Priti Parikh serves as the Program Coordinator for the Community and Child Studies Foundations Program, overseeing the curriculum and delivery of all courses within the program. She actively participates in a comprehensive program quality review and conducts ongoing curriculum modifications. Priti has successfully led the transition of the Community and Child Service Foundations Program to a Zed-Cred format, allowing students to incur no additional costs for textbooks or other materials. Driven by her experiences as an immigrant, Priti aims to eliminate barriers to learning for her students. Her first published work, "Fundamentals for Success in College," has been adopted by various Health, Community and Child Studies programs at two colleges in Ontario and three universities in the USA. She is currently working on her second open educational textbook, titled "Reflective and Relational Skills for Human Service Professionals."
With over 30 years of experience in her diverse roles as an educator, artist, author, and poet, Priti specializes in curriculum development, educator training, and educational leadership. She has collaborated with a wide range of educational organizations to enhance learning environments, improve curricula, strengthen parent partnerships, promote art, and build capacity for educators and parents across Ontario.
In addition to her full-time faculty and program coordinator position, Priti enjoys volunteering in her community, gardening, and exploring art from different cultures and countries. She is a recipient of “The Most Venerable Order” plaque awarded by the Hospital of St. John in recognition of her efforts in developing the Babysitting Basics Program. Priti also participates in writing circles and art workshops organized by the Green Wood Coalition and the Canadian Tapestry and Texture Centre, and she is an active member of several gardening and horticulture groups within the county. Recently, she was invited by the Green Wood Coalition to organize a tea workshop for the community, which received significant interest and engagement. Priti is dedicated to community development and advocacy, integrating her diverse experiences into her teaching and learning approach. She believes in empowering students to create meaningful learning experiences.