Staff
Bernadette Mrazek
The idea of directly working with adults to assist them in exploring their learning potential was the inviting flame that drew Bernadette Mrazek from her native Cape Breton to the PLA Centre when it was first being formed in 1996. She has been directly involved in the development of many of the Centre’s programs and services; more recently, she has further developed the Centre’s program materials for distance delivery, and through experiential learning and collaboration, continues to refine them. Bernadette’s major responsibility is the coordination and supervision of the PLAR Practitioners Certificate Program, the Centre’s train-the-trainer model for professionally developing portfolio facilitators. This program involves almost 400 Practitioners across Nova Scotia, and across Canada (NL, NB, ON, AB and BC – so far!)
Nancy Anningson
As Business Manager for the Prior Learning Centre, Nancy has gained extensive experience in project management, contract negotiation, client relations and program development. Nancy has led the financial management of this non-profit business as it made the transition from funded organization to self-sustaining business. She is a PLAR Practitioner, certified to deliver our Portfolio Development Program.
Mary Morrissey
Mary is the primary author of “Achieving Our Potential: An Action Plan for PLAR in Canada”, the pan-Canadian study on PLAR sponsored by the Canadian Council on Learning. As Executive Director of the Prior Learning Centre, Mary worked on the development of the recent RPL Policy Framework for the Province of Nova scotia and is currently heading initial efforts in the implementation of this plan. Mary is a strong advocate and model of lifelong and life-wide learning. She has earned graduate degrees in several fields, including social work, law and public administration.
Teresa Francis
Teresa is an experienced career changer who is learning to follow her heart. Passionate about helping people identify what they know and can do, she draws from her background as a work/life counsellor, facilitator, manager and educator. As Director of New Program Development, Teresa explores new ways to benefit individuals and organizations through the application of learning recognition strategies, and develops and delivers programs and services targeted to clients’ needs. She was instrumental in the development and implementation of the innovative Continuing Care Assistant (CCA) PLAR process. Teresa is a Registered Counselling Therapist and an Advanced PLAR Practitioner.
Linda Burrows
Linda held a number of positions in non-profit organizations, private business and government and has acquired varied experience in office administration which is valuable in her current position as Office/Financial Administrator. Since joining the staff of the Prior Learning Centre, Linda has completed the Professional Portfolio Development Program.