Webinars

Webinars 2026-27

FREE for Members! These webinars are offered on relevant topics designed to meet the needs of school leaders in the current Ontario education context.

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October & November 2026 -

Trauma-Sensitive Schools: From Foundations to Leadership (2-part series)

Details: Trauma-sensitive schools build upon the foundations of mentally healthy schools by supporting schools and staff to intentionally create predictable, welcoming and inclusive environments that promote healing, well-being and learning. School leaders play a critical role in advancing trauma-sensitive practices. By establishing the conditions that support mentally healthy schools, leaders help ensure that trauma-sensitive approaches are implemented consistently, equitably, and effectively across classrooms, schools, and systems. 

Join us for this two-part series to enhance trauma-sensitive approaches and deepen your leadership practices.

Part-1 - October 6, 2026

Foundations of Trauma: Creating Conditions for Healing, Learning and Growth

This webinar will explore the foundations of trauma-sensitive practice, including an introduction to the neurobiology of trauma and its impact on learning, relationships, and overall development. Participants will gain an understanding of how trauma can influence a student's experience at school and learn practical Tier 1 approaches that support resilience and recovery. 

The session will highlight key trauma-sensitive practices, including the importance of connection, belonging, emotional safety, and strong relationships. Participants will also explore strategies for supporting identity-affirming social-emotional skill development and creating learning environments that promote regulation, engagement, and success for all students. 

Part-2 - November 11, 2026

Leading the Way: Implementing Sustainable Trauma-Sensitive Practice in Schools

School leaders influence the culture and climate of schools by prioritizing physical and psychological safety, belonging, well-being, and relationships through their communication, actions and decisions. They must also model the regulated, relational responses that are foundational to trauma-sensitive environments.

This webinar will focus on practical implementation strategies that support school leaders in strengthening and sustaining trauma-sensitive practice within their schools. Facilitators with experience leading trauma-sensitive and mentally healthy school initiatives will explore the Guide for Trauma Sensitive School Leaders and accompanying slide deck. Through discussion, reflection, and shared learning, participants will deepen their understanding of how leadership can foster environments where both students and staff feel safe, connected, and supported. 

Presenters:

Kingsley Hurlington

Vice-principal | Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board

Susie Lee-Fernandes

Director of Professional Learning | Ontario Principals' Council

Barbara Ward

Mentally Healthy Systems and Schools Team Lead Consultant, Implementation Coach | School Mental Health Ontario

Biographies:

Kingsley Hurlington

Dr. Kingsley Hurlington is an award-winning teacher-learner dedicated to fostering inclusive, caring and equity-focused learning environments. For more than 25 years, he has passionately and successfully supported learners from kindergarten through university. Kingsley currently serves as an administrator with the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board, teaches at Trent University and volunteers as a crisis responder with Kids Help Phone. His academic work focuses on understanding and enhancing the resilience and mental health of Canadian teens.

Susie Lee-Fernandes

Susie has served in education for over 25 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. In her current role as Director of Professional Learning for the Ontario Principal’s Council, Susie is honoured to support principals and vice-principals in exemplary school leadership at the local, national and international levels.

Barbara Ward

Barbara is a leader in children’s mental health with over 30-years experience working in community organizations and the public education system. Her work includes researching, teaching and consulting on how trauma impacts children’s wellbeing, with a focus on the significance of providing a trauma informed and healing-centred system that is identity affirming and responsive to the needs of children, youth and their families. She has a strong focus on integrating positive psychology and third wave cognitive behaviour practices, as well as social emotional learning concepts that are identity affirming, into her work. Barbara also understands the interconnections between staff wellness and organizational trauma and stress. Barbara believes in the collaboration and partnerships that successfully create “a village to raise a child”.

Barbara currently is a consultant and implementation coach for School Mental Health Ontario in addition to having a small private practice called Finding Forward Therapy, which provides clinical supervision & professional training for staff as well as direct service to clients.

Barbara completed her PhD studies in psychology from the Taos Institute & Vrije University, and has a Masters in Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University.

Dates:

(Part-1) October 6, 2026
(Part-2) November 11, 2026

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

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

Registration:

Member Part-1 Member Part-2 Non-member

October 2026 -

Supporting Transgender Teacher Candidates to Stay

Details: They’re here! For the first time in Canadian history, a wave of young transgender people are entering teacher education programs. Many of these new teachers and teacher candidates have grown up knowing who they are, gender-wise, and enjoy varying degrees of affirmation and support from their families of origin. Most have had a good enough experience of K-12 schooling that they can imagine a career spent in the same schools in which they grew up, which is a landmark achievement of gender diversity inclusion across the public education system. And, it’s not clear that this system is ready for transgender teachers despite increasing success in supporting transgender students.

In this session, Dr. Lee Airton will engage attendees in learning and thinking about this question together - what actions can principals take today to ensure that these young trans people are veteran teachers and administrators ten years from now?

Date: October 21, 2026

Time: 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. EDT

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

Presenter:

Photo of Dr. Lee Airton Dr. Lee Airton, Queen's University

Dr. Lee Airton is an Associate Professor of Gender and Sexuality Studies in Education at Queen's University. Lee's research and service focus on teacher candidates’ vulnerability to gender-based harassment and discrimination, the career induction and retention of transgender teachers, and the impact of anti-transgender laws and policies in schools. Most recently, Lee and their colleagues released a white paper titled “No for Now: Guidance for School Staff on Supporting Transgender Students and Parent-Child Relationships”. Lee has founded campaigns and created resources that have changed the Canadian conversation about transgender people and gender diversity.

Lee's book, Gender: Your Guide has been adopted as a key professional development text in teacher education programs, school boards, the public sector and private sector organizations. Lee has received numerous recognitions including, most recently, the 2025 Award of Distinction from Ophea. This award recognizes Lee as a leader in the meaningful advancement of inclusive healthy, active living opportunities for children and youth in Ontario school communities. At Queen’s, Lee sponsors the teacher candidate GSA, sits on the Principal’s Action Group for Gender and Sexuality Diversity, and mentors colleagues across the university on gender-friendly teaching practices as an Education Leader-in-Residence.

Registration:

Member Non-member

November 2026 -

Navigating Inclusion: A Leadership Compass for 2SLGBTQI Safety and Belonging

Details: This interactive session will empower participants with strategies that help school leaders plan ahead, navigate moments of resistance, empower their school communities, and keep inclusion at the forefront of their leadership throughout the year. Participants will leave the session motivated to continue this important work in their own school communities.

Date: November 4, 2026

Times:

(AM) 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. EST
(PM) 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. EST

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

Presenter:

Mackenzie Kolton (she/her), Egale Canada

Mackenzie Kolton is the Director of Learning at Egale Canada and an executive leadership coach specializing in inclusive leadership, systems change, and trauma‑informed organizational development. In her role, she provides national strategic oversight for learning initiatives that support leaders, educators, and organizations across Canada in building inclusive and equitable workplaces. A significant focus of Mackenzie’s work has been advancing inclusion within education systems, where she has designed and delivered large‑scale programming for school boards, supporting educators and senior leaders in navigating complex conversations around identity, leadership, and conflict management.

Her team’s innovation has been recognized with the Ontario Principals’ Council Outstanding Achievement in Education Award and the Alberta Teachers’ Association Award for Public Education. As a former national speaker with the Get REAL Movement, Mackenzie delivered programming to more than 250,000 students and educators across Canada, demonstrating the impact of inclusive cultures. In addition to her work in education, she has partnered with leaders across the legal, corporate, government, and non‑profit sectors, supporting organizations in practicing bold leadership in uncertain times and embedding equity within leadership approaches. Mackenzie was awarded CBC’s Proud to Shine Award in both 2020 and 2021 in recognition of her advocacy work.

Registration: