We are excited to announce that Holly Ogden will become the Associate Dean of Teacher Education on July 1, 2026. With nearly 25 years of experience spanning K–6 classrooms, teacher education, and community-engaged research, Holly brings a deep commitment to students, schools, and the teaching profession.
Holly’s connection to Queen’s began years ago when she completed the BEd portion of her Concurrent Education degree through Queen's University in partnership with Trent University. After several years of teaching in schools, she returned to graduate studies, completing a Master of Education on the lasting impact of elementary school musical theatre. She later earned her PhD, exploring the nature and impact of elementary teachers' personal learning across different stages of their careers.
Over the years, Holly has become a familiar and respected leader within the Teacher Education program at Queen’s. She has taught in both the Concurrent and Consecutive Bachelor of Education programs and served as Concurrent Education Coordinator for many years, helping shape the program while supporting teacher candidates, instructors, and staff. Her contributions to teaching and mentorship have been recognized through multiple faculty and university-wide teaching awards.
For Holly, education is always rooted in relationships. When asked what excites her most about stepping into this new role, she immediately spoke about the opportunity to connect with others. “I’m really excited to collaborate with so many different people,” she says. “I really love learning with and from others and building community. I am excited to work across the faculty and beyond in meaningful ways.”
Holly also believes strongly in authenticity as a foundation for both teaching and leadership. She often reminds teacher candidates that effective teaching does not come from trying to imitate someone else. “I always say to my students: who you are is right,” she explains. “There’s no one right way to be a teacher, it’s about being yourself and connecting with your students.”
As Associate Dean, Holly hopes to further cultivate a culture of collaboration within the Teacher Education program, where instructors, graduate students, and teaching assistants can learn from one another openly and consistently. “There are people in the building doing amazing things that I don’t know about,” she says. “If we could be more collaborative through co-planning, resource sharing, giving each other feedback, and observing one another teach, we could help each other become even better educators while modelling strong pedagogy for our students.”
Deepening relationships with schools is another priority Holly is excited to work on. She speaks passionately about cultivating reciprocal partnerships that benefit teacher candidates, school boards, and the wider community. Through a recent research project, she welcomed local elementary students to campus to engage with teacher candidates and participate in learning activities at the university. “They were so engaged”, she recalls. “Being on a university campus felt exciting and new for them, and seeing diverse representation really mattered. It was powerful to watch them begin to imagine themselves in a place like this.”
Even after years in higher education, Holly still identifies first and foremost as an elementary school teacher. “That’s still how I think of myself,” she says. “Many of my closest friends are educators, and being in schools just feels like home.”
Holly succeeds Dr. Peter Chin, who is stepping down after 16 years as Associate Dean of Teacher Education. During his tenure, the program experienced significant growth and transformation, including the transition from a one-year Bachelor of Education program to the current accelerated 16-month model, and is currently helping to plan for the upcoming changes to the BEd program. Peter's leadership, dedication, and commitment to teacher education have helped shape the experiences of countless teacher candidates and colleagues. We extend our sincere gratitude for his many years of service and wish him all the best in his next chapter.