October 2024 | published once each term
Message from Dr. Jan Hare, Dean
Aanii – Greetings,
As the new Dean of the Faculty of Education, following my service as Dean pro tem since 2021, I am committed to building on our strong foundation while ushering in innovative changes that support our mission of shaping future educators and advancing educational research.
As we enter the final year of our current strategic plan, Learning Transformed, we are beginning to develop our next strategic plan. Leveraging our strong community connections, we aim to craft a collective vision that not only celebrates our past successes, but also incorporates fresh perspectives to meet future challenges and drive educational excellence.
Reflecting on our achievements, we are proud to announce a significant milestone: NITEP, our Indigenous Teacher Education Program, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, welcoming its largest-ever cohort of first-year students and boasting nearly 500 graduates. By offering much of its curriculum through regional field centres, NITEP continues to shape Indigenous education across British Columbia and beyond. Explore stories, photos, and archives of NITEP’s impressive legacy and future vision on our website.
As part of our commitment to remaining at the forefront of education innovation, we invite you to join us virtually on October 29, 2024, for this year’s Dean’s Distinguished Lecture: Beyond the Algorithm: Generative AI in Education, which will feature keynote speaker Dr. Lilach Mollick, Co-Director of the Generative AI Lab at Wharton. This lecture will explore the opportunities and challenges of integrating AI into teaching, learning, and research.
I would also like to highlight our Indigenous Education Alumni Network (IEAN). Established last year, the IEAN connects UBC Faculty of Education Indigenous alumni and the wider educational community. The IEAN invites all members of our communities to attend the upcoming virtual speaker series event on Indigenous Climate Justice on October 8, 2024, featuring Dr. Kyle Whyte, Professor of Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan, who will share his insights on climate change, Indigenous knowledge systems, and environmental justice.
We are excited to announce key appointments that reinforce our commitment to advancing Black flourishing through strengthening interdisciplinary Black studies in education. In August 2025, Dr. Nadena Doharty will join us as a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Black Experiences in Education, and Dr. Glory Ovie and Dr. Marika Kunnas joined our Faculty in September as tenure-stream faculty members.
We are also pleased to announce Dr. Julia Sinclair-Palm as the inaugural Director of the forthcoming Robert Quartermain Centre for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Inclusive Education, beginning January 2025. We eagerly anticipate their leadership in promoting inclusivity through education and community engagement.
Watch this year’s welcome message to learn more about our Faculty and community. As always, I welcome your feedback and encourage you to share this Community Update with friends and colleagues who may be interested.
Here’s to shared successes and new horizons.
Miigwech – thank you,
Jan
Teaching and Learning
New MOOC on Nurturing Childhoods Through Indigenous Ways of Knowing
Registration is now open for the UBC Faculty of Education’s new Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), “Nurturing Childhoods Through Indigenous Ways of Knowing,” launching on November 1, 2024. This six-to-eight-week course, designed for educators, service providers, and families, offers a transformative learning experience to integrate Indigenous perspectives into early learning environments. Led by Dean Hare and created in collaboration with community leaders, educators, and scholars, this free, fully-online course requires no prerequisites, making it accessible to all.
AI in K-12 Education: Classroom of the Future
The UBC Faculty of Education is excited to announce the launch of the new online institute, “AI in K-12 Education: Classroom of the Future,” starting January 2025. Led by award-winning educator Cari Wilson, this seven-session series aims to equip educators with the necessary tools and knowledge to effectively integrate AI into classrooms and navigate the opportunities and challenges presented by this technology.
Blended Learning in the Teacher Education Program
The UBC Faculty of Education is adapting its academic offerings to better serve our diverse student body, particularly those from historically underrepresented communities, by piloting a hybrid model in our teacher education programs in Vancouver and the West Kootenay Rural Teacher Education Program. 2024/25 BEd teacher candidates will take a selection of classes online, an approach that merges traditional and digital learning.
Reading, Language, and Mathematics (ReaLM) Literacy Kits
Dr. Jessica Chan, Founder of the Reading, Language, and Mathematics (ReaLM) Lab, has partnered with the Okanagan Regional Library to create literacy kits for children that promote development and family engagement. Families with children in grades two and three can participate in the lab’s ongoing study on how home activities influence language, reading, and math skills.
Awards and Accolades
Dr. Patricia Duff Inducted as a Fellow into the Royal Society of Canada
Dr. Patricia (Patsy) Duff, FRSC, has been inducted as a Fellow into the Royal Society of Canada’s Academy of Social Sciences, a prestigious honour that recognises her exceptional scholarly contributions. A Distinguished University Scholar and an internationally renowned leader in applied linguistics and multilingual education, Dr. Duff has transformed global research on multilingualism and transnational learners’ experiences.
School of Kinesiology Alumni and Students Shine at Paris 2024 Olympics
The UBC Faculty of Education’s School of Kinesiology proudly celebrated the remarkable achievements of our alumni and students at the recent Paris 2024 Olympics. Participants from various disciplines including track, field hockey, volleyball, soccer, and swimming exemplified the pinnacle of athletic excellence cultivated at UBC. We commend their outstanding performances and the pride they brought to the UBC Faculty of Education community as they competed among the world’s best.
School of Kinesiology ranks 1st in North America and 3rd globally
The UBC Faculty of Education’s School of Kinesiology has once again retained its top ranking, placing 1st in North America and 3rd globally for sports-related subjects, according to the 2024 QS World University Rankings. Recently celebrating its largest graduating class in history, the School continues to shape leaders who are making transformative contributions to health, wellness, and sports worldwide.
2024 UBC Faculty of Education Reconciliation and Decolonization Alumni Award
Chas Desjarlais (BEd’99, MEd’14), a nêhiyaw-michif educator, scholar and community leader, and Dr. Meike Wernicke (PhD’13), a multilingual non-Indigenous scholar, are the distinguished recipients of the 2024 UBC Faculty of Education Reconciliation and Decolonization Alumni Award. This honour recognises alumni who demonstrate exceptional leadership, integrity, respect, and commitment to advancing decolonization or reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
Community Events and Engagements
Dean’s Community Engagement Series: Ethics and Opportunities: Generative AI in K-12 Education
Hosted by Dean Hare, this speaker series that explores current priorities in education will host its next event virtually on November 5, 2024. Dr. Chris Kennedy and Cari Wilson, leaders and educators from the West Vancouver School District, will discuss the ethical integration of Generative AI into K-12 education.
Research Forum on Educator Wellbeing
Help shape the future of health in education at the upcoming Research Forum on Educator Wellbeing: Sharing Diverse Perspectives and Multiple Approaches, taking place on October 24-25, 2024, in Kelowna, British Columbia. Leading scholars from across Canada will present research findings, promote best practices, and collaborate to build a robust community dedicated to enhancing and maintaining educator wellness.
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Latest Faculty of Education News
Visit our news and events page for an in-depth exploration of the latest developments within our Faculty, including new leadership appointments, groundbreaking research initiatives, recent funding successes, and prestigious recognitions.
