Educators Anti-Racism Conference
Cultivating Mental Wellbeing and Building Community
Old Mill Inn, Toronto, ON
February 21, 2024 | 9:00 - 4:45
Learn how to embed
culturally-responsive
mental health practices in your
K-12 classroom and school
Expand your understanding of how to embed mental wellbeing practices in your school or classroom.
Engage in workshops and activity-based learning you can apply to your teaching practice.
Work and connect with other passionate educators to discuss best practices to create anti-racist spaces.
Who should attend
- K-12 Educators
- School support staff
- Mental Health Leads
- Administrators
- Board staff
This conference will be in English with
French translation for large group activities and a dedicated French workshop stream.
Speakers
KEYNOTE SPEAKER + PANELIST:
jeewan chanicka
jeewan is a global education leader, recognized provincially, nationally, and internationally for his work in organizational transformation, systems change, innovation, and curriculum using an anti-racism and human rights approach. jeewan has held a variety of roles and experiences as a support worker, teacher, principal, and superintendent and before that in the social and community work spheres. He is a TED Ed Innovative Educator who continues to push the potential trajectory of possibilities for what public education can look like and be.
As Director of Education at the Waterloo Region District School Board, supporting over 65000 students and 10000 staff members across approximately 123 schools and sites, jeewan is focused on challenging historically entrenched outcomes of the most marginalized learners, supporting deep and meaningful community engagement, strengthening student voice and developing education systems and structures that supports ALL students to be ready for life towards the 22nd century.
HARMONY LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATION AWARD WINNER + PANEL MODERATOR:
Rizwana Kaderdina
Rizwana Kaderdina taught as a classroom educator in York Region District School Board for many years before moving into the role of Equity Consultant and now vice-principal. Rizwana is currently the co-Chair of the Alliance of Educators for Muslim Students (AEMS), and is also a member of MENO (Muslim Educators Network of Ontario), and ACENet (Asian Canadian Educators Network). She has facilitated learning on CRRP, Islamophobia, anti-racism and anti-oppression for large groups of diverse participants, Rizwana believes in service, advocacy, and community. She strives to work from a justice-oriented stance and is intrigued by the possibilities for healing and transformation that come through affinity and solidarity-based work.
PANELIST:
Dr. Vidya Shah
Dr. Vidya Shah is an educator, scholar and activist committed to equity and racial justice in the service of liberatory education. She is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at York University, and her research explores anti-racist and decolonial approaches to leadership in schools, communities, and school districts. She also explores educational barriers to the success and well-being of Black, Indigenous, and racialized students. Dr. Shah teaches in the Master of Leadership and Community Engagement, as well as undergraduate and graduate level courses in education. She has worked in the Model Schools for Inner Cities Program in the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and was an elementary classroom teacher in the TDSB. Dr. Shah is committed to bridging the gaps between communities, classrooms, school districts and the academy, to re/imagine emancipatory possibilities for schooling. You can learn more about her work at https://www.yorku.ca/edu/unleading/.
PANELIST:
Wafaa Hasan, Ph.D.
Wafaa Hasan is an Assistant Professor in the Women and Gender Studies Institute at the University of Toronto. Her research lies in formulations of anti-racist and decolonial transnational feminist articulations and solidarity practices. Her publications examine topics such as contemporary trends of globalization in the SWANA; state relations with Arab-Canadian organizations; indigenous and anti-oppressive research practices; Palestinian childhood in Canadian schools/literature; the transnationality of Islamophobia; and global practices of resilience in displacement in Countering Displacements: The Creativity and Resilience of Indigenous and Refugee-ed Peoples (U of A Press, 2012).
Hasan arrived on Turtle Island as a Humanitarian Refugee. Having been raised by a single mother in a government housing complex in Toronto, Hasan is deeply committed to the value of a welfare state and the imperatives for affordable/social housing, anti-racist GBV initiatives, public healthcare, and anti-oppressive education systems.
EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD AND PANEL MODERATOR:
Devon Jones
Devon Jones is an educator in the Toronto District School Board and founder of the non-profit organization Youth Association for Academics, Athletics, and Character Education (YAAACE) in the Jane and Finch community in Toronto, Canada. He is a national leader for over two decades in developing innovative social solutions to address issues of inequality for children and youth from marginalized communities. As a diligent practitioner, he has collaborated with all levels of government and led cross-sectorial partnerships in areas such as education, community safety, and employment. Mr. Jones has also worked with community-based organizations, schools, and government agencies to create collaborations that leverage resources and expertise to better serve the needs of children and youth in underserved communities. He has led research studies that have helped to inform the development of effective interventions and policies. Mr. Jones is an active participant in national and international forums and conferences on social innovation where he shares his expertise and contributes to the development of best practices in the field.
PANEL MODERATOR:
Dr. Ardavan Eizadirad
Ardavan (@DrEizadirad) is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at Wilfrid Laurier University. He is also a community activist and Executive Director of the non-profit organization Youth Association for Academics, Athletics, and Character Education (YAAACE) in the Jane and Finch community in Toronto. He was an educator with the Toronto District School Board and a member of the Race and Identity-Based Data Collection Community Advisory Panel with the Toronto Police Service. Dr. Eizadirad is the author of Decolonizing Educational Assessment: Ontario Elementary Students and the EQAO (2019), and co-editor of Equity as Praxis in Early Childhood Education and Care (2021 with Drs. Zuhra Abawi & Rachel Berman), Counternarratives of Pain and Suffering as Critical Pedagogy: Disrupting Oppression in Educational Contexts (2022 with Drs. Andrew Campbell & Steve Sider), Enacting Anti-racism and Activist Pedagogies in Teacher Education: Canadian Perspectives (2023 with Drs. Zuhra Abawi & Andrew Campbell), and more.
STUDENT PANELIST:
Christopher Emmanuel
Christopher is a dedicated first-year accounting student at the University of Toronto, where he also proudly represents the UofT on the varsity basketball team. Beyond
the court, he is actively engaged as a coach and tutor for the esteemed organization Yaaace.
Recently, he had the privilege of accompanying Yaaace's founder, Devon Jones, to the House of Commons in Ottawa. Together, they addressed the effectiveness of the Canada Youth Summer Jobs Program (CYSJ), an experience that was nothing short of spectacular.
With a unique perspective shaped by his academic pursuits, athletic involvement, and commitment to community service, he is eager to contribute to discussions on fostering anti-racist spaces and promoting positive well-being for students.
STUDENT PANELIST:
Keriess Thomas
Keriess Thomas is a first-year Undergraduate Student at the University of Windsor.
There she is studying Forensic Psychology with her goal of becoming a Forensic Psychologist. She migrated to Canada from Jamaica in 2017 and since then she has overcome obstacles and continues to persevere in her endeavors. Keriess strives to enter each institution with a steadfast mindset, and knowledge from her lived experiences.
STUDENT PANELIST:
Richelle Nelson
Richelle graduated from the University of Toronto with an Honors Bachelor of Arts in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies with minors in Sociology and Ethics, Law and Society. Nelson was born and raised in the Jane and Finch. Richelle has always strived to partake in community organizing and advocacy, the main goal is to create space for her community and empower people to amplify their voices. Born to two Jamaican parents, Nelson has always been someone who stood firm in their beliefs and culture, while constantly investigating the wiles and whimsy of being a Black girl.
Currently, Richelle works at Black Creek Community Health Centre as a Community Health Worker. She was the Creative Director of the Flaunt It Movement. Her dream is to continue telling stories to both empower and invigorate the world.
Event Schedule
8:00 - 9:00
Registration + Pre-conference wellbeing activities
9:00 - 10:00
Opening + Keynote
10:00 - 10:45
Harmony Leadership in Education Award + Panel
10:45 - 11:00
Break + Transition
11:00 - 12:30
Workshops
*Workshop registration will open in January
12:30 - 1:30
Lunch Break
1:00 - 2:00
Wellbeing Stations
*Will include a range of practices educators can engage with that could be used to integrate into their classroom spaces including arts-based, movement, and more.
2:00 - 3:30
Workshops
3:30 - 3:45
Break + Transition
3:45 - 4:30
Educator Award + Student Perspectives
4:30 - 4:45
Closing
4:45 - 6:00
Post Event Networking
Workshops
Attendees will get the opportunity to select and attend two workshops during the conference.
Engage, Respond, Amplify, Dismantle:
School mental health done well is identity affirming
School mental health done well recognizes and affirms the identity of every student. Identity and mental health are inextricably linked. This approach contributes to and benefits the wider efforts in school boards and schools to address oppression and marginalization, and to work toward reconciliation, equity, and justice, especially for those historically and presently oppressed. Moving from current practice to an embedded and integrated identity-affirming school mental health approach takes time, reflection, and planful action.
Join us as we explore mental health resources from School Mental Health Ontario (SMH-ON) and use the 5 Equity Abilities framework to focus on: engaging and partnering with learners, educators, and parents/caregivers with cultural humility; responding with differentiated and identity-affirming mental health supports; amplifying diverse voices by decentering whiteness; and, dismantling and removing oppression and racism by actively cultivating and sustaining equity in our schools.
Presented in partnership by SMH-ON staff and educators from the Simcoe County District School Board:
Saleem Haniff, Michelle Coutinho, Toni Lauzon, Amy Hsiao, and Louise Pike
Embracing Diversity: Trauma-Informed Strategies for Cultivating Mental Wellness
This workshop aims to address the critical need for anti-racist and decolonial practices in educational settings. We will explore the impact of racial trauma on students of colour and offer practical, evidence-based strategies to create inclusive, healing-centered educational environments.
This workshop is geared to educators and support staff in high-school settings with beginner or intermediate equity knowledge.
Presented by Tarak Ahmed, Clinical Therapist from Ruh Care
Cultivating Wellbeing Through Inclusive Leadership
This workshop applies decolonizing and intersectional analysis alongside data quantifying disparate access to leadership roles for racialized educators. It will showcase how identity-based barriers perpetuate toxic stress - negatively impacting mental health and staff retention rates.
Through interactive storytelling, collective analysis, and joint visioning, participants will apply a solutions-focused equity lens towards tangible systemic actions enhancing inclusion and wellbeing. We will co-design targeted mentoring, culturally sustaining networks, and human-centered policies fostering work environments where Black Indigenous racialized and other marginalized education stakeholders finally experience security, dignity and full belonging.
Presented by Dr. Wonuola Yomi-Odedeyi
Addressing and Maintaining Optimal Mental Health for Black Families:
Understanding the impact of Anti-Black racism
Black families are dealing with day-to-day stressors of Anti-Black Racism that challenge their social and mental well-being. These stressors create long-term effects on self-esteem for Black parents and children. Come and learn how to address and maintain optimal mental health for Black children and parents in an interactive workshop about building daily self-esteem and self-confidence.
The facilitators will walk you through strategies to discuss the Impact of Cumulative Racial Trauma and the effects on low self-esteem while building knowledge and skills to become more self-directing and self-accepting.
Providing Teachers with the Language and Skills Needed to Support Students Mental Health
Through reflection, activities, and case studies, this student-led workshop helps participants better understand the importance of proper language and whether or not they have the skills to support their students. Highlighting students’ perspectives and experiences on the issue, this workshop brings light to the pitfalls of perceiving students (or them perceiving themselves) as victims. The lesson equips educators with strategies to help students process their emotions arising from racial-based stress, as well as provide them with the necessary language tools to navigate delicate subjects like racism or politically sensitive discussion within the classroom environment. With the correct language, we can remove the fear and stigma of these topics and create a safer space in the classroom.
Presented by Balaach Suqlain and Jude Thabet
Leading with Cultural Humility:
Practical Strategies for Advancing Anti-Racism, Cultural Humility and Well-Being in Public Schools
This session will provide participants with the opportunity to engage in reflective dialogue related to cultural humility and practical strategies for advancing anti-racism and well-being initiatives in K-12 schools. The session will highlight key initiatives and resources that the Thames Valley DSB is utilizing to support students and staff. This session is intended for Superintendents, Administrators and Board staff.
Presented by staff of Thames Valley District School Board: Purveen Skinner, Rheba Moore-Nash, Matthew Sereda, Lucas Anderson
French-Language Workshops
Attendees will get the opportunity to select and attend two workshops during the conference.
La pédagogie sensible à l'impact des traumatismes, la CUA et l'ÉDI
Cet atelier a pour objectif de présenter la pédagogie sensible à l'impact des traumatismes comme une des approches de la pédagogie sensible et adaptée à la culture dont l’objectif est de sensibiliser les enseignants face aux défis traumatisants que nos élèves peuvent rencontrer.
Les élèves vivent des situations traumatisantes et peuvent être victimes de violence affective, physique, sexuelle, la négligence chronique ou maladie mentale d’un membre de la famille. Ceci peut donc avoir un impact direct sur son apprentissage, son comportement à l’école et son bien être mental. De ce fait, il est important que les éducateurs développent des compétences pour reconnaître les différents types de traumatismes et cesser d’associer certains comportements de nos élèves à de la négligence ou de la paresse. Cet atelier va permettre de démystifier ce qu’est la pédagogie à l' impact des traumatismes et acquérir des stratégies pédagogique, sensible et adaptée à chaque élève selon ses besoins en santé mentale ou académique.
Presented by Marie-Thérèse Awitor, Conseillère pédagogique en Équité, Diversité et Inclusion
Cultiver des salles de classe inclusives :
Nourrir la santé mentale, le bien-être et l'équité dans l'éducation
Se concentre sur les liens cruciaux entre la santé mentale, le bien-être et la race dans les environnements éducatifs. Nous explorerons des concepts tels que les préjugés implicites, les microagressions et l'intersectionnalité, mettant l'accent sur des pratiques pédagogiques inclusives et des stratégies pour promouvoir l'équité. Les participants participeront à des activités interactives, notamment des discussions de groupe et des études de cas, pour approfondir leur compréhension et partager des stratégies. Des sujets tels que la compétence culturelle, l'intégration de la diversité dans le curriculum, et la création d'espaces sûrs seront abordés. L'atelier se terminera avec des actions concrètes pour les participants, soulignant l'importance de la mise en œuvre de politiques inclusives.
Presented by Ed-Esther Kenga et Irène Phan
Venue
The Old Mill Inn is conveniently located a four-minute walk from Old Mill Subway Station.
Paid parking is available at $12 for the day.
Accommodations
Guests can call the Inn directly at 416-232-3703 or send an e-mail to reservations@oldmilltoronto.ca to make reservations.
Register
Click on a ticket type to register
Group discounts are available - email info@harmony.ca for details.
If cost is a barrier email info@harmony.ca for scholarship and reduced pricing options.
Event Sponsors
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