Equity Connections is a series of opportunities for school leaders to engage in conversations that deepen their understanding of anti-racism and anti-oppression. These facilitated sessions are designed to maximize sharing of ideas, especially those connected to creating anti-oppressive school environments and where all students can thrive and grow.

Building a Culture of Belonging

Details: Join us in a conversation that examines practices and considerations for building cultures of belonging for students, families and staff. The importance of school leaders in fostering environments of belonging cannot be understated. We will discuss and share steps and strategies to support your actions in leading anti-oppressive work in your school and system.

Date: November 20, 2024

Time: 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. EST

Cost: Free (Members and Associates), $50 +HST (Non-Members)

Presenter:

Irfan Toor

Social Justice and Anti-Oppression Advisor - Ontario Principals' Council

Irfan Toor (he/him) is the Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for the Ontario Principals' Council. He joined the staff in 2021 when the position was created, coming to the organization from a similar position as Principal of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for the Simcoe County District School Board.

Irfan has been working in education for more than 30 years in communities such as Victoria, Kingston, Toronto and in Simcoe County. As a secondary and intermediate educator and school administrator in public, private and alternative settings, he is committed to fostering educational practices that centre students in the learning experience. 

As a system principal, Irfan provided leadership, support and mentorship to school administrators as they progressed on their individual journeys to noticing, unlearning and disrupting systemic practices that reinforced disproportionate outcomes for underserved identities.

As a Member of the OPC, Irfan spent many years on the local executive for Simcoe County as part of the Terms and Conditions team, Secondary Provincial Councillor and as a Member-at-Large for the Provincial Executive in 2020-2021. 

Member / Associate  Non-member

Future Dates:

• January 15, 2025 
• March 5, 2025 
• May 14, 2025 

Details: More information coming soon!

Indigenous Connections - FREE for Members!

Indigenous Connections is a series of opportunities for school leaders to engage in conversations that deepen their understanding of Indigenous history, heritage, and culture. These facilitated sessions are designed to maximize peer-to-peer connection and sharing of ideas, especially those connected to creating school environments that acknowledge and honour Indigenous ways of knowing and being, and where all students can thrive and grow.

Protecting and Upholding Indigenous Rights and Dignities in Education 

Details: The education system continues to be a place of harm and injustice with respect to Indigenous students and staff. From curricular violence, the devaluing of Indigenous cultures and knowledge systems to the outright erasure of Indigenous Peoples, educational spaces need to be radically transformed.

This session will lead administrators through a series of case studies where they will engage in critical dialogue and scenario examination to identify harmful practices. Through collective discussions educators will examine possible challenges and opportunities to determine equitable and just outcomes.

Date: December 11, 2024

Time: 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. EST

Cost: Free (Members and Associates), $50 +HST (Non-members)

Presenter:

Jodie Williams

Academic Coordinator for Indigenous Education, Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB)

Jodie Williams currently works with DPCDSB and is the Past Chair for the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Association of Ontario. She has led a provincial Community of Practice for Indigenous Knowledge and Mathematics, which involves a collaboration with NASA, Māori educators from New Zealand, the Navajo Nation in the United States, as well as the Anishinaabek, Cree and Kanyen’kaha:ka (Mohawk). More recently, she has led provincial work in exploring Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Artificial Intelligence in Education. 

Jodie is also a course developer and instructor of Additional Qualification courses and has developed countless resources in the area of Indigenous Education. She has worked with the Ontario Catholic School Trustees Association as a consultant and advisor, and has been a Program Officer with the Ontario College of Teachers in the area of accreditation with specific focus on Indigenous content. Together she and her husband have five daughters and one granddaughter.

Member / Associate  Non-member

Future Session Dates

• February 19, 2025 
• April 9, 2025 
• June 11, 2025 

Details: More information coming soon!

Past Sessions

These sessions offer open conversations for vice-principals driven by participant voices on relevant and important topics of the day. 

Topics may include:

Dates* (Tuesdays):

• September 24, 2024 

• October 29, 2024 
• November 26, 2024 
• January 28, 2025 
• February 25, 2025 
• March 25, 2025 
• April 29, 2025 
• May 27, 2025 

Time: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. EDT/EST

Cost: Free (Members and Associates)

Facilitators: 

Lawrence DeMaeyer

Professional Learning Consultant, Ontario Principals' Council

Lawrence has been an educator for over 30 years. He started his career as an elementary teacher before moving to secondary where he spent over a decade as a Business Teacher and Department Head. As a Principal, Lawrence held system-level leadership positions and he has also served as a Superintendent of Education, Leadership Development and School Support. Lawrence’s passion for developing people, system learning, and innovation led him to join OPC in February of 2021.

Susie Lee-Fernandes

Director of Professional Learning and Engagement, Ontario Principals' Council

Susie has served in education for over 24 years in the roles of teacher, principal and superintendent with responsibilities for equity, special education and leadership development. She is a dedicated educator and life-long learner, committed to culturally responsive leadership and authentic collaboration with community partners. As the Director of Professional Learning and Engagement, Susie is committed to developing and providing relevant and meaningful learning for school and system leaders. 

Register 

*Members and Associates are welcome to join at any time, even if you have missed earlier sessions.

Refund Policy

A full refund is available if you cancel before the meeting link is sent.

There is no refund for cancellations on the date of the session or after meeting link has been sent.

A full refund applies when a session is cancelled due to low enrollment.