Bridging the gap between mathematics education research and practice is a key focus of the recently published Teaching and Learning Secondary School Mathematics (2018, Springer).

Co-edited by Associate Professor Dr. Ann Kajander (Lakehead University), Dr. Jennifer Holm (University of Alberta), and Dr. Egan Chernoff (University of Saskatchewan), the volume – featuring a roster of Canadian and international authors – provides a synopsis of recent research about secondary level mathematics teaching and learning.

As stated on the Springer website: “The chapters address topics of broad applicability such as technology in learning mathematics, recent interest in social justice contexts in the learning of mathematics, as well as Indigenous education. The voices of classroom practitioners, the group ultimately responsible for implementing this new vision of mathematics teaching and learning, are not forgotten. Each section includes a chapter written by a classroom teacher, making this volume unique in its approach.”

Mathematics educator Dr. Ann Kajander, who has taught mathematics at the secondary and post-secondary level, says the book is designed to fill a gap in the literature and includes a uniquely Canadian perspective, situated in an international context. She reports that the editorial team was particularly thrilled with the book’s Forward, written by Indigenous mathematician and educator Edward Doolittle, in which he observes that “many of the chapters of this book are directly about Indigenous mathematics education” and that he was pleased to find some “connections to Indigenous cultures, issues, and peoples” in every chapter of the book.

Each of the book’s six sections is introduced with a Preface (or two) by senior Canadian mathematics education scholars or mathematicians. The final Commentaries in each section situate the chapters in an international context, including eight commentaries from scholars representing five different continents.

Dr. Gerald Walton, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education, was awarded the “Outstanding Advising and Mentoring Award” from the Canadian Association of Foundations of Education (CAFE) in May.

The award is presented each year to a CAFE member whose “dedication and commitment to excellence in undergraduate and/or graduate advising or mentorship has made a significant contribution to the professional growth of students working in the area of educational foundations,” as noted on the CAFE website.

Dr. Walton’s nominator described him as someone who “provided me with sound advice in my growth as a scholar but also helped me through personal challenges and hurdles … held high expectations … provided important guidance … a valued mentor whose guidance truly enriched my graduate studies experience.”

Dr. Walton notes that he was "delighted to have received this award at the CAFE Banquet in Regina. This award, in particular, means a lot to me because working with students and guiding them on what interests them academically is a huge privilege and the best part of my job, hands down. I remember professors who did the same for me when I was a student. It is very enjoyable to pay it forward and a thrill to watch students reach their potential.” 

The award was presented at the Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Association of Foundation of Education in Regina.

Pictured below: Dr. Gerald Walton (centre) receives award from Dr. Kurt Clausen (President, CAFE) and Dr. Shirley Van Nuland (1st Vice President, CAFE and Chair, Awards Committee).

Dr. Lisa Korteweg’s research project, the recently completed Tikkun Indigenous Youth Project, was featured in the Chronicle-Journal’s Research into Action series. This SSHRC-funded project – an international project with five research sites, including Thunder Bay – explores the factors that encourage youth, aged 16-25, to become drivers of change in their own communities.

"The Tikkun Indigenous Youth project site has helped to create safer spaces in Thunder Bay schools so that northern First Nation youth can buffer and navigate ongoing cultural differences while sharing positive experiences and building community with their Indigenous peers,” Dr. Korteweg explains in the article.

As part of the project, drop-in sessions were held at four high schools where data was collected from Indigenous students on how conditions could be improved as more welcoming and inclusive, and how students could become more engaged in community and school events.

In the third year of the Tikkun Thunder Bay site, a land-based, well-being retreat at Kingfisher Outdoor Education Centre was designed and implemented with 20 youth participants, 4 teacher candidates, and 4 Lakehead Public School Board teachers. At the camp, Master of Education student Jacky Chan, research assistant with the project, worked with the Indigenous youth as part of his research into play-based, laughter-yoga community building (see photo below), and mental health leadership.

The May 2018 issue of our Education Exchange newsletter has been published. This newsletter brings our current and former students as well as our educational partners together to share news, successes, and innovations.

Lakehead University’s Dr. Pauline Sameshima has been renewed as a Canada Research Chair in Arts Integrated Studies.

“Research helps build the life we want now and for future societies,” said Dr. Sameshima, a professor in the Faculty of Education. “Imagination allows researchers to construct narratives, stories, and mythologies of the kind of world we wish to occupy. As we think and imagine, we construct a new society.

“The knowledge economy has been replaced by the creative economy, bringing to the forefront worldwide studies that link weak creativity development at work and school to unhealthy economic and societal well-being,” she said. “Advances in Canada’s creativity will depend on broader audiences being able to participate in active learning and making at all levels. Creativity is not relegated to artists.”

The Canada Research Chairs program, which attracts world-class researchers to universities, has positioned Canada as an international leader and destination of choice in research and development. The research has potential benefits for Canadians and their families, businesses, practitioners and policy-makers. 

Dr. John O’Meara, Dean of Lakehead’s Faculty of Education, said Dr. Sameshima will continue working with partners and faculty in Thunder Bay, other parts of Canada, and internationally to develop creative ways of exploring and expressing research.

“We are proud to have Dr. Sameshima renewed as a CRC and look forward to seeing her research reach broad audiences through the arts,” Dr. O’Meara said.

Dr. Sameshima's research projects include the implementation of creativity propulsion theories, community-engaged research, prenatal education access, dementia studies, and designing teaching and learning models. Her position, funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, has been renewed for five years.

A recent book of poetry edited by Dr. Pauline Sameshima, professor and Canada Research Chair in Arts Integrated Studies in the Faculty of Education, has received a 2018 Society of Professors of Education Outstanding Book Honorable Mention Award.

Poetic Inquiry: Enchantment of Place was co-edited by Dr. Sameshima, Dr. Alexandra Fidyk (University of Alberta), Dr. Kedrick James (University of British Columbia), and Dr. Carl Leggo (University of British Columbia). The book celebrates poetry and poetic voices – theorizing and exploring poetic inquiry as an approach, methodology, and/or research method.

Dr. Sameshima extends a thank you to “Holly Tsun Haggarty and Maria Vasanelli, Education PhD students, whose work along with others in this book have made this possible.”

An awards ceremony was held at the annual meeting of the Society of Professors of Education at the American Educational Research Association meeting in New York.

For more information on the book, see here.

Concurrent Education (PJ) student Samantha Hill was recognized by Frontier College for her volunteer achievements in the Northern Ontario Region. As a volunteer and intern, she supported children's programs through STEM and Homework Clubs.

Master of Education student Jacky Can has been selected as a Canadian delegate to attend the 9th University Scholars Leadership Symposium at the United Nations in Bangkok next August. The week-long conference invites outstanding university students who demonstrate leadership ability and commitment to effecting positive change across the globe. 

Hosted by Humanitarian Affairs Asia and the United Nations Development Programme, the event is a leadership conference on social development for emerging world leaders. Delegates have the opportunity to explore what it means to give back to the community, and how they can respond to the needs of the marginalized with greater knowledge, skills, acts of kindness and unconditional service.

The symposium selected Jacky as a leader-delegate from Canada based on criteria of outstanding character, excellence in academics, and extracurricular strengths. 

Faculty of Education alumna Kylie Burchat (BEd, Orillia, 2017) has been recognized as one of 20 Government of Canada History Award winners for 2017. 

The goal of the Government of Canada History Awards is to connect youth to their history by honouring outstanding students and teachers who show an interest in celebrating Canadian history.

As a recipient of the award, Kylie explained, “I created a classroom activity for Grade 6 Social Studies, focusing on Communities in Canada, Past and Present. This lesson is part of a unit plan I created on multiculturalism in Canada and it focuses on refugees who are entering Canada. This lesson works toward a greater understanding of the need for inclusivity within the nation.”

The genesis of Kylie’s award-winning submission had its roots in her History and Education course work at Lakehead University.

The Government of Canada History Awards are administered by Canada’s History, an independent charitable organization whose mission is to promote greater popular interest in Canadian history. Winners were selected by a jury of history educators.

Lakehead University’s Department of Aboriginal Education was awarded a grant from the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT) for their project entitled, “Lakehead University's Culturally and Linguistically Relevant Teacher Education Programs.” 

This grant will allow the Department of Aboriginal Education to partner with Seven Generations Education Institute and Algoma University, exploring pathways for students to enter into the Indigenous Language Teacher Diploma program, as well as the HBEd program. 

Congratulations to Bryanna Scott, Indigenous Education Programs Coordinator and Brandi Shorthouse, Administrative Assistant, for their dedication and successful work on this grant.