Webinar: Culturally Responsive Math for P/J Educators Session Nine: Integrating Learning and Experiences by Nelson PL

About This Webinar

During this session we will discuss the project as a whole, and respond to questions from previous sessions. We will consider how to continue this work beyond one-off instructional experiences. We will discuss how we can support community beyond the face-to-face work in classrooms, and how can we build meaningful relationships online. We will also think about broader implications for this work, for example, connections to character education and classroom and school culture.

Presenters

Dr. Ruth Beatty

Associate Professor, Faculty of Education at Lakehead University

Dr. Ruth Beatty is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education at Lakehead University in Orillia. As a mathematics education researcher, Ruth’s focus has been how children learn complex math concepts, and the alignment of instruction with developmental trajectories of understanding. Since 2013 she has collaborated with members of Anishinaabe and Métis communities and educators from Ontario school boards to research the connections between Anishinaabe and Métis ways of knowing mathematics and the Western mathematics found in provincial curricula. The goal of this research (funded by a SSHRC Insight Development Grant, a SSHRC Indigenous Research Capacity and Reconciliation Connection Grant, an Indigenous Research Capacity and Development Grant, and by the Council of Ontario Directors of Education) is to collaboratively design culturally responsive mathematics instruction and to learn from and incorporate Indigenous pedagogical perspectives in inclusive classroom settings.

Danielle Blair

Math Lead Consultant | Retired Educator

For the past eight years, Danielle Blair has worked alongside Dr. Ruth Beatty on a multi-year multi-community research project with several First Nations community partners and Ontario Boards of Education. During this time she also served as Provincial Mathematics Lead on contract with the Council of Ontario Directors of Education (CODE) through which she supported Boards of Education in Mathematics, Leadership and community-based participatory research. In addition to being passionate about co-learning from and with First Nations community leaders, Danielle has been involved in research projects related to the teaching and learning of Mathematics K to 12 and the facilitation of professional learning for educators for the past 18 years. She has served as a classroom and Special Education teacher, Mathematics Itinerate Resource Teacher, Elementary School Vice-Principal, and as Adjunct Professor, York University Teacher Candidate Program.

Christina Ruddy

Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation

As a proud Algonquin woman of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, Christina has spent the majority of her career working to empower Indigenous youth through education, language and capacity-building. She has worked in grass roots movements such as Friendship Centres, in post-secondary institutions such as Georgian College in Barrie, Ontario and with Lakehead University in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Education. Christina is a successful alumnus of the first graduating class of the Native Community and Social Development program from Georgian College and in 2012 received the Board of Governor’s award of Excellence – Distinguished Alumni for her work with Indigenous people. Christina’s invaluable work in the promotion of Anishnaabemowin has added to efforts to preserve this endangered language both within her own community and provincially. She has worked to bring about change in Indigenous education and to make schooling more inclusive and Indigenous-focused through the Indigenous mathematics research study with Ontario teachers to incorporate Indigenous ways of teaching into the Ontario mathematics curriculum. She has collaborated with educators and administrators from the Renfrew County District School Board, and has worked as a mentor with Indigenous artists in other communities who have been part of this work. Christina has shared her experiences as an Algonquin artist researcher at a number of conferences, included four presentations at the Ontario Association of Mathematics Education annual conference. In 2018 Christina, along with Dr. Ruth Beatty, was awarded the Indigenous Partnership Research Award during Lakehead University’s Research and Innovation awards ceremony as a testament to her leadership in this project. Christina’s dedication to the celebration of Indigenous culture has resulted in many successful events and projects. Through empowering Indigenous youth to celebrate their identity, language and culture made visible in their daily lives, she embodies the tradition of passing on culture and the skills needed to preserve it to the younger generations.

Jody Alexander

Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, Ottawa Carleton DSB

Jody Alexander, a First Nation Algonquin, is from the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan. She is currently the system Vice Principal of Indigenous Education with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. Prior to this she had 13 years of teaching experience in the Renfrew County District School Board where she was a classroom teacher, Indigenous Education Resource teacher and lead for Indigenous Education. Jody is committed to ensuring Indigenous Education, through history, perspectives and knowledge, is infused in all classrooms and in all subjects across the province. Some of her most impactful teaching came from working with Dr. Ruth Beatty, Danielle Blair, the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, and the staff of Eganville District Public School where they investigated, and implemented Indigenous Ways of Knowing in Mathematics. Jody believes all students benefit from learning Indigenous knowledge and that it is through this new knowledge we will create a better Canada for generations to come.

Colinda Clyne

Upper Grand DSB

Colinda Clyne is an Anishinaabe kwe (Kitigan Zibi), Curriculum Lead for First Nations, Métis and Inuit education, Upper Grand District School Board. An educator for 26 years, Colinda has been leading and facilitating professional development for over 17 years. In her current role, Colinda creates the system wide action plan for First Nations, Métis and Inuit education in her board, building capacity in K-12 teachers and administrators, connecting Elders and knowledge keepers with educators and students, and implementing strategies to improve Indigenous student well being and academic success. This work is grounded in relationships and she works hard every day to build and strengthen relationships within her local community, school communities and beyond.

Anika Guthrie

Lakehead DSB

Anika is Anishinaabe kwe living in Thunder Bay, ON. Her ancestors come from Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve, and she remains connected to the beautiful shores of Lake Simcoe (Barrie, ON) where she was raised. She is a wife, mother of two amazing little humans, educator and life-long learner. She is currently on leave from her role as the Indigenous Education Resource Teacher with Lakehead District School Board to pursue her Master of Education degree, specializing in Indigenous Education. As part of her studies, Anika took the leadership role for the First Nations and Métis Math Voices research team in Thunder Bay and has worked with multiple stakeholders including members of a number of northern communities who have tuition agreements with the Lakehead District School Board, artists from Fort William Historical Park, and school board administrators and teachers. Anika was part of the team who presented the work on the mathematics of birch bark basket making at the 2018 Annual Meeting of the Ontario Association of Mathematics Education in Toronto. Anika is honoured to work for the children in this time of Truth & Reconciliation in Canada.

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