OHASSTA AESHO Logo 500

By Rachel Collishaw

Spring has finally sprung in most of the province. As I watch the last chunks of ice melt away, I feel renewed and energized and like I have been hibernating all winter. However, when I think about what we’ve been up to with OHASSTA, incubation seems a more appropriate word. We have been working on quite a few projects since we last saw each other in November, and I’m excited to tell you all about them.

For our fall conference this year, we are going to be at McMaster University in Hamilton on November 1-2. We are excited to share the work that we have been doing with two partnerships out of McMaster - the Wilson Institute for Canadian History and The Collaborative, both of whom aim to connect teachers and academics in meaningful ways. This opportunity moves our main conference day to Saturday, November 2, with a social and bonus event on Friday November 1st. We know that despite what happens with contract talks, supply teacher shortages, or whatever new thing the provincial government throws at us, we will continue to support our students, and seek support from each other. The theme for this year’s conference is Thinking Classrooms: Thinking Citizens, and I am sure that we will have lots to talk about! Watch for workshop submissions coming soon.

Details
Category: Blog

George

By George Janeteas

 

It is an absolute pleasure to be working with Zoe as co-editor on The Rapport blog this year. I have been with the TDSB teaching English, History and Social Sciences for almost 5 years.  Much of my work has been dedicated to supporting deep learning with technology and literacy development.  I also had the pleasure of co-writing and facilitating the Cultivating Resilience workshop at the OSSTF Regional Conferences last year.  I’m excited to share with all of you how that learning has shown up in my classes in a future post.  On a side note, my learning taught me that increased class sizes does not, in fact, build resilience in our learners.

I have learned that it takes a great deal of courage to be a History and Social Science teacher. Every day, we have to approach very challenging topics with sensitivity, perspective, and compassion.  It’s no wonder that emerging work in global competencies and culturally responsive pedagogy doesn’t necessarily feel new to us.  What’s Civics without deep learning around Global Citizenship and Character?  What is Equity and Social Justice without Critical Thinking and Problem Solving?  The teaching and learning in our courses naturally prepare students to become effective change agents in their communities. 

Details
Category: Blog