PhD (Candidate), Brock University (2019-present)
MEd, Mount Saint Vincent University, 2008
BEd, University of Toronto, 1992
BA (Hons), University of Waterloo, 1991
ARCT in Violin Performance, Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto 1987

Areas of Specialization

Early Literacy, Reading Instruction and Intervention, Early Years Pedagogy, Teacher Efficacy, Instructional Coaching

Biography

Yvonne Messenger is a teacher-researcher with over twenty years of teaching and leadership experience in public education in Canada. Certified to teach Kindergarten to Grade 10, most of her classroom teaching experience has been in the Early Years (K to Grade 3), in Ontario and Nova Scotia. An experienced literacy coach and early intervention reading teacher, Yvonne has worked most recently as an instructional program leader for the Halton District School Board, leading and learning with new and experienced teachers interested in deepening their professional knowledge for teaching reading and writing. She is currently studying at Brock University, completing a PhD in Educational Studies and instructing the Language and Literacy course in the Faculty of Education. Yvonne also teaches the Reading additional qualifications courses for certified teachers through York University. She is passionate about supporting teachers to deepen their own knowledge and skills.

Yvonne grew up very close to the Tyndale campus. Today, she and her husband, Michael, live just west of Toronto. They have two adult children and a bouncy golden retriever. Yvonne comes to Tyndale after 25 years of classroom teaching, literacy coaching, and consulting.  Her doctoral research involves exploring how Ontario kindergarten educators are navigating shifts in expectations around reading instruction within their play-based programs. She is passionate about supporting educators, teaching beginning readers and writers, and translating research into practice. When not engaged in research or teaching, Yvonne enjoys walking on the trails and in the forests near home, travelling, and spending time with friends and family. Yvonne and Michael worship at Trinity Church, Streetsville and are currently participants in the Habitus Community.