1

Program 2022

Please note that descriptions for all workshop offerings for day 1 and 2 of the conference are listed at the bottom of this page.

Visit our registration page to get registered for The Quest: Building and Growing an Ethical Organization.

Time

Activity

 

9:00 a.m. – 9:05 a.m. Opening Ceremony – Student Performance(s)
9:05 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. Welcome – MC and Co-Host
9:15 a.m. – 9:25 a.m. Land Acknowledgement and O’ Canada
9:25 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Welcome from the Interim Director of Education
9:35 a.m. – 10:35 a.m. Keynote Speaker – Nouman Ashraf
10:35 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. MC Reflection and Closing Remarks
10:45 a.m. – 10:55 a.m. Wellness Break
11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Morning Workshops including Playground, Backyard and Studio (All workshop offerings are listed below)
12:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Lunch Break
 2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.  Afternoon Workshops including Playground, Backyard and Studio (All workshop offerings are listed below)
Time Activity
9:00 a.m. – 9:05 a.m. Opening Ceremony – Student Performance(s)
9:05 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. Welcome – MC and Co-Host
9:15 a.m. – 9:25 p.m. Land Acknowledgement and O’ Canada
9:25 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Welcome from the Interim Director of Education
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Panel Presentation

Moderator – Nouman Ashraf

Panelists

  • Saeed Barbary – Associate Manager- Cyber Security, ITS, YRDSB
  • Teerka Baskaran – Student Trustee
  • Andrew Campbell (DR.ABC), Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, Leadership for Racial Justice in Teacher Education, UofT
  • Suelyn Cheong – Principal at Unionville HS, YRDSB
  • Tina Sharma – PEAC Co-Chair
10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. MC Reflection and Closing Remarks
10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Wellness Break
11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Morning Workshops including Playground, Backyard and Studio (All workshop offerings are listed below)
12:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Lunch Break
2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Afternoon Workshops including Playground, Background and Studio (All workshop offerings are listed below)

Day 1 Workshops

All “A” workshops will be offered in the morning. All “B” workshops will be offered in the afternoon.This workshop will outline an elementary educator’s approach to being a change leader, changing beliefs to work towards gender equity in the math classroom. Working with partners to co-create a shared vision, the initial aim was to gather data to elicit student voice and to focus on how girls may experience math in a more positive manner in a math classroom. The secondary aim was to use student voice data to improve gender equity beyond the elementary classroom. Jo Boaler’s online, “How to Learn Math” course was used with a focus group to encourage a more positive belief about math. The school’s goals aligned with the SIP, YRDSB’s DAP/MYSP 2018-2022 and Mission, Vision and Values. Join Tanusree to learn how collaborating with Administrators, members of the Equity Team, Leadership Team and Positive Space Club, Divisional Leads, Teachers, Teacher Candidates and School Council built the collective capacity of the school and made positive attitudinal change. Together, they found a way to include various competing voices, including those who may have felt silenced, as this process unfolded.

Presenter(s): Tanusree Das, Vice Principal, YRDSB Audience: Elementary (K-8) Administrators / TeachersStudents in some specialized programs, such as being withdrawn on a long-term basis for mathematics, can limit students’ access and opportunity to engage in grade-appropriate content and experiences. This can lead to disparaging outcomes. Data shows that students with special education needs have disproportionately been streamed into courses that limit pathways to graduation and post-secondary education. In 2021, the Ontario Ministry of Education released a revised de-streamed mathematics curriculum for Grade 9. Recognizing that intermediate students who have been streamed into special education classes would likely face challenges in a de-streamed program, the York Region District School Board has examined pedagogy to better support inclusion of elementary students in mathematics classes. Join Elli and Jordan as they share their journey collaborating with educators in the use of instructional strategies centered on student well-being, engagement, and achievement with the goal of supporting the transition to de-streamed Grade 9 math.

Presenter(s): Elli Weisdorf, Teacher, YRDSB, Jordan Rappaport, Teacher, YRDSB

Audience: Directors of Education, Elementary (K-8) Administrators, International Delegations, Secondary (9-12) Administrators, Secondary (9-12) Teachers, Superintendents, Support Staff, TrusteesThis practical and interactive workshop will provide participants with an opportunity to reflect on their practice of effective communication in relation to ethical leadership. We will explore concepts and practices that create effective communication, deepen relationships, and help navigate differences with more skill, confidence, and ease. Participants will develop their understanding of the impact of communication on well-being and provide a foundation of effective communication that supports staff and students. Through interactive activities, participants will explore how to bring in a higher level of awareness to what it means to be an effective listener, and speaker taking into account all voices.

Presenter(s): Angela Ventrice, Teacher, YRDSB, Heidi Bornstein, Director and Co-Founder of Mindfulness Everyday

Audience: Teachers, Support Staff and K-8 AdministratorsStaff and student representatives from Alexander Mackenzie High School will share the process of engaging in student-facilitated town halls to foster safe, equitable and inclusive learning environments. By combining an anti-oppression framework with student voice opportunities to identify, address and monitor school needs, the workshop will demonstrate AMHS’s journey to co-construct identity-affirming spaces while dismantling colonial student leadership practices. This interactive workshop will encourage participants to reflect on methods to empower equitable student-voice practices in data analysis. This workshop will also further invite participants to reflect on their professional contexts, activating ethical leadership when using staff voice in school improvement planning. Workshop participants will receive customizable digital resources.

Presenter(s): Krista Luks, Principal, Catherine Clarke, Teacher, YRDSB, Scott Milne, Coordinator, Peel District School Board

Audience: AllThe York Region District School Board is committed to championing equity and inclusivity. In response to continued evidence of anti-Black racism in Canadian institutions, including in education, the Board has co-developed an Dismantling anti-Black racism strategy. The Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Strategy: Creating anti-racist and Black-affirming learning and working environments was co-developed by York Region Black community leaders, YRDSB staff, and students. One year into the strategy, this workshop aims to describe the roadmap, implementation supports, innovative practices, to support the dismantling  of anti-Black racism through the work of the strategy, its priorities and actions. Join Darcie Sutherland and Mawuli  Chai, to hear about different ways to create affirming learning environments for Black students, staff and families through the Centre for Black Student Excellence.

Presenter(s): Darcie Sutherland, Principal Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Strategy Implementation Plan, YRDSB, and Mawuli Chai, Strategist, Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Strategy Implementation Plan, YRDSB

Audience:   K-12 Educators, Administrators, Supervisory OfficersThe CCT Team will host a moderated panel discussing the work they are doing in the school board to support student mental health through identity-specific and affirming lenses. The team will touch on ways supports are being provide both directly to students and indirectly through professional development for staff, community engagement, and caregiver learning. The team (and panel) consists of representation from identity-specific communities including 2SLGBTQI+, Chinese Canadian, African Heritage and Caribbean Diaspora, Tamil Diaspora, and Indigenous Communities. The discussion will centre around the importance of providing affirming care and support, how this is being done in the board in line with strategies such as the Mental Health Strategy, Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Strategy, etc., and how everyone can integrate more of these approaches into their work and lives.

Presenter(s): Max Denley, School Social Worker, YRDSB

Audience: AllThis workshop will look at those moments in education when educators have upheld treaty rights for students and communities. These moments will demonstrate how to effect real change for Indigenous students and understand how Indigenous ethics can guide positive change for everyone. There will be a discussion about how ethical leadership can involve lending your positional power to support the community who leads the work. Participants will leave with a sense with how to support community and create space for it to lead, and how to avoid actions that are tokenistic and ineffective in improving student outcomes or inclusion.

Presenter(s): Andrew McConnell, Teacher Coordinator, FNMI, YRDSB and Kyle Herbert, FNMI Consultant YRDSB

Audience: AllIn this session, we explore the concept of “Ethical Leadership” and its connection to the YRDSB Leadership Framework. Participants have an opportunity to learn how the framework is utilized, how it impacts leadership competency and consciousness and how it supports the development of an ethical organization. Using the ideas of ethical leadership, participants navigate a scenario in which they will use the framework to support decision-making and taking action,

Presenter(s): Dane Lawrence-Prince, Principal, & Lindsey Diakiw, Principal, YRDSB

Audience: AllThis session provides an introduction to the YRDSB Text Selection Tool and an opportunity to become familiar with the context for its creation and use, an overview of its framework, and leadership considerations. The Text Selection Tool will be explored within the context of the DAP, Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Strategy and an Anti-Oppressive Framework. Participants will hear of the leadership journey in the creation and ongoing implementation of the tool, as well as practical strategies to use as leaders to actualize the work at the classroom or school level, including connecting with and leveraging community voice.

Presenter(s): Dana Wallace, Teacher Coordinator, YRDSB and Robyn Ecclestone, Teacher Consultant, YRDSB 

Audience: AllThis session will highlight the current resources available, and the ongoing cycle of dialogue to support faith accommodations in schools. Faith Accommodations must be rooted in humanity and relationships. The Framework for Inviting and Responding to Requests for Faith Purposes serves as a guide to support school staff in providing accommodations for faith purposes to students based upon student/family requests. This framework invites staff and families to collaborate in the decisions made about planning for instruction and assessment of curriculum. The framework creates an opportunity for all stakeholders in the learning community to co-reflect on ways to affirm and centre students’ identities. The goal is to create an inclusive and culturally responsive learning environment where students know they matter and belong. 

Presenter(s): Jilian Stambolich, Teacher Consultant, YRDSB

Audience: AllBACKYARD: This session will let students explore Anishinaabemowin through an introductory games based learning opportunity. Join Jason Jones for an innovative approach to learning and Anishinabaemowin.

Registration by November 7th will ensure students have access to the game via a demo login during the Quest session. After this date, only the educator will be able to access the game.

Presenter(s): Jason Jones, Game collaborator and Gina Marucci, Teacher Consultant, YRDSB

Audience: Elementary (4-8) Teachers / Secondary (9-12) TeachersIn this learning experience, educators and students will engage in an inquiry related to ethical leadership in digital environments. Access to a device (i.e. Chromebook, Laptop, Cell Phone, etc.) will be useful during the session. During the session, there will be an option to use Flip (Flipgrid). According to YRDSB Digital Tool Approval Process (DTAP), this is a yellow tool, if interested in using this tool with your students, please have guardian/family consent signed prior to the session. Non-YRDSB participants my wish to visit flip.com for information and access options. No prior experience using Flip is required.

Presenter(s): Shailah Damji, Teacher on Assignment Digital Literacy, YRDSB, Alison MacPherson, Teacher on Assignment Digital Literacy, YRDSB, Stephanie Weyrich, Teacher on Assignment Digital Literacy, YRDSB

Audience: Secondary educators to join with their students (Grades 9 to 12)This workshop will recount the work of the the Baythorn Well-Being Team, made up of Grade 7 and 8 students lead by Arts teacher, Anita McFarlane. This work was focused on re-imagining the YRDSB Land Acknowledgement through movement. The workshop will take participants through the process that the team engaged in. The team read, re-read and analyzed the land acknowledgement to further understand its meaning. As a team they “bodystormed”; co-created movement phrases to express and interpret the meaning and brainstormed every detail of the artistic work including costumes, music, choreography, location, and camera angles. This helped them to move beyond a literal interpretation of the Land Acknowledgement. The goal of this workshop is to share a process that other schools can engage in to help them examine and express the Land Acknowledgement to move beyond words to bring it to life.

Presenter(s): Anita McFarlane, Teacher, YRDSB

Audience: AllThis workshop will outline an elementary educator’s approach to being a change leader, changing beliefs to work towards gender equity in the math classroom. Working with partners to co-create a shared vision, the initial aim was to gather data to elicit student voice and to focus on how girls may experience math in a more positive manner in a math classroom. The secondary aim was to use student voice data to improve gender equity beyond the elementary classroom. Jo Boaler’s online, “How to Learn Math” course was used with a focus group to encourage a more positive belief about math. The school’s goals aligned with the SIP, YRDSB’s DAP/MYSP 2018-2022 and Mission, Vision and Values. Join Tanusree to learn how collaborating with Administrators, members of the Equity Team, Leadership Team and Positive Space Club, Divisional Leads, Teachers, Teacher Candidates and School Council built the collective capacity of the school and made positive attitudinal change. Together, they found a way to include various competing voices, including those who may have felt silenced, as this process unfolded.

Presenter(s): Tanusree Das, Vice Principal, YRDSB

Audience: Elementary (K-8) Administrators / TeachersStudents in some specialized programs, such as being withdrawn on a long-term basis for mathematics, can limit students’ access and opportunity to engage in grade-appropriate content and experiences. This can lead to disparaging outcomes. Data shows that students with special education needs have disproportionately been streamed into courses that limit pathways to graduation and post-secondary education. In 2021, the Ontario Ministry of Education released a revised de-streamed mathematics curriculum for Grade 9. Recognizing that intermediate students who have been streamed into special education classes would likely face challenges in a de-streamed program, the York Region District School Board has examined pedagogy to better support inclusion of elementary students in mathematics classes. Join Elli and Jordan as they share their journey collaborating with educators in the use of instructional strategies centered on student well-being, engagement, and achievement with the goal of supporting the transition to de-streamed Grade 9 math.

Presenter(s): Elli Weisdorf, Teacher, YRDSB, Jordan Rappaport, Teacher, YRDSB

Audience: Directors, Elementary (K-8) Administrators, International Delegations, Secondary (9-12) Administrators, Secondary (9-12) Teachers, Superintendents, Support Staff, TrusteesThis practical and interactive workshop will provide participants with an opportunity to reflect on their practice of effective communication in relation to ethical leadership. We will explore concepts and practices that create effective communication, deepen relationships, and help navigate differences with more skill, confidence, and ease. Participants will develop their understanding of the impact of communication on well-being and provide a foundation of effective communication that supports staff and students. Through interactive activities participants will explore how to bring in a higher level of awareness to what it means to be an effective listener, and speaker taking into account all voices.

Presenter(s): Angela Ventrice, Teacher, YRDSB, Heidi Bornstein, Director and Co-Founder of Mindfulness Everyday

Audience: teachers, support staff and K-8 adminStaff and student representatives from Alexander Mackenzie High School will share the process of engaging in student-facilitated town halls to foster safe, equitable and inclusive learning environments. By combining an anti-oppression framework with student voice opportunities to identify, address and monitor school needs, the workshop will demonstrate AMHS’s journey to co-construct identity-affirming spaces while dismantling colonial student leadership practices. This interactive workshop will encourage participants to reflect on methods to empower equitable student-voice practices in data analysis. This workshop will also further invite participants to reflect on their professional contexts, activating ethical leadership when using staff voice in school improvement planning. Workshop participants will receive customizable digital resources.

Presenter(s): Krista Luks, Principal, Catherine Clarke, Teacher, YRDSB, Scott Milne, Coordinator, Peel District School Board

 

Audience: AllThe York Region District School Board is committed to championing equity and inclusivity. In response to continued evidence of anti-Black racism in Canadian institutions, including in education, the Board has co-developed a Dismantling anti-Black racism strategy. The Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Strategy: Creating anti-racist and Black-affirming learning and working environments was co-developed by York Region Black community leaders, YRDSB staff, and students. One year into the strategy, this workshop aims to describe the roadmap, implementation supports, innovative practices, to support the dismantling of anti-Black racism through the work of the strategy, its priorities and actions. Join Darcie Sutherland and Mawuli  Chai, to hear about different ways to create affirming learning environments for Black students, staff and families through the Centre for Black Student Excellence.

Presenter(s): Darcie Sutherland, Principal Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Strategy Implementation Plan, Principal, ICSC, YRDSB  and Mawuli Chai, Strategist, Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Strategy Implementation Plan, YRDSB

Audience:   K-12 Educators, Administrators, Supervisory OfficersThe CCT Team will host a moderated panel discussing the work they are doing in the school board to support student mental health through identity-specific and affirming lenses. The team will touch on ways supports are being provide both directly to students and indirectly through professional development for staff, community engagement, and caregiver learning. The team (and panel) consists of representation from identity-specific communities including 2SLGBTQI+, Chinese Canadian, African Heritage and Caribbean Diaspora, Tamil Diaspora, and Indigenous Communities. The discussion will centre around the importance of providing affirming care and support, how this is being done in the board in line with strategies such as the Mental Health Strategy, Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Strategy, etc., and how everyone can integrate more of these approaches into their work and lives.

Presenter(s): Max Denley, School Social Worker, YRDSB

Audience: AllThis workshop will look at those moments in education when educators have upheld treaty rights for students and communities. These moments will demonstrate how to effect real change for Indigenous students and understand how Indigenous ethics can guide positive change for everyone. There will be a discussion about how ethical leadership can involve lending your positional power to support the community who leads the work. Participants will leave with a sense with how to support community and create space for it to lead, and how to avoid actions that are tokenistic and ineffective in improving student outcomes or inclusion.

Presenter(s): Andrew McConnell, Teacher Coordinator, FNMI, YRDSB and Kyle Herbert, FNMI Consultant YRDSB

Audience: AllIn this session, we will explore the concept of, “Ethical Leadership” by presenting the journey to create the YRDSB Leadership Framework. A key element of this were the actions taken to determine the key themes of ethical leadership in which the framework is founded on. We will then share how the framework is impacting and being utilized in the YRDSB. Using the ideas of ethical leadership, participants will then engage with a case study in which participants will be asked to make a decision through the lens of ethical leadership.

Presenter(s): Dane Lawrence-Prince, Principal, & Lindsey Diakiw, Principal, YRDSB

Audience: AllThis session provides an introduction to the YRDSB Text Selection Tool and an opportunity to become familiar with the context for its creation and use, an overview of its framework, and leadership considerations. The Text Selection Tool will be explored within the context of the DAP, Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Strategy and an Anti-Oppressive Framework. Participants will hear of the leadership journey in the creation and ongoing implementation of the tool, as well as practical strategies to use as leaders to actualize the work at the classroom or school level, including connecting with and leveraging community voice.

Presenter(s):  Dana Wallace, Teacher Coordinator, Robyn Ecclestone, Teacher Consultant, YRDSB

Audience: AllIn this learning experience, educators and students will engage in an inquiry related to ethical leadership in digital environments. Access to a device (i.e. Chromebook, Laptop, Cell Phone, etc.) will be useful during the session. During the session, there will be an option to use Flip (Flipgrid). According to YRDSB Digital Tool Approval Process (DTAP), this is a yellow tool, if interested in using this tool with your students, please have guardian/family consent signed prior to the session. No prior experience using Flip is required. Non-YRDSB participants my wish to visit flip.com for information and access options.

Presenter(s): Stephanie Weyrich, Shailah Damji, Alison MacPherson, Teacher on Assignment Digital Literacy, YRDSB

Audience: Elementary educators to join with their students (Grade 4 to 8)Participants will take part in a beginner Anishinaabemowin class with one of YRDSB’s language teachers.

Presenter(s): Kelsey Trivett, Teacher Ojibway Language, YRDSB

Audience: All, Educators/Students Gr K-5

Day 2 Workshops

All “C” workshops will be offered in the morning. All “D” workshops will be offered in the afternoon.Participants will learn about four frameworks: (1) the ethical leadership characteristics of character, actions, goals, honesty, power, and values (Northouse, 2021); (2) ethical leadership principles of respect, service, justice, honesty, and community (Northouse & Lee, 2022); (3) ethical leadership paradigms of justice, critique, care, and profession (Shapiro & Stefkovich, 2022); and (4) Ontario College of Teachers’ Ethical Standards of care, respect, trust, and integrity. The majority of the workshop is spent applying these four ethical leadership frameworks to critically analyze a case study created based on YRDSB’s “Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Strategy” (Turner Consulting Group, 2020) and “Towards Race Equity in Education””(James & Turner, 2017). Participants will enhance their racial literacy skills as they continue their journey towards being anti-racist and creating environments which are equitable, inclusive, culturally responsive, and anti-oppressive.

Presenter(s): Louis Lim, Principal, YRDSB

Audience: AllParticipants will engage with YRDSB/York University Experiential Arts Mentorship Program (EAMP) Leaders who will share their experiences in collaborating with York U’s Theatre Department to create an experiential learning opportunity for staff and students. EAMP is a multi-level program designed to promote well-being and student-centred performance work. It encourages collaboration between York U’s Theatre Program, elementary/secondary Drama/Dance Educators, and elementary/secondary YRDSB students. The program is designed to promote mattering and belonging; affirm students identities and centre student voice. It supports relationship building between elementary/secondary/post-secondary panels and provides access to de-centred arts performance work that is anti-racist, anti-oppressive and anti-colonial. Participants will engage with panelists on how to utilize experiential mentorship to bring people together, including our marginalized learners, to share their stories.

Presenter(s): Karen O’Meara, YRDSB Teacher, Stephanie Singer, YRDSB Teacher and Stephanie Goldman, YRDSB Teacher

Audience: AllHow can we have conversations in our classroom about Ethical Leadership? How can we support our students’ understanding of ethical issues and ethical actions? We live in a photograph-ladened world, and students need the tools to decode the many images they see. More than media literacy, Decoding Photographs involves visual literacy and can involve other literacies like cultural and digital literacy. This interactive workshop on Decoding Photographs will demonstrate how the ethical actions for leaders in the YRDSB Leadership Framework look like in the classroom. Participants will be taken through the 4-step process which can be used regularly or situationally. It will also help participants explore how the gradual release of using the process in their classrooms can also help students work towards the culminating titled of Snapshop: A Photo Synthesis where students select or take a photograph and lead the decoding of this text. Decoding Photographs using this process allows learners to deconstruct rich, meaningful images and co-construct meaning with their classmates and their teacher.

Presenter(s): Noa Daniel, Teacher, YRDSB

Audience: AllTVO’s digital learning resources represent all Ontarians, are available free of charge, and level the playing field for virtual and at-school learning. TVO is deeply committed to supporting Ontario students with its focus on well-being, excellence, and equity. Participants will be introduced to TVO’s free K-12 digital learning resources, with a focus on TVO Learn. TVO Learn provides curriculum-linked resources and activities to support Ontario learners, families, and educators. TVO Learn is inclusive and accessible for all learners. Through connecting with TVO Learn, ethical leadership will be enhanced by furthering knowledge of culturally relevant resources. Participants will better understand how to foster inclusive learning, and support a sense of belonging by celebrating students’ and parents/caregivers’ identities. Participants will be invited to explore, through live-demos, how these resources can complement existing learning at school, online, or at home.

Presenter(s): Bill Urs, TVO

Audience: AllThe workshop will present and discuss students’ perception data collected through the Every Student Count Survey in 2018-19 and the Student and Family Surveys in 2020-21 and 2021-22. The session will provide the audience with an opportunity to learn how to examine, interpret, and reflect on the data in order to intentionally identify systemic barriers and biases to student success and wellbeing and to ensure equitable, inclusive, and identity-affirming learning environments for all students.

Presenter(s): Mahshid Azimi, Project Manager Research, YRDSB

Audience: AllApplying Anti-Racist and Anti-Oppressive Educational Praxis to Transformational Ethical Leadership] will provide school leaders the critical knowledge, skills, tools and resources required to interrogate their capacity for ethical leadership using an anti-racist and anti-oppressive leadership framework. This framework will include four key domains of influence for leaders: building (1) critical leader efficacy, (2) teacher practice, (3) affirming and inclusive school culture, and (4) relational reciprocity with community. Drawing from Mohammed Khalifa, Ann Lopez and Dr. Erica Buchanan-Rivera’s scholarship on culturally responsive and identity-affirming school leadership practices, school and system leaders will have the opportunity to engage with the framework to develop actionable school and system improvement goals, in alignment with the YRDSB’s Indigenous Education and Equity Strategy (IEES) and Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Strategy (DABRS).

Presenter(s): Fawzia Durrani, Principal, Inclusive Schools and Community Services, YRDSB, 

Pirasanya Gnanasuntharam, Equity and Inclusive Education Consultants Coordinator, YRDSB

Audience: Elementary (K-8) Administrators / Secondary (9-12) Administrators, Aspiring LeadersK-12 educators are invited to join us to explore a variety of ways to establish reciprocal relationships and engage with families throughout the school year. This session will center CRRP while focusing on accessing family contact information, initial communication, creating opportunities for family engagement and tracking communication throughout the school year.

Presenter(s): Susan Soh, Teacher Consultant, YRDSB, Jaymyi Lesmond, Teacher Consultant, YRDSB

Audience: Elementary K-8 Teachers and Secondary 9-12 Teachers / K-8 and 9-12 AdministratorsThis session will highlight the current resources available, and the ongoing cycle of dialogue to support faith accommodations in schools. Faith Accommodations must be rooted in humanity and relationships. The Framework for Inviting and Responding to Requests for Faith Purposes serves as a guide to support school staff in providing accommodations for faith purposes to students based upon student/family requests. This framework invites staff and families to collaborate in the decisions made about planning for instruction and assessment of curriculum. The framework creates an opportunity for all stakeholders in the learning community to co-reflect on ways to affirm and centre students’ identities. The goal is to create an inclusive and culturally responsive learning environment where students know they matter and belong.

Presenter(s): Jilian Stambolich, Teacher Consultant, YRDSB

Audience: AllBACKYARD/STUDIO SPACE: Students and educators in Grades 4-12 are invited to participate as a class in a synchronous knowledge building circle as we explore ethical leadership through the Arts and Environmental Justice. YRDSB educators will sign up on behalf of their class and share on a classroom screen to navigate the learning together.

Presenter(s): Tanya Murray, Teacher Coordinator, Lesley DeMille, Teacher Consultant, YRDSB, and Haley Higdon, Project Coordinator Natural Curiosity

Audience: Educators/students Grade 4-12Join us in this synchronous session as we explore ways to build student voice and choice and code with a purpose through authentic design thinking action projects.

Presenter(s): Dennis Stam, Teacher Consultant, YRDSB and Joanna Bull, Teacher Consultant, YRDSB

Audience: Intermediate Educators Grade 7-10, Secondary (Grade 9-12) Educators onlyIn this session educators and Grade 6-8 students are learning to co-construct understanding and knowledge of the power of student voice to impact change, we will use Soundtrap, a digital audio workstation (DAW). Access to a device (i.e. Chromebook, Desktop Computer, or Laptop) will be useful during the session.

YRDSB Educators and students joining the session must follow the YRDSB Digital Tool Approval Process (DTAP), Soundtrap is a yellow tool, please have guardian/family consent signed prior to the session.  Non-YRDSB participants may wish to visit Soundtrap.com for information and access options.

Presenter(s): Jilian Stambolich, Teacher Consultant, YRDSB, Shailah Damji, Teacher on Assignment Digital Literacy YRDSB; Serena Robinett, Soundtrap Representative 

Audience: Educators, and YRDSB Educators/Students (Gr. 6-8)Join Tiiu Strutt for a sing along of songs that spark curiosity and inspire children (and educators alike) in connecting with the land. 

Presenter(s): Tiiu Strutt, Land Heart Song 

Audience: K-3 students and educatorsParticipants will learn about four frameworks: (1) the ethical leadership characteristics of character, actions, goals, honesty, power, and values (Northouse, 2021); (2) ethical leadership principles of respect, service, justice, honesty, and community (Northouse & Lee, 2022); (3) ethical leadership paradigms of justice, critique, care, and profession (Shapiro & Stefkovich, 2022); and (4) Ontario College of Teachers’ Ethical Standards of care, respect, trust, and integrity. The majority of the workshop is spent applying these four ethical leadership frameworks to critically analyze a case study created based on YRDSB’s “”Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Strategy”” (Turner Consulting Group, 2020) and “Towards Race Equity in Education” (James & Turner, 2017). Participants will enhance their racial literacy skills as they continue their journey towards being anti-racist and creating environments which are equitable, inclusive, culturally responsive, and anti-oppressive.

Presenter(s): Louis Lim, Principal, YRDSB

Audience: AllParticipants will engage with YRDSB/York University Experiential Arts Mentorship Program (EAMP) Leaders who will share their experiences in collaborating with York U’s Theatre Department to create an experiential learning opportunity for staff and students. EAMP is a multi-level program designed to promote well-being and student-centred performance work. It encourages collaboration between York U’s Theatre Program, elementary/secondary Drama/Dance Educators, and elementary/secondary YRDSB students. The program is designed to promote mattering and belonging; affirm students identities and centre student voice. It supports relationship building between elementary/secondary/post-secondary panels and provides access to de-centred arts performance work that is anti-racist, anti-oppressive and anti-colonial. Participants will engage with panelists on how to utilize experiential mentorship to bring people together, including our marginalized learners, to share their stories.

Presenter(s): Karen O’Meara, YRDSB Teacher, Stephanie Singer, YRDSB Teacher and Stephanie Goldman, YRDSB Teacher

Audience: AllHow can we have conversations in our classroom about Ethical Leadership? How can we support our students’ understanding of ethical issues and ethical actions? We live in a photograph-ladened world, and students need the tools to decode the many images they see. More than media literacy, Decoding Photographs involves visual literacy and can involve other literacies like cultural and digital literacy. This interactive workshop on Decoding Photographs will demonstrate how the ethical actions for leaders in the YRDSB Leadership Framework look like in the classroom. Participants will be taken through the 4-step process which can be used regularly or situationally. It will also help participants explore how the gradual release of using the process in their classrooms can also help students work towards the culminating titled of Snapshop: A Photo Synthesis where students select or take a photograph and lead the decoding of this text. Decoding Photographs using this process allows learners to deconstruct rich, meaningful images and co-construct meaning with their classmates and their teacher.

Presenter(s): Noa Daniel, Teacher, YRDSB

Audience: AllTVO’s digital learning resources represent all Ontarians, are available free of charge, and level the playing field for virtual and at-school learning. TVO is deeply committed to supporting Ontario students with its focus on well-being, excellence, and equity. Participants will be introduced to TVO’s free K-12 digital learning resources, with a focus on TVO Learn. TVO Learn provides curriculum-linked resources and activities to support Ontario learners, families, and educators. TVO Learn is inclusive and accessible for all learners. Through connecting with TVO Learn, ethical leadership will be enhanced by furthering knowledge of culturally relevant resources. Participants will better understand how to foster inclusive learning, and support a sense of belonging by celebrating students’ and parents/caregivers’ identities. Participants will be invited to explore, through live-demos, how these resources can complement existing learning at school, online, or at home.

Presenter(s): Urs Bill, TVO

Audience: AllThe workshop will present and discuss students’ perception data collected through the Every Student Count Survey in 2018-19 and the Student and Family Surveys in 2020-21 and 2021-22. The session will provide the audience with an opportunity to learn how to examine, interpret, and reflect on the data in order to intentionally identify systemic barriers and biases to student success and wellbeing and to ensure equitable, inclusive, and identity-affirming learning environments for all students.

Presenter(s): Mahshid Azimi, Project Manager Research, YRDSB

Audience: AllApplying Anti-Racist and Anti-Oppressive Educational Praxis to Transformational Ethical Leadership] will provide school leaders the critical knowledge, skills, tools and resources required to interrogate their capacity for ethical leadership using an anti-racist and anti-oppressive leadership framework. This framework will include four key domains of influence for leaders: building (1) critical leader efficacy, (2) teacher practice, (3) affirming and inclusive school culture, and (4) relational reciprocity with community. Drawing from Mohammed Khalifa, Ann Lopez and Dr. Erica Buchanan-Rivera’s scholarship on culturally responsive and identity-affirming school leadership practices, school and system leaders will have the opportunity to engage with the framework to develop actionable school and system improvement goals, in alignment with the YRDSB’s Indigenous Education and Equity Strategy (IEES) and Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Strategy (DABRS).

Presenter(s): Fawzia Durrani, Principal, Inclusive School and Community Services,YRDSB, Pirasanya Gnanasuntharam, Equity and Inclusive Education Consultants Coordinator,YRDSB

Audience: Elementary (K-8) Administrators / Secondary (9-12) Administrators, Aspiring LeadersEnjoy a guided hike of the Vivian Outdoor Resource Centre to explore the land and all of its’ stories. A question and answer period will follow the walk.

Presenter(s): Paul Cooney, Teacher on  Assignment YRDSB and Sarah McKenzie, Outdoor Education Specialist, YRDSB

Audience: K-Grade 4 Educators to join with their studentsK-12 educators are invited to join us to explore a variety of ways to establish reciprocal relationships and engage with families throughout the school year. This session will center CRRP while focusing on accessing family contact information, initial communication, creating opportunities for family engagement and tracking communication throughout the school year.

Presenter(s): Susan Soh, Teacher Consultant, YRDSB, Jaymyi Lesmond, Teacher Consultant, YRDSB

Audience: Elementary K-8 Teachers and Secondary 9-12 Teachers / K-8 and 9-12 AdministratorsParticipants will take part in a beginner Anishinaabemowin class with one of YRDSB’s language teachers.

Presenter(s): Don Couchie, Teacher, YRDSB

Audience: All, Educators/students Gr.6-12BACKYARD: The Green Ummah’s Environmental Justice Workshop provides participants with an understanding of systemic racism and environmental racism in Canada through the analysis of historical and contemporary examples. This workshop will give participants the opportunity to reflect on their role within existing power structures and work collectively towards environmental justice.

Presenter(s): Aadil Nathani, Green Ummah 

Audience: All, Educators and students 7-12In this session we focus on the power of student voice to impact change, we will use Soundtrap, a digital audio workstation (DAW). Students in Grades 9-12 will reflect on, and identify their gifts, passions and strengths while making connections to what ethical leadership means to them through the creation of a digital message. Access to a device (i.e. Chromebook, Desktop Computer, or Laptop) will be useful during the session.

According to YRDSB Digital Tool Approval Process (DTAP), Soundtrap is a yellow tool, please have guardian/family consent signed prior to the session. Non-YRDSB participants may wish to visit Soundtrap.com for information and access options. 

Presenter(s): Shailah Damji, Teacher on Assignment Digital Literacy, YRDSB; Serena Robinett, Soundtrap Representative 

Audience: Educators and Students in Secondary Grade 9-12Join International Steelpan Artist and Composer, Joy Lapps-Lewis, along with the staff and students at Trillium Woods PS in this dynamic 1 hour presentation. See and hear the music and histories of Steelpan in action! Explore the resources and guides available for your school to begin working and learning alongside Black community artists in Phase 1 of YRDSB’s Dismantling Anti-Black Racism through the Arts. YRDSB educators will sign up individually, or will participate with students and share on a classroom screen to view together.

Presenter(s): Joy Lapps-Lewis, Steelpan Artist, Jilian Stambolich, Teacher Consultant, YRDSB and Lesley DeMille, Teacher Consultant, YRDSB

Audience: All, Educators and Students in Grades K-12