ABOUT ME
Dr. Darlene Loland
I am an active outdoor enthusiast, nature lover, gardener, and passionate mental health and wellbeing specialist who brings 25+ years of practical and professional teaching experience to my work which is anchored in current research. MEND Educational Consulting grew from my PhD research and scholarly experiences along with a recognized need to improve the mental health and wellbeing of those who work and learn in education systems. I have presented at many local, national and international conferences over the course of my career.
I acknowledge and sincerely thank teachers, administrators, and all those working with children and youth in schools. I see you, know that you work under pressure and stress daily, and deeply appreciate all you do for your students and learning communities.
Giving Back to My Community
St John Ambulance Therapy Dog Team Handler for Interior Health
Ride Don’t Hide Sponsor supporting community-based mental health services in Vernon, BC
Experience
1994–present
Teacher, British Columbia Ministry of Education (SD22, SD91, SD38)
2018–present
Contract Positions (teaching, research, advising), University of British Columbia - Okanagan
Education
2022
University of British Columbia, Doctor of Philosophy
Concentration: Organizational wellbeing, mental health in education systems
Dissertation Title: (Re)searching Teacher Wellbeing: An Exploration of the Relationship Between Mindful Nature Experiences and Mental Health http://hdl.handle.net/2429/81056
1998
University of British Columbia, Master of Education
Concentration: Science Curriculum Development, Environmental Education
Thesis Title: Hands-On, Minds-On Science
1994
University of British Columbia, Bachelor of Education
1993
University of British Columbia, Bachelor of Arts (Environmental Studies)
Professional Memberships
British Columbia Teachers Association
Communications Director, Canadian Association of Action Research in Education
Conference proposal reviewer/member, Canadian Society for the Study of Education
Conference sessional chair/member, American Educational Research Association; Stress, Coping and Resiliency SIG; Arts-based Research SIG
Member, Canadian Association of Teacher Educators
Member, Canadian Association of Educational Psychology
Certifications
First Aid Ticket, Heartsaver CPR & AED training
SmartEducation Mindfulness Facilitator
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) certification
Athletics Canada National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP)
Track & Field Club Coach - sprints, hurdles, and jumps
Multisport Ethical Decisions, Concussion, Nutrition
NCCP Sport Coach
Run, Jump, Throw Instructor (BC Athletics)
Selected Awards
UBC Graduate Dean’s Thesis Fellowship (2021)
UBC Graduate Fellowship Award (2019, 2020, 2021)
UBC Doctoral Studies Outstanding Conference Presentation Award (2020)
CSSE Graduate Student National Conference Travel Award (2020)
UBC Graduate Dean’s Entrance Scholarship (2018)