Dear Teachers: We start this year by recognizing all that you do

Posted by Jasmine Wong on September 11, 2019

Welcome back to another school year! We are so excited to work with you for a fresh new year of learning, and growth.  We want to start with words of appreciation for the work that you do and the relationships that you forge with your students, so we created a found poem for you using the text from a strategy so many of you start your school the year with: contracting for courageous and reflective spaces.

Found poem for teachers-1

 

We acknowledge you.   

For nurturing a safe, reflective, community for students to share their own experiences and for providing room for students’ voice(s), and (the) sharing (of) differing perspectives.

Because you valued (them), listen to and heard together.

Because you nurture an inclusive learning environment where students think with head and heart,

Because when students read or watch something that makes them feel sad or angry, students have the opportunity to (feel heard and) participate, have the responsibility to speak out and expectations to protect others: (Can) envision what they would like to have happen.

Thank you.

Facing History and Ourselves

 

We also reflect on what a critical and challenging time it is for educators today: We and our students are facing a rising presence of antisemitism, racism, xenophobia, political polarization and global uncertainty in democratic institutions. We are continuing to confront difficult truths and ongoing injustices about Canada. Moreover, this is a federal election year, a time when we must confront what we know, who we are and who we wish to be together.

During this time, your challenge is to cultivate your students’ instincts for compassion and equity. This Fall there are several new resources and professional development opportunities to support you as you do this important work:

 

  • On September 25th we will be offering a teacher workshop in Toronto on teaching the YA memoir, Children of Willesden Lane: History, Literature and Music in the Classroom, a story about rescue, loss, uncertainty and the resilience of Jewish refugee children during the Holocaust. This workshop is presented in partnership with the Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company, which will be presenting The Pianist of Willesden Lane, starring the memoir's author and acclaimed pianist, Mona Golabek. This production will run as part of Holocaust Education Week in Toronto.  

 

 

  • We will be presenting teacher workshops at conferences across the country (Calgary, Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg) in partnership with incredible and inspiring teachers.

 

Lastly, this is an exciting time for our office! We have added a new member to our program team, Erez Zobary, Program Specialist.

null

Leora Schaefer, Jasmine Wong and Erez Zobary

As a program team, we are committed to being your partner, to support you and your students, and to be your champions as you cultivate courageous spaces and reflective classroom and school communities this year.

With gratitude for all you do,

Leora Schaefer, Jasmine Wong, Jeannette Slater, and Erez Zobary

 

 

Topics: Events

WELCOME

This is where Canadian Facing History and Ourselves teachers and community members meet to share reflections, scholarship and teaching practices that will inspire, challenge and improve teaching and student learning. Our stories provide a window into diverse Facing History classrooms in Canada, and invite you into the discussion.

Subscribe to Email Updates

Recent Posts

Posts by Topic

see all