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Fear and discomfort shouldn’t block anti-racism efforts in schools

Addressing racism in the classroom requires educators to ask hard questions of themselves, white discomfort, and the discarding of old traditions.

Statement on the Discovery of the Marieval (Cowessess) Residential School Unmarked Graves

I want to acknowledge the absolutely numbing report of the 751 unmarked graves of Indigenous adults and children at the site of a residential school in Saskatchewan. We cannot stay numbed however. We also know this will not be the final report of this type that reflects the legacy of residential schools. Given that residential […]

Statement about the London Attack

On behalf of the Faculty of Education at York University, I extend my condolences to the relatives and friends of the victims of the attack in London, Ontario as well as to the Muslim community. As a Faculty of Education, this incident means that we need to be even more attentive to addressing racism and […]

Message about the discovery at the Kamloops Indian Residential School

On behalf of the Faculty of Education at York University, I ask that we each take the time tomorrow, June, 1, 2021, the beginning of National Indigenous History Month, to hold in our minds and our hearts the 215 children discovered on the grounds of the Kamloops Indian Residential School. These children never returned home […]

York University community members discuss the importance of Black inclusion in the academy

In the spring of 2020, the brutal police killings of unarmed Black people, most notably the asphyxiation death of 46-year-old George Floyd, led to civil unrest and global condemnation. In the weeks that followed, businesses and non-profit organizations the world over, including universities and governments, were called upon by protestors, Black leaders, students and academics […]

IN THE MEDIA: Coronavirus: Is it safe for Ontario students to go back to school?

With school just around the corner, many Ontario parents and teachers are still wondering whether it’s safe for children and teens to return to school amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. “Right now, I don’t think [schools] will be able to adhere to the guidelines put out by SickKids and the other public health units in […]

Meet a Grad Student: Gilary Massa

This month’s graduate student profile features Gilary Massa, a graduate student in the Master’s of Leadership, Community and Engagement Program. Her research focuses on how organizations within the private, not-for-profit and public sectors can enact organizational change that centres human rights and equity. Massa works as the Human Rights and Outreach Officer at the Toronto […]

IN THE MEDIA: Centralized virtual schools and synchronous delivery: How remote learning is shaping up for fall

Not all teachers have prior expertise in online learning. During the months of school closures, those teachers who did have e-learning experience supported their colleagues but had to balance that with their own classes, according to Sarah Barrett, an associate professor in the Faculty of Education at York University. Barrett is currently studying the experiences […]

IN THE MEDIA: Change Won’t Happen Overnight

With public awareness of anti-Black systemic racism seemingly at an all-time high, many people hope the investment industry is on its way to becoming more racially diverse. A 2017 report authored by Carl James, Professor at York University’s Faculty of Education and York’s affirmative action, equity and inclusivity officer, noted that only 53% of Black […]

IN THE MEDIA: Ontario to ban suspensions for children in Grade 3 and below in efforts to rid education system of racism

IN THE MEDIA: Ontario to ban suspensions for children in Grade 3 and below in efforts to rid education system of racism