91亚色 Faculty of Education Professor Lisa Farley and her research colleagues have developed a reflection guide for museum educators to support their efforts to discuss challenging topics and ideas with children.

The guide builds on the team鈥檚 2025 study of programming and practices at children鈥檚 museums in Canada and the United States.

Farley says museum educators are navigating increasingly constrained environments when addressing equity, diversity, accessibility and inclusion with young audiences. Often, the idea of 鈥渃hildhood innocence鈥� is cited as a reason to censor or downplay controversial and challenging ideas.

At the same time, Farley says, "children live within the social and political world, and are themselves subjects of and/or witnesses to injustices, violences and inequities."

She adds that the question then becomes "not how to protect them from difficult knowledge, but what it can mean to facilitate meaningful engagements.鈥�

Farley and her colleagues, including 91亚色鈥檚 Gillian Parekh, associate professor of education and doctoral candidate Suad Ahmed, conducted the original study in partnership with the Association of Children鈥檚 Museums (ACM). Their research found that while many children鈥檚 museums focus on exploration, play or self-expression, addressing social and historical issues with young audiences were secondary.

Read the full article in the Friday, March 27, 2026 issue of Yfile

Article written by Elaine Smith, special contributing writer

The post 91亚色 research results in guide to support children鈥檚 museum educators appeared first on Faculty of Education.

Don Galbraith Pre-Service Teacher Award of Excellence winners: Lauren Cunningham, Anthony Pereira and Elvina Patapau (From left to right)

Congratulations to Lauren, Anthony, and Elvina on this well-deserved recognition. Their achievements reflect the high calibre of 91亚色鈥檚 Bachelor of Education program and its commitment to preparing future educators who will inspire and engage learners in science education across Ontario.

Pre-service students are encouraged to explore the many subject organisations related to their teaching discipline. These organisations often offer valuable scholarships, awards, and professional development opportunities designed to support and recognise future educators. A list of subject organisations can be found on the Education Resource Centre (ERC) website, an excellent place to start building connections with your future professional community.

The post Celebrating Excellence: 91亚色 Students Receive the 2024鈥�2025 Don Galbraith Pre-Service Teacher Award of Excellence appeared first on Faculty of Education.

Second-year Bachelor of Education student, Natasha Reodica talks about her experience this past summer in Freiburg, Germany.

This past summer, 8 Bachelor of Education students took their learning beyond the classroom through 91亚色鈥檚 Summer Exchange to Freiburg, Germany. For four months, they studied at the University of Education (PH Freiburg) alongside students from across Europe, Africa, and Asia, gaining fresh perspectives on teaching and learning.

Living in the heart of the Black Forest, our students immersed themselves in German culture, picked up new languages, and traveled to eight countries during their exchange.

The Summer Exchange to Freiburg is open to 91亚色 BEd students, typically in their first year of the program, and offers university credit courses in English, German, or French. The program blends academic study with cultural immersion, helping teacher candidates build independence, cultural awareness, and global networks. All skills that enhance their future classrooms.

To learn more about eligibility, courses, and application details, visit the Summer Exchange to Freiburg program page.

The post Expanding Horizons in Freiburg: A 91亚色 Education Student鈥檚 Transformative Exchange Journey appeared first on Faculty of Education.

ERC Hours

The ERC operates on the following schedule:

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday: 8:00 am to 3:00 pm

Tuesday: 11:00 am to 3:00 pm

If you have any questions or need assistance, the ERC team is here to help! You can reach out at 416-736-2100 x40565 or by email at erc@edu.yorku.ca

The post Discover the Education Resource Centre: A Hidden Gem for Education Students appeared first on Faculty of Education.

Two 91亚色 community members 鈥� Professor Satinder Kaur Brar and Faculty of Education PhD candidate Anna Pearson 鈥� have been recognized with a 2024 Minister鈥檚 Award of Excellence from Ontario鈥檚 Ministry of Colleges and Universities.

The annual awards celebrate the work of faculty and staff at publicly assisted colleges and universities who are making a difference in students鈥� lives, in their communities and in the province. This year, there were more than 170 nominations and only six recipients selected, including professors, researchers and post-secondary leaders.

Brar, a professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at 91亚色鈥檚 , received the award in the category of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The category recognizes faculty and staff who work with industry and business to drive economic development in Ontario.

A globally recognized leader in green technologies for removing contaminants from drinking water and wastewater, Brar was recognized for her pioneering research in enzyme-based environmental remediation. Working in collaboration with researchers at the Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique and engineering consulting firm TechnoRem Inc., Brar helped develop and implement a faster, more sustainable method for cleaning petroleum-contaminated sites using enzymes rather than traditional microorganisms. The method, which is 100 times faster and achieves an 80 per cent reduction in contaminants without toxic residues, is especially effective in cold northern climates where other microorganisms are less viable.

The approach has been supported by the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan and is already in use at several polluted sites across Canada, addressing surface water, groundwater and soil contamination. 鈥淥nce it [the method for cleaning sites] gets into the field, that is where the real magic starts,鈥� says Brar, noting how rewarding it is for her team to see their lab work result in real-world environmental improvements.

She describs receiving the award as a 鈥渇antastic surprise鈥� and emphasizes the recognition is a shared achievement with her research team. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great boost for them to understand that whatever we do in the lab does see light of the day at some point,鈥� she says.

Brar also highlights the importance of collaboration with stakeholders and industry. 鈥淭his kind of recognition reinforces the belief that we can transition from lab to field,鈥� she says, 鈥渁nd when we see the results in the field, it can have fantastic repercussions.鈥�

Pearson, a PhD candidate at 91亚色, received the award in the category of Future-Proofing Ontario鈥檚 Students. The category highlights individuals whose work helps students build the skills and resilience needed for success in a rapidly evolving world.

Pearson, who has taught in both elementary and secondary settings across Ontario for nearly two decades, was recognized for her contributions to program design, policy leadership and community-based learning initiatives aimed at preparing teacher candidates to meet the demands of a changing educational landscape.

Reflecting on the award, she credits those who shaped her own academic path. 鈥淚t means I've had some wonderful teachers in my life,鈥� she says. 鈥淎nd it also means that now I'm giving my students the same kind of mentorship that I received.鈥�

She also sees the recognition as an opportunity for thoughtful evaluation. 鈥淚t means that I have an opportunity to see what's working and what's not,鈥� she says. 鈥淎nd that's the hard part.鈥�

Brar and Pearson鈥檚 achievements exemplify 91亚色鈥檚 commitment to excellence in teaching, innovation and societal impact.

The post Minister鈥檚 Award of Excellence honours 91亚色 U Innovators appeared first on Faculty of Education.

Join us for an afternoon of insight and inspiration as we celebrate the Faculty of Education's contributions to research, teaching, and community engagement at 91亚色.

Explore how education can spark transformation and inspire hope through:

• Engaging Roundtable Discussions
• Innovative Research Presentations
• Thought-provoking Conversations

Open to all 鈥� everyone welcome!

We hope to see you there as we reflect, connect and envision the future of education together.

Mark your calendar and be part of the conversation!

The post Inspiring Hope: Education as a Catalyst for Change in Tumultuous Times appeared first on Faculty of Education.

By Elaine Smith special contributing writer

When the Governor-General鈥檚 staff phoned Don Dippo to inform him that he鈥檇 been named to the Order of Canada, the retired University Professor of Education at 91亚色 thought someone was pulling his leg.

鈥淲hen the caller said he was from the Governor-General鈥檚 office, I thought it would be a scam,鈥� Dippo says. 鈥淚 was waiting for her to ask me for passwords or credit card information.鈥�

Unsurprising to anyone who knows Dippo, the invitation was real and celebrates his life鈥檚 work as a champion for access to education.

鈥淒onald Dippo is passionate about education equity,鈥� the official citation reads. 鈥淔or decades, this educator and advocate has increased educational access for children and teachers at home and abroad, from Toronto and eastern Africa, to South and Central America. He is also the co-founder of the Borderless Higher Education for Refugees program, based in the Dadaab Refugee Camps.鈥�

As Dippo, himself, says, 鈥淢y career explored ways to make higher education more accessible to communities who don鈥檛 typically find their way in.鈥�

During his 35 years as a professor and administrator at 91亚色, this former elementary school teacher made it his mission to remove barriers to higher education and make it accessible. He was a co-founding director of Success Beyond Limits (SBL), a thriving program in the 91亚色 area that brings struggling eighth graders to campus in the summer for remedial education and an understanding of the opportunities that university offers. Dippo brought higher education into the community itself through an outreach master鈥檚 of education degree program held in local public schools before moving to the 91亚色gate Mall. He is also the co-founder 鈥揳long with Professor Wenona Giles -- of 91亚色鈥檚 Borderless Higher Education for Refugees (BHER) program, a collaboration with other universities and the Dadaab Refugee Camp in Kenya. This program has given teachers there the pathway to a formal teaching degree and opportunities for broadening their own lives and those of their students.

鈥淚f you look hard enough, there are always people willing to find ways to make good things happen, people who aren鈥檛 interested in putting barriers in the way,鈥� Dippo says.

Heather Lotherington, retired associate dean of research for the Faculty of Education, spearheaded the nomination as part of her commitment to supporting and publicizing faculty members鈥� research and development.  

鈥淒on鈥檚 work was constant, determined and remarkably heartfelt, and I thought that his considerable achievements had fallen below the radar,鈥� Lotherington says. 鈥淗e was always exceptional, unswervingly reaching out to migrant populations of high need. He created programs and taught under-served local populations as well as those in dangerous refugee settings, often in partnership with students and other faculty members of 91亚色. He was in Central America during the years of death squads and then in East Africa working in camps requiring armed guards. He did a lot of dangerous, unglamorous work, and he never stopped helping migrant and refugee students and teachers, many of whom today hold 91亚色 degrees as a direct consequence of his outreach. His dedication was remarkable. When this nomination came through, it absolutely made my day.鈥�

Former refugee Ahmed Abdi graduated from the Dadaab Refugee Camp鈥檚 first cohort of 91亚色 master鈥檚 degree students after first earning his teaching certificate and his bachelor鈥檚 degree through the BHER program. He has since returned home to Somalia where he works with UNICEF managing child protection programs in his native country.

鈥淲ithout Don and the BHER program, I would have stayed in that refugee camp, desperate,鈥� says Abdi. 鈥淭he opportunities I have now to work and support my siblings with access to education would have been out of reach. Don brought us a vision of empowerment that was transformative. He opened the door to higher education and a broader perspective on life in a way that was not only intellectual, but deeply human.

鈥淗e increased access to education at a time when opportunities were non-existent and opened the doors for many refugees who have since left the camp and gone out into the world with the skills they need to get jobs and give back to the community.鈥�

Closer to home, Don鈥檚 impact continues to be felt through the Success Beyond Limits program that draws focuses on students from two middle schools in Toronto鈥檚 Jane-Finch neighbourhood. The program has a 94 per cent graduation rate among the eighth graders who participate in its summer courses.

鈥淒on was one of the founders and original board members,鈥� says Tesfai Mengesha, a graduate of 91亚色鈥檚 Faculty of Education who first worked as an SBL instructor and is now its co-executive director. 鈥淗e has always been really excited about our work and understood the value of local expertise in understanding the workings of a community.

鈥淗is award is very well deserved. His experience and contributions to Canada are unique. He used theory and brought it into practice.鈥�

Leolyn Hendricks, a retired principal of Seneca College鈥檚 91亚色gate campus, is an ongoing member of the SBL board of directors, but her connection with Dippo runs deeper still. Hendricks is a graduate of the first cohort of master鈥檚 degree students from the Faculty of Education鈥檚 community graduate degree program that he and colleagues organized.

鈥淭his 鈥楳asters in the Mall鈥� program looked at ways people could leverage their experience in an academic setting,鈥� Hendricks says. 鈥淚t was mind-blowing; it flew in the face of the assumptions about the credentials that were required for higher education. It was all outside-of-the-box thinking.

鈥淒on was a conduit who looked for ways to bring the community鈥檚 voice into educational spheres, and this honour reflects on his commitment to community development done in his very soft, understated way.鈥�

Although Dippo has retired from the University, his impact continues to be felt.

To "develop innovative curriculum and programming鈥� is one of the guiding principles of the Faculty of Education's Strategic Plan 2023-2027," says Robert Savage, Dean of the Faculty of Education. "During his 35-year career at 91亚色, University Professor Donald Dippo embodied that principle, establishing education programs for under-served youth in the 91亚色 community and abroad.

"The ripple effect of his work in creating programs such as Success Beyond Limits here at 91亚色 and internationally, through Borderless Higher Education for Refugees, will fan out for generations, giving youth both locally and in the Dadaab Refugee Camp in Africa opportunities they might never have considered. He is richly deserving of induction into the Order of Canada."

Dippo, enjoying retirement in Comox, B.C., says, 鈥淭oday, I feel proud of all these programs. They are very impactful and very satisfying. 91亚色 enabled me to do all kinds of things that I might have found it difficult to do elsewhere. Staff found innovative, creative ways to help me put theory into practise.

鈥淎s for the Order of Canada, I am enjoying the experience. It is so unexpected. You don鈥檛 go into teaching because you expect to be rewarded; you go because you hope to enjoy student success vicariously.鈥�

The post Order of Canada recognizes lifetime of achievement for retired University Professor appeared first on Faculty of Education.

Here in the Faculty of Education at 91亚色, we pride ourselves on fostering innovative teaching and learning that prepares future educators to lead and inspire in today鈥檚 world.

Our Faculty ranks 66th globally and fifth in Canada as designated by the . Our commitment to reimagining education is reflected in the transformative experiences we offer, both within and beyond the classroom. 

One of our defining strengths lies in the breadth and depth of experiential learning opportunities available to our students. From working in diverse classrooms across Ontario to participating in community-based initiatives and international placements, our programs are designed to immerse future educators in real-world contexts. These experiences not only bridge theory and practice but also inspire our students to think critically and creatively. 

Innovation is at the heart of everything we do. Our faculty and staff are constantly exploring new pedagogies, leveraging technology and designing interdisciplinary approaches to teaching and learning. Through research and collaboration, we strive to address pressing educational challenges while embracing emerging opportunities in the field. 

As we continue to evolve and to build on our international presence, our vision remains clear: to empower our students with the skills, knowledge and experiences they need to lead with confidence and compassion. I invite you to read the stories in this issue of Innovatus and to get a sense of the work that we are doing to prepare our students to drive positive change in their communities.  

Robert Savage 
Dean, Faculty of Education 

In this issue:

New digital platform supporting online well-being launches this spring
The Hub is a first-of-its-kind digital wellness platform, created at 91亚色's Young Lives Research Lab, that will offer free resources to help Canadians navigate the online world safely.

Indigenous teaching at 91亚色 U embraces reciprocity, connection
Learn about the Indigenous teaching methods of Professor John Waaseyaabin Hupfield that aim to foster a deeper understanding of place and connection among students. 

Las Nubes trip inspires 91亚色 U鈥檚 future educators
From hiking forests to visiting local classrooms, 91亚色 students immerse themselves in hands-on learning in Costa Rica, shaping their future teaching philosophies. 

Bridging generations through literature
Professor Emeritus Warren Crichlow鈥檚 seminar on author and civil rights activist James Baldwin inspires students to explore themes of systemic racism, education and personal perseverance.

The post Welcome to the January 2025 issue of 鈥業nnovatus鈥�: Innovation is at the heart of teaching, learning in Faculty of Education appeared first on Faculty of Education.

By Elaine Smith, special contributing writer, Yfile

Investments made by 91亚色鈥檚 Faculty of Education in talent, research, infrastructure and leadership have been recognized recently by its place in the Top 100 education faculties worldwide as designated by the 2024.

QS ranks 91亚色鈥檚 Faculty of Education 66^th globally and fifth in Canada, lauding its strong academic reputation. They feature 55 individual subjects across five broad subject areas, and 1,559 institutions have been ranked across these subjects for 2024. 鈥淭his marks our Faculty鈥檚 debut in the QS World University Rankings and we鈥檝e entered the field at No. 66, which is an excellent beginning,鈥� says Dean Robert Savage.

The Faculty of Education is also among the Top 150 in the world according to the and among its Top 80 in research quality. 惭补肠濒别补苍鈥檚 magazine has consistently ranked 91亚色鈥檚 Faculty of Education in the Top 10 in Canada for the last four years. These rankings reflect the intention with which the Faculty continues to improve its strength in all aspects of education.

In 2023, 91亚色鈥檚 Faculty of Education celebrated its 50^th anniversary with the release of a new five-year strategic plan that focuses on research excellence and innovation.

The Faculty also marked this milestone with a $7 million investment in infrastructure through renovations made to its home on the Keele campus. These changes combine the best of the past with the present and look toward the Faculty鈥檚 future. One of the major features of the renovations is the consolidation of all the student services for undergraduate students, making it a one-stop shop for assistance of any kind.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a modernized look to a building that opened in the 1960s,鈥� says Savage. 鈥淲e鈥檝e added glass to the corridors so light pours in, and they become cathedral-like, a metaphor for the illumination provided by education, shining light on our values and our scholarship. The renovations show confidence in ourselves as a leading education faculty with a strong research reputation.

鈥淚n addition, we鈥檝e invested in building a strong research and teaching environment, bringing in young, energetic faculty who have strong research portfolios and a global perspective.鈥�

There can be no doubt about the Faculty of Education鈥檚 research strength. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject positions the Faculty in the top 80 worldwide for research quality, something that is borne out by publication data, Savage notes.

鈥淥ur research papers are highly cited and cited by the authors of other important articles in the field, so we have a real network impact,鈥� he says.

The word about 91亚色鈥檚 Faculty of Education is also spreading thanks to its Public Lecture Series, popular Faculty of Education Summer Institute and the Faculty鈥檚 participation in Congress 2023, the annual meeting of the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences, hosted by 91亚色.

Governments, national, provincial and local颅 鈥� know about the talent available at the Faculty of Education. Faculty members model leadership, not only in the classroom, but through the work they do outside the classroom, serving as consultants to the Ministry of Education, the Toronto District School Board and other government entities on policy. 鈥淲e are trusted voices and they turn to us for advice,鈥� says Savage.

Students learn by example when they see their professors 鈥渨alk the talk鈥� and take advantage of opportunities to volunteer and work in the community.

At the undergraduate level, the Faculty of Education offers a choice of two degrees, each practical in its own way. Undergraduate students can work toward a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Educational Studies, which provides an in-depth look at education and its role in society today, or a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree, geared toward classroom teaching. Whichever program they choose, they learn from outstanding researchers and academics in the field.

The BA in Educational Studies program gives students a broader understanding of the education system and its relation to policy, economics, health and technology, among other fields. It teaches the essential skills necessary to succeed in educational work outside of the traditional classroom, whether that is as a corporate trainer, a career counsellor, an academic advisor or one of many other adjacent fields.

As an added bonus, students in the BA in Educational Studies program can earn a Certificate in Educational Development at no extra cost. This allows them to apply their skills to any position requiring the creation of educational materials, including positions at not-for-profit agencies eager to inform the public about their cause.

The BEd 鈥� either concurrent or continuous 鈥� is a full-time professional degree program that prepares students to become teachers through a combination of coursework and community/school placements. The degree equips students to teach not only in Canada, but in international schools anywhere in the world.

鈥淏oth of these degrees provide our students with strong pathways to employment,鈥� Savage notes. 鈥淪tudents in each of these programs also have opportunities for hands-on, experiential education. There鈥檚 a strong focus on turning theory into practice.鈥�

Another attractive aspect of the Faculty of Education is the diversity of BEd offerings, including opportunities focused on International Education , French as a Second Language and  Indigenous Teacher Education. This variety of programs reflects the diversity of the student body, bringing together international students and domestic students from a multiplicity of cultures.

Graduate degrees from the Faculty of Education also prepare students to become leaders in the community and in their field of expertise. Leaders supporting future leaders in education is a hallmark of all of the Faculty鈥檚 programs

The Master of Education (MEd) degree allows them to deepen their knowledge by delving more deeply into topics that interest them. The doctoral program (PhD) offers the students an opportunity to conduct primary research in order to make a meaningful contribution to the fields of education, community, teaching and learning.

Current students and alumni have found their courses and programs of study to be both practical and highly interesting.

Jonatan Fuentes (BEd '15, MEd '20) found that getting to know the community through the community practicum component of the BEd program enabled his pedagogy to become more effective by utilizing the community as a vehicle for learning.

Justin Williams (BEd ' 23) commented, "I had a professor that was very influential during my time as a student in the Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree program. He was very friendly and relatable, and was unafraid to discuss and share his opinion on social issues in the world. His style of teaching and how he interacted with his students has shaped my teaching practice in the ways that I aim to build my relationships with my students."

Esther Martinez, a third-year Master of Education (MEd) student has found the broad scope of the program beneficial by allowing her to pursue her areas of interest. "I have an interest in areas such as disability and accessibility and the MEd program has provided me with the opportunity to explore these areas further at the post-secondary level ."

Marc Robinson-Weekes, a first year Phd student and graduate of the Master of Education program comments that "taking courses in the MEd program at 91亚色 has meaningfully enriched my growth as a learner, researcher, and teacher in elementary classrooms. Each course I took was relevant to today鈥檚 educational landscape, providing me with opportunities to critically reflect on how to create learning environments that meet the expectations of current students while foreseeing the needs of future learners."

Students coming to 91亚色 from abroad discover a diverse, welcoming environment. The University is home to students from all countries and walks of life; 28 per cent of its student body is international and receive strong support from ; its Student and Scholar Services Team reaches out to students long before they arrive on campus and assists their success by offering expert, non-academic programs and services, , and by fostering a dynamic global community.

For those students who are eager to sample other educational and cultural experiences, the Faculty of Education offers its students the opportunity for international experiences through exchange programs, international internships and classes at 91亚色鈥檚 in Costa Rica. The Faculty has long-standing exchange programs with the University of Freiburg in Germany and two Norwegian universities, and its newest exchange with universities across Vietnam, is now taking shape. In addition, 91亚色 has partnerships with more than 100 universities worldwide, and there are numerous available.

鈥淭he Faculty of Education has an international presence at all levels,鈥� says Savage. 鈥淲e have students from around the world and many of us have worked in education globally. Our faculty members have an international perspective on key education issues.鈥�

By joining the Faculty of Education, students become part of a multicultural community with a sterling reputation and a global perspective on education that prepares them for leadership in tomorrow鈥檚 world.

The post Investment in education pays off at 91亚色 appeared first on Faculty of Education.

With 鈥淎bena鈥檚 Adventures,鈥� Blessing Owusu (BEd 鈥�19, MEd 鈥�24) embarked on a journey that blended her passion for education with a mission to fill a crucial gap in children's literature. An educator with the 91亚色 Region District School Board, her story first began with a foundational education at 91亚色 where she pursued an undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences in 2017 and later earned her Bachelor of Education in June 2019. Blessing recently completed her Master of Education at 91亚色 in June 2024. Alongside her degree, she completed a Major Research Project (MRP) which led to the creation of her children's book. She also earned a diploma in Education in Urban Environments as a part of her Master鈥檚 degree.

The inspiration for Blessing's creative endeavor, "Abena's Adventures: A Taste of Home," stemmed from her own childhood experiences as a Ghanaian-Canadian growing up in Vaughan, Ontario. "Throughout my education, the concept of blackness was only acknowledged during the month of February, with the focus solely on struggle and adversity. Whenever I visited both my school library and the public library, I could never find books featuring a black protagonist as a hero or heroine or represented in any other way beyond overcoming obstacles and demonstrating resilience," she says. 鈥淚 wanted to write a book that my 7-year-old self would have wanted to pick up.鈥�

"Abena's Adventures: A Taste of Home" centers around Abena, a spirited young girl whose journey unfolds through themes of cultural identity, diversity, a sense of belonging, and the warmth of multi-generational experiences. The book also teaches readers how to pronounce Ghanaian words, introducing them to the beauty and richness of the Twi language.

鈥淚nspired by my own experiences as a first-generation Canadian within an immigrant family, I felt compelled to craft a narrative that would spark meaningful conversations specifically for children, but also for all readers within various age groups,鈥� says Blessing. 鈥淢y goal was to encourage everyone to share their cultural experiences and understand different perspectives to connect with each other.鈥�

As a self-published author, Blessing navigated the challenges of bringing her vision to life. From overcoming writer's block, to finding an illustrator who could vividly capture Abena's world, Blessing persevered with guidance from her supervisor, professor Molade Osibodu. 鈥淚 faced writer鈥檚 block because I wanted to write this book as a student, a researcher, and as an educator,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 wanted to make sure that it was authentic and it centered on my Ghanaian identity and celebrated my heritage while also making it inclusive for all readers.鈥� The result is a visually captivating book available for print through her website, , where it serves as a valuable resource for educators and families alike.

The most rewarding aspect of Blessing's journey has been the heartfelt feedback from readers. Children, regardless of their background, see themselves reflected in Abena's story, fostering a sense of belonging and pride in their heritage. 鈥淚t has also been rewarding to hear from adults expressing how they felt reading the story because a lot of people shared that it is something they can relate to as they are also first-generation Canadians,鈥� Blessing adds.

Looking forward, she plans to expand her impact by creating educational resources for educators and intends to author more books that celebrate cultural diversity. She envisions "Abena's Adventures" as a catalyst for conversations about representation in literature and hopes to share her story globally through bookstore visits, library readings, and community engagements. Blessing鈥檚 experience with "Abena's Adventures" has not only solidified her commitment to inclusive education, but has also deepened her understanding of the power of representation in shaping young minds.

Blessing鈥檚 advice to fellow graduate students and aspiring authors is to 鈥渂lend academic rigor with creative expression to create impactful work that resonates with diverse audiences.鈥�

In the end, Blessing's journey with "Abena's Adventures: A Taste of Home" exemplifies the power that literature has to transform and foster cultural awareness, acceptance, and self-esteem among children. Through her dedication to education and advocacy for diverse representation, Blessing will continue to bring inclusivity and equity to the forefront in educational settings and inspire educators and readers to do the same.

Article by Dennis Bayazitov special contributing writer

The post Abena's Adventures: A Taste of Home appeared first on Faculty of Education.