Zara Rafferty

Teaching interests

As an instructor, I promote active student learning that emphasizes learning outcomes and instructional design best practices. I have developed and delivered courses in face-to-face, blended, and fully online environments, ranging from small senior seminars to 350-student lectures. My aim is to create courses that are engaging and relevant for students. As the department’s Teaching Mentor, I support the work of department sessionals and assist faculty members in developing and evaluating course content and teaching strategies.

Graduate supervision and student opportunities

I am available to supervise Honours Thesis (REC 471 A/B) projects and Directed Studies (REC 475) at the undergraduate level, as well as sitting on committees at the Master's level.

Graduate studies application details

Teaching interests

• Leisure and well-being
• Play and creativity
• Child development
• Program management 
• Program evaluation
• Developmental disabilities

Courses

• REC 100: Introduction to the Study of Recreation and Leisure
• REC 200: Play, Creativity and Child Development
• REC 251: Therapeutic Recreation: Developmental and Emotional Disabilities
• REC 252: Therapeutic Recreation: Physical Disabilities
• REC 405: Leisure and Well-being

Education

BA, University of Waterloo

MA, University of Waterloo

BEd, Wilfrid Laurier University 

Selected publications

McKeown, J. K. L., Rafferty, Z. E., & Havitz, M. E. (2018). Our home and native land: Understanding leisure in a diverse and evolving country. In K.A. Henderson & A. Sivan (Eds.), Leisure from International Voices (pp. 33-43). Champaign, IL: Sagamore.