Bluewater school board hosts lesson in cultural awareness for new teachers

Last week, more than 20 new educators from schools across the Bluewater District School Board participated in a full day of professional learning and development, with a special focus on cultural awareness.

The New Teacher Induction Program is hosted regularly by board system staff from the learning services – program and student success departments, to assist those new to the teaching profession with support and resources for a successful career start-up.

The session Wednesday, March 27, featured a series of carousels related to a diverse range of curriculum areas, including math manipulatives, the science of writing, the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program, and coding and artificial intelligence, among others.

Attendees also had a chance to learn about culturally-relevant and -responsive teaching practices.

To kick-start the day, special guests from JunCtian Community Initiatives joined the board’s human rights and equity advisor to share about anti-Black racism and thought-provoking scenarios for educators to consider with ever-growing diversity among our students, staff, and families.

Archaic examples of local newspaper clippings from the 1800s and early 1900s were provided to highlight the progress that has been made in how members of the Black community are represented in the media.

While acknowledging the darker parts of our history and work that still needs to be done in combatting all forms of discrimination, it was a hopeful and inspiring message of positive change for the new educators.



Founder Joan John (left) and executive director Safoora Forde of JunCtian Community Initiatives, speak at the New Teacher Induction Program, Wednesday; photos courtesy of the Bluewater District School Board



Participants and guests at the New Teacher Induction Program



New Bluewater District School Board educators