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 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:

8:00 - 9:00 a.m. EST
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: