About Lisa Pfau

• Political Science, UofT: Political Theory (POLB72H3), Comparative Politics (POLB90H3), 5 Common Errors of Essay Writing Workshop, Research Essay Writing Workshop, Grad School Application Workshop

• Asian Institute, UofT: Research Essay Writing Workshop, Grad School Application Workshop

• Indigenous Education Network, UofT: Academic Writing for Grad Students Workshop, Academic Publishing Workshop, Academic Essay Basics, Creative Writing and Stress-relief

• University of Alberta: St. Patrick’s Day Poetry Workshop, Spring Poetry Workshop

• Humber Polytechnic: Academic Writing (WRIT 100), Professional Communication (WRIT 200), Professional Communication for Tradespersons (WRIT 108), Professional Communication & Marketing for Tradespersons (WRIT 208)

• Beijing Normal University No. 2 High School: Grade 11 English, Grade 12 English

• University in the Community: Reflective Writing & Memory Workshop

• PFAU Courses/Workshops: School, Application Writing, Personal Statement Writing, Creative Writing for Non-Writers, Short Story, Poetry in the Park, Essay Writing for Beginners, Advanced Essay Writing

Professional Background

Lisa Pfau has over 20 years experience teaching academic writing, professional communication, and creativity to students ranging in age 6 to 76. She has also worked with tutoring agencies in Canada, the US, and China, as well as large international institutions, such as the University of Toronto, University of Alberta, Humber Polytechnic, and Beijing Normal University No. 2 High School. She is currently a part-time Professor in the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Science at Humber Polytechnic and Sr. Writing Coach and Editor for Graduate students at the Indigenous Education Network at the Ontario Institute for Educational Studies, UofT.

She has a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Political Science and History from the University of Alberta, Master of Arts in Political Science and Asian Studies from the University of Toronto, and two Mandarin Language & Culture Certificates from Peking University and Liaoning Normal University, respectively. Her own experience studying and living in China, while learning Chinese has helped her to be sensitive to the needs of international students. In addition to understanding what it feels like to learn a new language, Lisa also has a Teaching English as a Second Language certificate from the Canadian Centre for Language and Cultural Studies, where she learned how to break down English grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax, and style for new language learners. Her own experience in academic settings in Canada and abroad as a student and teacher help her to empathize with the challenges that students face and support her clients in navigating the North American academic and professional environment. She is kind, understanding, inclusive, and honest. Her aim is to teach her students professionalism while still supporting the development of their own authentic voice while journeying with them through the ups and downs of academic life.

Outside of her work as a writing coach and editor, Lisa is active in the community, supporting organizations, such as For Youth Initiative, Hart House/Asian Institute/Political Science Dept. mentoring programs, UofT & UofA Alumni Associations, and her United Church community. She also enjoys writing, and is currently working on publishing a book of poems on grief inspired by the recent passing of her father, as well as a book chapter “Social Impacts of Loneliness in Higher Education” in Loneliness in Education, Springer Publications. Everything Lisa does is motivated by her core value - “Leave the world better than you found it.” ~ Robert Baden-Powell

Courses Taught