ONABSE 2019 Provincial Conference and AGM: Full Schedule

8:30am EDT

On-site Registration and Sign in

Friday April 12, 2019 8:30am - Saturday April 13, 2019 8:00pm EDT

8:40am EDT

Continental Breakfast

Friday April 12, 2019 8:40am - 9:15am EDT
OCAD U - Main Room

Meal

9:15am EDT

Opening & Keynote Address

Speaker

Dr. Kimberly McLeod

Asst. Superintendent & TABSE Pesident

Dr. Kimberly McLeod has spent her professional career in public education. She has held various positions in the public school setting including that of a teacher, counselor, professor and administrator. She has earned a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University... Read More →

Friday April 12, 2019 9:15am - 10:15am EDT
OCAD University - Rooms 1 & 2

Keynote

10:25am EDT

Utilizing Technology to Promote Successful Outcomes

Teachers will be able to implement curriculurn, using G-Suite, and other apps/web based programs to support the learning of their students. Educators will have access to actual activities and strategies that promote digital fluency within the classroom. The Global Competencies will be highlighted, as we prepare students to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Speaker

Karen Lowhar & Donielle Norville

Karen Lowhar is a teacher with Toronto District School Board. Her teaching experience includes a variety of teaching assignments in different school settings, for the past 17 years. She is also currently a Student Support Coordinator, with an organization called, Leadership by Design... Read More →

Friday April 12, 2019 10:25am - 11:25am EDT
OCAD - Room 1

Educational Technology, Teachers

10:25am EDT

Family Engagement from Anti-Black Racism (ABR) Lens:

Research has demonstrated that there is a positive and convincing relationship between family engagement and benefits for students, including improved academic achievement, increased trust between home and school and reduction of social class and racial stereotypes. Although this relationship holds across families of all economic, racial/ethnic, and educational backgrounds and for students at all ages students of African descent continue to have unequal education outcomes and families of African Descent continue to be blamed for this outcome. This session will deconstruct engagement and reconstruct it from an ABR perspective.

Friday April 12, 2019 10:25am - 11:25am EDT
OCAD - Room 4

Parental and Community Involvement

10:25am EDT

The Parent Student Eco Initiative

This presentation seeks to show how our Parents, Students, Administrators and other Community Organizations can benefit from a collaborative effort with promoting the Green Sector.

Speaker

Kareem Andre Liverpool

I'm a Third Generation male of African descent, though my Parents were born in Jamaica and Guyana, respectively. Being born in Toronto, Ontario,Canada, with their nurturing, guidance and at times, discipline, as well as various firsthand Life experiences I've been able to learn how... Read More →

Friday April 12, 2019 10:25am - 11:25am EDT
OCAD - Room 3

Parental and Community Involvement, Parent, Student & Community

10:25am EDT

Solving the Growing Economic Divide with...Steel Pan?:

How might we prepare African Students to THRIVE ECONOMICALLY as Technology-Savvy Professionals and Entrepreneurs during the Fourth Industrial Revolution BEFORE it's too late? The answer ISN’T just Learning to Code. Rather, the TRUE answer lies in Learning to Music.

Speaker

Michael Jagdeo & Pat McNeilly

Friday April 12, 2019 10:25am - 11:25am EDT
OCAD - Room 2

Student Achievement, Teachers, Students & Administrators

11:35am EDT

The “Unlikely” Expert

Respecting the Street corner: Using Reality Pedagogy attendees discuss the academic needs of diverse learners from lower income & racialized communities. Audiences develop strategies to incorporate student identity, lived experiences and student voice to inform teaching instruction and classroom content/curriculum. Specific emphasis on ways to equip students to thrive in STEM, business, and entrepreneurship.

Speaker

Curtis Carmichael

Activist, Keynote Speaker, STEM Educator & MultiSport Athlete, Curtis Carmichael

Curtis Carmichael is a STEM educator, inspirational keynote speaker, multi-sport athlete and the founding force behind Ride for Promise – a nationwide movement cycling across Canada. Raised in poverty, he channelled his entrepreneurial skills, hustling lifestyle and focus on self-education... Read More →

Friday April 12, 2019 11:35am - 12:35pm EDT
OCAD - Room 1

Diverse Learners

11:35am EDT

Leading in Equity and Diversity

Equity and Diversity are two very real areas of our leadership. They are Ministry mandated and a part of School Board plans. There are many challenges that we still face as we endeavour to fulfil our responsibilities in these areas. What are some of the challenges? How do we overcome these obstacles as we do this work?

Speaker

Janet Robinson

Vice Principal, Durham District School Board

I have been an educator for more than 20 years with the Durham District School Board. I love to teach French and I am passionate about Equity, Diversity and Social Justice. I am married and have 3 lovely daughters.

Friday April 12, 2019 11:35am - 12:35pm EDT
OCAD - Room 2

Equitable and Inclusive Leadership

11:35am EDT

Raising Awareness on Academic Streaming, High School Course Selection and How to Support Student Success

Academic streaming is the practice, starting in grade 9 in Ontario, of separating students into academic and non-academic courses. This practice disproportionately impacts students from low income and racialized families. This workshop will review recent research on streaming and support students, parents, and community allies to better understanding these inequities and how they can challenge the current system.

Speaker

Sharma Queiser

Researcher and Policy Analyst, Social Planning Toronto

With a BSW and MSW, Sharma is passionate about translating research into action for systemic change. Her work at SPT currently focuses on equity in education, community use of public spaces, access to recreation services, and child and youth development.

Zamani Ra

Zamani Ra currently serves as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Parent Council at Westmount Jr School. Her professional career spans a collection of experiences, which involves: capacity building environmental awareness, organizational establishment, developing and supporting community-based... Read More →

Gary Newman

Friday April 12, 2019 11:35am - 12:35pm EDT
OCAD - Room 3

Higher-Ed Research

11:35am EDT

Closing Literacy Gaps

In this session, educators will be introduced to a research-based teaching sequence which can empower teachers to teach at the level they want their students to reach. This teaching framework can be used to scaffold and accelerate literacy learning for ‘underachieving’ students, especially English language learners. This presentation will be grounded in the belief that all students have the potential to meet curriculum standards and that a teacher’s mindset coupled with purposeful planning have a significant impact on student achievement. The presenters, Chantel Smith and Sharan Samagh, will share their experiences as English as a Second Language (ESL) and English Literacy Development (ELD) teachers and learning acquired from several years of action research working with diverse populations. Participants of this session will explore: how to accelerate literacy learning for English language learner (ELLs) by providing a “high support/ high challenge curriculum” guided by ongoing assessment, the importance of teaching underserved students to think of themselves as readers and writers, and strategies to support ELLs to be successful at authentic grade level writing tasks.

Speaker

Chantel Smith & Sharan Samagh

Chantel Smith and Sharan Samagh are elementary teachers with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. For over a decade they have explored innovative strategies to support English Language Learners and are passionate about practitioner research.

Friday April 12, 2019 11:35am - 12:35pm EDT
OCAD - Room 4

Student Achievement, Teachers & Administrators

12:35pm EDT

LUNCH

Friday April 12, 2019 12:35pm - 1:15pm EDT
OCAD U - Main Room

Meal

1:15pm EDT

Teaching From A Global Perspective

Teaching From A Global Perspective aims to engage new and experienced educators on how the appreciation and understanding of diverse perspectives help shape students’ learning in the classroom and beyond. The participating educators will explore related topics through discussions and cases review. In the process, the participants will have the opportunity to model some of the best practices, such as using Concept Maps, KWLC, Gallery Walks, and Multiple Viewpoints Presentations on topics in Science, Social Studies, and Mathematics.

Understanding and valuing the different perspectives our students bring to learning is so relevant and significant, in authenticating the process of decolonization in the
21St classroom. Often as educators, when we create positive and inclusive classrooms
we honor diversity. By exploring the diversity represented by virtue of needs and learning styles we engage more students, if not all students in the process. Teaching From A Global Perspective allow educators to challenge their nuances while still grounded in curricula outcomes, it also present opportunities for educators to be creative and to take bold steps in advancing pedagogy

Speaker

Obed Duru

Friday April 12, 2019 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
OCAD - Room 2

Diverse Learners

1:15pm EDT

A Truly Community Connected Experiential Learning Experience

There are a number of ways that educators and parents can help youth be more prepared for college and careers through EdTech using various software tools. These tools can help students get involved in the community while getting the parents and students engaged in early career explorations.

Speaker

Janelle Hinds

Helping Hands

Friday April 12, 2019 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
OCAD - Room 1

Educational Technology

1:15pm EDT

Trauma and its Impact on Student and Young Adult Success and Well being : Solutions for Success?

To gain a deeper understanding of mental health issues in the African Canadian community, we must consider the impact of intergenerational Trauma and its legacy. We will provide information to assist educators and caregivers to help them gain awareness, address equity and anti black racism and provide strategies to use in the classroom and beyond to optimize student and young adult success.

Speaker

Josie Rose & Izzie Jones

Josie Rose is a Social Worker, counsellor, Professor at Seneca College, facilitator of mental health psycho-educational programs and Social activist. Josie has an interest in Intergenerational and cultural trauma, human rights, anti-oppression and equity. Josie holds a Masters of... Read More →

Friday April 12, 2019 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
OCAD - Room 3

Mental Health & Well-Being

1:15pm EDT

Echoing individual families’ Voices: Reporting on their Expectations of an After-school Culturally Responsive Homework Program

Abstract:
This presentation will address racialized families' expectations for the Child Development Institute's culturally responsive after-school homework program. We will present the findings from four focus group discussions held with these families. Preliminary findings suggest that parents view the inclusion of students' cultural repertoires as a way to teach their children self-confidence, respect for their work and self-acceptance.

Speaker

Dr. Shawnee Hardware

Friday April 12, 2019 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
OCAD - Room 4

Parental and Community Involvement

2:30pm EDT

Examples of successful Engagement that Empower students in Self-Management/Self-Regulation:

This Presentation aligns with Strand 1, and the Ministry’s focus of Culturally Responsive Relevant Pedagogy. Attendees will be engaged in co-learning discussions in which they will hear (and share) examples of successful student-engagement processes that culminated in empowerment, self-management (self-regulation), self-monitoring and success of black students.

Speaker

Mona Walrond

Owner/CEO, Mona\'s Marketing & Consulting

• The Company's Mission: 'To empower communities by helping them soar see unlimited possibilities for growth, personal and professional development, and higher levels of achievement'; 'Vision' & 'Story'Mentorship/support to organizations and individuals (including parents, students... Read More →

Friday April 12, 2019 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
OCAD - Room 1

Discipline/Cultural Responsiveness/Restorative Practices

2:30pm EDT

The Nu Narrative Literacy Empowerment Program

The Nu Narrative Literacy Program enables audiences to develop their voice, vision and representation by creating quality literature. The program is a solution for African-Caribbean-Canadian students who are dropping out, disengaged and marginzalized in the school system. The initiative engages participants to achieve a sense of mental well-being and empowerment.

Speaker

Osagyefo McGregor

Kareative Interlude

Kareative Interlude is a partnership utilizing the arts as a medium to inspire the creative genius that lays within. With the events of art exhibits, artscapes, community programming and readings we empower audiences in their voice, vision and representation. Osagyefo is a dynamic... Read More →

Friday April 12, 2019 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
OCAD - Room 4

Diverse Learners, Teachers

2:30pm EDT

Are Scholarships Enough? Examining the role of Financial Awards in Black Students’ Access to and Persistence in Post-Secondary Education

For decades, scholarships have been recognized as a vital resource for enhancing access to higher education; however, the current literature provides limited insight into the impacts of scholarships on Black students. This study examines the effects of scholarships on Black students’ ability to access, participate in, and complete post-secondary education.

Speaker

Nemoy Lewis

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, York University

Friday April 12, 2019 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
OCAD - Room 3

Higher-Ed Research

2:30pm EDT

The Reading Partnership for Black Parents

The Reading Partnership for Black Parents (RPBP) works with Black caregivers to teach their children to read. This session presents RPBP’s mixed methods research study on their literacy program in a Toronto public school. Participants will learn strategies, benefits & obstacles to creating sustainable partnerships between Black caregivers, community organizations & schools.

Speaker

Stephanie Fearon, Keisha Evans, Chantell Richards & Fati Seidu

Coordinator, Equity and Model Schools for Inner Cities, Charles Gordon Senior Public School

We are a community-based project that teaches parents how to help their children read. We also work with local partners to promote and improve literacy in the communities that need it the most. We are passionate about Black caregiver engagement, community-school partnerships, and... Read More →

Friday April 12, 2019 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
OCAD - Room 2

Parental and Community Involvement

5:45pm EDT

Annual General Meeting

2019 ONABSE AGM
FRIDAY APRIL 12th, 2019
AGENDA

Welcome and Introductions

Standing Committees:

President Report

Budget / Finance

Membership – Jackilyn Wallace

Constitutional Amendment – Sheryl Woolnough

"I, Cheryl Woolnough, on March 28th, 2019, would like to add a new commission to the constitution. The name of the Commission is. Mental Health and Well-Being. Supportive information is as follows:

Under the previous government, the Ministry of Education put in place an Engagement Paper highlighting a well-being strategy for schools. The aim was to deepen the understanding of well-being in Ontario schools from Kindergarten to Grade 12, alongside effective measures to support the paper. School boards followed, by putting into place, mental health and well-being initiatives to support student success.

Well-being is fundamental to overall student success. Students are better able to learn when they feel safe and welcome at school and have the tools and the motivation to make healthy, active choices, whenever they can. Children and students who have strong relationships and a positive sense of self are most likely to reach their full potential and thrive.” Ministry of Education, 2017
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/about/WBFactSheet.html

The aim of this commission is to align with current education practices and initiatives to support our students, parents and community members in both areas – mental health and well being."

Election & Nominations – Mona Walrond

Commission meetings:

Administrators Commission (Mona Walrond)

Governance Commission (New Commissioner)

Higher Education Commission (Dori Tunstal)

Instructional Strategies and Support (Alison Robinson)

Parent Commission (Jacqui Getfield)

Program Development and Research Commission (New Commissioner)

Retired Educator Commission (Elizabeth Sinclair-Artwell)

Student Commission (New Commissioner)

Other Business:

Black Educator Network Updates: AEBS, AHEN, DBEN, PAACE

Announcements:
Dr. Moody Passing
2019 NABSE Conference

Friday April 12, 2019 5:45pm - 6:45pm EDT
OCAD University - Rooms 1 & 2

Annual General Meeting (AGM)

7:00pm EDT

Parent Forum - FREE & OPEN to the PUBLIC

Navigating the Education System

Speaker

Dr. Carl James

Professor, Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community & Diaspora, York University

Dr. Carl James was appointed as the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora for a five-year term effective July 1, 2016. Dr. James brings a strong record of scholarship and community engagement to this key position; and as Chair he will focus on addressing issues... Read More →

Cheryl Woolnough

Teacher - B.A., B.Ed., OCT

Cheryl Woolnough has been teaching for several years around the world. She has taught in the UK, the Caribbean, Asia, and now here in Canada with the Peel District School Board. She has taught several grades and secured leadership positions including her current role as a Behaviour... Read More →

Tiffany Ford

Moderator - Parent Forum

Kathy McDonald

Parent Forum

A long-time Brampton resident, Kathy McDonald has been actively involved with the Peel District School Board as a parent volunteer since 2001. She began her four-year term as trustee of Wards 3 and 4 in Brampton on Dec. 1, 2014. Kathy’s key priorities are to help each child realize... Read More →

Donna Cardoza

Parent Forum

Donna Cardoza strongly believes that equitable access, opportunity and treatment is essential to an individual's emotional, social, physical, and economical well-being. It is anThese are essential ingredients into an individual's ability to fully participate in the broader society... Read More →

Patrice Barnes

Parent Forum

Ms. Patrice Barnes was elected to Durham District School Board to represent Ajax, in 2014 and reelected in 2018. In this role, Ms. Barnes has served as the Co-Chair of the Diversity Steering Committee, Special Education Committee, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustee and Chair of Education... Read More →

Friday April 12, 2019 7:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
OCAD University - Rooms 1 & 2

Forum

8:30am EDT

Onsite Registration and Sign in

Saturday April 13, 2019 8:30am - 8:30pm EDT

8:45am EDT

Continental Breakfast

Saturday April 13, 2019 8:45am - 9:15am EDT
OCAD U - Main Room

Meal

9:10am EDT

Indigenous African-Centred Education

An interactive presentation highlighting research outcomes through personal storytelling. The participants will play a major role in the presentation as they are expected to align themselves with the experiential methodology of storytelling and use their own perspectives in minimal group activities. Activities include:

Who Teaches Me? - Addressing the lack of Black educators in the public school system
Who Am I? - Addressing the influence that the school system has on the ways in which Black students see themselves
What Will I Become? - Addressing the school -to -prison pipeline and the ways in which all educators are complicit

Participants should expect to be a part of the presentation as there will be short 5-minute presentations from each group.

Session Outcomes:
The objective is to have participants:
• Become more conscious of their role in serving their Black students
• The importance of culturally inclusive curriculums in Black communities
• Learn how to use personal stories as educational lessons worth teaching

Speaker

Dobijoki Emanuela Bringi

Educator & Personal Development Mentor

Dobijoki Emanuela Bringi is an inclusive and diverse education advocate. With a Masters Degree in Education and a Bachelors Degree in Multicultural and Indigenous Studies, Dobijoki has implemented her knowledge and skills into a number of non-profit organizational programming focusing... Read More →

Saturday April 13, 2019 9:10am - 10:00am EDT
OCAD - Room 3

Discipline/Cultural Responsiveness/Restorative Practices

9:10am EDT

Equitable and Inclusive Leadership: Race Matters

Good leadership is often described using several common characteristics. Equitable Leadership is often differentiated by adding words such as diversity, gender, sexuality, and fairness to the commentary. Inclusive Leadership often proffers notions such as diverse thoughts, special events and occasions. But, could Equitable and Inclusive leadership really be about Race?

Speaker

Luther Brown

Luther Brown has been a school Administrator for almost 20 years. He is currently the Principal at The Africentric Alternative School (AAS) in Toronto. Prior to the AAS, he served at O’Connor Public School. He was the Chair of the Toronto School Administrators Association (TSAA... Read More →

Saturday April 13, 2019 9:10am - 10:00am EDT
OCAD - Room 1

Equitable and Inclusive Leadership

9:10am EDT

Mental Health and Well-Being for Students – P/J and I/S

Under the previous government, the Ministry of Education put in place an Engagement Paper highlighting a well-being strategy for schools.The aim was to deepen the understanding of well-being in Ontario schools from Kindergarten to Grade 12, alongside effective measures to support the paper. School boards followed, by putting into place, mental health and well-being initiatives to support student success.My interactive workshop will bring awareness around personal triggers, physiological factors associated with stress and simple de-escalation strategies to support stress management in classrooms and group settings. The workshop will also connect to the curriculum - Health and Language Arts.

Speaker

Cheryl Woolnough

Teacher - B.A., B.Ed., OCT

Saturday April 13, 2019 9:10am - 10:00am EDT
OCAD - Room 2

Mental Health & Well-Being

9:10am EDT

Homeschooling in the 21 Century

Homeschool Academy is a network of homeschoolers participating in group activities to engage children learning and team sportsmanship.

As Homeschooling in Canada grow’s children can be left out of social activities, such as track and field, field trips, national group championships, science fairs and more.

Speaker

Kerry-Ann Thomas & Duane Davis

CEO, KAT BRAND INC

Speaking about the importance of a Home School network for parents who currently home school or are seeking to home school their children.

Saturday April 13, 2019 9:10am - 10:00am EDT
OCAD - Room 4

Parental and Community Involvement

10:10am EDT

Keynote Address

Speaker

Ms. Camille Williams-Taylor

Director, Ottawa-Carleton District School Board

Camille Williams-Taylor is an innovative leader and an accomplished learner who will ensure that excellence and equity co-exist throughout the District. She cultivates an environment that embraces creativity and brings together a variety of voices to foster positive relationships... Read More →

Saturday April 13, 2019 10:10am - 11:00am EDT
OCAD University - Rooms 1 & 2

Keynote

11:10am EDT

Culturally Responsive Pedagogy to Address Bias Against Students of African Descent

How do educators challenge bias in the school system?
How do I teach math using a culturally responsive approach?
How do we create a learning environment that incorporates the experiences and identities of Black students?
Why does any of this matter?

This workshop is a parent perspective on ways in which schools can achieve more inclusive spaces that empower Black students to excel. We will explore unconscious bias within the school system that limits the academic opportunities for Black students. We will also explore culturally responsive teaching practices that incorporate intersectional identities and voices of black students.

The workshop is ideal for educators, administrators, parents and community organizations

Speaker

Mante Molepo

Founding Member, Parents for Diversity

Mante Molepo is a parent, advocate, and lawyer. She is a founding member of Parents for Diversity, a collective of parents committed to achieving inclusive and non-discriminatory learning environments. As the mother of children who have experienced anti-black racism in school, Mante... Read More →

Saturday April 13, 2019 11:10am - 12:00pm EDT
OCAD - Room 1

Discipline/Cultural Responsiveness/Restorative Practices

11:10am EDT

Inspiring to lead: A conversation with mentors of Black youth

Mentorship inspires youth to rethink their possibilities in spite of challenges and barriers they may face. Leadership By Design, a leadership-focused mentorship program, has been impactful in inspiring youth to lead. This dialogue-driven session is an opportunity to engage meaningfully with mentors who have played key roles in this process.

Speaker

Nicola Dove & Jennifer de Four

Saturday April 13, 2019 11:10am - 12:00pm EDT
OCAD - Room 2

Discipline/Cultural Responsiveness/Restorative Practices

11:10am EDT

Mental Health and the School...Not My Concern?

This presentation will be an interactive workshop on mental health issues affecting students, with an emphasis on its impact on learning, classroom dynamics and possible long-term outcomes especially for Black Canadians. Participants will engage in activities designed to encourage self-evaluation, provide information and equip them to facilitate positive outcomes.

Speaker

Deborah Buchanan-Walford & Prudence Buchanan

Dr. Prudence Buchanan is an internationally trained medical doctor with over ten years of experience in her field. She also has experience as a secondary and tertiary educator. Mrs. Deborah Buchanan-Walford, Dr. Buchanan's daughter, is a secondary school educator who specializes in... Read More →

Saturday April 13, 2019 11:10am - 12:00pm EDT
OCAD - Room 4

Mental Health & Well-Being

11:10am EDT

Track Placement and Mobility: Are Students Stuck in Their Initial Tracks?

Using Statistics Canada’s Youth in Transition Survey, which is a nationally representative longitudinal survey, I examine to what extent demographic background factors influence initial track placement in three provinces – Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. I also examine how flexible the tracking system is in these provinces.

Speaker

Tana Turner

Saturday April 13, 2019 11:10am - 12:00pm EDT
OCAD - Room 3

Student Achievement

12:00pm EDT

Founders Lunch & Keynote Address

Speaker

Dr. Gervan Fearon

President, Brock University

Gervan FearonPresident and Vice-Chancellor - Brock UniversityGervan Fearon began a five-year term as Brock University’s President and Vice-Chancellor on 1 Aug. 2017. Before joining Brock, he served at Brandon University as President and Vice-Chancellor (2014-17) and also as Provost... Read More →

Saturday April 13, 2019 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
OCAD University - Rooms 1 & 2

Keynote

1:15pm EDT

The Right Career Path

In the Industrial Age; we had skilled workers replacing factory workers. Now, in the 21st Century, we have the technology, automation, robotics, that are threats to careers and jobs. How do you assist students to adapt to the new 21st-century economy, manage their career, and thrive?

Speaker

Cecile Peterkin

Saturday April 13, 2019 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
OCAD - Room 2

College/Career Readiness

1:15pm EDT

Alternatives to Punishment: A Transformative Road to Justice

Black students and the Black community have consistently fought back against the unfair use of suspensions and expulsions with Black students. This workshop presents alternatives to suspensions and expulsions as means for addressing student behaviour and outlines a process for dealing with conflict in the classroom without the use of punishment. Teachers will learn to conduct transformative justice circles and transform your practice!

Speaker

LeRoi Newbold

Director, Freedom School - Toronto

Leroi Newbold is a parent, educator and community organizer. Leroi is currently on leave from teaching at the Africentric Alternative School to pursue his masters in Black liberatory education at York University. Leroi is the director of Freedom School - Toronto, a program teaching... Read More →

Saturday April 13, 2019 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
OCAD - Room 3

Discipline/Cultural Responsiveness/Restorative Practices

1:15pm EDT

Diversity and Equity Leadership Among Black School Principals

It is estimated that Black school principals comprise a mere 2% of the total number of k-12 school principals in Ontario (ONABSE, 2015). This presentation shares preliminary findings of a descriptive qualitative study of five (5) Black school principals in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario. In this presentation, we will discuss the issues of diversity through the lens of transformational leadership theory, focusing on Black educational leaders and their work to impact change within their schools.

Speaker

Andrew Campbell

Assistant Professor (Adjunct)

Dr. Andrew B. Campbell (DR. ABC) is a graduate of the University of Toronto, with a PhD. in Educational Leadership, Diversity & Policy. He presently is an Adjunct Lecturer at OISE, University of Toronto, teaching in the Master of Teaching (MT) program and an Adjunct Assistant Professor... Read More →

Dr. Alana Butler

Assistant Professor, Queen's University

Alana Butler (Ph.D.) is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. In 2015, she graduated with a Ph.D. in Education from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Her specialization was Learning, Teaching, and Social Policy. She... Read More →

Saturday April 13, 2019 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
OCAD - Room 1

Equitable and Inclusive Leadership

1:15pm EDT

Culturally Responsive Teaching in Literacy

In this session, I seek to build capacity for teachers and administrators to support the learning and excellence of racialized students while building an inclusive learning environment centred around anti-oppression and anti-racism. I forward a stance of "care and community before curriculum", while exploring how we can affirm student identities and teach through students' prior knowledge and lived experiences. I will concretize how to be a culturally responsive educator through various language-based activities that aim to increase opportunities to enhance learning experiences, well-being and success of racialized students. I connect all of this through exploring and deconstructing intentional texts (picture books and novels) that promote critical consciousness.

Speaker

Rukiya Mohamed

TDSB

Saturday April 13, 2019 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
OCAD - Room 4

Student Achievement

2:30pm EDT

Inclusive Design

Centering Marginalized Students in School Improvement Planning: School leaders are responsible for creating the conditions, setting the expectations and securing accountability for schools that positively impacts and improves student achievement and well-being. In this session, participants will be introduced to ‘Inclusive Design’, an approach to implementing school improvement designed to centre our most marginalized students at the onset of our planning to reduce barriers and hold high expectations for teachers and students.

Speaker

Camille Logan

Superintendents, YRDSB & TDSB

Jeewan Chanicka

Superintendent Equity, Anti-Racism & Anti-Oppression, TDSB

Jeewan will join YRDSB Superintendent Camille Logan in her Inclusive Design workshop on Saturday, April 13th at 2:30pm.Jeewan Chanicka is the Superintendent Equity, Anti-Racism & Anti-Oppression at the Toronto District School Board. His work is focused on embedding an anti-oppressive... Read More →

Saturday April 13, 2019 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
OCAD - Room 1

Equitable and Inclusive Leadership

2:30pm EDT

Elevate and Engage

Setting Up Exceptional Thinkers for Success: Meeting the needs of diverse thinkers can be a challenge in the classroom. Discussing student well-being and understanding the importance of self-concept in building an engaging and inclusive learning environment participants will learn how to elevate and engage exceptional thinkers beyond the classroom.

Speaker

Shakira Rouse & Kaden Johnson

Creator & Founder, Special Compass

Navigating you to success is my mission! Facilitator, keynote speaker I work to connecting people to understand that learning disabilities shouldn't deter one from thinking that they can't accomplish their goals. Along with educating people about creating and building more inclusive... Read More →

Saturday April 13, 2019 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
OCAD - Room 2

Mental Health & Well-Being

2:30pm EDT

The Untold Truth about Educating and Tutoring Our Black Youth

This presentation will focus on what it looks like to educate/tutor our black and minority youth the RIGHT way. No longer are we just teaching students content. We are educating them on content and making it relevant to their lives and to real life experiences. In addition, we have to follow a holistic model of teaching/tutoring which includes parents, teachers, counselors, students, and coaches in one communication circle of influence to be on one accord academically. Then, mentoring students and providing back end support is the key. I will show you how I have done this with a 95% success rate of students earning As and Bs in over 48 content areas.

Speaker

Jay Veal

Founder/CEO, INC Tutoring

Jay Veal is an honoree of the 2017 Class of the DBJ Top 40 Under 40. He is the CEO/Founder of INC Tutoring which is the #1 African-American owned private, prescriptive tutoring company in Dallas. He is a true entrepreneur in Dallas that started his company literally from the ground... Read More →

Saturday April 13, 2019 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
OCAD - Room 3

Parental and Community Involvement

3:45pm EDT

Educator Forum

Speaker

Amani Lewin

Educator Forum

Cheryl Woolnough

Teacher - B.A., B.Ed., OCT

Zanana Akande

Educator Forum

Zanana Akande was the first black woman to be appointed to Ontario’s Cabinet. She was Minister of Community and Social Services in Premier Bob Rae’s government.Ms. Akande was born in 1937 and was raised in Toronto by parents who immigrated to Canada from St. Lucia and Barbados... Read More →

Saturday April 13, 2019 3:45pm - 5:30pm EDT
OCAD University - Rooms 1 & 2

Forum

6:30pm EDT

Dinner Reception

Saturday April 13, 2019 6:30pm - 7:00pm EDT
OCAD U - Main Room

7:00pm EDT

Dinner, Awards Presentations, Board Induction & Appreciation Ceremony

Speaker

Director X

Filmmaker & Co-Founder, Operation Prefrontal Cortex

Director X (formerly known as Little X) was born in Toronto, Canada, and is of Trinidadian and Swiss descent. After moving to New York City, he became the protege of pioneering hip hop director Hype Williams. Now X is known for directing high-budget, visually distinctive videos for... Read More →

Saturday April 13, 2019 7:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
OCAD University - Rooms 1 & 2

Keynote