Dear class,
Cullum wrote the poem,
The robin sang and sang, but teacher you went right on.
The last bell sounded the end of the day, but teacher you went right on.
The geranium on the windowsill just died, but teacher you went right on. (Cullum, 1971, p. 58).
In the spirit of Cullum, I have been compelled to write given the tragedy in Canada. I know many of you are reaching out to your own students this week about painful events in the US and Quebec City. We cannot hear accents, see physical limitations, or know that you might wear a headscarf in this online place. In some respects, online education might be akin to a borderless classroom. I cherish the fact that we can and are able to participate in this environment. But I recognize too that we must work to maintain an inclusive environment that honors the diversity of our community and society at large. This we can do with our welcoming words that communicate the value of such diversity with our students and colleagues. Our actions with our children, such as introducing a science project that began in a country from “the list,” might also go a long way too– and you will have other classroom ideas. I would also like to share with you a book about how institutions and organizations can respond to challenges in these times in society written by my colleague, a sociologist, Dr. Robert VanWynsberghe http://www.utppublishing.com/Adaptive-Education-An-Inquiry-Based-Institution.html.
If you have immediate safety concerns for yourself or others, call 911.
Equity & Inclusion Office (Links to an external site.)
For anyone experiencing racism, harassment or discrimination, the best resource on campus is the Equity and Inclusion Office, in Brock Hall, 604 822 6353 or info@equity.ubc.ca (Links to an external site.).
Students seeking mental health support can contact Counselling Services (Links to an external site.). Faculty & staff wishing to talk to a counsellor can call Shepell (Links to an external site.) Care Access Centre at 1 800 387 4765.
Chaplains of several different faiths offer support to UBC students, faculty and staff.
Students, faculty and staff wishing to express their solidarity can attend a vigil on Saturday, February 4 at the Al Masjid Al Jamia mosque: http://vancouver.carpediem.cd/events/2439016-vigil-in-solidarity-with-quebec-city-mosque-at-al-masjid-al-jamia-vancouver/ (Links to an external site.)
Hi Samia,
Thank you for this post. I have found the MET experience to be a very valuable global education. In my previous nine courses, I have collaborated with people all over the world. The insights I have gained from this is invaluable. Watching the video cases reminded me of the diversity of education in Canada, let alone the world. I currently work in a very homogenous community with few minorities present. Students in our community do not see the wonder that is diversity, rather they associate it with the stereotypes they see in the media. This is a very challenging time but also an excellent teachable moment. Thank you for the book reference, I will add it to reading my list.
Catherine
These are really challenging times. How lucky are some of us to be living in a country that is so isolated from the World’s most horrible situations. Not to minimize what has happened in Quebec, but what has happened in Quebec is part of some regions’ every day life. That just blows me away. In general, walls are going up, faster than human rights advocates can take them down. Samia, I really appreciate the suggestion of focusing projects on countries that are being targeted unfairly. The more we can use a lens that focuses on our similarities, respects our differences, and dispels our fears, the faster that these walls can come down. I am certain that we could compile a list of other ideas that serve this purpose. Movies or documentaries that we have seen, other project ideas, etc. Even suggesting students watch films like The Man Who Knew Infinity, lets kids realize that math and science advancements weren’t just done by white Europeans. I haven’t seen Hidden Figures, but I am told that it is pretty good. Anything else?
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on “pedagogy in these perilous times” (credited title of a recent talk on Canada’s tragedy, the US, and the UBC teacher education office offered today by my colleague Dr. Annette Henry and graduate student Neila Miled). Please do not hesitate to consider teachable moments that Catherine has suggested have arisen and Dana invites us to share here.
Thank you,
Samia