Good evening,
Thank you for joining us at the 2025 Annual General Meeting of the Ontario History and Social Science Teachers’ Association. It is a privilege to gather once again as a community united by our commitment to nurturing historical thinking, civic awareness, and social science literacy across Ontario.
OHASSTA continues to serve as a vital professional home for educators dedicated to helping students understand the complexities of the past, the responsibilities of citizenship, and the dynamics of our contemporary world. Through advocacy, professional learning, and community-building, our association ensures that History and the Social Sciences remain critical and relevant in our classrooms. Our strength has always been our shared belief in inquiry, critical thinking, and the telling of diverse and inclusive stories—principles that shape both our curriculum and our collective work.
A defining moment this year was our Unlocked Conference, held in partnership with the Wilson College of Leadership & Civic Engagement and McMaster University. This collaboration allowed us to bring together educators, scholars, and community leaders in a dynamic learning space dedicated to exploring how history, civic engagement, leadership, and social science research intersect in modern education.
The conference energized our membership with sessions that not only deepened content knowledge but also highlighted practical, classroom-ready approaches to fostering student agency and democratic participation. We extend our sincere thanks to our partners at Wilson College and McMaster University and to the many presenters that gifted us their time, generosity, and commitment to empowering educators and students alike.
Beyond the conference, our ongoing webinar series has continued to provide accessible, high-quality professional learning throughout the year. Covering topics ranging from historical inquiry to decolonizing curriculum, civic literacy, and interdisciplinary instruction, these webinars have supported educators province-wide in meaningful and flexible ways.
Thank you to everyone who helped plan, host, present, and moderate these sessions. You have ensured that OHASSTA-AESHO’s impact extends far beyond any single event.
This year, we are especially proud to recognize several exceptional educators whose work reflects the highest ideals of our profession:
- Butch Rickeard, TAC Team Lead for Ontario, whose leadership and dedication have strengthened teacher collaboration and contributed significantly to professional learning in our disciplines.
- Meghan Cameron, recipient of the OJEN Chief Justice Award, honoured for her outstanding contributions to law-related education and for inspiring students to engage thoughtfully with justice and civic responsibility.
- Christina Iorio, recipient of the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence in STEM, celebrated for her innovative and interdisciplinary approach that bridges STEM learning with critical thinking, inquiry, and real-world problem-solving.
We congratulate each of these remarkable educators for the recognition they have earned and for the impact they continue to have on students, colleagues, and the broader educational community.
Finally, I want to acknowledge the heart of OHASSTA: our volunteers. Our Executive, Board members give their time, vision, and energy to ensure that our association remains strong, relevant, and responsive. Your work empowers teachers across Ontario, and your dedication sustains the collaborative professional community we all value.
As we look ahead, I am confident that OHASSTA will continue to champion excellence in History and Social Science education, support our teachers, and help shape the engaged citizens of tomorrow. Thank you for your commitment, your passion, and your partnership.
In kindness, Sarah Murdoch
