Dian Henderson Teaching Professor | Faculty of Education & Social Work

Interests

Travel, gardening, live theatre, and sharing food along with honest conversation and good music.

Research Interests

I am deeply curious about the process of teaching and learning and exploring ways to integrate the Way of Council, Experiential Learning, and storytelling (Playback Theatre) into my classes.

I love teaching writing as a way of supporting students to find their voice through the power of words. I am fascinated by the connection between stories, cultural identity, and community in the classroom. I enjoy developing new curriculum and seeking new ways to approach the process of teaching and learning.

I am committed to Indigenizing the Curriculum in English Language Teaching and Learning, and I am sincerely grateful to the Secwepemc People upon whose land I live, work, and play as an uninvited guest.

Education

Bachelor of Education with a major in ESL (U of A)
TESL Cert. Level Three Permanent
Master of Arts in Education (School for International Training)

Publications

Selected Presentations and Publications include:

Henderson, D. and Krauza, W. (2026, May), Designing a Service-Learning Certificate: A participatory Exploration of the Proposed Service-Learning Certificate at Thompson Rivers University [workshop], 2026 Ace-Wil Conference: Reimagining the Future of Work Integrated Learning and Careers, Kamloops, BC.
Henderson, D. (2019, Nov 16). The Heart of Resilience [Keynote address], 2019 Lower Mainland regional BC TEAL Conference, Vancouver, BC.
Henderson, D. (2019). Way of Council as part of the Experiential Learning Cycle [presentation], BC TEAL, Vancouver, BC.
Henderson, D. (2018). The Culture of Curiosity: Inductive teaching Keeps them Engaged [presentation], C.E.L.T., Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC.
Krauza, W. & Henderson, D. (Feb. 2018). Re-designing ESL: Creating a Community of Success through Curricular Change [workshop], Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC.
Church, A., & Henderson, D. (2018). Reaching Students by Creating a Community of Readers [workshop], Teaching Practices Colloquium, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC
Henderson, D. (2017). Learning through Community [presentation], Hawaii International Conference on Education, Hawaii, USA.

Employment History

I taught in Korea as part of a research study using Krashen's Communicative Approach. I have also taught ESL for immigrant Canadians through the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, Winnipeg One School Division, and Red River College. I then worked for nine years in the Public Schools in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. In 1996, we moved to British Columbia where I have taught English for Academic Purposes (EAP) ever since. I have been actively involved in teacher training through TRU's TESoL program teaching Curriculum and Instruction, Pedagogical Grammar, Second Language Acquisition theory, Pronunciation, Assessment, and the TESL practicum. My international experience also includes working with teacher training in Vina del Mar, Chile, and working with grade eight students in Xianghe, China, and teacher training in Beijing, China, Mexico City, and Cancun, Mexico.

Courses Taught

I mostly teach writing, reading, and grammar. I love teaching writing and believe everyone has something significant to say, but to write, one must read, and so I love to teach Reading as well. As an EAP teacher, I have also become excited about the 'mystery' of English grammar. I enjoy the questions my students ask, and I love the puzzle of English grammar!

In EAP, I have taught grammar in levels 1-4,
level 2-5 reading,
level 2-5 writing
level two and four oral skills,
and level two mixed skills.
In TESoL, I have taught TESL 3010, 302, 304, and 305.

Professional Affiliations

BC TEAL
TESL Canada
IATEFL