Instructor
216 Sinnott Building
Phone: 204-480-1817
Email
I began as a sessional instructor with the Department of Environment and Geography in 2006. After working for several years as a sessional instructor, teaching a variety of courses, I was hired on as a full-time instructor in July, 2009. I am passionate about teaching and look forward to working in the Department of Environment and Geography. While research will remain a small part of my career, my focus is teaching. I endeavor to continually improve my teaching approach and aim to pass my love of geography on to my students.
Academic Background
Current: Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Soil Science, University of Manitoba
2008: Certification for Higher Education Teaching, University of Manitoba
2002: MA, Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba
1997: B.Sc. (4-year), Department of Geography, University of Winnipeg
Teaching Awards
2009 Graduate Student Teaching Award, Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources
Teaching Schedule the 2011/2012 Term
Fall 2011
1.Introduction to Physical Geography (CRN: 11748) - GEOG 1290 - A02
11:30 am - 12:20 pm M/W/F
ST. PAUL'S COLLEGE 100
Enrollment Max: 150
2.Geomorphology (PS) (CRN: 11754) - GEOG 2550 - A01
9:30 am - 10:20 am M/W/F
WALLACE BUILDING 218
Enrollment Max: 150
3.Geography of Canada (A) (CRN: 11756) - GEOG 2570 - A01
11:30 am - 12:45 pm TR
ST. PAUL'S COLLEGE 325
Enrollment Max: 70
4.Geography of Canadian Prairie Landscapes (A) (CRN: 14805) - GEOG 2900 - A01
10:00 am - 11:15 am TR
TBA
Enrollment Max: 50
Winter 2012
1.Geography of the United States (A) (CRN: 21622) - GEOG 2580 - A01
11:30 am - 12:20 pm M/W/F
WALLACE BUILDING 217
Enrollment Max: 70
2.Geography of Manitoba (A), (CDN) (W) (CRN: 24609) - GEOG 3900 - A01
1:30 pm - 2:20 pm M/W/F
WALLACE BUILDING 218
Enrollment Max: 70
3.Introduction to Physical Geography (CRN: 23417) - GEOG 1290 - A03
11:30 am - 12:45 pm TR
ARMES LECTURE BUILDING 200
Enrollment Max: 150
GEOG 1290 Syllabus (PDF)
GEOG 2550 Syllabus (PDF)
Teaching Philosophy
University instruction is a cooperative venture between instructor and student. While students are ultimately responsible for their own learning, instructors are in turn responsible for facilitating student learning. What determines successful learning involves factors that go far beyond simply whether one student is satisfied merely to pass, while another may strive for an ‘A’. Learning encompasses the degree to which students are engaged by the discipline, their development of critical thinking skills and their growth as individuals. In order to facilitate this broad approach to learning, the instructor must create and maintain an inclusive, positive and respectful learning environment.
Research interests
While my primary interest is teaching, I have been working on my Doctorate in the department of Soil Science at the University of Manitoba. My project focuses on the fate of pesticides in soil as affected by environmental variables, and agricultural pesticide use trends in Manitoba. Although I intend to remain active in research to a limited extent, teaching and student learning are my primary focus.
Recent Publications
Peer Reviewed
1.Shymko, J.L., Farenhorst, A., Zvomuya, F. 2011. Polynomial response of 2,4-D mineralization to temperature in soils at varying soil moisture contents, slope positions and depths. J. Environ. Sci. Health, Part B., 46, 4: 301-312.
2.Shymko, J. and Farenhorst, A. 2008. 2,4-D Mineralization in Unsaturated and Near-Saturated Surface Soils of an Undulating, Cultivated, Canadian Prairie Landscape. J. Environ. Sci. Health, Part B., 43, 1: 34-43.
Conference Presentations
3.Shymko, J.L., Farenhorst, A., McQueen, D.A.R. Agricultural Pesticide Use Trends in Manitoba (1996-2006). Oral Presentation, Annual Meeting of the Prairie Division, Canadian Association of Geographers, September 24-26, 2010, North Battleford, SK, (oral presentation).
4.Shymko, J.L, Farenhorst, A. McQueen, D.A.R., Gaultier, J. 2009. Agricultural Pesticide Use Trends in Manitoba 1996 - 2006. Prairie Division of the Canadian Association of Geographers, Russell, Manitoba, September 18-20 (oral presentation).
