According to a recent report* by ICTC (the Information and Technology Information Council) Canadian women represent about 50% of the overall workforce but represent only 25% of the technology industry workforce. Of the 100 major tech companies in Canada only 5 have female CEOs and 1 Co-CEO. 26% of the tech companies have no women in senior leadership at […]
Advocacy for change
Remember to breathe (as you continue to inspire others)
I checked in on a few of my former student teachers today. Each of whom are shining examples of professionalism, commitment, and creativity in their classrooms. They have been on my mind alot lately, as daily news of the government sponsored attrition games occupy headlines and conversations across the province. I am sure they represent the hundreds, […]
Smaller Class Sizes Matter for Kids
As I started researching smaller class sizes, my Google search made it evident that smaller class sizes are significantly better … for students in private schools. Private schools use small class sizes to sell their product. They also get to pick who will be in their classes and who will be in their schools. With […]
Why students walked out today – April 4th, 2019
Several students at schools participated in the Ontario-wide, student-organized, school walkouts to protest the provincial government’s recent changes to education. Here are some of the students’ words … “I walked out today because special school programs are amazing to help kids, just like me, with special education problems.” Grade 3 student “Why I walked out […]
Support each other
This is a much needed time for everyone. The sunlight is increasing. The snow is melting. The temperatures are increasing. What a time to celebrate? During this much needed break our government has decided to make announcements of change. This is quite the political tactic. Distraction from what they want us to know. Politicians have […]
Inclusive Education for All Students Including Those With Special Education Needs
As Ontario teachers, we know that there is a current challenge in addressing the learning needs of special education students with significant behaviour issues including violence against school staff. The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario has developed a multi-year strategy to address violence in schools. This states specific goals and includes resources such as videos […]
Importance of Teaching Climate Change
Most teachers agree that teaching climate change is important … but why is climate change really important? Given humans will be facing impending global climate change, why don’t all people care about climate change? What climate change is and what it is not. An important thing students need to know is the difference between climate […]
6 Reasons to Say No to EQAO
Large scale assessments, like EQAO testing, were developed to support standards-based education reform on the premise of setting high standards and establishing measurable goals in order to improve learning outcomes in education. This blog highlights how EQAO testing does not achieve its goals and, in fact, hinders learning outcomes, especially in marginalized student populations. 1. […]
David Suzuki’s message to us all
Today the grade seven and eights at our school were invited to attend the Eco Summit at Mohawk College. It was an exciting opportunity where we got to listen to motivated students from around Hamilton speak about the change they were making in their school community and beyond. Local poets, musicians and activists spoke as […]