Faculty of Education first in Ontario to launch master’s program in leadership and community engagement

The first cohort of students enrolled in the Master of Leadership & Community Engagement (MLCE) program in York’s Faculty of Education gathered on campus on May 6 for an orientation, and to participate in their first courses.

Eleven students attended their first two blended courses, Critical Issues in Leadership & Community Engagement and Engaging Research in Professional Practice.

The MLCE degree program, the first of its kind in Ontario, is a professional master’s degree offered by the Graduate Program in Education that prepares graduates to advance in leadership roles in public sector organizations and communities, with a focus on community engagement and innovation.

The program is designed for candidates who are working in a wide range of contexts, including educational settings, community organizations and other public sector areas, such as health care, child and youth services, libraries, arts and culture institutions, and recreational programs.

“I decided to take the MLCE program because, as an academic adviser at York U, I want to be able to learn about and develop strategies to increase student retention and engagement with students from the immediate York community,” said April, a student in the program. “I believe that the MLCE will provide me with the knowledge and skills to do this.”

A central component of the program is experiential learning, as students will participate in two community placements. These placements provide participants with arenas in which to reflect, consolidate, integrate, synthesize and deepen their understandings of their future roles as leaders in their various professions.

“The MLCE will give students in-depth understandings of leadership, community and engagement while enhancing their research capacity,” said Sue Winton, associate dean of Research & Community in the Faculty of Education. “The program was designed for public sector professionals who are interested in developing their professional skills and knowledge to leverage community-based research and practice for social change. We want to equip students with what they need to advance in their careers and to improve their communities.”

For more information about the Master of Leadership & Community Engagement program, visit the Faculty of Education website at edu.yorku.ca.

Teacher candidate receives York International Global Achievement Award

Amanda Almeida

A fourth-year York University bachelor of education student was recently recognized by the University’s International Education Office with a York International Global Achievement Award. The $500 award was presented to Amanda Almeida in recognition of her participation in a global engagement experience through an academic exchange or summer abroad.

Applicants were asked to demonstrate how their experience(s) abroad had an impact on their academic and career choices and how it prepared them to become a global citizen.

Almeida participated in York International’s Educational Exchange to Freiburg, Germany in 2015, where she taught at a local German elementary school. She also taught English as a second language in Italy in 2016. While in Italy, she worked with a company called ACLE (Associazione Culturale Linguistica Educational) and received her Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate with a specialization in theatre and play.

This September, Almeida will begin her new job as a Grade 1 teacher at Wuxi International School in China.

“I’m looking forward to this exciting new opportunity and am absolutely thrilled to have my own classroom,” said Almeida. “My participation in York International’s exchange program has provided me with a rich international teaching and learning experience, and has helped me to develop an understanding of different cultures, which will only make me a better teacher.

“I would encourage others to take the opportunity to participate in York U’s international exchange program.”

For more information on international exchanges and opportunities to teach abroad, visit the York International website at yorkinternational.yorku.ca/go-global.

York grad student earns Aga Khan Foundation of Canada Fellowship

York University master of education (MEd) student Hawa Sabriye has been awarded an Aga Khan Foundation of Canada Fellowship in Mozambique. Hawa is one of 19 Canadians chosen to participate in the 2017-18 International Youth Fellowship Program.

Hawa Sabriye

Sabriye, a teacher, is in the International Development Management stream of the master’s degree program, and will be training teachers through the fellowship program. She has been doing similar work with refugee teachers in Dadaab, Kenya over the past few years through York’s Borderless Higher Education for Refugees (BHER) project.

Sabriye will be working as an outreach program support fellow with the Mozambique Aga Khan Academy, a unit of the Aga Khan Education Service, organizing and collecting data from educational research to benefit the academy.

“This fellowship relates to my research, because in Dadaab I had gained experience working in classrooms and within a teacher training program (BHER),” said Sabriye. “As a graduate assistant for the BHER project, I have been fortunate enough to develop research and report-writing skills that can support documentation and communication of projects that will benefit and relate to this fellowship opportunity. And as a current elementary school teacher, I have been particularly interested in expanding my knowledge and skill set in primary education within international development.”

The fellowship offers an international development training program and an eight-month overseas placement to recent university graduates and young professionals who are 30 years of age or younger.

Each fellow spends eight months in Africa or Asia working with agencies and partners of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), one of the world’s largest and most respected international development agencies.

Before fellows depart for their eight-month overseas placement, they attend a month-long seminar in Ottawa, which provides a thorough grounding in the skills and knowledge required to contribute effectively to their host organizations. Leading international development professionals based in Canada and overseas facilitate workshops.

“The fellowship will influence my pedagogical practices and provide me with the opportunity to develop teaching and learning resources with a diverse group of educators,” said Sabriye. “My studies at York and experience working with the BHER project have impacted my desire to continue to learn and implement education as a tool for sustainable development.”

Professor Aparna Mishra Tarc earns Outstanding Book Award

Professor Aparna Mishra Tarc, in York’s Faculty of Education, was awarded the prestigious 2017 American Educational Research Association (AERA) Division B Outstanding Book Award for her book Literacy of the Other at the recent 2017 AERA Annual Meeting in San Antonio, TX. The award was presented at the AERA Division B Business Meeting, Still We Rise, on the evening of April 28.

Literacy of the Other explores a bold psychoanalytical investigation into the existential significance of literacy. Featuring a dazzling array of novel artifacts and events, the book situates literacy in the internal fictive worlds of the self and other. This approach is designed to encourage teachers of language and literature to sustain reflexive thought in their practices of reading and writing as a means to gain insight into the physical processes of literacy.

“On behalf of AERA Division B with more than 2000 members, I want to congratulate all of the recipients for their extraordinary contributions to the field of curriculum studies,” said AERA Division B Vice-President Ming Fang He. “I also would like to send my deepest appreciation and heartfelt thanks to all the Chairs and Members of 2017 AERA Division B Awards Committees for the amazing wisdom, hard work, and invaluable time that you put into the selection of such incomparable and worthy recipients.”

In addition to receiving the award, Mishra Tarc also participated in a book signing and presented several sessions at the 2017 AERA Annual Meeting.

“Many congratulations to Aparna for this well-deserved recognition of her research,” said Lyndon Martin, dean of the Faculty of Education at York University. “As a Faculty, all of our work is underpinned by our academic scholarship and it is wonderful when this is acknowledged through such a prestigious award.”

York teacher candidate Yanika Coto shines as recipient of Helen G. Mitchell Award

Helen G. Mitchell Award
Helen G. Mitchell Award

A year-two teacher candidate in York University’s Faculty of Education has been honoured with a prestigious award for dedication to, interest in and passion for second language teaching.

Yanika Coto with York U Course Director James Steele

Yanika Coto, a junior/intermediate French as a second language (FSL) teacher candidate from the Keele campus, received the Helen G. Michell Award during the 2017 Ontario Modern Language Teachers’ Association Spring Conference.

The event, which took place March 31 to April 1, hosted more than 600 FSL and international languages teachers from across Ontario. It is the largest annual event of its kind.

Attendees enjoyed their choice of over 80 workshops, a keynote speech from Indigenous educator Jan Hare, networking, and outstanding professional learning from experts in second language pedagogy and peers from across the province.

The conference also celebrated leaders – and future leaders – in second language education at the Saturday awards breakfast.

Among luminaries from the Ministry of Education and the Canadian Association of Second Language Teachers who received recognition, one graduating student from each Faculty of Education who will be qualified to teach FSL or an international language is awarded with the Helen G. Mitchell Award.

“It was an honour to receive this award, and I especially want to thank James Steele who has equipped me with practices and strategies that have prepared me as a FSL teacher,” said Coto. “The two-year consecutive program at York has been life changing for me and I’m immensely grateful for the opportunities and for the continuous support as I look forward to a career in the profession.”

The Course Director and OMLTA Conference Chair for this year, James Steele, explained the selection process.

“We have over 70 teacher candidates graduating from our concurrent and new, enhanced two-year programs this year with French or Spanish as a teachable from both our Keele and Glendon campuses,” he said. “It was extremely difficult to choose just one star student from this group, so between the two other FSL course directors and myself, we nominated nine students. Each nominee submitted a paragraph that spoke about their educational philosophies for second language teaching and how they feel that they could make a strong impact on young people in their new roles. These were judged without any identifying factors; Yanika was our clear winner from the outstanding group of nominees.”

York teacher candidate volunteersOver 40 York teacher candidates also volunteered their time to assist with the conference, gaining fantastic professional learning opportunities while still students at the Faculty.

“I am very proud that so many of our students took part,” said Steele, noting it was the largest group of student volunteers from any Faculty of Education by a wide margin. “Their commitment to honing their craft and engaging in professional learning is a testament to their desire to be among the best educators in the province.”

Fifth annual Robert Tiffin Leadership Awards recognizes ten students

Robert Tiffin Leadership Awards
Robert Tiffin Leadership Awards

Ten more names will be added to the awards display wall in the Vari Hall Rotunda in celebration of the fifth annual Robert J. Tiffin Student Leadership Award.

This year’s award winners, along with Robert J. Tiffin and President-designate and Vice-President Academic and Provost Rhonda Lenton

The York University students receiving the award were honoured at the reception for their outstanding achievements in leadership, dedication, integrity and enthusiasm. The students received a certificate at the reception and will have the award noted on their transcripts.

The award was created to recognize current undergraduate and graduate students whose leadership has contributed to the growth, development and vitality of York University.

Students were selected on the basis of their leadership and/or involvement, as well as outstanding academic achievement.

This year’s recipients are:

School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design 
• Katrissa Singer, a fourth-year student completing a specialized honours bachelor of fine arts degree, majoring in visual arts

Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS)
• Alamgir Khandwala, a fourth-year student completing a specialized honours bachelor of administrative studies degree, majoring in accounting

• Munisha Basiram, a fourth-year student completing a specialized honours bachelor of public administration degree, with a focus on management

Glendon College and the Faculty of Education
• Liam Bekirsky, a third-year student at Glendon College completing a bilingual honours bachelor of arts degree, majoring in French studies. Bekirsky is also completing his bachelor of education degree with a focus on French as a second language and history

Faculty of Health
• Hammad Saif, a third-year student completing a specialized honours bachelor of science degree, majoring in kinesiology and health science

• Maseh Hadaf, a third-year student completing a specialized honours, bachelor of science degree, majoring in global health policy, management and systems

Faculty of Science
• Olga Andriyevska, a fourth-year student completing an honours bachelor of science degree, majoring in physics and astronomy

Faculty of Graduate Studies
• Yvonne Simpson, a fifth-year student completing a PhD in critical disability studies

Faculty of Education
• Melinda Phuong, a second-year student completing her master of education degree

• Michael Kenny, a third-year student in the Faculty of Graduate Studies, completing a PhD in education

Robert Tiffin, the award’s namesake, served as York University’s vice president, Students, for nine years before retiring in 2012. Tiffin was in attendance to hand out the awards to each of the winners and described the reception as “truly one of the biggest events of the year for me”.

This is the fifth year for the award, and Tiffin noted that he is honoured to have his name associated with the recipients.

“I am always impressed by the diversity of ways in which leadership occurs here at York and this was truly evident as I went through looking at the nomination packages,” he said. “There were several key themes I found that really embody the York Education – and this is mobilizing new ways of thinking, preparing engaged global citizens and building stronger communities.”

Through his strong leadership, dedication, integrity and fairness, Tiffin transformed his operation into one of the most professional student service organizations in the country while serving one of Canada’s largest student populations. During his term as Vice-President, Students, he undertook the strategic expansion of student services and the development of strategic programs such as Research At York (RAY) and Leadershape, which focus on enhancing the student educational and co-curricular experience.

Since retiring from York University Robert has continued a private consulting practice engaging with colleges, universities, government agencies and the private sector.  He has continued his commitment to enhancing post-secondary educational opportunities for student with disabilities by serving as a member of the Gordon Foundation.

Rhonda Lenton, President-designate, vice-president academic and provost, also shared a few words with recipients.

“This is one of the very important awards we have at York University,” she said. “The students in the room today … you are active, engaged members of the University and you are ambassadors for us.”

The celebration was hosted by the Office of Vice-Provost, Students.

Major homelessness prevention project will help young people upgrade education and skills

Canadian youth who are homeless now have hope for a better future thanks to almost $8-million in federal funding for homelessness prevention strategies announced April 25 during a special event at York University.

Above: From left, York University President-designate Rhonda Lenton, Faculty of Education Professor Stephen Gaetz, director of the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness and the Homeless Hub, Melanie Redman, executive director of A Way Home Canada, MP for Spadina-Fort York Colin Vaughan, and Robert Haché, vice-president research and innovation at York U

The funding will establish the Skills Link Program to help young people in Ontario and Alberta who are homeless, or in danger of becoming homeless, get the education, job skills, work experience and training they need. It will be underpinned by a new knowledge mobilization initiative that will be launched by the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness based at York University.

Adam Vaughan

Adam Vaughan, member of Parliament for Spadina-Fort York, announced the Skills Link program funding on behalf of the Patty Hajdu, minister of employment workforce development and labour.  “As we move toward truth and reconciliation in this the 150th year of experimenting with a country, we have much to learn and remember from the teaching of [Aboriginal] elders as we think about housing,” said Vaughan. “In talking to elders in Edmonton … shelter is seen as a place of healing. When you think about the role that shelter plays in the healing process, shelter becomes a place where you sleep and regenerate, recover from illness and escape the cold.”

Housing, said Vaughan, is an essential tool for healing and the funding for youth homelessness is part of a massive investment by the federal government to end a 30-year drought in housing funding. Initiatives such the Skills Link Program will offer desperately needed intervention strategies to get homeless youth into safer environments and help them heal, said Vaughan. He spoke again about that recent conversation with Aboriginal elders during which they referred to the new federal focus on housing and the effort to prevent youth homelessness as a way to “create more elders” or in other words, save lives. The project will also help the government track data and understand what works or doesn’t work when it comes to youth homelessness and federal housing strategies.

More than 1,300 youth and their families will take part in the project, which focuses on prevention of homelessness through early intervention and Housing First for Youth. Specifically, the project will be delivered through a partnership between national leaders on homelessness prevention including A Way Home Canada, the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness at York University, and the MaRS Centre for Impact Investing, as well as the Provinces of Ontario and Alberta, and dozens of community partners.

“Through a unique partnership with the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness  based at York University, the MaRS Centre for Impact Investing, two provinces and dozens of community partners, the Making the Shift project will ensure that young people at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness achieve housing stability and have natural supports such as family that are essential as they receive support to stay in school or access training and employment,” said  Melanie Redman, executive director of A Way Home Canada.

The goal of the project, “Making the Shift: Reimagining the Response to Youth Homelessness Through Social Innovation,” is to ensure that young people have housing stability as well as family and other supports to stay in school or access training and employment.

In the first two years of the project, demonstration projects will take place in 10 Canadian cities: Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, Calgary, Edmonton, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Red Deer, Grande Prairie and Fort McMurray.

Stephen Gaetz

Led by York University Professor Stephen Gaetz, the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness will launch a Youth Homelessness Social Innovation Lab to oversee the demonstration projects and develop tools and resources to help other communities to do similar projects.  York University will receive $1.45 million of the federal funding to run the lab, which will focus on knowledge mobilization, to ensure prevention models and Housing First for Youth take root at the policy and practice levels.

“This project will not only enable over a thousand homeless youth to access education and employment, but will provide us with a much stronger evidence base about how to prevent youth homelessness and support young people who do experience homelessness to exit this situation,” said Gaetz. “It’s all about helping young people in a tough situation to move forward in their lives in a way that promotes wellness and the chance to succeed.”

The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness issued a report recently that called for a major shift in addressing homelessness, to focus on prevention. This change in direction is important for young people in particular, according to the partners on the “Making the Shift” project for which funding was announced April 25, because becoming homeless for a sustained period may affect a young person’s health and wellbeing, their educational achievement and ultimately their ability to participate in the labour market.

“We are very pleased and proud to host this announcement at York University, as it represents not only a significant achievement for our researchers at the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, but also because the ‘Making the Shift’ project is very much in line with our University’s mandate, mission and values,” said York University’s President-designate Rhonda Lenton. “This is a proactive, nationwide initiative that is entirely driven by communities; it highlights the potential of strategic research partnerships and collaborations between community organizations, universities and research hubs; and the project will have a very real impact on our communities, both locally and across the country.

President-designate Rhonda Lenton

“Today and since our founding, York University has been known for a commitment to accessible education and for producing research that responds to societal needs, so this project is a wonderful extension and affirmation of that commitment and heritage,” said Lenton.

York University has been working in the area of homelessness for more than a decade through the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness and the Homelessness Hub, under the leadership of Gaetz. The University made history by hosting the very first research conference on homelessness back in 2005. Three years later, the Canadian Homelessness Research Network was established to formally bring together researchers, governments, communities and people with lived experience of homelessness from across Canada in order to better mobilize research and increase its impact on policy and practice.

“Making the Shift is a prime example of how compelling evidence on models of youth homelessness prevention can inform policy and lead to a sound investment in the future for this vulnerable community,” said Vice-President Research & Innovation Robert Haché. “It is also a stellar example of collaboration and partnerships − core values at York University, which has been working in the area of homelessness for more than a decade. We are very pleased to be working together with A Way Home Canada, MaRS Centre for Impact Investing and the provinces of Ontario and Alberta in this important federally funded initiative.”

Inaugural Graduate Student Research Conference attracts more than 150 participants

Research York University
Research York University

‘Visions, Collaborations & Transformations’, the inaugural York University Graduate Student Research Conference in the Social Sciences & Humanities, took place at York University on April 6 and 7 with more than 150 graduate students participating.

Students came from 25 programs across York University and neighbouring institutes (including: OISE, University of Toronto, Ryerson University, Trent, Carlton, McMaster, and U Vic) to present on the environment, diversity and inclusion, Indigenous people, and youth in conjunction with the theme of Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation.

The event was supported by Canada 150 at York University, the Faculty of Education, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies and York Graduate Students in Education.

The first day of the conference opened with guest speaker and York alumni Eddy Robinson, who spoke about his experiences on Indigeneity, identity, and representation. He is a noted Anishinaabe artist, musician, educator, facilitator, trainer and speaker.

Kent Monkman

Day one ended with a keynote address by First Nations artist Kent Monkman, who is well known for his provocative reinterpretations of romantic North American landscapes with themes including colonization, sexuality, loss, resilience, and the complexities of historic and contemporary Native American experience. Monkman spoke about his process and evolution as an artist and of his paintings that challenge the colonial lens of the settlement of Canada. One attendee remarked of Monkman’s address, “The keynote was inspirational. I was rapt. Just incredible artwork and an excellent speaker.”

The second day of the conference began with a panel on “Putting Your Research to Work,” featuring Michael Johnny from the Knowledge Mobilization Unit at York University, Carolyn Steele from the Career Centre at York University and Alumni Jason Guriel from the Evidence Exchange Network, CAMH. The conference also included an innovative open space (IOS) session, which provided participants with a space to engage in dialogue regarding questions, research, and emerging themes within the outlined conference topics. GSRC also welcomed 50 international attendees from York’s Graduate Student Preparation Program (GSPP).

The York University Graduate Student Research Conference in the Social Sciences & Humanities is an initiative by York Graduate Students in Education, Centre for Research on Latin America and the Caribbean, Science and Technology Studies Graduate Student Association, OISE Graduate Students’ Association, York Sociology Graduate Student Association and the Social Anthropology Graduate Association.

Co-organizers, Stacey Bliss and Josefina Rueter, commented, “We are thrilled with the turn out of graduate students, faculty members, and guests. The conference was a great success particularly due to the engagement and scholarship of students who attended and presented. We would like to thank our partners, supporters, and volunteers who help us realize this inaugural event. And, we hope next year a few intrepid graduate students will make the second year a welcoming and exciting event.”

Educators from Saudi Arabia participate in immersive learning program at York

York University’s Faculty of Education welcomed a group of 59 educators from Saudi Arabia in early April to participate in a workshop titled “Relationship Building Preparing for School Immersion OCT Standards of Practice/Ethical Standards” organized by the Faculty’s Office of Professional Learning and course directors.

Picture of teachers from Saudi ArabiaThe 59 teachers, counsellors and principals from Saudi Arabia are at York for an immersive, six-month teacher professional learning program developed by the York University English Language Institute (YUELI).

The visiting group spent the past three months participating in the Academic Program at YUELI to improve their English language skills. For the next three months, they will work with local mentor teachers in placements across Toronto schools and put their new skills into action with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB). The project also provides the opportunity for participants to learn about the culture and values of Canadian society.

“We are delighted to host our teacher and principal colleagues from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the Individualized Guidance component of Building Leadership for Change Through School Immersion,” said Rick White, coordinator of International Programs and Leadership in the Faculty of Education at York University. “An outstanding group of accomplished mentors from the Faculty of Education with current knowledge of exemplary practices utilized in Ontario schools will be supporting the participants in this program.”

This is the second collaborative project with the TDSB in the past 12 months that utilizes the expertise of YUELI staff to build skills and the opportunities of the school board staff to provide practical experiences.

The TDSB noted in a statement that it welcomes “fellow educators from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia into our schools and classrooms as part of the Building Leadership for Change Through School Immersion Program. We look forward to providing our visiting colleagues with a meaningful and valuable experience through this exciting program.”

The project is a joint initiative with the Saudi Arabian Cultural Bureau, the Faculty of Education at York University, and the TDSB. It is managed by the York University English Language Institute.

Roundtable highlights York students’ positive actions to support migration and diversity

A roundtable organized by York University’s Centre for Refugee Studies (CRS) showcased the many ways in which students are engaging positively to promote inclusion on campus and in the community. The event, which took place March 15 at the Keele campus, was streamed to the Glendon campus.

Four students from the Keele and Glendon campuses presented on their personal and collective resistance to problematic anti-immigration, racist, Islamophobic and anti-Semitic actions in Canada and internationally.

Christina Clark-Kazak (organizer and moderator), Dina Taha, Hawa Sabriye, Ousman Conteh and Kim Veller
Christina Clark-Kazak (organizer and moderator), Dina Taha, Hawa Sabriye, Ousman Conteh and Kim Veller. Photo by John Carlaw

Dina Taha, a PhD candidate in sociology, a member of the York University Sociologists and Friends refugee sponsorship group and co-chair of the CRS Student Caucus, encouraged participants to decolonize methodologies. She explained how increased awareness and attention to our own positions within power relations is necessary for both research and activism.

Kim Veller, a second-year student at Osgoode Hall Law School and chair of the local chapter of the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers, reported on a recent research-a-thon that was focused on the Safe Third Country Agreement. This pan-Canadian initiative, in partnership with the Canadian Council for Refugees, demonstrated how law students can use their legal training and research to effect positive policy change.

Ousman Conteh, co-president of the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) group at Glendon and a Development Studies major, highlighted WUSC’s Refugee Sponsorship Program, which brings refugee students to study at York University. He also spoke of WUSC’s broader public education roles, including an upcoming Fair Trade event at the Glendon campus.

Hawa Sabriye, a master of education candidate and teacher with the Toronto District School Board, gave specific examples about increasing diversity and tolerance in educational settings, both in Toronto and abroad. Her experience with WUSC-Keele and the Borderless Higher Education for Refugees (BHER) project provided rich perspectives on the many ways in which education can be made more inclusive.

The diversity of experiences and disciplinary perspectives of the speakers and the participants resulted in an energizing discussion about how the different student groups could work together on collective goals. Participants also discussed at length the ways in which particular terminology and labels can undermine rights – such as the use of the illegal migrant label.