Addressing Ableism

(90 minutes)

Ableism is a set of beliefs or practices that devalue and discriminate against people with physical, intellectual, or psychiatric disabilities and often rests on the assumption that disabled people need to be ‘fixed’ in one form or the other. In this workshop, participants will learn more about the way we view disability and learn how to identify and fight the stigma that people with physical, intellectual, or psychiatric disabilities face every day. Teachers will discuss and reflect on how an understanding of ableism can guide their practice to cultivate disability pride, in ourselves, our students, and beyond.

This workshop has been adapted for online facilitation.

Advancing Equity and Inclusion in Our Schools and Communities

(1.5–3 hours, includes off-screen working session and break)

Participants will leave the workshops with ideas they can implement towards an action plan to advance equity and inclusion in their communities. After exploring some of the challenges faced by members of equity-seeking groups, workshop participants will become inspired to delve deeper into the barriers to equity and inclusion. Through an understanding of the factors that contribute to oppression of members of equity-seeking groups, participants will consider acts of allyship they can take to help overcome barriers to full inclusion.

This workshop has been adapted for online facilitation.

Advocating to Break the Cycle of Cyberbullying

(1.5–3 hours, includes off-screen working session and break)

Teachers will leave this workshop with knowledge and strategies to address students’ involvement in cyberbullying. Workshop participants will develop a stronger understanding of cyberbullying and the social media platforms where it takes place. They will learn about proactive measures to raise students’ awareness of this increasingly prevalent issue. Participants will also develop strategies to identify students who may be involved in cyberbullying and offer the appropriate support. 

Antiracist Strategies for Educators

(1.5-hour to 3-hour workshop)

This workshop looks at privilege in society and how the legacy of our colonial past has shaped our present.  It provides some youth perspectives on racism in schools, and explores strategies to recognize and eliminate racism in society, classrooms, schools, and community.

This workshop is available for online facilitation.

Assertive Communication: Positive Interactions

(1.5–3 hours, includes off-screen working session and break)

This workshop teaches the key principles of communication by exploring the differences between passive, aggressive, and assertive communication styles. Participants will develop skills through a variety of exercises, role play and practice, in order to effectively communicate in their classroom, schools, union work, or personal lives.

This workshop has been adapted for online presentation.

Building a Stronger Union through a Local Equity Audit

(1.5-hour, 3-hour, and full-day options, includes off-screen working session and break)

This new workshop will provide participants with an understanding of the concepts and strategies needed to develop a local equity audit action plan. This plan will allow participants to assess their local structures and policies in order to identify barriers to member engagement. Local executive members will develop strategies to strengthen their union by ensuring members from diverse backgrounds have a voice and see themselves represented in local leadership. Participants will leave the workshop with an awareness of the important components of a local equity audit and a familiarity with resources and funding sources available to support them in carrying out this important work. We encourage those participating in this workshop to have a strong understanding and commitment to the principals of equity and inclusion prior to booking this workshop. The workshop, “Creating Inclusive Spaces” provides an excellent understanding of these principals.

This workshop has been adapted for online facilitation.

Creating a Gender-Inclusive School Culture

(1.5–3 hours, includes off-screen working session and break)

This workshop will help develop an understanding of the risks facing trans, non-binary and gender diverse students, as well as the protective factors, gain increased familiarity with terminology used by the trans, non-binary and gender diverse communities, and increased awareness of gender identity and gender expression. Best practices for supporting a student through gender transition within the school system will be covered. Although the focus is on trans, non-binary and gender diverse students, gender-inclusive schools help all students to feel safe at school.

Creating Cultures of Peace 

(1.5–3 hours, includes off-screen working session and break)

In line with the big ideas and core competencies of the revised curriculum, this interactive workshop provides resources for teachers and their students to create peaceful learning communities, and to discuss current global realities. Activities will incorporate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and discuss the effects of war and violence on children and youth. Lesson sequences will be provided and explored surrounding the Palestine-Israel Conflict, and Olympic Truce, which was recently revived by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to emphasize the role sport can play in building a more peaceful world.  

Creating Inclusive Spaces: Applying an Equity and Inclusion Lens to Your Local, Schools and Classrooms

(1.5–3 hours, includes off-screen working session and break)

Available as a SURT or PSI workshop. This workshop will provide teachers with strategies to help contribute to more inclusive environments. Participants will be introduced to a number of barriers to inclusion based on race, gender identity, sexual orientation, class and physical ability. They will then explore strategies and resources available on the BCTF Equity and Inclusion webpages to address these barriers. Through an inquiry model, participants will begin thinking about specific actions they can take in their classrooms, schools, locals, and communities.

This workshop has been adapted for online facilitation.

Engaging Men and Boys to Prevent Gender-Based Violence

(1.5–3 hours, includes off-screen working session and break)

Workshop participants will deepen their understanding of how socialization contributes to the development of oppressive attitudes and behaviours based on gender. Teachers will begin by examining the varying degrees of violence against women. After considering the concepts of gender identity, power, and privilege, participants will reflect on their own values related to these topics and begin to develop a plan to uphold them. Teachers will leave the workshop equipped with a deeper understanding of the role men and boys can play in overcoming violence, along with an enhanced commitment to taking on this role. This workshop session will be offered to participants who identify as men. Another session will be offered for all teachers.

Global Education: Bringing Global Perspectives into your Classroom

(1.5–3 hours, includes off-screen working session and break)

Are you looking for new ways to energize how you teach existing units? Introducing a global perspective into your classroom can be challenging, but exciting. Bring your existing ideas, a current unit, or theme to this workshop and let us show you how to integrate, infuse, and deliver it from a global perspective at any grade level. A global education approach activates student interest as it increases personal engagement and involvement in the classroom, the surrounding community, and our world. This workshop is beneficial for K–12.

Help End Child Poverty in BC Classrooms, Schools, and Local Communities

(1.5–3 hours, includes off-screen working session and break)

Participants will raise their awareness on poverty issues in their classrooms and communities by using the BCTF Social Justice Lens and the BCTF Aboriginal Lens. They will assess their own school's, local's and community needs. Then they will be provided with the opportunity to work in groups on a plan of action that they can be done during the workshop to address their student's needs on issues related to poverty. 

How to be an Antiracist in our Schools, Unions, and Communities

(1.5–3 hours, includes off-screen working session and break)

This skills-based workshop is a powerful, practical way to promote awareness and empathy, and to develop the skills to effectively respond to discriminatory remarks and incidents of racism. Although it is often easy to identify an incident of personal racism, responding effectively is often challenging. This workshop has been updated to provide participants with opportunities to practise strategies to intervene effectively.

This workshop has been adapted for online facilitation.

In the shoes of the bully, the bystander and the victim: Building self-awareness, social awareness, and empathy

(1.5–3 hours, includes off-screen working session and break)

This workshop will help to develop an understanding of self-awareness, social awareness and empathy building around bullying and bystander issues. Key skills and strategies will be used to develop and understanding of the factors contributing to the different roles in relationships between bully, victim, bystander and ally. Through talking circles and reflective listening activities, ideas will be presented on how to support change through the creation of a safe and inclusive classroom. There will be opportunities to further explore the teacher’s role as an elder and mentor to students. Handouts and resources will be provided for teachers to integrate this approach into their classroom.

Organizing for Change

(1.5–3 hours, includes off-screen working session and break)

This practical workshop will provide you with the tools needed to develop an effective strategic plan for your committee, school, or local on an emerging issue. Using a variety of strategic tools, such as strength inventory, force field analysis, and the social/community barometer, participants will have a chance to examine barriers and maximize potential for success.

Poverty IS a Classroom Issue

(90 minutes)

In 2019, the BC Government finally moved to implement a poverty reduction plan that will begin to help the 20% of our children who live in poverty. This workshop helps teachers to develop an awareness of the issue of poverty and its implication for our students. It will provide challenges for teachers on the assumptions we make about children living in poverty and provide strategies for teachers on how to support children who may be experiencing discrimination at school because of their socio-economic status.

Promoting Healthy Youth Relationships: Educating Against Gender-Based Violence

(1.5–3 hours, includes off-screen working session and break)

This workshop raises awareness of healthy and unhealthy youth relationships and gender-based violence. Workshop participants increase their understanding of the impact of dating and sexualized violence on youth. Through the exploration of lessons and strategies to address these issues in the classroom, the workshop enhances the capacity of schools and educators to encourage healthy youth relationships. A series of lesson plans and comprehensive resources are provided for use in the classroom.

Reach Out, Speak Out on Homophobia and Transphobia

(1.5–3 hours, includes off-screen working session and break)

This workshop focuses on how to be an ally and support LGBTQ+ youth within schools. Educators will develop an understanding of sexuality and gender as spectrums and will explore essential terminology and pronouns. It will increase understanding of the impact of homophobia and transphobia on youth and look at strategies and best practices to address these. The importance of GSA’s and LGBTQ+ policies will be shared. This workshop is highly recommended for educators wanting to create an inclusive school culture so that all students feel safe and included.

Role and Function of the Social Justice Contact

(1.5–3 hours, includes off-screen working session and break)

School-based social justice representatives working with the local’s Social Justice Committee can explore their roles and the functions they have within the school and local. They will have an opportunity to set out long- and short-term plans and explore how to work in coalition with others in their schools and community. 

This workshop has been adapted for online facilitation.

Sexual Health Education: It's Fun!

(1.5–3 hours, includes off-screen working session and break)

This recently revised BCTF workshop provides participants with essential information about sexual health. The topic of consent is discussed in detail. Workshop participants will become familiar with several recommended resources and some fundamental strategies for teaching the mandated sexual health curriculum to BC students at all grade levels in public schools. The workshop will help teachers in accessing resources and developing lesson plans that satisfy the curriculum, as well as navigate the social and cultural context. This session is sex-positive and aims to empower educators to create an inclusive and comprehensive sexual health education program. 

Social Justice in Every Classroom

(1.5–3 hours, includes off-screen working session and break)

How socially just is your classroom? Do you include social justice and human rights as part of your curriculum? Would you like your students to participate in social justice activities locally and globally? This workshop is designed for teachers to expand and enhance their teaching strategies for including social justice issues in the classroom. These practical activities can be used throughout the K–12 curriculum.

Strategies for Discussing Controversial Issues

(1.5–3 hours, includes off-screen working session and break)

Discussing controversial issues with students is an important part of social justice, the inquiry process, and building the skills for students to become active, engaged and critically-minded democratic citizens. This workshop provides practical classroom strategies to discuss controversial issues in a respectful manner.

Taking Action for Climate Justice

(1.5–3 hours, includes off-screen working session and break)

This workshop will provide participates with an increased understanding of the urgency to take action on global warming. Participants will leave the workshop with a bank of lessons and resources to teach about climate justice along with the skills needed to address controversial issues in the classroom. The workshop provides strategies for teachers to support existing BCTF policies related to climate action by supporting students in advocating for climate justice in their communities and at the provincial and national level.

This workshop has been adapted for online facilitation.

Teaching Green: Integrating Environmental Justice Issues Across the Curriculum

(90 minutes to all day, includes off-screen working session and break)

This workshop has five modules: Taking Action for Climate Justice, Food Security, Water Rights, Sustainable Resource Use, and Sustainable Transportation. Please see module descriptions below for further details. Choose one or more. Available for K–12.

Taking Action for Climate Justice (1.5–3 hours)

This workshop will provide participates with an increased understanding of the urgency to take action on global warming. Participants will leave the workshop with a bank of lessons and resources to teach about climate justice along with the skills needed to address controversial issues in the classroom. The workshop provides strategies for teachers to support existing BCTF policies related to climate action by supporting students in advocating for climate justice in their communities and at the provincial and national level.

Food Security (75–120 minutes)

Participants will explore food security and food sovereignty issues and their social justice impacts, locally and globally through activities that can be applied in their classrooms. They will take an inventory of local food security issues, and then consider local food security and its cultural intersections. The final step will be to create an action plan designed to ensure food security for the school community.

Water Rights (90–120 minutes)

Focusing on the global water crisis through a social justice lens, participants will explore the connections between water access/water privatization issues, human rights, and social justice. Through an inquiry model, teachers will consider how water resource conservation issues are relevant in the classroom, the community, nationally and globally. The workshop will provide opportunities for teachers to explore water rights teaching resources and to develop a plan to support students in taking concrete actions. 

Sustainable Resource Use (90–120 minutes)

This workshop introduces strategies to support students in exploring the social, economic and environmental impacts of exploiting our natural resources. Participants will consider how to successfully bring this topic into their classrooms by using techniques to discuss controversial issues. The workshop introduces a number of teaching resources and explores ways to link them to the revised curriculum.

Sustainable Transportation (45–60 minutes)

Participants will explore strategies to support their students in examining how transportation of goods and people has changed over time, the consequences of these changes, and the intersections between transportation and social justice. The workshop will provide opportunities for teachers to explore sustainable transportation teaching resources and to ways to link them to the revised curriculum.