Education is a Right – Page 3 – A podcast by teachers and education workers to speak for ourselves.

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EP 170: CUPE education workers reflect on their victory

May 25, 2023
11 min

In this episode Darlene Sawchuk, president of CUPE Local 1358 reflects on the significance of the union’s victory in forcing the Ford government in Ontario more..

EP 169: Ford Government’s Latest Proposal to Restructure K-12 Education in Ontario

May 9, 2023
37 min

In this episode we go over Bill 98, Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, 2023 which was tabled by the Ontario government on April 17, more..

EP 168: Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Meet Amidst Negotiations in K-12 Education

March 28, 2023
17 min

In this episode, Ezio discusses the annual meeting of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association that represents K-12 teachers who work in Ontario’s publicly funded more..

EP 167: US educators organizing in spite of anti-union laws

March 20, 2023
32 min

In this episode we speak with Jon Shelton, Vice-President of the American Federation of Teachers Wisconsin, about organizing in public K-12 and post-secondary education in more..

EP166: OECTA and OSSTF Annual Meetings 2023 Edition

March 10, 2023
8 min

In this episode we address some of the major concerns facing teachers and education workers as delegates to both the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association more..

EP: 165: Youth Soccer in Canada

February 22, 2023
30 min

In this episode, we speak with professional youth soccer coach Rob Arce about the importance of sport for the development of young people, some of more..

EP 164: Artificial Intelligence in Education

February 14, 2023
34 min

With the release of ChatGPT and many concerned about its significance in education, we are joined by Dr. Beyhan Farhadi, a Toronto District School Board more..

Episode 163: Teaching visual arts today

January 31, 2023
15 min

In this episode we speak with Mary Joyce, a printmaker, painter, teacher and organizer who has experience writing arts curriculum about the principles of teaching more..

Episode 162: The importance of arts education

January 18, 2023
8 min

In this episode we interview Tiffany Chan, Artistic Director of the Windsor Dance eXperience Inc., a non-profit theatrical dance company dedicated to giving local kids more..

Episode 161: Preparing for future pandemics

January 10, 2023
40 min

In this episode we catch-up with Senior Research Associate at the University of Toronto and anti-body engineer Dr. Shane Miersch about preparations for preventing and more..

Episode 160: Reflecting on 2022 with Ontario CUPE education worker president Laura Walton

January 3, 2023
21 min

In this New Year interview with CUPE’s Ontario School Board Council of Unions President Laura Walton we discuss the ways in which education workers were more..

Episode 159: Status for all! Experiences of families without status in the education system

December 19, 2022
28 min

In this episode we interview families without immigration status in Canada and activists for the rights of those without status about their experiences trying to more..

Episode 158: Overview of ruling striking down Bill 124 in Ontario

December 11, 2022
38 min

In this episode we get an overview from retired labour lawyer Kendal McKinney of the extensive ruling by an Ontario Superior Court justice that struck more..

Episode 157: CUPE-OSBCU Announcing Vote Results on Tentative Agreement

December 5, 2022
29 min

In this episode, we are reproducing, in its entirety, the remarks of CUPE’s Ontario School Board Council of Unions press conference announcing the results of more..

Episode 156: “We need more staff” – A supply educational assistant discusses what they are experiencing in schools in Ontario

November 30, 2022
22 min

In this episode we speak with educational support staff about the current staffing crisis in Ontario schools and what is required in the short-term to more..

Episode 155: BC Teachers Vote on Tentative Agreement

November 28, 2022
16 min

In this episode, we interview a teacher in British Columbia on the tentative agreement being put to a vote November 28-30 in that province and more..

Episode 154: CUPE-OSBCU President’s Remarks Announcing Tentative Agreement

November 20, 2022
18 min

In this episode we are reproducing in their entirety the remarks of CUPE’s Ontario School Boards Council of Unions President Laura Walton announcing a tentative more..

Episode 153: Alberta educators put new Premier on notice

November 14, 2022
17 min

In this episode we are providing coverage of an important rally of Albertans held on October 22, 2022 in defence of the right to public more..

Episode 152: Poetry for Remembrance

November 9, 2022
18 min

This year we are marking remembrance day with a series of poems. The poems are from World War I, the Anti-fascist war in Spain, World more..

Episode 151: Ontario education workers launch indefinite province-wide political protest to defy government dictate

November 4, 2022
15 min

In this episode we report on the defiance of Ontario education workers to draconian back-to-work legislation passed by the Ontario government and interview workers on more..

Episode 150: Cuba’s experience eliminating illiteracy

October 24, 2022
26 min

In this special interview we speak with Miriam Almansa, a lifelong Cuban patriot and revolutionary, teacher and participant in Cuba’s literacy campaign some 61 years more..

Episode 149: Professional judgement threatened in Alberta

October 20, 2022
23 min

In this episode educators in Alberta discuss a recent survey issued by the government of Alberta concerning a new teacher code of conduct and what more..

Episode 148: Negotiations in Ontario – “We are not willing to let this government or the courts dictate what schools will look like in the future.”

October 18, 2022
19 min

In this episode we interview Laura Walton, President of the Ontario School Boards Council of Unions (OSBCU) about strike votes the union held recently in more..

Episode 147: Teaching about climate change

October 2, 2022
28 min

This episode is part 4 of our series on the new Ontario de-streamed grade 9 science curriculum. In this part we interview Dr. Dougal Macdonald, more..

Episode 146: New science curriculum in Ontario – Part 3 Grades 1-8

September 15, 2022
16 min

In this episode Teresa and Laura, two grade 1 teachers in Ontario go over changes of note in the new Ontario elementary science curriculum. Reference more..

Episode 145: An update from Alberta – “Teachers are more ready than ever to work things out together”

August 29, 2022
8 min

Schools in Alberta are set to open this week. In this episode we provide an update on developments in K-12 education in the province. more..

Episode 144: “We are critical to the classroom” – Ontario educational support staff speak out

August 16, 2022
36 min

In this episode we interview Tyler Campbell and Darlene Sawchuk, two local presidents of educational support staff unions in Ontario about the conditions facing support more..

Episode 143: The Engineering Design Process – New Ontario Science Curriculum – Part 2

August 11, 2022
28 min

In Part 2 of our series on the new Ontario Science Curriculum we interview engineer and secondary teacher Dana Chesnik about her experience teaching the more..

Episode 142: New science curriculum in Ontario – Part 1 Grade 9

August 1, 2022
28 min

In this episode we review the new grade 9 de-streamed science course Snc1w. The curriculum and resources for the course from the Minister of Education more..

Episode 141: University and college students preparing for what lies ahead in Ontario

July 10, 2022
18 min

In this episode we speak with representatives of the Canadian Federation of Students – Ontario who discuss their concerns for the coming year and how more..

Episode 140: What the election of a PC majority in Ontario means for K-12 education

June 27, 2022
7 min

In this episode we talk about what the recent election of a PC majority in Ontario means for K-12 education and educators. Below is the more..

Episode 139 – Ontario education workers organizing to fight

June 10, 2022
10 min

In this episode we catch up with Laura Walton, President of the Ontario School Board Council of Unions (OSBCU), CUPE’s K-12 education division which represents more..

Episode 138: Ford government’s major education reforms in K-12

May 31, 2022
22 min

In this series reviewing the Ontario Ford government’s reforms in education since taking office we discuss some of the major reforms that took place in more..

Episode 137: Ford government’s education reforms – Part 1 Post-secondary

May 25, 2022
18 min

In this 3 part series reviewing the Ontario Ford government’s reforms in education since taking office we discuss some of the major reform that took more..

Episode 136: Ontario Election – Electing an education-friendly government

May 18, 2022
9 min

In this episode, we’re starting the discussion on what, in the opinion of Education is a Right, an education friendly government means in the context more..

Episode 135: Annual meetings of education unions in Ontario – OECTA

April 22, 2022
19 min

From March 11-14 some 600 hundred k-12 teacher delegates of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association from across Ontario gathered online to discuss and debate. more..

134: Annual meetings of Ontario education unions – OSSTF

April 22, 2022
13 min

From March 11-14 some 650 delegates and observers attended the provincial assembly of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation virtually. In this episode we interview more..

Episode 133: K-12 education in Alberta – where things stand

March 27, 2022
22 min

In this episode we catch up with Kevan Hunter, a middle school teacher in Alberta, about the situation in education in that province. He updates more..

Episode 132: “We are doing this for quality education and for students” – Ontario college faculty speak out

March 17, 2022
36 min

In this episode we speak with two members of the Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology – Academic bargaining team, which has given notice of more..

Episode 131: Part 2 – Experiences upholding health and safety in our schools

March 12, 2022
23 min

In this episode we continue our discussion with Toronto teachers Mel and David about a work refusal at their school in response to unsafe working more..

130: Experiences upholding health and safety in our schools during the Omicron wave – Part 1

March 3, 2022
17 min

In this episode Toronto teachers Mel and David discuss their experiences organizing in their high school with their colleagues to uphold health and safety standards more..

129: Changes to academic streaming in Ontario

February 22, 2022
10 min

In this episode Ezio provides an overview of changes to academic streaming taking place in Ontario for the 2022-23 academic year. Previous episodes on the more..

Episode 128: A project to remember the freedom fighters who built the Underground Railroad

February 15, 2022
23 min

In this episode we interview Lana Talbot and Willow Key about a grassroots project on the Windsor -Detroit border to establish a museum at the more..

Episode 127: The future of science and pandemic response is Open

January 25, 2022
37 min

In this episode we catch up with antibody engineer Dr. Shane Miersch about his lab’s work to develop engineered antibodies to treat diseases like COVID-19 more..

Episode 126: An update from Nova Scotia

January 17, 2022
16 min

In this episode we get an update from Ben, an educator in Nova Scotia. The interview was recorded on December 26 prior to the announcement more..

Episode 125: Discussing the situations in Ontario and Alberta

January 13, 2022
22 min

In this episode we discuss developments in Ontario and Alberta in K-12 education following the holiday break. This discussion was recorded prior to Ontario’s announcement more..

124: Educational support staff working in special education in Ontario speak out

January 11, 2022
27 min

In this episode we talk with educational support staff in Ontario that continue to work in schools despite reported school closures. They share their concerns more..

Episode 123: An update from educators in Manitoba

January 3, 2022
33 min

In this interview we talk with Chantal and Jon, educators from Manitoba, about how the opening of school went, how the government of Manitoba is more..

Episode 122: Reviewing 2021 so we are prepared for whatever 2022 brings

December 30, 2021
9 min

In this year end episode we reflect on what advances have been achieved in 2021 and what to look out for as we enter 2022. more..

Episode 121: Cross Canada review of school re-opening and omicron’s spread

December 27, 2021
7 min

In this episode we endeavor to provide an update on what we know as of December 26, 2021 about what is happening across Canada in more..

Episode 120: COVID is airborne – so now what do we do?

December 21, 2021
22 min

In this episode we speak with Dr. Jane McArthur, community-based occupational and environmental health advocate and parent about the airborne spread of COVID-19 and how more..

Episode 119: Update on the situation in Alberta Part 1

December 11, 2021
16 min

This is part 1 of our interview with Kevan and Dougal. In this episode we discuss the current teaching and learning conditions in K-12 education more..

Episode 118: An update from a Canadian teacher in China

November 28, 2021
18 min

In this episode we catch up with Peter Miller, a Canadian living and teaching in western China. Peter has been teaching at a private international more..

Episode 117: Parents of Black children speaking out

November 16, 2021
17 min

This is part 1 of a 2 part interview with Charline Grant, co-founder of Parents of Black Children, an advocacy group in Ontario. We spoke more..

Episode 116: Remembering the war against Afghanistan

November 10, 2021
11 min

This episode is dedicated to assisting the younger generation to learn about Canada’s participation in the war in Afghanistan and to the memory of all more..

Episode 115: Nelson CEO Steve Brown on hybrid education

November 1, 2021
14 min

In this episode we interview Nelson CEO Steve Brown. Nelson’s public relations firm Talk Shop Media reached out to us to suggest an interview with more..

Episode 114: Educators organizing in Manitoba – Part 2

October 17, 2021
20 min

This is part 2 of our interview with educator Chantal Shivanna Ramraj about developments in Manitoba. In this segment we talk about how educators are more..

Episode 113: Student voice in education in Ontario

October 12, 2021
15 min

This interview with Stacey Zhang of Justice for Society Magazine and Podcast was recorded on August 26, 2021 as part of Education is a Right more..

Episode 112: Support teacher candidates’ court challenge to math proficiency test in Ontario

October 4, 2021
32 min

In this episode we catch up with Bella Lewkowicz, past Vice-President of the Ontario Teacher Candidate Council, an organization of teacher candidates from across Ontario more..

Episode 111: The defeat of Bill 64 in Manitoba – Educators discuss their opposition

September 21, 2021
22 min

This interview was recorded on August 18, 2021 just after the resignation of Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister and prior to the decision of the Manitoba more..

Episode 110: Memorial projects for the children uncovered at residential “schools”

September 15, 2021
38 min

In this episode we interview Tara Martinez and Diandra Powderhorn in Winnipeg, Manitoba about a memorial project they initiated on the grounds of the Manitoba more..

Episode 109: Discussion on a Safe September

September 5, 2021
27 min

This episode is the plenary discussion session from Education is a Right’s virtual conference: Affirming the Right to Education in the 21st Century. Speakers included more..

Episode 108: Planning for the 2021-22 school year in the context of the fourth wave

August 31, 2021
16 min

In this episode we are publishing excerpts from the opening presentation from the Safe September segment of the plenary from Education is a Right’s virtual more..

Episode 107: How the school year ended in Quebec

August 16, 2021
7 min

In this episode we get an update on how the school year ended in Quebec and what to look out for in the coming year. more..

Episode 106: Ontario wide consultations with education workers

August 3, 2021
12 min

In this episode we catch up with Laura Walton, president of CUPE Ontario’s Ontario School Boards Council of Unions’ (OSBCU) summer consultation with their members more..

Episode 105: Destreaming High School Math in Ontario – Part 2

July 27, 2021
20 min

In part 2 of this series on destreaming math in Ontario Ezio dives into the new expectations and content in the new course as well more..

Episode 104: Ending the Academic Year in Nova Scotia

July 20, 2021
17 min

In this episode we get an update on how the school year ended in Nova Scotia and what to look out for for next year. more..

Episode 103: Destreaming High School Math in Ontario – Part 1

July 14, 2021
19 min

In this episode Ezio gives some background and context for Ontario’s destreaming of Grade 9 mathematics. This episode was recorded on June 20, prior to more..

Episode 102: Ending the academic year – Ontario

July 8, 2021
20 min

In this episode we discuss how the academic year ended in Ontario and what to look out for in the coming year. more..

Episode 101: Ending the academic year – Alberta

July 2, 2021
19 min

In this episode we update listeners on the situation in Alberta as the year ends and what to look out for as the new academic more..

Episode 100: Learning from experiences challenging institutional racism in Canadian educational institutions

June 11, 2021
16 min

Welcome to our hundredth episode! Thanks to everyone who has made this possible: all our hosts, technical team, guests and especially you, our listeners. This more..

Mourning the loss of the children found

June 2, 2021
1 min

This week we will not be publishing a show. On behalf of our entire team we offer our deepest respects and condolences to the families more..

Episode 99: Exposing and challenging institutional racism in Canadian educational institutions

May 25, 2021
15 min

In this episode Black law student Jordan Afolabi discusses his experiences as an undergrad with discrimination on his campus and how he and his peers more..

Episode 98: Part 2 – Discussing Alberta’s draft curriculum

May 18, 2021
18 min

In this second part of this episode we speak with Dr. Carla Peck, Professor of Social Studies Education in the Department of Elementary Education at more..

Episode 97: Youth giving themselves a voice

May 11, 2021
15 min

In this episode we interview Stacy Zhang and Maggie Chen from Justice for Society, an online youth initiative to provide the youth with their own more..

Episode 96: Ontario Autism Coalition – finding new ways to advocate

May 4, 2021
16 min

In this episode we speak with Sean Staddon, a Board member of the Ontario Autism Coalition about how the OAC is carrying out its important more..

Episode 95: Alberta’s draft curriculum – Retrogressive direction for social studies and history education

April 28, 2021
14 min

In this two part episode we speak with Dr. Carla Peck, Professor of Social Studies Education in the Department of Elementary Education at the University more..

Episode 94: Teaching computational thinking

April 20, 2021
16 min

Jurisdictions across Canada are introducing aspects of computational thinking into curricula. In this episode we interview Stephan Rogers about his Masters of Education thesis which more..

Episode 93: Concerns about new Alberta draft elementary curriculum – Part 1

April 14, 2021
16 min

In this episode Kevan, a middle school teacher in Alberta, introduces the new draft elementary curriculum being put forward by the government of Alberta. This more..

Episode 92: Annual meeting of Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association – What to expect

April 8, 2021
12 min

In this episode we provide an overview of some of the significant aspects of the upcoming annual meeting of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association more..

Episode 91: Virtual provincial assembly of teachers and education workers in Ontario

April 3, 2021
14 min

In this episode we get a report back from the provincial assembly of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation. Close to 700 elected delegates and more..

Episode 90: An update from British Columbia

March 23, 2021
16 min

In this episode we speak with a BC teacher about where things stand in terms of the health and safety in the schools in K-12 more..

Episode 89: “We have a duty to stand up for what is right” – Leaders by example in workplace health and safety

March 16, 2021
21 min

In this episode we catch up with educators who were preparing to refuse to go along with unsafe working conditions in their workplaces. You can more..

Episode 88: Recognizing support staff on International Women’s Day

March 7, 2021
9 min

We send our greetings to all those women who are in the front ranks of the fight for the right to education and the rights more..

Episode 87: Research on centralization and democracy in education

March 1, 2021
17 min

In this episode we interview Chantal Mancini, PhD candidate at McMaster University’s School of Labour Studies who is researching the development of central bargaining in more..

Episode 86: Ramifications of changes to how teachers are hired in Ontario

February 22, 2021
16 min

In this episode we talk with occasional teachers from Ontario about the ramifications of arbitrary changes made by the Ontario government to how teachers are more..

Episode 85: Drawing a line in the sand for health & safety

February 16, 2021
18 min

In this episode we speak with educators who are taking health and safety into their own hands as schools shift back face-to-face in Ontario in more..

Episode 84: Occasional teachers discuss their experiences as they keep the system afloat

February 8, 2021
14 min

In this episode, recorded in December of 2020, secondary and elementary occasional teachers discuss their experiences during the pandemic. This is part 1 of that more..

Episode 83: Slavery, Reparations and Education – African Nova Scotia, Canada and Beyond

February 1, 2021
25 min

In this episode we speak with Dr. Isaac Saney , Director of the Transition Year Program at Dalhousie University. Dr. Saney talks about the background more..

Episode 82: What’s in a name? Affirming the dignity and role of support staff in education

January 27, 2021
14 min

In this episode we discuss a proposal from grassroots educational support staff in Ontario to change the name of their union from the Ontario Secondary more..

Episode 81: Adult day school teachers affirm the right to education during the pandemic – Part 2

January 20, 2021
16 min

In this episode adult day school teachers in Ontario teachers discuss how, during the pandemic, they have found ways to affirm their rights and those more..

Episode 80: We need to figure out how to put our solutions into practice – An update from Québec

January 13, 2021
10 min

In this episode we get an update on the situation in Québec with the pandemic and negotiations in education. more..

Episode 79: “Things can’t go on in this way” – Alberta and Ontario in the midst of the second wave

January 11, 2021
21 min

In this episode we catch up on the situation in Alberta and Ontario as of January 10, 2021. more..

Episode 78: Adult day school teachers speak up – Part 1

January 5, 2021
17 min

In this first of a two part interview with adult day school teachers in Toronto we discuss the importance of adult day schools to Canada’s more..

Episode 77: New year – big plans!

December 31, 2020
3 min

Happy new year from the entire team at Education is a Right. Listen for our plans for the coming year! Thank you to all our more..

Episode 76: Modern teaching methods in math and science

December 30, 2020
16 min

In this episode we continue our conversation with Dr. Dougal Macdonald, Assistant Professor from the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta, about changes more..

Episode 75 – “Back-to-basics” – Aims of changes to math curricula – Part 4 of 4

December 21, 2020
29 min

In this episode, we interview Dr. Dougal Macdonald, Assistant Professor from the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta, about the overall aims of more..

Episode 74: Unions role in affirming the rights of educational support staff

December 16, 2020
26 min

In this episode we speak with educational support staff and provincial union leaders Laura Walton, of Canadian Union of Public Employees Ontario and Martha Hradowy more..

Episode 73: Why are governments allergic to public solutions to the pandemic?

December 10, 2020
26 min

In this episode we follow-up with Dr. Shane Miersch about a antibody-based treatment for covid19 being developed at the University of Toronto and the challenges more..

Episode 72: “We, teachers, have solutions” – An update from Quebec

December 8, 2020
15 min

In this episode we get an update on the situation in K-12 education in Quebec. This episode was recorded on November 19, 2020 more..

Episode 71 – “We are doing all we can to hold on right now” – Secretaries and custodians discuss their work and concerns during the pandemic

December 1, 2020
25 min

In this episode we interview two representatives of secretarial and custodial educational staff in Ontario about their work and how it has changed during the more..

Episode 70 – COVID19 spreading in our schools – upholding our social responsibility while governments refuse

November 24, 2020
28 min

In this episode we get updates from Alberta and Ontario in the midst of the spread of covid19 within schools in those two provinces. This more..

Episode 69: Social and emotional learning in Ontario’s new math curriculum

November 17, 2020
29 min

In this episode we continue our discussion of the new math curriculum in Ontario with a focus on the strand called Social and Emotional Learning. more..

Episode 68: Remembrance in Education

November 9, 2020
12 min

This year Remembrance day takes place in the 75th anniversary year of the end of World War II. It will take place in schools in more..

Episode 67: “Protecting ourselves and our students” – Part 2 Educational support staff speak up

November 2, 2020
18 min

This is part 2 of a roundtable with Educational Support Staff from Ontario speaking about their experiences and concerns during the re-opening of schools. It more..

Episode 66: “Our kids have been forgotten” – Educational Support Staff Speak Up

October 27, 2020
25 min

In this episode educational support staff from Ontario speak about their experiences during the re-opening of schools and what effect this is having on them more..

Episode 65: Update from Nova Scotia and Quebec – Part 2 National Educators Roundtable

October 20, 2020
26 min

In this episode educators from Nova Scotia and Quebec update us on developments in their provinces and how they are finding ways to empower themselves. more..

Episode 64: Second National Educators Roundtable – Part 1 Alberta and Ontario

October 12, 2020
22 min

In this episode educators from Alberta and Ontario provide an update on the state of education in the midst of the pandemic in their provinces. more..

Episode 63: Students speak about their first weeks of returning to school

October 6, 2020
20 min

In this episode we follow-up with students after their first weeks of face-to-face and virtual school. We discuss what their experiences are like under covid19 more..

Episode 62: Honouring Residential School Survivors – Remember the past to create a better future – Orange Shirt Day 2020

September 27, 2020
28 min

This episode is focused on Every Child Matters in the context of Orange Shirt Day, September 30, 2020 a day to honour residential school survivors. more..

Episode 61: Cross Canada Roundtable on Re-opening of Schools – Part 2 BC and Ontario

September 23, 2020
24 min

In this part 2 of our national roundtable on the re-opening of schools, educators from BC and Ontario discuss their experiences, concerns and how they more..

Episode 60: Cross Canada Roundtable on Re-opening of Schools – Part 1 Quebec, Alberta and Nova Scotia

September 19, 2020
25 min

In this episode you will hear from educators from Quebec, Alberta and Nova Scotia about the first days of the return to school and how more..

Episode 59: Discussing fundamentals of Ontario’s new math curriculum – Part 2 of 4

September 14, 2020
27 min

In this episode we discuss some broader aspects of Ontario’s math curriculum such as the philosophy of education it is based on, de-streaming and much more..

Episode 58: Ontario’s new math curriculum – Part 1 of 4

September 4, 2020
28 min

In this episode we begin a review of Ontario’s new elementary math curriculum. It is being rolled out this year as schools re-open. In this more..

Episode 57: Outdoor Education: Ideas for Learning Outside – A Union School Podcast

September 1, 2020
18 min

In this episode we are rebroadcasting a July 20 podcast from Union School Podcast created by the Elementary Teachers of Toronto Political Action Political Education more..

Episode 56: Alberta and Ontario – Growing demands for a safe re-opening of schools

August 25, 2020
29 min

In this episode two of our hosts provide an update on the growing demands in Alberta and Ontario for a safe re-opening of schools. References more..

Episode 55: Reflecting on remote learning to look ahead to re-opening

August 18, 2020

In this episode we speak with e-learning researcher and teacher Dr. Beyhan Farhadi about her own experiences during remote learning last year, her new study more..

Episode 54: Students speak for themselves about the re-opening of schools

August 6, 2020

In this episode we speak with four K-12 students from Ontario about their thoughts and concerns for the re-opening of schools. This podcast was recorded more..

Episode 53: Science literacy and claims about transmission of sars-covi-2 in children

August 4, 2020

In this episode we talk with Dr. Shane Miersch about science literacy. As provinces announce various different plans for the re-opening of schools, we discuss more..

Episode 52: Health and safety and the re-opening of schools

July 29, 2020

In this episode we discuss key aspects of health and safety legislation from Ontario and Alberta as well as the specific concerns of educational support more..

Episode 51: Surveying the global and provincial landscape for re-opening schools

July 17, 2020

In this episode we survey the landscape across Canada for what provinces and territories are planning for school re-opening as well as international guidelines for more..

Episode 50: Experiences teaching in China when schools re-opened

July 10, 2020

In this episode we catch up with Peter Miller, a teacher in Chongqing China who taught in China before during and after the shutdown of more..

Episode 49: Organizing in Ontario for a safe re-opening of schools

June 29, 2020

In this episode we close out the academic year with an interview about organizing in Ontario to ensure a safe re-opening of schools. We talk more..

Episode 48: Educational interpreters discuss remote learning and re-opening

June 23, 2020

In this episode educational interpreters discuss the vital role they play in schools and bring to light the problems remote learning poses for the students more..

Episode 47: British Columbia’s re-opening of schools – Sharing experiences

June 17, 2020

Across the country educators, parents and students are actively staking their claim for what re-opening should look like. By sharing our experiences in areas that more..

Episode 46: Teacher candidates in Ontario sum up their achievements

June 3, 2020

In this episode representatives of the Ontario Teacher Candidates’ Council sum up their ongoing advocacy to provide a voice for student teachers in the face more..

Episode 45: Public inquiry into human rights issues affecting students with reading disabilities in Ontario

May 26, 2020

In this episode we interview Dr. Deborah Weston about the significance of the right to read and about the public inquiry taking place in Ontario more..

Episode 44: What re-opening schools actually looks like – Establishing our own “new normals”

May 19, 2020

In this episode we speak with teachers from Quebec and western Canada about the opening of schools in Quebec and BC during the pandemic. We more..

Episode 43: Thinking About Re-Opening Schools – Affirming our rights in a state of emergency

May 10, 2020

In this episode we discuss the possibility of re-opening schools across Canada and the pressure to temper demands for a say over proper wages and more..

Episode 42: Engineering a Canadian treatment for Covid19 – The value created by public research

May 5, 2020

In this episode we interview Dr. Shane Miersch, a University of Toronto researcher who is part of a team developing a treatment for Covid19. We more..

Episode 41: Special education and what this pandemic is revealing

April 27, 2020

In this episode we speak with Dr. Deborah Weston, an elementary teacher in a special education classroom, about what the current situation is revealing about more..

Episode 40: E-learning forum Part 3 – The audience speaks out

April 21, 2020

In this episode we cap off our 3-part series from the Community Forum on Mandatory E-learning held in Windsor, Ontario on February 29, 2020. In more..

Episode 39: Teaching in China during the COVID19 pandemic

April 7, 2020

In this episode we interview Peter Miller, a Canadian teaching in Chongqing, China about his experiences during the COVID19 pandemic. more..

Episode 38: Tentative Agreements in K-12 Education in Ontario

March 31, 2020

In this episode our hosts discuss some things to consider when reviewing the tentative agreements recently signed between the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association and more..

Episode 37: E-learning Forum Part 2 – Perspectives from those in the field

March 26, 2020

In this episode we are providing the panel discussion from the forum on e-learning held on February 29, 2020 in Windsor, Ontario hosted by Education more..

Episode 36: E-learning in response to the COVID19 pandemic

March 20, 2020

In this episode we discuss with Dr. Beyhan Farhadi, an e-learning teacher and researcher, about what is salient as e-learning is used as a means more..

Episode 35: Affirming workers’ rights in education in the context of COVID19

March 17, 2020

In Part 2, responding to COVID19 in education, we discuss the rights of teachers and education workers in the context of school closures and working more..

Episode 34: Slowing COVID-19’s spread – Measures being taken in education across Canada

March 16, 2020

In this episode we discuss the measures being recommended by Health Canada to combat the spread of COVID-19 in the sphere of education and our more..

Episode 33: Education unions’ annual meetings in Ontario

March 11, 2020

In this episode co-hosts Ezio and Enver give overviews of the annual meetings of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association and the Ontario Secondary School more..

Episode 32: Forum on e-learning in Ontario – Why everyone should be concerned

March 3, 2020
43 min

See powerpoint slides here: https://beyhanfarhadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Forum-on-ELearning_opt.pdf In this episode we are publishing the introduction and keynote address with slides (images below) from the Community Forum on more..

Episode 31: Student teachers challenge new math test in Ontario

February 25, 2020
23 min

In this episode representatives of the newly formed Ontario Teacher Candidate Council discuss their formation and the Ontario government’s new math test for teachers and more..

Episode 30: Teaching Black and African history to meet the needs of all students all of the time

February 20, 2020
26 min

In this episode we interview award winning educator and curriculum writer in Black and African studies Shantelle Browning-Morgan about how she incorporates Black history into more..

Episode 29: “Relentless” advocacy of the autism community

February 14, 2020
23 min

In this episode we speak with Angela Brandt, Vice-President Research and Policy of the Ontario Autism Coalition, about the work of the organization, how she more..

Episode 28: Black history is Canadian history – Part 2 Black History Month 2020

February 8, 2020
23 min

In part 2 of our interview with Dr. Isaac Saney we discuss the link between how Canadian history is taught and the reality facing black more..

Episode 27: Black History Month 2020 – “Looking at the past in terms of the present”

February 1, 2020
27 min

On this episode we present Part 1 of a series for February, Black History Month. We speak with Dr. Isaac Saney, Director of the Transition more..

Episode 26: Part 1 “They can’t run the schools without us” Child and Youth workers speak

January 28, 2020
35 min

In this episode Kris and Dave return to interview two Child and Youth workers, Lisa and Richard, about the important work they do and what more..

Episode 25: Alberta arbitration ruling imposes wage freeze onto teachers

January 25, 2020
30 min

In this episode Alberta junior high teacher Kevan Hunter returns to update us on a recent arbitration ruling which imposed wage freezes on Alberta teachers more..

Episode 24: Contemporary First Nations, Métis and Inuit Voices in one English classroom

January 17, 2020
25 min

In this episode we interview high school English teacher April Roy about the Grade 11 college and university level courses she teaches entitled Understanding Contemporary more..

Episode 23: Challenging Bill 124 in Ontario

January 10, 2020
29 min

In this episode we update listeners on the growing opposition in Ontario to Bill 124, legislation which interferes in collective bargaining for virtually all public more..

Episode 22: Students’ court victory over Ontario government

January 2, 2020
31 min

In our first episode of 2020 we provide an overview of a recent court ruling in Ontario in which students’ associations blocked the Ontario government’s more..

Episode 21: Big plans for 2020 and our Farm Team’s debut

December 22, 2019
6 min

In our last episode of this decade we lay out plans for episodes for 2020 and introduce you to our very own farm team who more..

Episode 20: Skilled tradespersons’ working and learning conditions degraded in Ontario

December 16, 2019
15 min

In this episode, we discuss legislation in Ontario that changed the journeyperson-to-apprentice training ratios and eliminated the Ontario College of Trades, the oversight body that more..

Episode 19: Educational support staff speak for themselves

December 2, 2019
17 min

In this episode educational support staff Kris and Dave clear up some misconceptions about their wages and working conditions and the important work they do more..

Episode 18: Boom, bust and resistance – Alberta and Ontario educators continue to exchange experiences

December 1, 2019
31 min

An update from Alberta on the ongoing assault of the United Conservative Party government on public services and the workers who provide them and the more..

Episode 17: We are neither robots nor police – Standing up for teachers’ professional judgement in Ontario

November 23, 2019
25 min

Part 2 in our series on the battle “as, of and for” education in Ontario. We discuss the Ford government’s attacks on teachers’ professional judgement more..

Episode 16: The battle “as, of and for” education in Ontario – Part 1

November 19, 2019
36 min

On the eve of a new wave of strike action by educators in Ontario, president of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) Harvey Bischof more..

Episode 15: Alberta educators speak for themselves

November 16, 2019
20 min

Since the recent Canadian federal election a lot is being done by governments both in and outside of Alberta to try and divide Albertans from more..

Episode 14: Parents in Ontario organizing to make their voices heard

November 10, 2019
14 min

In this episode we talk with Rachel Huot a parent of 3 children who is part of West End Parents for Public Education. The group more..

Episode 13: University students discuss why they are walking-out November 6

November 2, 2019
21 min

In this episode we are providing excerpts from a forum organized by University students where participants discuss why they are taking province-wide action on November more..

Episode 12: Striking Chicago teachers speaking for themselves

October 22, 2019
21 min

In this episode we interview Chicago elementary teacher Andrea Parker. Andrea is also a host of the Chicago Teachers Union Speaks! Podcast. She discusses the more..

Episode 11: The 2019 federal election and the right to education

October 16, 2019
17 min

In this episode we provide some basic information about this 43rd Federal Election in Canada and the right to education in terms and the federal more..

Episode 10: Education workers right to negotiate – Recent developments in Ontario

October 10, 2019
28 min

In this episode we provide a summary of the recent developments in Ontario concerning education workers right to negotiate their wages and working conditions – more..

Episode 9: Education workers unite!

October 5, 2019
17 min

Education is a Right interviewed representatives of Ontario Education Workers United about their initiatives to build unity among education workers in K-12 and the public. more..

Episode 8: Custodial and maintenance staff’s vital role in the education system

September 28, 2019
16 min

In this episode Dusty a maintenance worker and Tom a custodian discuss the integral their work plays in ensuring a safe, healthy and welcoming school more..

Episode 7: Children on the autism spectrum and the right to special education

September 21, 2019
26 min

Our guest Renee discusses meeting the needs of children on the autism spectrum. She discusses her own experiences as a mother of a child on more..

Episode 6 – Elementary teachers prepare for a new school year

September 14, 2019

In this our final segment on preparing for the new school year, Education is a Right interviewed elementary teachers from across Ontario about what their more..

Episode 5: Preparing for E-learning courses and occasional teaching

September 7, 2019
17 min

Edisaright co-host Ezio describes what planning for e-learning courses is like for teachers and students as Ontario moves towards 4 mandatory online courses, while Enver more..

Episode 4 – Report back from provincial meetings of education federations in Ontario

August 31, 2019
24 min

In this episode our hosts report back from the Annual Meeting of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario held August 12-15 and the Ontario Secondary more..

Episode 3 – Preparing for the new elementary health and physical education curriculum

August 24, 2019
16 min

In this episode co-host Laura Chesnik provides an overview of the new health and physical education curriculum released on Wednesday August 21 by the Ontario more..

Episode 2 – Significant legislation in Ontario

August 16, 2019
23 min

In our second episode we inform ourselves about Ontario’s Bill 124 the Protecting a Sustainable Public Sector for Future Generations Act. We go over the more..

Episode 1

August 9, 2019
14 min

Our first episode introduces ourselves and the show then we talk about the Elementary Teachers’ Federation Annual Meeting and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation more..

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