ASWR2013 - The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario

... and still we rise
Westin Harbour Castle Hotel
Toronto, Ontario
February 20-22, 2013
ETFO’s Annual Leadership Conference For Women
Featuring keynote addresses, leadership presentations, elective
workshops, artisan displays, networking opportunities, and more.
Travel, shared accommodation, meals, release time, and dependant care
according to provincial guidelines are provided for ETFO members.
For more information contact:
Kalpana Makan, ETFO Executive Staff, kmakan@etfo.org
Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario
Fédération des enseignantes et des
enseignants de l’élémentaire de l’Ontario
480 University Avenue, Suite 1000, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1V2
416-962-3836 1-888-838-3836 www.etfo.ca
United and Strong
changing our world together

Conference Agenda
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
3:00 - 10:00 p.m. Registration
4:30 - 10:00 p.m. Artisan Market Place
6:15 - 7:15 p.m. Buffet and Cash Bar
7:15 - 7:25 p.m.
Greetings from
First Vice-President
7:30 - 8:30 p.m. Keynote: Kelli Trottier
8:30 - 9:30 p.m. Social Time
Thursday, February 21, 2013
6:30 - 7:30 a.m. Thursday Fitness: Yoga
7:15 - 8:45 a.m. Breakfast Buffet
8:45 - 9:00 a.m. Overview
9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Keynote: Michelle Landsburg
10:00 - 10:30 a.m. Break
10:30 - 12:00 p.m. Session 1 Workshop Options
(Workshops same as Session 2)
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Buffet Lunch
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Keynote: Cindy Blackstock
2:00 - 2:30 p.m. Break
2:30 - 4:00 p.m. Session 2 Workshop Options
(Workshops same as Session 1)
6:00 - 7:15 p.m.
7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Thursday Night Event:
Option A: A dinner provided
evening with Leslie McCurdy,
“Things My Fore-Sisters Saw”
Option B: A free evening for
networking and claimable meal
up to $45.00 with receipt as per
ETFO guidelines
Friday, February 22, 2013
6:30 - 7:30 a.m. Friday Fitness: Yoga
7:15 - 8:45 a.m. Breakfast Buffet
8:45 - 9:15 a.m. Check Out
9:15 - 10:15 a.m. Keynote: Sally Armstrong
10:15 - 11:00 a.m. Break/Check Out
11:00 - 12:30 p.m. Session 3 Workshop Options
12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Buffet Lunch
1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Keynote: Sophie Trudeau
2:30 - 2:45 p.m. Closing
... and still we rise
Performance
A celebration of
Black History:
‘Things My Fore-
Sisters Saw’
Outstanding Performing
Artist’ of Windsor, Ontario,
Leslie McCurdy has
been performing for many
years in Southwestern Ontario
and the Mid-Western United States. Also a teacher,
with an honours B.F.A. in dance from the University
of Michigan, Leslie was slated to go to New York
to apprentice with the Alvin Ailey American Dance
Theatre when she literally tripped, fractured her hip,
and fell into acting. While she has many theatre
credits, Leslie is best known for the two one-woman
plays that she wrote and has toured with internationally
for 14 years. ‘The Spirit of Harriet Tubman’ was a
finalist for a Canadian Chalmers Award for Best New
Play for Young Audiences, though it is a play for all
ages, and her second play ‘Things My Fore-Sisters
Saw’, about four Black women who impacted Canadian
History, ran on the Bravo Network in Canada.
Human rights activist, journalist, and awardwinning
author Sally Armstrong
has covered stories about women and girls
in conflict zones around the world. Sally
served recently on the International Women’s
Commission, a UN body that consists of 20
Palestinian women, 20 Israeli women, and
12 internationals whose mandate was assisting with the path to
peace in the Middle East. She was editor-in-chief of Homemaker’s
magazine from 1988 to 1999, is the co-producer and host of
several documentaries, and the author of several books. In 1998,
she was made a Member of the Order of Canada. From Bosnia
and Somalia to Rwanda and Afghanistan, her eye-witness reports
have earned her many awards, including the Gold Award from the
National Magazine Awards Foundation and the Author’s Award from
the Foundation for the Advancement of Canadian Letters. She’s a
three-time winner of the Amnesty International Media Award in 2000,
2002, and 2011.
Cindy Blackstock is a member of
the Gitksan Nation, she has worked in the
field of child and family services for over 20
years. She is an activist for child welfare and
Executive Director of the First Nations Child
and Family Caring Society of Canada. She is also an associate
professor for the Faculty of Extension at the University of Alberta.
Michele Landsberg is known as
one of Canada’s most tireless and effective
social justice activists. As a journalist and
speaker she discusses issues that others
shy away from or ignore, including the plight
of women in developing countries and race
and gender equality here at home. Her work
has brought many important issues to light and influenced countless
opinion leaders across the country. She has been recognized with
numerous awards such as the YWCA Women of Distinction Award
and two National Newspaper Awards during her time at the Toronto
Star. Michelle Landsberg is a progressive thinker and a natural
optimist. She is outspoken and tenacious and insists on looking at
all sides of an issue.
Kelli Trottier is a triple threat! She
has been touring the globe with her angelic
voice, distinctive fiddling style, and fiery
stepdance with some of the best musicians
in Canada. She is also a fine song writer
and features all of her talents on her nine
independent recordings. Kelli is a three time nominee for fiddle
player of the year with the Canadian Country Music Association.
Kelli Trottier is an unforgettable and enchanting artist, consistently
delivering performances that raise her stature in the hearts and
memories of audiences everywhere.
Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau
is a national television host and media
personality. Fully trilingual, Sophie
studied at McGill University, Université
de Montréal, and ProMedia television
and radio school before working in
sales and advertising. She was a
journalist for LCN, she has hosted and
contributed to a variety of television shows as Coup de Pouce on
Radio-Canada, Bec et Museau, and Salut-Bonjour Weekend on TVA
and many more. She also co-hosted radio morning shows on CKMF
Radio, CKAC, and was a special guest host on CBC Radio One.
A true inspiration to community
volunteers everywhere, Sophie
has been the spokesperson
and guest speaker for many
causes and mostly those
related to women and
children.

Thursday, February 21, 2013
Session 1 & Session 2 Workshop Options
(Relating to Equity, Gender, and Social Justice)
Anti-Mentalism 101
W1 The concepts of “mentalism” and “sanism” are introduced
and explored in this workshop. Mentalism is a form of
discrimination against people who are labelled as having a mental
illness. Sanism is a system of discrimination that GIVES preferences
to behaviours and ways of experiencing the world, and calls them
“sane”. The boundaries of what is considered “socially acceptable”
and “socially unacceptable” behaviour, will be explored. The
presentation will be both enlightening and inspiring. (This workshop
is repeated in all three sessions.)
Presenter(s): Laura Guerrero
Best Practices in Aboriginal Education:
W2 The Teachers’ Toolkit
The workshop will provide educators with knowledge,
skills, and resources for the infusion of First Nations, Métis, and
Inuit perspectives into the curriculum through culturally responsive
and relevant teaching and learning experiences. Participants will be
able to utilize the resources to create more inclusive schools and
environments that strengthen school/community relationships. This
toolkit will enhance your programming and instructional delivery in
relation to Aboriginal Education!
Presenter(s): Tanya Senk
Beyond Tokenism and Tolerance
W3 This workshop provides a space where educators can
discuss and deconstruct the barriers that contribute to
inequity across the curriculum. Participants will delve deeply into
some of the systemic obstacles that can prevent us from achieving
true equity. Opportunity will be provided to examine how power and
privilege can prevent particular voices from being included within
a learning space. This workshop will help participants to develop a
deeper understanding about how to integrate learning experiences
that students can relate to within their own social context and the
curriculum. (This workshop is repeated in all three sessions.)
Presenter(s): Karen Naidoo, Kisha McPherson
Creating an Inclusive Community for
W4 Young Children
Are you looking for creative LGBTQIA inclusive curriculum
ideas at the primary level? This practical and innovative workshop
will provide educators with current information and the steps
needed to create an LGBTQIA-inclusive, arts-based curriculum that
integrates early literacy and mathematics. Meaningful strategies will
be provided and discussed to enhance your current program.
Presenter(s): Razia Dawood, Ruth Gayle, Shannon Greene, Velvet
Schein
From a Bully’s Point of View: Addressing
the Prevention of Discrimination and
W5
Harassment through Film
Using three short films of different styles, educators
will discover how the exploration of film techniques can lead to
discussions of equity in elementary classrooms. Filmic examples
of bullying related to gender, ethnicity, physical appearance, and
socioeconomic inequity will be shown and discussed. Teachers will
learn how to guide students through an exploration of social justice
and conflict resolution by analyzing a film’s narrative and character
development through a point of view and storyboarding exercise.
Participants will be provided with classroom resources for each
film, instructions for developing storyboards with students, and a
storyboard template.
Presenter(s): Daniella Marchese
Learning Social Skills through Social
W6 Media Theme: Technology
How can you harness the power of social networking?
This presentation will explore the use of Edmodo. This new
collaborative online tool is a way to connect to students in a
meaningful and informative way. Find out how students can develop
common understandings of “learning skills”, create authentic
media works, and provide feedback to each other. It is appropriate,
engaging, and powerful.
Presenter(s): Lisa Donohue, Shadi Yazdan
Looking Ahead at How Your Pension
W7 Works the Ontario Teachers’ Pension
Plan (OTPP)
(for contract teachers and occasional teachers)
Have questions about your teacher pension? This presentation for
qualified teachers covers an array of topics ranging from how the
OTPP pension is calculated and the different types of pensions
available, to purchasing credit, survivor benefits, death benefits, and
re-employment rules. This workshop is offered in Session 1 only.
Presenter(s): Jennifer Mitchell
Looking Ahead at How Your Pension
W8 Works the Ontario Municipal Employees
Retirement System (OMERS)
(for non-teacher qualified members, such as DECEs,
ESPs, and PSPs )
This presentation for members covers an array of topics which
include how the OMERS pension is calculated and the different
types of pensions available, new options to maximize retirement
income, survivor benefits, and how inflation protection preserves the
value of your pension. This workshop is offered in Session 2 only.
Presenter(s): Jennifer Mitchell
Mean Girls Aren’t Cool!
W9 Girl bullying is a growing phenomena in many schools!
This presentation will explore the issues related to
cliques, “queen bees”, gossip, and cyber bullying. Strategies
and tools to support participants in the areas of empathy,
communication, confrontation, problem-solving, and friendship will
be provided. This insightful workshop will look at scenarios and
strategies to help educators assist female students in navigating this
complex and challenging time in their lives.
Presenter(s): Rita Gill
Metis: Weaving An Infinity Journey to
W10 Honour One’s Identity Through
“The Giving Tree – A Retelling of a
Traditional Metis Story” by Leah Dorion
Participants will explore the Metis culture; their symbolism and
identity. Opportunities will be provided to develop new knowledge
of cross-curricular learning through hands-on Arts activities that are
embedded within this unit. This workshop will promote an Arts rich
approach to embed Aboriginal content.
Presenter(s): Dawn Sillaby-Smith, Cathy Stanley
Queer Like Me – The Role of Peer
W11 Education in Engaging LGBTQ
Communities
Teens Educating and Confronting Homophobia (T.E.A.C.H.) is a
peer-to-peer anti-homophobia education program based out of
Planned Parenthood Toronto. Emphasizing skills-building and
partnership, T.E.A.C.H. trains dynamic youth peer facilitators,
aged 16-23, to lead anti-homophobia activities that encourage
participants to think critically about homophobia and heterosexism
in their communities and the issues faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual,
and transgender youth. By sharing their own experiences of
homophobia, T.E.A.C.H. facilitators help participants to confront their
issues and beliefs around homophobia and heterosexism.
Presenter(s): Anna Penner
... and still we rise

Sexual Orientation: Creating a Safe,
W12 Respectful Learning Environment for All
This training supports schools to eliminate discrimination
and oppression based on sexual orientation. Participants will
explore challenging underlying values and attitudes, develop
an understanding of how to create a safe, respectful learning
environment, and receive training that easily adapts for working
with students, staff, and administrators. This workshop is timely and
meaningful.
Presenter(s): Barb Urman
Teaching Equity Through Animation
W13 & Film-Making in the Primary/Junior
Classroom
Looking for an intriguing and creative way to engage students
in exploring conflict resolution and restorative justice practices?
This practical workshop will provide participants with exciting
opportunities to learn how to use animation and film-making
techniques with primary and junior students through Claymation
animation. Participants will learn about cameras, angles,
storyboards, and how to film edit using Movie Maker in creating
public services announcements. Come play and animate with us!
(This workshop is repeated in all three sessions.)
Presenter(s): Angela Silver, Anne MacInnis
The Five Step Plan for Unit Design:
W14 The Power to Name and Reclaim
This session will focus on utilizing a Five Step Plan
for Unit Design. Specifically, the model shared will focus on First
Nations, Metis, and Inuit people. Strategies will be provided to
support teachers and students in uncovering stereotypes and
sharing the voices of children. The issues of perspective and the
power of reclaiming identity will also be discussed. Participants will
receive classroom-ready activities to support their current programs.
Presenter(s): Karen Murray, Nicole West-Burns
Turn the Page … Using Text to Open
W15 Hearts and Minds to Equity and Diversity
This workshop will provide opportunities to explore how
you can use rich texts to springboard drama and art activities which
will motivate your students to discover their voice in an inclusive
classroom. Meaningful and creative strategies will be provided to
engage students in celebrating diversity while developing literacy
skills. Participants will receive a wide variety of practical ideas
that can be easily integrated into many areas of the curriculum to
support and enrich their daily instructional programs. Join us to open
your heart and mind to equity and diversity!
Presenter(s): Marion Ahrens, Charmain Brown
Friday, February 22, 2013
Session 3 Workshop Options
(Relating to Equity, Safe Schools, Restorative
Justice Practices)
Anti-Mentalism 101
W1 The concepts of “mentalism” and “sanism” are introduced
and explored in this workshop. Mentalism is a form of
discrimination against people who are labelled as having a mental
illness. Sanism is a system of discrimination that GIVES preferences
to behaviours and ways of experiencing the world, and calls them
“sane”. The boundaries of what is considered “socially acceptable”
and “socially unacceptable” behaviour, will be explored. The
presentation will be both enlightening and inspiring. (This workshop
is repeated in all three sessions.)
Presenter(s): Laura Guerrero
Beyond Tokenism and Tolerance
W3 This workshop provides a space where educators can
discuss and deconstruct the barriers that contribute to
inequity across the curriculum. Participants will delve deeply into
some of the systemic obstacles that can prevent us from achieving
true equity. Opportunity will be provided to examine how power and
privilege can prevent particular voices from being included within
a learning space. This workshop will help participants to develop a
deeper understanding about how to integrate learning experiences
that students can relate to within their own social context and the
curriculum. (This workshop is repeated in all three sessions.)
Presenter(s): Karen Naidoo, Kisha McPherson
Teaching Equity Through Animation
W13
& Film-Making in the Primary/Junior
Classroom
Looking for an intriguing and creative way to engage
students in exploring conflict resolution and restorative justice
practices? This practical workshop will provide participants
with exciting opportunities to learn how to use animation
and film-making techniques with primary and junior students
through Claymation animation. Participants will learn about
cameras, angles, storyboards, and how to film edit using Movie
Maker in creating public services announcements. Come play
and animate with us! (This workshop is repeated in all three
sessions.)
Presenter(s): Angela Silver, Anne MacInnis
... and still we rise
Addressing Bullying – An Empowerment
W16 Approach by COPA
In this COPA (Centre Ontarien de Prevention des
Aggressions) workshop, participants will learn how to distinguish
between everyday conflict and bullying in order to intervene and
implement prevention programs effectively. Practical skills and
strategies will be shared to enhance participants’ capacity and
confidence. The workshop tools are designed for immediate and
positive application in the classroom, lunchroom, and playground. All
participants will receive a copy of COPA’s newly published teacher’s
guide on bullying.
Presenter(s): Mohini Athia, Anna Cook
Because I am a Girl
W17 Plan Canada’s Because I am a Girl Speakers Bureau is
made up of girls between the ages of 14-22 speaking out
for girls’ rights and gender equality both locally and globally. From
classrooms to the United Nations, these girls are taking action for
social justice. SkyWorks Charitable Foundation partnered with Plan
Canada to give these girls new tools to amplify their voices through
documentary filmmaking. In this workshop the girls will screen
their short films and talk about the issues they chose to address
– ranging from the experiences of first generation Canadian girls
to images of beauty in the media. They will also share information
about their experiences in the Speakers Bureau and opportunities
for you to bring these inspiring young women to your own school.
Presenter(s): Lindsey Higgs
Because I am a Girl – Empowering Girls
W18 for Global Change
Being a girl matters, and investing in girls and gender
equality is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and creating
a better world for everyone. Explore what it means to be a girl in
Canada and in developing countries around the world through a
series of activities designed to promote communication, teamwork,
and leadership skills. In this workshop, participants will be provided
with the Because I am A Girl club resources (a set of modules
based upon themes that resonate with girls locally and globally)
and curriculum-related extensions that can be used to supplement
classroom learning. Teachers will examine/work with a few of the
modules in more detail, looking at issues such as self-esteem and
economic empowerment.
Presenter(s): Jen Albaugh
Because I am a Girl – Conflicted:
W19 Assertion vs. Aggression
In Canada, bullying is a phenomenon that we hear a lot
about in the media. Girl bullying is something that is being discussed
more and more. But what is girl bullying? Is it different than boy
bullying? In this workshop, participants will explore some theories
about how girls react to emotional conflicts with other girls and
whether gender stereotypes stop girls from being assertive. The vital
role that women and girls play as peacemakers to stop violence and
conflict will also be explored.
Presenter(s): Leanne Nicolle
Creating Safe and Accepting Schools:
W20 From Anti-Bullying to Pro-Equity
We often hear about different types of bullying in terms
of cyber bullying, harassment, physical assault, gossip, etc., but
seldom is a distinction drawn between discriminatory and nondiscriminatory
bullying. Effective strategies for bullying prevention
and intervention need to take into account who is being targeted
(solely the individual, or a group to which that individual belongs?)
and take a pro-equity approach to addressing discrimination-based
bullying. This interactive workshop will help educators identify the
roles that larger systems of inequity such as racism, homophobia/
heterosexism, classism, sexism, transphobia, sizism, faithism, and
ableism can play in bullying and harassing behaviour, as well as
identify appropriate tools and strategies to prevent and respond to
different forms of bullying.
Presenter(s): Helen Anderson
“Dance-Esteem”
W21 Dance-Esteem explores the non-verbal form of
communication (dance) as a canvas to experience
emotions that arise from issues such as self-esteem, bullying,
oppression, and prejudice. Dance-Esteem fuses dance and poetry
(spoken word) as a form of expression to conquer social justice
themes. Each individual should expect to leave this workshop
empowered and have a renewed sense of self. (This presentation is
about more dance and less talk!)
Presenter(s): Ayesatta Conteh-King, Debbie Nicholls-Skerritt

More Than A Play: An Invitation to
W22 Explore Social Justice
ETFO’s More Than A Play book is a collection of
scripts written for junior/intermediate students that explore social
justice and equity issues of isolation, separation, ability, cultural
backgrounds, and sexual orientation. This practical and popular
workshop will explore these scenes from the plays through a variety
of drama and literacy strategies that will excite and engage students
in social justice issues.
Presenter(s): Debbie Nyman
Pride and Passion in our Profession
W23 Teaching is one of the most trusted professions. This
presentation is a refreshing reminder about who we are
as educators in today’s changing world, exploring our identity as
professionals, and presents reasons to reflect upon the importance
of our roles in children’s’ lives! The importance of humour, making
meaningful connections with students, promoting respectful,
appropriate behaviour, and balancing our own professional priorities
are a few of the concepts addressed along with celebrating the
positive, building good public relations, and believing in our power to
make a difference!
Presenter(s): Joanne Myers
Rights of Children: Teaching for Global
W24
Citizenship Through Rights-Based
Education
We hear about human rights, but what about children’s rights? The
Convention on the Rights of the Child was the first legally binding
international instrument to incorporate the full range of human
rights: civil, cultural, economic, political, and social rights. Come
learn about children’s rights through a variety of interactive activities
that can be used within your primary/junior classroom. Curriculum
connections and resource suggestions will be provided throughout
the workshop, giving teachers plenty of ideas about how to empower
elementary students through rights-based education.
Presenter(s): Daniela Lombardo
... and still we rise
Social Justice Begins with Me
W25 This workshop introduces ETFO’s new literature-based
curriculum focused resource kit for grades K-8, replacing
the popular “We’re Erasing Prejudice for Good” kit. This resource
and workshop will help teachers address issues of equity and
social justice in their classroom as well as assist their students
in developing an awareness and understanding of issues. The
“teacher-friendly” lessons featured in this workshop will show
teachers how to engage diverse learners and create classroom
environments that are safe and inclusive.
Presenter(s): Rita Gill
Speak up for Health and Safety!
W26 As educators, we put the needs of our students first.
Of course! We have powerful, caregiving roles in our
families and communities. No question! But wait a minute, what
about our own health and safety at work? Oh … that … This
workshop takes a fresh look at the value of our own occupational
wellness. You’ll learn how and when to put the power of the
Occupational Health and Safety Act to work – without having to
go to law school. Real life examples about overcoming everyday
challenges will make it easy for you to say “Courage!” when you
think about your health and safety at school.
Presenter(s): Valence Young
Women and Collective Bargaining:
W27 Past, Present, and Future
Collective bargaining is a significant instrument that can
empower women to act together to achieve equity in the workplace.
In this workshop, we will, review historic gains in workplace rights
for women that were achieved through collective bargaining; and,
examine the war being waged on collective bargaining rights in
North America, its implications for women’s bargaining gains, and
how we can effectively respond to this challenge.
Presenter(s): Lisa Mastrobuono