Physical Education, Health and Nutrition

Manijeh Ali has been teaching nutrition at John Abbott College since 1993. Manijeh has a BSc. in Dietetics and Human Nutrition from McGill University, a MSc. in International Nutrition from Université de Montréal, and a graduate diploma in Education from the University of Sherbrooke. Her Master's degree focused on participatory research in the area of food security in Malawi, Central Africa. Doing post-graduate work at McGill, she continued her research work in Ghana, West Africa in the area of Health Assessment and Education. From 1993 to 2003, she worked with many organizations in West African countries particularly in Ghana and with the F.A.O of United Nations in Afghanistan. Manijeh is also a performing artist (dancer) and the artistic director of the QuebeAsia Dance Performance Series (www.quebeasia.org)

Since 2005, Anthony Berkers has taught at the college and university level in physical & outdoor education and is a proud member of JAC's Physical Education, Health, and Nutrition Department since 2020. He holds Bachelor's degrees in Kinesiology (Calgary)and Psychology (McGill), and a Master's of Kinesiology (New Hampshire). Prior to this Anthony worked as an outdoor guide and educator for a decade in Western Canada and internationally in the Americas and Southeast Asia. His primary areas of interest in teaching are anything in the outdoors and in functional and somatic movement

Magda Fahmy graduated from Concordia University in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and continued her studies at McGill University where she completed her credentialing to become a dietitian in 2005. She also completed a Masters of Science in Dietetics and Human Nutrition at McGill University in 2011 with a project focused on developing nutrition and physical activity recommendations to prevent gestational diabetes in subsequent pregnancies. As a member of L’Ordre Professionnel des Diététistes du Québec (OPDQ), Magda has worked in many areas of nutrition. Before working at John Abbott College, Magda taught Continuing Education for the University of Guelph and worked as a dietitian in Community Health Centres, long-term care, non-profit organizations, and private clinics promoting health and providing nutrition consultations to clients since 2006. Magda joined John Abbott College as a nutrition teacher in 2011.

Professor Ghinani has been a member of John Abbott College’s Department of Physical Education since 2009. He holds a Bachelor degree in Human Kinetics from the University of Ottawa, as well as a Masters in Neurological Sciences & Neurosurgery from McGill University. At JAC, Professor Ghinani coaches the Cross-Country running team and serves as a member of the Academic Advisory Committee for International Projects in the College. What Professor Ghinani enjoys most about teaching at JAC is sharing his unyielding passion to push his own limits. This is revealed through his teaching by encouraging students to continuously reach and surpass their own limits. He has competed at national levels in kickboxing and running and international levels in taekwondo. In his spare time he enjoys traveling, hiking, canoeing, climbing, running, working out, cooking and reading.

David Hill has been a member of John Abbott College’s Department of Physical Education since 2004. He holds a Bachelor degree in Physical Education, as well as a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from McGill University. At JAC, David serves as the Outdoor Education Chair within the faculty of Physical Education. He also serves as a member of the Sustainability committee of the College. David has been recognized with the SUJAC award for contributing to student life and the Association of Physical Educators of Quebec’s Cegep Physical Education Teaching Excellence Award. What David enjoys most about teaching at JAC is seeing students have fun, exceed their own self-imposed limitations and become powerful agents of positive change (preferably OUTDOORS).

Bronwen Lloyd-Hughes has been a member of John Abbott College’s Department of Physical Education since 2015. She holds a Bachelor degree in Education  (Physical Education) from Mc Gill University . Bronwen primarily teaches Dance and Yoga classes, and serves as a member of the Curriculum Development Committee.   What she enjoys most about teaching at JAC is seeing the students get so much enjoyment out of exercising in dance and revisiting different and exciting ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Val Matthew has been a member of John Abbott College’s Department of Physical Education since 2009. She holds a Bachelor degree in Physical Education from McGill University. She primarily teaches aquatics and running classes. What she enjoys most about teaching at JAC is the positive energy in the college and getting to know students from her classes.

Laura Morrison has been a member of the Physical Education Department at John Abbott College since 2000.  She holds a bachelors degree in Arts from Concordia University as well as a Bachelors degree in Physical Education from McGill University.  Laura Morrison serves as a member of the curriculum development committee and has been recognized with the SUJAC award for outstanding contribution to school life at John Abbott College.  What she enjoys most about teaching at JAC is helping students to have fun while being active in hopes that they will continue to lead an active lifestyle.

Professor Laura Pfeiffer has been a member of John Abbott College’s Department of Physical Education, Health and Nutrition since 2007. She holds a Bachelor degree in Education (Physical Education) from McGill University, as well as a Master’s degree in Adapted Physical Education from McGill University. At JAC, Professor Pfeiffer has served as Co-Chair of the department since Fall 2013. She is also one of the faculty representatives on JAC’s Concussion Management Team, helping students to return to school fulltime as they recover from a concussion. Professor Pfeiffer most enjoys working with such talented colleagues as well as helping students successfully navigate their way through this important phase of their lives.

Genevieve Raymond-Parent has been a member of John Abbott College’s Department of Physical Education since 2011. She holds a Bachelors degree in Education  (Physical Education) from McGill University and subsequently pursued a Masters in Dance at UQAM (TBC). Genevieve is interested in Mind-Body practices such as pilates, dance and somatic education. She believes in using concepts of Sustainable Happiness to support student wellbeing, access and success, regardless of any differences these students may have. She currently sits on the Faculty Accessibility Team, the Harassment Awareness Committee and the Physical Education Department Curriculum Committee. Her favorite part of teaching at John Abbott College is being able to develop and share new strategies to guide and support students as they learn and grow.

Professor Jane Shaw has been a member of John Abbott College’s Department of Physical Education since 2006. She holds a Bachelor degree in Education (Physical Education) from McGill University, as well as a Masters in Physical Education (Administration) from the University of Ottawa. At JAC, Professor Shaw serves as a Chair of the Racquet Sports committee and is a member physical education hiring committee. What Professor Shaw enjoys most about teaching at JAC is having the opportunity to work with the students, teaching them the technical aspects of a wide variety of sports and exposing them to all the different aspects of what it means to lead a healthy lifestyle.