Examinations

I have a diverse role which includes providing coordination of all accommodated exam and educational supports for students registered with the Accessible Learning Centre and managing all volunteers, paid student and casual staff (note takers, tutors, work study students, invigilators). In addition to this, I enjoy collaborating with other departments, volunteers and staff, to coordinate initiatives for department and campus-wide Accessible Learning Centre events.

I began working at Laurier in 2005 in the Accessible Learning Centre as the exams and educational supports coordinator, where I continue in this role. I have over 25 years experience supporting people with disabilities in both post-secondary and community-based programs and am a strong advocate of self-determination. I am committed to helping people with disabilities achieve their goals by reducing barriers to learning.

Education:

• Wilfrid Laurier University, M.Ed, Student Affairs. Research Interests: Mature Students, Ageism, Compassion Fatigue in Student Affairs
• University of Waterloo, Honours BA, Social Development Studies. Specializations: Individual Well-Being & Development, Child Abuse Studies, Social Work

• Georgian College, Communicative Disorders Assistant (graduate certificate)
• Cambrian College, Learning Disability Specialist Certificate. Assistive Technologies & Learning Strategies
• Mohawk College, Certificate in Volunteer Management

 

Evans, A., Clarke, K. (2021). Student services for adult learners: Reviewing a sample of Ontario universities. In N. Simmons and J. Szpara (Eds.). Adults in the academy: Voices of lifelong learners. The Netherlands: Brill.

Evans, A. (2020). Compassion fatigue in student affairs: A closer look at the research. Communique, 20(1), 17–20. https://www.cacuss.ca/files/Communique/Communiqu%c3%a9%20Spring%202020%20(20-i)%20HI%20RES.pdf

 

I am responsible for coordinating all tests, midterms and final examinations for students registered with Accessible Learning. This includes scheduling, acquiring specialized equipment and technology, requesting and coordinating support staff and rooms for the facilitation of tests and exams.

I have been an examinations coordinator in Accessible Learning at Laurier since 2005. I have been committed for over 20 years to helping students overcome barriers that impact their learning. I am a Laurier graduate (BA’12) and have previously worked with the Ontario Ministry of Education Provincial and Demonstration Schools Branch and as a learning disabilities consultant to Literacy Practitioners throughout Ontario. I am also a member of the Gendered Violence Task Force Steering Committee.

Assessing Adult Student Reactions to Assistive Technology in Writing Instruction Mueller, J., Wood, E., Hunt, J., & Specht, J. (2009). Assessing Adult Student Reactions to Assistive Technology in Writing Instruction. Adult Basic Education and Literacy Journal, 3(1) https://www.learntechlib.org/p/71831/

Learning disabilities training: phase II : screening tools, strategies, and employment. Judith Anne Fowler & Jennifer Hunt. London, ON: Literacy Link South Central, http://www.en.copian.ca/library/research/ldtrain/tools/cover.htm

I co-coordinate tests, midterms and final examinations for students registered with Accessible Learning.

• MA Psychotherapy and Spiritual Care 2019, Martin Luther University College
• PhD Religious Studies 2012, Wilfrid Laurier University

I support the delivery of alternate testing for the Accessible Learning Centre under the guidance of the Exam Coordinators. This work includes supporting professors and students as they apply learning accommodations to Laurier's online and in-person testing systems. As part of a team I assist with communications, adjustments and implementing new protocols that relate to removing any academic barriers for students with accessibility accommodations to successfully undertake their course assessments. As Invigilator Assistant, I support proctors especially as they navigate any in-the-moment problems or unforeseen circumstances. As a team, we administer the exams, ensure academic integrity and securely deliver completed exams to professors.

I started in this role in September 2021. It is a natural follow-up to having worked as a Test Day Supervisor for IELTS and Instructing at Conestoga College. I have undergraduate degrees in Linguistics (Queen's), Music Therapy (Laurier) and post-graduate teaching certificates for EAP English (CERTESL, University of Saskatchewan) and in Instructional Design (Athabasca). I successfully defended my MSc Thesis in Intercultural Competence Development in August, 2021 (Guelph).

I publish a community magazine in Guelph, volunteer as a neighbourhood group lead, and lead online workshops for a variety of capacity development initiatives for community development. I'm an enthusiastic reader and writer, with some experience creating radio shows. More can be seen here: www.kimdavidsmandar.com