What has Doug Ford done for you lately? Polls predict that Ford and his Progressive Conservatives will win – again – on Thursday. Personally, I don’t know what makes Ontarians feel that he’s a good leader, because I haven’t seen evidence of any good works… but there must be many who have. I sometimes try…
Tag: education
Election polls for Ontario’s government are making me scared.
The Ontario election is in just a couple of days, and the polls are predicting another majority win for the Conservatives. I’m honestly afraid of this result. Not just for the next four years, but for the future of Ontario in general. This is because children are the people who will populate this province in…
The Diversity of YouTube – Gratitude Day 19
Today, I’m feeling grateful for YouTube. It feels funny that I can remember the babyhood of YouTube even though so many people I spend time with every day cannot (because they weren’t even born). I remember thinking, “Who is going to watch random strangers doing inconsequential things in their living rooms?” Turns out, almost everyone!…
Indigenous Knowledge and Generosity – Gratitude Day 2
Today I’m feeling very grateful for the generosity of Indigenous knowledge keepers. This is Treaties Recognition Week in Ontario – a province that is covered by 46 treaties and other agreements between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. The treaties, which guaranteed that land would be shared and that communities would live peacefully alongside one another, were…
Homeschooling Perspective from a Former Homeschooler
Lots of parents across the world have been trying their hand at homeschooling these past weeks, thanks to Covid-19. It looks different for everyone, of course, since everyone’s circumstances are different. It might look like my brilliant and overachieving colleague who expressed “glee” at finally getting to use her pedagogy on her own kids, or…
Giving Doug Ford the Anti-Bullying Treatment
Dear Doug Ford, As you know, today is Anti-Bullying Day, otherwise known as Pink Shirt Day. I saw your video on Twitter with you in your pink shirt, talking about how we need to stand up against bullies. (I apologize, your speech was so platitudinous that my mind wandered halfway through, both times I tried…
Why Teacher Incentive Pay and Standardized Tests Don’t Help Kids
The Fraser Institute, a Canadian public-policy think tank, has just released a study recommending something called “teacher incentive pay”, based on student achievement. The idea is, teachers would be paid bonuses based on high scores in their students’ standardized test results. This, they say, is key to Canada staying competitive on the world stage….