Welcome to Nevaeh Rae, who is working with Keewatinase’s Anishinaabemowik Language Program over the summer as a work-study student.

Nevaeh is currently pursuing a Honours Bachelor of Education degree at Lakehead, and has previous administrative experience working with Lakehead’s Achievement Program and the Niiji Indigenous Mentorship Program. 

In reflecting on her new role, Nevaeh says she is “looking forward to learning about the ‘behind the scenes’ elements of the Anishinaabemowik Language Program.” She adds that so far, her work has given her “a new perspective on how much administration makes a difference in terms of how a program runs.”

Nevaeh says she is pursuing an HBEd degree because “there is a need for more teachers in First Nation reserves, as well as Indigenous teachers in cities. I’d like to be able to connect with students and inspire them to reach their goals, as former teachers of mine inspired me to enroll in the HBEd program.”

She also shared that she comes from a big family: “I have a total of 9 siblings. I am currently the only one in my family pursuing post-secondary education. My older brother graduated from college in 2021, and I am next in line!” 

Welcome, Nevaeh!

Jake White has joined the Faculty of Education as Administrative and Scheduling Assistant, Orillia campus.

This new role marks a return to Lakehead for Jake, who worked as an Administrative Assistant in the Faculty in the summer of 2019 and who graduated from the BEd program in 2021.

“I’m really enjoying being back on campus and seeing all of the familiar faces,” says Jake. “The faculty and staff at Lakehead Orillia played a big part in my personal and professional development, and a major role in my success during my undergraduate and BEd degrees. Now, I hope to carry the torch and play a positive and supportive role in students’ educational journeys.”

Outside of work, Jake says he is interested in ‘all things tech.’

“For the past while, I've spent a lot of my free time programming for various personal projects, and collaborating with other developers. I always enjoy learning new skills and information, and this has led to me picking up new hobbies every several months. I'm currently looking into animation workflow and tools, and hope to start tinkering soon. Besides that, I enjoy spending time with friends and family and, of course, taking time to do absolutely nothing and lay like broccoli.”

Welcome, Jake!

Congratulations to Tianying (Sky) Li (BEd graduate, 2024), who has received the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) Faculty of Education Award. This award is granted to a graduating Intermediate/Senior Teacher Candidate who exemplifies award criteria, including engaging in social activism to promote the professional nature of teaching and demonstrating leadership among Teacher Candidates.

Tianying (Sky) demonstrated dedication to social activism and leadership throughout his time in the BEd program. In course work and teaching placements, he has advocated for equal opportunities for all students, including international students and those who speak English as a second language. He has facilitated communications between parents, school boards, students, and teachers to promote an inclusive environment for students from diverse cultures, and those who identify as 2SLGBTQ+. He has also privileged Indigenous ways of learning in the classroom by inviting Indigenous guest speakers and holding sharing circles with classes.

“Respect and dignity are values I hold dear,” Tianying (Sky) explains. “In my classroom, I encourage students to reflect on social justice issues and political systems, express their voices, organize events, and think about their contributions to their local community. I strive to foster a sense of community and encourage students to advocate for themselves.”

One of his Associate Teachers, who provided a reference letter to OSSTF, noted: “I am especially impressed with Mr. Li’s skill at promoting mental health, wellbeing and community building in our school. He has developed and implemented daily routines and practices of mindfulness, gratitude, reflection, and self-awareness that has improved the interconnectedness of our students and opened up conversations, in very professionally appropriate ways, that support well-being and personal balance.”

Congratulations Tianying (Sky) on this achievement!

MEd graduate Tanya Thomas (2024; specialization Environmental & Sustainability Education; BEd, 2006) is a math and science learning leader and teacher in the Calgary Board of Education’s Arts Centred Learning at Willow Park School. She recently led her Grade 8 Science students in a five-month experiential learning and environment stewardship program where they nurtured rainbow trout from eggs to juvenile fish in a classroom aquarium—then released them at McLean Pond in Kananaskis Country.

Tanya explained that the program dovetailed with the Science curriculum’s Fresh and Saltwater Systems unit. By examining trout habitat requirements and assessing suitable environments, students developed an understanding of ecological principles in action. In addition to getting experience raising the fish, they learned about ecosystems and water bodies in the province.

The endeavor was featured on CTV News, as an example of one class participating in Alberta’s Fish in Schools Program. Every January, the program sends out eggs to approximately 95 schools across the province, and participating classes receive a fish research license that allows them to raise the trout and then release them into provincially approved water bodies.

Tanya (pictured below, with her class at McLean Pond), created a video documenting the fishes’ growth, from egg stage until five months old.

The Faculty of Education's May 2024 Education Exchange newsletter is now published.

This issue features articles about the Faculty's Drag Queen Storytime event, the winners of the RITE (Research in Teacher Education) award, alumni profiles, Faculty news, a discussion of the misconceptions about Ontario's sex education curriculum, and more.

To access this issue, click here.

The Ontario Association for Mathematics Education (OAME) has announced that Kit Luce (Educator, Simcoe County District School Board and Contract Lecturer, Professional Development in Education Department) is the recipient of the 2023-24 Award for Leadership in Mathematics Education.

The Award for Leadership in Mathematics Education is presented annually to an educator who demonstrates leadership by contributing in a significant way to the development of mathematics educators and the enhancement of mathematics education in Ontario through innovation and/or research related activities.

Kit, who joined SCDSB in 2005, has been instrumental in developing mathematics instruction and assessment resources for both educators and students. She currently serves as the District School Effectiveness Math Facilitator for Kindergarten to Grade 9.

Kit has also written and taught a number of Mathematics Additional Qualifications courses for Lakehead’s Professional Development in Education department.

Starting in September 2024, Kit will assume the role of OAME President. She has previously held positions as President and Program Chair of the local OAME chapter, the Mathematics Association for Cottage Country.

Congratulations, Kit!

The Ontario Association of Deans of Education (OADE) is committed to defending and promoting equity and human rights in, and through, education for all members of Ontario society and to promoting learning, change and dialogue to dismantle anti-Black racist structures across the education sector.

OADE is pleased to announce the launch of its Commitment to Anti-Black Racism Education and Black Inclusion in Ontario Higher Education. OADE commits to more substantive, timely, and tangible actions to redress anti-Black racism and to foster Black scholarship, research, teaching, and learning within Faculties of Education. This work is guided by the Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Canadian Higher Education's four overarching principles of Black flourishing, inclusive excellence, mutuality, and accountability.

We call on all educators, students, and community partners to commit to address anti-Black racism in all of its forms and to learn, reflect and celebrate Black history and excellence all year round.

Read OADE’s Commitment to Anti-Black Racism Education and Black Inclusion in Ontario Higher Education [English / French].

Dr. Connie Russell (Professor, Faculty of Education) recently co-edited—with Annette Gough (RMIT University, Australia), Yi Chien Jade Ho (University of Victoria, Canada), Teresa Lloro (California State Polytechnic University, USA), Shirley Walters (University of the Western Cape, South Africa) and Hilary Whitehouse (James Cook University, Australia)—a Special Issue of the highly ranked journal, Gender and Education. The issue focuses on how ecofeminist thought has informed, or could inform, educational theory and practice.

Ecofeminism emerged 50 years ago as both an activist and scholarly movement interested in the relationship between gender and environment, with numerous branches sprouting from diverse contexts. The popularity of ecofeminist ideas has ebbed and flowed in academic and activist circles over the years. In the past decade, there has been a resurgence of interest in ecofeminism. The articles included in this Special Issue are grounded in different geographical and cultural contexts, theoretical and disciplinary traditions, and teaching and learning environments, and discuss a variety of ways ecofeminist ideas could be taken up in education.

The full issue is available here.

The Lakehead Leader Recognition Program was established to acknowledge exceptional students who have made valuable contributions within the university and beyond. Sidney Howlett (MEd student with a specialization in Environmental and Sustainability Education) has been named a Lakehead Leader for her contributions in the areas of Academic Excellence and Sustainability.

Nominated by her supervisor, Dr. Ellen Field (Assistant Professor, Orillia), Sidney’s nomination letter indicated that she has “maintained an A+ average in her MEd program. She is an active member of clubs and committees, [and] contributes to research on climate change education at Lakehead” with co-authored reports and journal papers, while also presenting at events and conferences.

The nomination letter also notes that Sidney “is on the inaugural Mental Health and Climate Change Alliance’s Youth Advisory Board. She is a contributor and program advisor for the Climate Action Accelerator Program and has started a consulting business for school boards (Sidney Howlett Consulting). Sidney has advanced climate action in Canada’s education sector through her valuable contributions to research ... classroom guest speaking engagements, public lectures and volunteer work relating to sustainability issues, such as supporting youth eco-anxiety or addressing plastic waste. Through her personal and professional endeavours, she is creating a more beautiful, resilient world.”

Below: Sidney (left) with Linda Rodenburg (Interim Principal, Orillia campus)

The Lakehead Leader Recognition Program was established to acknowledge exceptional students who have made valuable contributions within the university and beyond. Mohit Dudeja (PhD student and Contract Lecturer) has received an award for their demonstrated leadership in the Program categories of Academic Excellence, Innovation, and Community Engagement. As a result of receiving recognition as a Lakehead Leader in these three categories, Mohit was also named a ‘Lakehead Luminary’ for their work.

Mohit was nominated by their doctoral supervisor, Dr. Gerald Walton (Professor, Faculty of Education) and selected by a review committee. Their nomination letter outlined details of how Mohit met the criteria for the Program awards, and included the following paragraph:

“Since beginning the doctoral program in 2021, [Mohit has] consistently demonstrated academic excellence, completing their PhD coursework a term earlier than their peers with an outstanding score, demonstrating a strong work ethic and time management. They received prestigious, competitive awards in 2023 such as the doctoral fellowship of the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) and the Ontario Graduate Scholarship. Their research on the experiences of queer international students in small Canadian cities is both important and timely, addressing current issues in social justice education. They actively engage in community service and leadership, fostering inclusivity through initiatives such as peer support groups at Lakehead and founding the Mendlife Foundation in India, among others. Their innovative thinking is evident in such initiatives as the Queer Graduate Studies Circle and their creative response to the housing crisis in Thunder Bay.”

Below: Mohit (left), pictured with Dr. Rhonda Koster (Deputy Provost and Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning).