board of Directors for the Ontario Family Studies Home Economics Educators' Association (OFSHEEA) where I have been involved in leading the creation of engaging and relevant resources and professional learning opportunities for teachers of Family Studies. I am the mom of two and grandmother of one, enjoy yoga, food and travel. I am the project lead on this podcast.