October 2025 - 

Everything is Nature: Humans and AI from an Earth-centred perspective 

Details: What would it mean to engage computation and cognition from an Earth-centred perspective, where humans are neither at  the centre nor the only intelligence in town? This talk reports on the educational and artistic experiment Burnout From Humans, designed to explore that question. The outcomes of the experiment are presented in the interim report Standing in the Fire: A Speculative Inquiry into Meta-Relationality and AI.

The preliminary findings suggest that the way we engage with AI could either deepen modernity’s separations or help us begin to sense and coordinate together at planetary scale. This talk will share what we learned from inviting AI into an Earth-centred inquiry, and what this might mean for education in times of collapse, complexity, and ecological urgency.

Date: October 1, 2025

Time: 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. EDT 

Cost: Free

Presenter:

Vanessa de Oliveira Andreotti

Professor and former Dean, University of Victoria (currently focusing on educational, artistic and relational experiments with AI.)

A former Canada Research Chair in Race, Inequalities and Global Change and a former David Lam Chair in Critical Multicultural Education, Vanessa has more than 100 published articles and has worked extensively across sectors internationally in areas of education related to global justice, global citizenship, critical literacies, Indigenous knowledge systems and the climate and nature emergency.

Vanessa is the author of Hospicing Modernity: Facing humanity's wrongs and the implications for social activism, one of the founders of the Gesturing Towards Decolonial Futures Arts/Research Collective and one of the designers of the course Facing Human Wrongs: Climate Complexity and Relational Accountability, available at UVic through Continuing Studies. Her latest work, Burnout From Humans: A Little Book About AI That is Not Really About AI, co-authored with Aiden Cinnamon Tea, explores AI as a mirror and metaphor for human systems and invites readers to rethink relationality amidst planetary crises. 
Details about the OPCLeadLearn Conference can be found here.

Thank you for attending! A recording of this session is available on the OPC YouTube channel.

December 2025 - 

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Workshop 2-Part Series

Session One: Introduction to Universal Design for Learning for School Leaders

Details: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) offers a proactive alternative to retrofitting instruction by anticipating and removing barriers to learning before they arise. This session introduces UDL’s three core beliefs and models practical strategies and routines to help educators design for learner variability and promote student success
Date: December 10, 2025
Time: 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. EST 
Cost: Free (Members and Associates), $50 +HST (Non-Members)

Presenter: 

Mirko Chardin

Senior Equity & Leadership Consultant | Keynote Speaker & Advisor, Novak Education

Mirko Chardin, a former teacher and founding head of school, is a nationally recognized consultant specializing in inclusive teaching and learning and school culture. His work focuses on creating learning environments where all students feel a sense of belonging and purpose, and where educators are equipped to meet the needs of diverse learners through Universal Design for Learning (UDL), positive relationship-building, and inclusive and culturally responsive instructional practices. He also serves as a leadership coach and facilitator with the Aspire Institute at Boston University’s Wheelock College of Human Development and Education.

Mirko is the co-author of the bestselling Equity by Design: The Power and Promise of UDL. He is available to lead dynamic workshops and keynotes on UDL, inclusive practices, restorative practices, and school leadership.

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January 2026 -

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Workshop 2-Part Series

Session Two: Leading Complex, Adaptive Change

Details: Effective leadership is the engine behind meaningful instructional change. In this session, explore how to lead inclusive transformation by refining your leadership approach, navigating complex challenges, and building the habits of mind that keep systems moving forward. We’ll use tools like the Blake & Mouton Grid and adaptive challenge mapping to clarify your next best moves

Date: January 13, 2026
Time: 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. EST
Cost: Free (Members and Associates), $50 +HST (Non-Members)

Presenter: 

Mirko Chardin

Senior Equity & Leadership Consultant | Keynote Speaker & Advisor, Novak Education

Mirko Chardin, a former teacher and founding head of school, is a nationally recognized consultant specializing in inclusive teaching and learning and school culture. His work focuses on creating learning environments where all students feel a sense of belonging and purpose, and where educators are equipped to meet the needs of diverse learners through Universal Design for Learning (UDL), positive relationship-building, and inclusive and culturally responsive instructional practices. He also serves as a leadership coach and facilitator with the Aspire Institute at Boston University’s Wheelock College of Human Development and Education.

Mirko is the co-author of the bestselling Equity by Design: The Power and Promise of UDL. He is available to lead dynamic workshops and keynotes on UDL, inclusive practices, restorative practices, and school leadership.

REGISTER

March 2026 - 

Legal Lens on Documentation: How to be a Good Notetaker and Avoid Common Pitfalls

Details: Learn how good documentation practices can proactively help prepare and navigate through potential issues. This webinar will discuss good notetaking skills and explore case studies from real life scenarios.   

Date: March 4, 2026

Times:

• 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. EST
• 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. EST

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

Presenters:

Belinda Longe

Protective Services Consultant, Ontario Principals' Council

Dr. Belinda Longe has been an educator for over 30 years. She began her career as a teacher with the former East York Board of Education prior to the amalgamation to the Toronto District School Board (TDSB). Belinda became an elementary school administrator in 2004 and has held the role of Centrally Assigned Principal for School Improvement in the TDSB.  During her tenure as a principal, she was also a PQP instructor for OPC and mentored many current and aspiring leaders across the province. Belinda completed her PhD and has a Master's Degree in Education from OISE/UT. She also has a certificate from Osgoode Hall in Human Rights Law for Education Professionals, a certificate in the Application of Mitigating Factors from Hicks Morley, and certificates in Workplace Investigations and Investigating Race-Based Cases from Rubin and Thomlinson LLP. Prior to joining OPC, as a Protective Services Consultant, Belinda was a Superintendent of Education. She is well known for her responsiveness, her commitment to equity issues, her strong advocacy and her support of staff to mediate conflicts and solve complex problems.  

Liz Winter

Senior Legal Counsel, Ontario Principals' Council

As Senior Legal Counsel with the OPC’s Protective Services Team, Liz provides legal advice and support to the Protective Services Consultants and OPC Members facing legal jeopardy. Liz regularly conducts mediations and provides advice on workplace issues, such as discipline, human rights, health and safety, OCT, WSIB and LTD.  Liz was called to the Bar in 2015 and practiced labour and employment law at a law firm prior to joining OPC in 2020. 

Register for AM  Register for PM

*Please only submit the registration once. If you are a Member/Associate and there are fees attached, contact learning@principals.ca

April 2026 -

Making Leadership Learning Count: A Flourishing Approach to Leadership Development in Current Times

Details: Given the increasingly demanding and complex work of leaders, is it possible to support the development of a rich set of leadership competencies while nurturing personal well-being? Come imagine and explore the possibility of engaging in leadership learning opportunities that will support participants to flourish as leaders across a multitude of dimensions. 

Participants will explore how to become critically thoughtful decision makers with the capacity to coach themselves and others to success through an introduction to current researched-based leadership competencies. This session will support participants in embarking on learning journeys that put them at the center, respects their personal and professional learning needs and offers practical ideas that can transfer to the learning of teachers and students as leaders. 

Date: April 16, 2026

Time: 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. EDT

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

Presenters:

Laura Gini-Newman  Flourish Co. / Retired Educator (Peel DSB School Success Planning Coordinator) and Critical Thinking Expert	Mary Nanavati Flourish Co. / Retired Peel DSB Principal, Mentoring Qualification Program Facilitator and Leadership Coach

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May 2026 - 

A Year of Leading: A Mentor-in-Print for Principals and Vice-Principals

Details: School leadership is complex, demanding, and deeply human work. The title A Year of Leading: A Mentor-in-Print for Principals and Vice-Principals is designed as a lens through which principals and vice-principals can make sense of that work as it unfolds throughout the school year. Rather than offering another checklist or framework to implement, the book serves as a mentor-in-print — inviting leaders to pause, reflect, and see their leadership with greater clarity and confidence.

In this session, Kevin Reimer uses stories, metaphors, and practical reflection prompts from the book to explore how school leaders can navigate daily challenges, shifting expectations, and moments of doubt without adding more to an already full plate. Participants will leave with renewed perspective, language to describe their leadership, and reassurance that effective leadership is built through intention, presence, and small, thoughtful actions over time.

Date: May 12, 2026

Time: 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. EDT

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

Presenter:

Kevin Reimer

Kevin Reimer is a former principal and the past President and Executive Director of the BC Principals’ and Vice-Principals’ Association. With over 35 years of experience in school and system leadership, Kevin now works as an executive coach, facilitator, and author, supporting school leaders across Canada and beyond. He is an ICF-certified coach and was recognized as one of Canada’s Outstanding Principals in 2013.

Kevin is the author of A Year of Leading: A 40-Week Leadership Compass for Principals and Vice-Principals, designed to support leaders through the rhythms and realities of school leadership.

• Book Link - https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1069548200
• Business Website - https://howtoprincipal.com/

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May 2026 -

Fire and Silence: A Session for BIPOC Leaders 

Details: Join us for this session where Annahid Dashtgard talks about her new book, which provides minoritized leaders the strategies and tools – combined with real-life examples – to succeed without compromising who they are.

Date: May 13, 2026

Time: 8:00 to 8:45 a.m. EDT

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

Presenter:

Annahid Dashtgard (MEd) is author and CEO of Anima Leadership, a company that focuses on equity and racial justice in organizations offering everything from trainings to full system audits. 

Fire and Silence is her third book, following memoir Breaking the Ocean and book of essays, Bones of Belonging. She happily lives in Toronto. 

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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.