海角社区

Faculty Advisory Board

海角社区

Leaders in Education Philanthropy



The Faculty Advisory Board consists of alumni and friends of the Faculty of Education who generously share their wisdom and energy with us. Coming from around the globe, members represent different sectors of the education community and provide integral leadership and guidance to the Deanery.

Faculty Advisory Board Members

Peter Balyta (Chair) BEd 鈥94, PhD 鈥07

Peter Balyta is president of Education Technology for Texas Instruments and vice president of academic engagement and corporate citizenship for the company. Since his days at 海角社区, Peter has been on a mission to inspire students to fall in love with math and science and to equip teachers with the tools they need to help students engineer their futures and change the world. He began his career as a mathematics and science educator in Qu茅bec, which today informs everything he does, from serving the community, to spreading the word about the importance of education, to running a global business.

Peter left the public education sector in 2000 to join TI as a manager of educational sales, and he held a number of positions before becoming president of the TI Education Technology business and a vice president of the corporation in 2014. Regardless of role, he continues to bring his experience from the classroom and background in marketing, sales and product strategy to support TI鈥檚 education focus of investing in programs that help teachers teach and students learn, particularly in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and math).

Peter earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in education with a focus on mathematics and physical education from 海角社区, followed by a Master of Science in mathematics education from Concordia University. He also earned a Master of Business Administration with a focus on international management from the University of Texas at Dallas, as well as a doctorate in mathematics education from 海角社区. He serves on a variety of boards that support his desire to engage students in STEM subjects and to help them build problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. In addition to serving as chair of the 海角社区 Faculty Advisory Board, he is also the second vice chair of Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas; a member of the UT Dallas Executive Board; and a member of the Commit Partnership Leadership Council in Dallas.

Colleen Bismuth 惭贰诲鈥73

Colleen moved to Montreal after graduating in 1971 with a B. Ed. from the University of Michigan. After completing a M. Ed. in Special Education at 海角社区 in 1973, she enjoyed teaching in several elementary schools and programs in Montreal, eventually settling into the role of resource teacher at Roslyn Elementary School in Westmount. Her work focused on practices aimed at building literacy skills and fostering critical thinking, creating individual education programs to suit each student鈥檚 learning style and creating a strong home/school team to ensure student success.

She was delighted when Roslyn graduates, especially those who had participated in the resource program, returned to the school to visit and shared news of their successes and accomplishments. When she retired in 2011, the school administration renamed the resource room in her honour.

Always interested in our education system, she presently keeps in touch with former colleagues and volunteers in the community. Retirement allows her additional time for family, travel, collecting art and pursing new interests.

Philip Cutler BEd 鈥13

Philip Cutler is a teacher turned entrepreneur and the founder of Paper (f. 2014). As a teacher, Phil saw how the many inequities present in the education system created lifelong learning gaps for students. Determined to democratize education, he helped found Paper, a 24/7 online tutoring platform that partners with school districts to level the playing field for all students.

In the past, Phil鈥檚 entrepreneurial spirit led him to founding successful endeavors such as the tutoring service, Laurus Educational Services, as well as Laurus Summer Camp.聽

In 2013, at 25 years of age, he became the youngest ever elected City Councillor in Westmount, Quebec. He held that position for 8 years before deciding not to run for reelection in 2021. Cutler holds a Bachelor鈥檚 degree in Education from 海角社区 in Montreal, where he currently sits on the Faculty Advisory Board. While at 海角社区, Cutler played linebacker for the 海角社区 Redmen Football team & represented the Faculty of Education on 海角社区's Senate. He has also been very active in philanthropic initiatives related to Alzheimer's Disease as well as the 海角社区 Health Center and the Jewish General Hospital.

Robert Martellacci Friend

As founder and president of international award-winning MindShare Learning Technology, Robert is recognized as one of Canada's foremost EdTech thought leaders. He's a champion for igniting student success through innovative solutions and partnerships in Canadian schools. Often referred to as the 鈥渃onnector鈥, Robert specializes in forging partnerships between education and technology solution providers.

As a mature student, Robert pursued a transformational learning journey earning a Master鈥檚 in educational technology from Pepperdine University Graduate School of Psychology and Education.

Robert's innovative spirit and desire to see an accelerated pace of change in education, led to the creation of C21 Canada - Canadians for Learning and Innovation. A not-for-profit he co-founded and currently serves as its president. The MindShare Workspace, Canada鈥檚 First Shopping Mall co-working innovation space, is Robert鈥檚 latest venture. Its mission is to redefine the future of work and learning.

Glenn B. Miller 叠贰诲鈥86

Glenn is Principal and Founder of MBG Finance. His career has proven to be diverse and entrepreneurial, spanning roles from banking executive to corporate finance, restructuring, and asset-based lending. Glenn is also a patron of the arts. With a vast network throughout North America and internationally, Glenn is renowned for his creativity in restructuring organizations, optimizing performance, and successfully implementing strong governance principles. He is in his seventh year as Mentor and Guest Lecturer for 海角社区鈥檚 MBA Program, presenting topics such as 鈥淐orporate Restructuring 鈥渁nd 鈥淗ow to differentiate yourself in business鈥. He also actively mentors and advises CEOs of diverse companies throughout North America and Europe.

Glenn is a member of multiple boards of directors as well as being a shareholder of several companies, including Axis4 Media Inc. (digital marketing), Cord King of Canada (commercial firewood processor manufacturer), and Chalet des Chutes, a residential real estate project in Qu茅bec, and in Quebec of the restaurant chains Old Orchard Pub. He is also on the advisory committee of NAI Terramont Commercial (one of Canada鈥檚 top tier two commercial real estate brokerage firms). He is a member of Strangers in the Night, the 3rd most important music festival in Qu茅bec.

Louise Anne Poirier Friend

Louise Anne is Chief Financial Officer of Stanton Asset Management Inc. and O鈥橲hares Investments Inc. She is an attorney with over 20 years of legal and investment management experience, principally in New York and Montreal. Her passion for education stems in part from her involvement as a parent with St George鈥檚 School of Montreal as a member and Chair of the Education Committee (2005-2010), Board Member (2006-2014), and Board Chair (2009-2014). Louise Anne is a graduate of the University of Montreal (LLB) and Columbia University (Masters of International and Public Affairs).

Stephanie Rossy BA 鈥91, DipEd 鈥92

Stephanie graduated from 海角社区 with both a Bachelor of Arts and of Education and went on to teach in Montreal for the public school board. For 5 years, she was a docent at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, giving school tours to students. Her involvement is wide ranging having sat on the following boards: The Cedars Home for the Elderly, chaired the parents' committee at Notre Dame de Sion School, the ECS School foundation board, the Mab Mackay Foundation board, and MHWAG (Mental Health Wellness Affinity Group).

Currently, Stephanie is actively working as a director of the Rossy Foundation focusing on youth mental health, health care, and education. She is passionate about traveling, education, and the arts.

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