Testing and Adapting Two Innovative Approaches to Workplace Wellbeing in K-12 Education

Summary

We know that teacher and staff burnout and wellbeing are issues in Canadian K-12 schools. While we know the underlying causes of these issues is structural, there are open questions about whether organizational or individual interventions can help educators cope with this daily stress. In a 12 month research project, the Behavioural Insights Team undertook desk-based research and qualitative interviews to understand key barriers to educator wellbeing. Based on these barriers, BIT set out with the help of our partners to develop a light-touch, scalable intervention. As this is a new area of applied wellbeing and behavioural insights literature, we knew it was important to test our theory of change. We ran a randomized controlled trial (RCT) and our results are forthcoming in an academic publication. While we cannot share the detailed findings until the article is published, we did find a null result, meaning that the text messages (and principal emails) did not significantly effect burnout or wellbeing. As a result, we would not suggest an immediate scaling of the approach we tested. Instead, we would recommend the following ideas for further testing:

Introduction

Behavioural insights is an approach that uses evidence of the conscious and non-conscious drivers of human behaviour to address practical issues.[i] It is an approach inspired by the more nuanced and realistic understanding of human behaviour offered up by research in the behavioural sciences. Early applications of behavioural insights focused primarily on making small changes to how government services were structured and communicated. For example, a well known trial dramatically brought forward tax payments by informing late tax payers of the “descriptive social norm” that nine out of ten people pay their tax on time. In the decade since the phrase “behavioural insights” was coined, practitioners have started tackling increasingly complex challenges, like trying to find light-touch approaches to reduce burnout and increase workplace wellbeing.[1]

Work-related burnout and wellbeing have long been a focus of academics, practitioners and policymakers in education. Despite decades of research, there is a lack of clarity on what interventions work reliably and can be scaled beyond a single classroom or school.[ii] This report, which is aimed at educators and education researchers, outlines a recent initiative undertaken by the McConnell Foundation and Behavioural Insights Team (BIT), to develop, implement, and rigorously evaluate a scalable, low-cost solution to improve educator wellbeing in Canada.

[1] In one trial, 911 dispatchers received emails that encouraged a stronger sense of professional identity and a shared sense of community. Receiving the series of emails and accompanying stories led to a 39% reduction in burnout score on a validated scale. The intervention also reduced resignations by about 30% over a 6-month period, with no impact on sick leave taken.

The problem: Educator burnout and wellbeing

Educator burnout is a significant problem around the world, and Canada is no exception. As many as a third of teachers internationally identified as being stressed or extremely stressed.[iii] Similar levels of stress have also been identified amongst other school staff, including principals[iv] and vice principals.[v] A National Canadian Teacher Federation survey showed that 79% of teachers in Canada believe their stress related to work-life imbalance has increased in the last five years, with 85% of teachers reporting that work-life imbalance is negatively affecting their ability to teach.[vi]

Teacher burnout is associated with a number of negative health outcomes,[vii] increased absenteeism[viii] (which has knock-on effects for student performance),[ix] and lower job satisfaction/professional commitment.[x] The educational consequences of burnout include a diminished capacity to engage and teach effectively,[xi] poorer classroom climate and increased student stress levels,[xii] and worsened student behaviour and academic achievement. Staff wellbeing accounted for 8% of the variance in student standardized test scores in a 2007 study.[xiii]

Like burnout, school staff wellbeing has been associated with a range of both staff and educational outcomes including job satisfaction, teaching efficacy, and quality of classroom instruction.In particular, positive school staff wellbeing has been strongly associated with higher student wellbeing and lower levels of student psychological distress.[xiv]

Our initiative

The mental wellbeing of children in Canadian schools has become a growing concern, but it is not just children’s wellbeing that should concern us.[xv] [xvi] [xvii] [xviii] [xix]

Burnout and wellbeing are largely systemic issues, with root causes including managing difficult students, high workload, lack of support from management [xx], large class sizes [xxi], an imbalance between teaching demands and resources [xxii], and parent engagement.[xxiii] While a breadth of empirical evidence has been published on ways to increase student wellbeing, there has been little empirical research on how to address whole school wellbeing, including that of principals, teachers and non-teaching staff.

Based on this gap in the literature, BIT was engaged by WellAhead to create and test organizational approaches to improve school wellbeing in Canada. WellAhead is a McConnell Foundation initiative focused on integrating social and emotional wellbeing into K-12 education. To develop organizational approaches, BIT conducted exploratory research including a literature review of current wellbeing and burnout initiatives, qualitative interviews with educators in Canada, and interviews with leading academics. These activities grounded the project in the best available evidence and the lived experience of Canadian educators. Following this exploratory research, BIT and WellAhead, with continued input from a range of Canadian educators, developed two low-cost, scalable approaches for evaluation in a randomized controlled trial.

Schools from British Columbia, Manitoba and Alberta were invited to participate in the trial. A total of 2,178 school staff responded to our invitation and completed our baseline survey, and 1,217 of them (from three Canadian provinces, five school districts, and 109 schools) consented to participate in the study.

Exploratory research findings: Stressors & enabling factors for workplace wellbeing

Before designing an intervention to address burnout in the Canadian education system, we first needed to better understand some of the unique factors contributing to burnout and wellbeing amongst Canadian educators. To do this, BIT conducted:

  • A desk-based review of the literature on wellbeing, burnout, and school culture change;
  • Fieldwork in Vancouver, BC which included 25 qualitative interviews with principals/administrators (10), teaching and non-teaching staff (13) and school districts (2); and
  • Consultation with 5 leading academics and 3 organizations specializing in wellbeing in Canada.

Our work uncovered some consistent themes, summarized in the table below. Stressors are defined as factors that decrease wellbeing and increase burnout, while enabling factors can help protect against burnout and improve wellbeing:

Intervention development

Equipped with a more comprehensive understanding of the factors leading to burnout in Canada, BIT reviewed the existing literature for well-evidenced solutions to increase the wellbeing of whole school systems.

From these interventions and our qualitative findings, BIT developed a number of potential intervention ideas for increasing wellbeing in schools. These interventions are based on principles from behavioural science and positive psychology. We aimed to identify and develop light-touch, low-cost interventions that have the potential to be feasible, impactful, and scalable. Ten promising solutions are listed below, with a notation regarding BIT’s perception of their potential impact and feasibility:

  Outline of intervention

Ultimately, BIT and WellAhead decided on a light-touch intervention sending weekly text messages[xxiv] and leadership emails to participants. This approach enabled BIT to include several of the potential solutions listed above in a low-cost, scalable way. The aim of these messages was to bring attention to the importance of burnout and wellbeing, to communicate school leadership recognition of their importance, and, most significantly, to equip educators with evidence-based practices to enhance their wellbeing. We recognized that these weekly text messages and leadership emails would not address the root cause, systematic barriers to wellbeing. However, we believe that there was still significant potential and value in this more individually-focused intervention, given the severity of the challenge and need for multi-pronged solutions.

Development of text messages & principal emails

To develop the content of the text messages, our team reviewed relevant behavioural science literature, with a particular focus on positive psychology. Based on our review, we chose 12 themes which showed the most empirical evidence towards promoting wellbeing and preventing burnout:

1. Fresh start effect

The fresh start effect is “the energy and determination we feel when we’re able to wipe the slate clean.” [xxv] Research has found this approach can help us refocus and distance ourselves from past failures.[xxvi]

2. Gratitude from beneficiaries

Receiving gratitude refers to thanks from those whom you have helped (e.g., parents, students, other teachers). Receiving gratitude has been proven to increase individual motivation and engagement in positive behaviour. [xxvii]

3. Implementation intentions

Implementation intentions are exercises that specify when, where, and how a person intends to complete a goal. Different types of implementation intentions include barrier management, planning where/when/how, if-then plans, and action and coping plans.[xxviii]

4. Expressing gratitude

Expressing gratitude refers to showing thanks or appreciation. Gratitude expressions can increase prosocial behaviour towards a third party. By signalling to individuals that their efforts are valued, gratitude expressions may make them more inclined to help others.[xxix] Taking the time to be grateful for the positives in one’s own life can also boost wellbeing and improve the ability to cope with stressful situations.[xxx]

5. Mindfulness

Mindfulness aims to bring greater attention and awareness to the present moment. Regular practice is associated with lower emotional exhaustion at work[xxxi], as well as higher wellbeing.[xxxii]

6. Social support

Social support refers to the social resources that people can access.[xxxiii] Research has repeatedly found that having good friends at work can buffer against negative life events and increase workplace satisfaction.

7. Connection to purpose

Feeling connected to the purpose of your work can help people behave differently. Research has shown that a sense of purpose is correlated with increased job satisfaction and organizational commitment.[xxxiv] [xxxv]

8. Positive reappraisal

It is possible to re-construe stressful events as benign, beneficial and/or meaningful.[xxxvi] Research has shown that such positive reappraisals can yield improved moods in response to stressful daily events.

9. Sharing meaningful stories

Narratives can help people make sense of our experiences and events and can encourage new ways of thinking about or seeing the world. Research has shown that sharing meaningful stories can motivate positive behavioural changes and reduce burnout.[xxxvii]

10. Self-care

Self-care can be interpreted in a variety of ways, from self-compassion to psychical activity. Research highlights the importance of teaching educators the importance of self-care as a way to reduce burnout and teacher attrition.[xxxviii]

11. Switching-off

Separating work and home life is essential for wellbeing and stress prevention.[xxxix] [xl] Research has shown that being able to ‘switch off’ after work has a positive impact on peoples’ lives.[xli]

12. Self-efficacy

Self-efficacy refers to the feeling of ownership over our lives and our ability to navigate day-to-day challenges. Research has shown that self-efficacy can moderate the relationship between work and stress.

We took these evidence-based concepts and created three separate schedules of text messages (SMS) tailored for teachers, principals and support staff, respectively. Once developed, we piloted these messages with a group of teachers, principals and support staff to ensure we were striking the right tone and messages were appropriate.

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Similar to the development of the text messages, BIT chose four evidence-based concepts (1) wellbeing endorsement; (2)fresh start; (3) mental health support during COVID-19; and (4) gratitude as the basis for the principal emails. During our exploratory analysis education consultations emphasized that authenticity of these emails was key. If the emails didn’t match the context of the school culture, there could be a backfire effect. Therefore, along with email templates, we included recommendations on how principals could tailor and personalize them.

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Given the novel approach of this intervention, we rigorously evaluated the SMS and emails, using a randomized experiment taking baseline, midline and endline measurements of wellbeing[2] and burnout[3] for participants in the treatment and control groups. The evidence-based text messages and principal emails were tested in a randomized controlled trial, publication pending.

[2] Wellbeing was measured using the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale [7 items]. Score range: 7~35 (7 = lowest well being, 35 = highest)

[3] Burnout was measured using the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory [7 items]. Score range: 0~100 (0 = no burnout, 100 = extreme burnout)

High-level findings and recommended next steps

Our evaluation included two components: qualitative interviews with participants and quantitative data collection. The full evaluation results are embargoed pending peer-review and academic publications, but below we discuss high-level findings, next steps, and future research.

Findings. We found that these text messages on their own were not sufficient to move such stable traits like wellbeing[4] or burnout[5] over a period of 6 months.[6] However, from our qualitative interviews, participants reported enjoying the messages and noted that they served as a reminder to focus on their own wellbeing. Qualitative findings like these highlight potential benefits to participants which may not have shown up in the quantitative results. Importantly, definitive conclusions are difficult to interpret given the emergence and vast impact of COVID-19 during our trial period.

Next Steps. While this trial produced null results, we think there is merit in testing similar light-touch intervention models with some adaptations outlined below:

1.Use SMS as a channel to connect staff to resources and share wellbeing strategies

  • Increasing uptake of mental health resources through SMS. SMS may serve as a good way to reinforce and increase uptake of existing, more intensive services (e.g., counselling, Employee Assistance Programs).
  • Consider sending timely reminders to engage in helpful practices, as described in this report. Mobile phone SMS message reminders have been shown to enhance healthy behaviour from smoking cessation to meds adherence.[xlii]

2. Use peer-to-peer messaging

  • Messenger effect. People are more receptive to messengers that come from sources who are demographically similar to them.[xliii] While our trial sent messages from “well@work”, future trials should consider using a more relatable messenger, such as a fellow educator.
  • Normalizing wellbeing behaviours. People are heavily influenced by the behaviours of their peers. If peers send messages or encourage prioritizing wellbeing behaviours it may be more likely to become a social “norm” for the rest of school staff.

3. Refine and prioritize leadership messages. Future light-touch wellbeing strategies should maintain a strong focus on leadership communications.

  • Personalization. People respond better to stimuli that is personalized (has their name, information specific to them, etc.).[xliv] From our qualitative findings, principals reported positive responses from our pre-written emails when they took the time to adapt to their own school culture.
  • Role modeling.  Leadership behaviour has been found to influence staff wellbeing.[xlv] Leadership emails can serve as a way for principals to highlight the ways they prioritize their own wellbeing – making it more acceptable for staff to follow their lead.

Future research. We recommend future research in this area test the combination of these light-touch, low-cost interventions along with larger systemic changes (e.g., reducing workload, smaller class sizes, etc.) to understand the potential impact.

Given the stability of wellbeing and burnout over time, more sensitive measurement tools should be used and employed with greater frequency. Additionally, including student outcomes in future trials would help us better understand the potential impact of staff interventions on students.

This trial represents a novel application of behavioural science to complex topics like burnout and wellbeing. As the field of behavioural science expands, it is imperative to continue conducting rigorous evaluations, such as this, to understand the promises and limitations of the field.

[4] as measured by Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale

[5] as measured by the 7-tem Copenhagen burnout inventory

[6] For our analysis we used the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMWBS) and the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI). Both these scales are well validated and widely used in the field. However, when looking at the questions asked in both the SWEMWBS and CBI, the questions being asked are measuring stable traits that are difficult to move over time – making it difficult to detect subtle changes to wellbeing or burnout. In the future we would recommend using a combination of wellbeing and burnout measures and increasing the frequency of measurement to see if we can detect even small fluctuations over time.

About the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT)

The Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) generates and applies behavioural insights to inform policy, improve public services, and deliver positive results for people and communities. BIT works in partnership with governments, local authorities, businesses and charities, often using simple behaviour changes to tackle policy.

Emily Larson

email: emily.larson@bi.team

Emily is a Senior Advisor at BIT North America. While at BIT London, Emily led the schools and wellbeing brief. Emily has worked on reducing burnout, increasing parental engagement and using edtech to reduce teacher workload. Before joining BIT, Emily was the director of an international organisation that brought together leaders in the fields of education, policy and psychology.

Meet the Knowledge Mobilization team at Well at Work

André Rebeiz, Research Manager

André is Project Lead for EdCan’s Well at Work initiative, which supports school districts and provinces to make teacher and staff well-being a top policy and investment priority. He is a graduate of Sciences Po Paris (Institut d’études politiques de Paris) holding a Master’s degree in International Public Management from the Paris School of International Affairs and a Bachelor’s degree in the Social Sciences.

Sarah Ranby, Research Analyst

Sarah leads the planning, communications, coordination, and conducting of research and knowledge mobilization outputs for EdCan. She earned her Master of Science Degree in Family Relations and Human Development and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology from the University of Guelph. Sarah’s research interests broadly include knowledge mobilization, and program evaluation, in particular, analyzing school-based supports that promote positive mental health.

Additional templates for use during COVID-19

SMS during COVID-19 Template Booklet

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Email during COVID-19 Template Booklet

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References

[i] Hallsworth, M., & Kirkman, E. (2020). Behavioral Insights. MIT Press.

[ii] Iancu, A. E., Rusu, A., Măroiu, C., Păcurar, R., & Maricuțoiu, L. P. (2018). The effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing teacher burnout: A meta-analysis. Educational psychology review, 30(2), 373-396.

[iii]Coolie, R.J., Shapka, J.D., and Perry, N.E. (2012). School Climate and Social–Emotional Learning:Predicting Teacher Stress, Job Satisfaction, and Teaching Efficacy. Journal of Educational Psychology, 104(4):1189 –1204

[iv]Wang, F., Pollock, K., and Hauseman, C. (2018). School principals’ job satisfaction: The effect of work intensification in Ontario. Canadian Journal of Educational Administration and Policy, 185:73-90

[v]Pollock, K., Wang, F., & Hauseman, D. (2017). The changing nature of vice-principals’ work. Final Report. Ontario Principals’ Council, Toronto, ON., Canada.

[vi] Froese-Germain, B. (2014). Work-Life Balance and the Canadian Teaching Profession. Canadian Teachers’ Federation. Retrieved from http://www.ctf-fce.ca/Research-Library/Work-LifeBalanceandtheCanadianTeachingProfession.pdf

[vii]Burke, R., Greenglass, E., and Schwarzer, R. (1996), Predicting teacher burnout over time: Effects of work stress, social support, and self-doubts on burnout and its consequences. Anxiety, Stress & Coping, 9(3):261-275.

[viii]Darr, W., and Johns, G., (2008). Work Strain, Health, and Absenteeism: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology. 13:293-318.

[ix]Miller, R., Murnane, R., and Willett, J. (2008). Do Teacher Absences Impact Student Achievement? Longitudinal Evidence from One Urban School District. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 30(2): 181-200

[x]Molero Jurado, María Del Mar & Pérez-Fuentes, María & Atria, Leonarda & Oropesa Ruiz, Nieves Fátima & Gázquez Linares, José. (2019). Burnout, Perceived Efficacy, and Job Satisfaction: Perception of the Educational Context in High School Teachers. BioMed Research International: 1-10.

[xi] Núñez, Juan & Sarmiento, Celia & León, Jaime & Grijalvo, Fernando. (2015). The relationship between teacher’s autonomy support and students’ autonomy and vitality. Teachers and Teaching, 21: 191-202.

[xii] Oberle, Eva & Schonert-Reichl, Kimberly. (2016). Stress contagion in the classroom? The link between classroom teacher burnout and morning cortisol in elementary school students. Social Science & Medicine. 159:30-37.

[xiii] Briner, R.B. & Dewberry, C. (in partnership with Worklife Support) (2007). Staff well-being is key to school success. Retrieved 14 June 2019, from: http://www.worklifesupport.com

[xiv] Harding, S., Evans, R., Morris, R., Gunnell, D., Ford, T., Hollingworth, W., … Kidger, J. (2019). Is teachers’ mental health and wellbeing associated with students’ mental health and wellbeing? Journal of Affective Disorders, 242: 180-187

[xv] McLean, L., & Connor, C. M. (2015). Depressive symptoms in third‐grade teachers: Relations to classroom quality and student achievement. Child Development, 86(3), 945-954.

[xvi] Hoglund, W. L., Klingle, K. E., & Hosan, N. E. (2015). Classroom risks and resources: Teacher burnout, classroom quality and children’s adjustment in high needs elementary schools. Journal of School Psychology, 53(5), 337-357.

[xvii] Ronfeldt, M., Loeb, S., & Wyckoff, J. (2013). How teacher turnover harms student achievement. American Educational Research Journal, 50(1), 4-36.

[xviii] Oberle, E., & Schonert-Reichl, K. A. (2016). Stress contagion in the classroom? The link between classroom teacher burnout and morning cortisol in elementary school students. Social Science & Medicine, 159, 30-37.

[xix] Jennings, P. A., Brown, J. L., Frank, J. L., Doyle, S., Oh, Y., Davis, R., DeMauro, A. A. & Greenberg, M. T. (2017). Impacts of the CARE for Teachers Program on Teachers’ Social and Emotional Competence and Classroom Interactions. American Psychological Association. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/edu0000187

[xx]Roeser, R. W., Schonert-Reichl, K. A., Jha, A., Cullen, M., Wallace, L., Wilensky, R., … & Harrison, J. (2013). Mindfulness training and reductions in teacher stress and burnout: results from two randomized, waitlist-control field trials. Journal of Educational Psychology, 105:787–804.

[xxi] Schutz, P. A., & Zembylas, M. (Eds.). (2009). Advances in teacher emotion research: The impact on teachers’ lives. New York, NY: Springer

[xxii]  McCarthy, C. J., Lambert, R. G., Lineback, S., Fitchett, P., & Baddouh, P. G. (2016). Assessing teacher appraisals and stress in the classroom: review of the classroom appraisal of resources and demands. Educational Psychology Review, 28:577–603.

[xxiii]  Unterbrink, T., Pfeifer, R., Krippeit, L., Zimmermann, L., Rose, U., Joos, A., & Bauer, J. (2012). Burnout and  effort–reward imbalance improvement for teachers by a manual-based group program. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 85:667–674.

[xxiv] https://www.bi.team/blogs/why-text/

[xxv] https://www.strategy-business.com/article/00266?gko=0540c

[xxvi] https://www.strategy-business.com/article/00266?gko=0540c

[xxvii] Grant, A. M., Gino, F. (2010). A little thanks goes a long way: Explaining why gratitude motivates prosocial behaviour. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

[xxviii] Gollwitzer, P. (1999). Implementation intentions: Strong effects of simple plans. American Psychologist 54(7), 493-503.

[xxix] Chang, Y.-P., Lin, Y.-C., & Chen, L. H. (2012). Pay it forward: Gratitude in social networks. Journal of Happiness Studies: An Interdisciplinary Forum on Subjective Well-Being.

[xxx]Catherine  Brozena. (2018). How Gratitude Can Reduce Burnout In Health Care.

[xxxi] Hülsheger, Alberts, Feinholdt, & Lang, 2013. https://www.fs.usda.gov/rmrs/sites/default/files/documents/Mindfulness%20and%20Work%20Hulsegher%202013%20.pdf

[xxxii] Lomas, T., Medina, J.C., Ivtzan, I. et al. (2019). A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Impact of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on the Well-Being of Healthcare Professionals. Mindfulness, 10, 1193–1216.

[xxxiii] S. Cohen, B.H. Gottlieb, L.G. Underwood, Social relationships and health, in: Social Support Measurement and Intervention: A Guide for Health and Social Scientists, Oxford University Press, USA, 2000, pp. 1–25.

[xxxiv] Park JO, Jung KI. (2016). Effects of Advanced Beginner-Stage Nurses’ Sense of Calling, Job Satisfaction and Organizational Commitment on Retention Intention.  J Korean Acad Nurs Adm. 2016 Mar;22(2):137-147.

[xxxv] Timothy Bartram, Therese A. Joiner & Pauline Stanton (2004) Factors affecting the job stress and job satisfaction of Australian nurses: Implications for recruitment and retentionhttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.5172/conu.17.3.293, Contemporary Nurse, 17:3, 293-304, DOI: 10.5172/conu.17.3.293

[xxxvi] Timothy Bartram, Therese A. Joiner & Pauline Stanton (2004) Factors affecting the job stress and job satisfaction of Australian nurses: Implications for recruitment and retentionhttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.5172/conu.17.3.293, Contemporary Nurse, 17:3, 293-304, DOI: 10.5172/conu.17.3.293

[xxxvii] Linos, E., Ruffini, K., & Wilcoxen, S. (2019). Reducing Burnout for 911 Dispatchers and Call Takers: A Field Experiment (No. 1158). EasyChair.

[xxxviii] Koenig, A. (2014). Learning to prevent burning and fatigue: Teacher burnout and compassion fatigue.

[xxxix] Park, Y., Fritz, C. & Jex, S.M. Relationships between work-home segmentation and psychological detachment from work: The role of communication technology use at home. J. of Occ. Health Psych. 2011, 16(4), 457-467.

[x1] Hultell, D., & Gustavsson, J. P. (2011). Factors affecting burnout and work engagement in teachers when entering employment. Work, 40(1), 85-98.

[x1i] Erin wt al. (2014). Changing Work and Work-Family Conflict: Evidence from the Work, Family, and Health Network. American Sociological Review. Vol 79, Issue 3

[xlii] Orr, J.A. (2014). Mobile phone SMS messages can enhance healthy behaviour: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Health Psychology Review, 9(4), 397-416.

[xliii] Cabinet Office & Institute for Government (2010). MINDSPACE: Influencing behaviour through public policy.

[xliv]  Haynes, L., Service, O., Goldacre, B., & Torgerson, D. (2012). Test, learn adapt: Developing public policy with randomised controlled trials. Behavioural Insights Team, Cabinet Office.

[xlv] Van Dierendonck, D., Haynes, C., Borrill, C., & Stride, C. (2004). Leadership behavior and subordinate well-being. Journal of occupational health psychology, 9(2), 165.

COVID-19’s Second Wave: How are teachers faring with the return to physical schools?

A team of researchers from the University of Winnipeg have been studying stress and resilience in teachers since the pandemic began. Based on responses from more than 2,200 teachers from across Canada who completed surveys in April, June, and September of 2020, and several follow-up interviews, the researchers were able to gain a detailed understanding of the demands, resources, and stressors experienced by teachers, including their strategies to cope.

Note: These findings are part two of a survey series on supporting teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Survey responses were first collected in April/May 2020, when teachers had just begun to teach remotely (click here to check out the first set of survey results!). The survey was administered a second time in mid-June 2020. Data was collected once more in September 2020, when students (in most provinces) were physically back in school practicing safety protocols related to COVID-19.

WHAT WAS FOUND IN A NUTSHELL

The new school year definitely looks different amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with teachers having to navigate the classroom with new protocols in place to ensure the health and safety of both students and staff. Survey findings reveal that:

  • Many teachers are happy to be physically back in the classroom to support students.
  • Although teachers still continue to experience stress during this time, their levels of burnout have reduced since June.
  • Of their biggest worries, teachers expressed concern with having to return back to remote learning given the challenges associated with teaching certain subjects online.
  • Teachers have been faced with a new set of challenges in the classroom including increased workload and unrealistic expectations.

Demographics

Teachers were surveyed three times – in April/May 2020, in June 2020, and finally in September/October 2020, which in total generated participation from over 2,200 teachers representing every province and one territory in Canada.

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Survey and Interview Results: What we’re hearing from teachers

Teachers continue to experience exhaustion with the reopening of schools

While the levels of burnout (i.e. exhaustion and cynicism) experienced by teachers in October was significantly lower than in June, teachers are still experiencing higher levels of burnout than when the pandemic first began. Many teachers reported feeling physically and emotionally exhausted as a result of returning to work. Additionally, many teachers shared the challenges experienced with trying to find a healthy balance between work and life.

“I find that I am exhausted, mentally and physically, by the end of the day and do not have much energy to do much in the evening at home. Many colleagues feel the same. I am afraid of burning out and having lower immunity due to the stress of this year.”

“It’s hard. I didn’t think I could work harder but somehow I am. I’m exhausted. I feel how I do by Christmas and it’s October- honestly worse. It will be hard to sustain.”

“It has been much more challenging to be back at work this fall than I imagined. I am so thrilled to be able to see my students but I am not managing to create a healthy balance in my life at all right now; work is completely taking over.”

What is still contributing to teachers’ high levels of burnout?

According to teachers, their workload has increased considerably since returning back to the classroom. Teachers have had to rethink their approach to teaching as a result of the pandemic, which has led to many teachers working longer hours.

“The first couple of months of the pandemic were difficult, but I found a rhythm that worked. I am now finding that my workload and stress levels are through the roof due to the expectations of blended learning. This is not sustainable for me and other teachers I’ve spoken with.”

“Teachers are working harder than ever, working late into the evening, taking time away from families and friends to do a good job and keep their students safe.”

Additionally, teachers attributed their levels of burnout to work expectations in place that are perceived as unsustainable.

“I feel that classroom teachers will burn out quickly. The expectations put on us are not reasonable.”

“This is not sustainable. I have been teaching for more than 20 years and this level of effort and commitment is unbelievable! But we cannot continue at this pace. Many teachers are already burning out and we have only been in school with students for less than a month. Someone, somewhere needs to start listening to us before we have an unprecedented amount of teachers on stress leave.”

Teachers’ reported lower levels of accomplishment about teaching than they did in June

Loss of accomplishment is the third and final stage of burnout. Although teachers’ sense of accomplishment about teaching was lower in October than in June, it still remains higher than when online teaching first started in April. It appears that returning to COVID-friendly, face-to-face teaching in fall 2020 necessitated many pedagogical changes that created challenges to teachers’ sense of accomplishment about instructional practice and student learning. It is expected that accomplishment may increase over time, much as it did from April to June as teachers adjusted to remote teaching. Still, some teachers reported feeling worried if they were to have to return to teaching remotely, and would feel a greater sense of accomplishment by continuing to teach in-person as much as possible.

“I am happy to be back in class. I hope we can stay in as long as possible. My current subjects are challenging to teach remotely.”

Teachers’ perceptions of administrative support became significantly more positive from June to October. Teachers who feel supported from both colleagues and administrators are better able to cope as they navigate teaching in the classroom with new COVID-19 protocols in place.

Teachers’ efficacy (i.e. belief in their ability) to successfully adapt teaching strategies in response to the pandemic has increased significantly from June to October. In addition, teachers reported a significant increase in their efficacy for engaging students and effectively managing student behaviour.

Despite teachers feeling uncertain during this time, the pandemic presents new opportunities for education

Teachers reported significantly more negative thoughts from June to October towards changes that have resulted from the pandemic. Despite these changes, their behaviours and feelings remained consistent in terms of supporting student wellbeing and learning through these substantial changes. Although the abrupt and disruptive changes resulting from COVID-19 have invoked uncertainty, teachers also see this time as an opportunity for learning and growth – for both themselves and students.  

“People need to understand that this is new for everyone. We are all doing this for the first time.”

“I believe this would work better for most students if they had a choice of how they learn during this pandemic.”

“As a new teacher, I feel like I am in many ways at an advantage because I am still in the learning stages of teaching and am used to developing skills and strategies to use in the classroom. I have not developed “tried and true” teaching methods and/or plans, so I am used to adapting.”

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Key Takeaways

  • Teachers view the pandemic as an opportunity to innovate in teaching and learning. With shifts towards the increased use of technology and the need to deliver classes without student contact, teachers are concerned with their ability to reach and teach effectively. However, teachers have been adjusting to the realities and challenges of of COVID-friendly instruction, which have presented opportunities for teachers to adapt and develop innovative approaches that focus on student engagement and wellbeing.
  • Administrative support continues to be an important factor in teacher wellbeing. Support from administration has a strong impact on teachers’ ability to cope when faced with challenging – and even unprecedented – situations. This has shown to be highly effective in teachers’ ability to cope with change.
  • With new challenges presented by the pandemic, teachers are reporting increased workloads. COVID-19 presents a myriad of challenges beyond its physical health impacts, placing strains on overall mental health, relationships, and work-life balance, among other challenges. Setting realistic expectations on workload that are adjusted to current circumstances could ensure that teachers aren’t placed on a path towards burnout and are instead able to remain resilient for the long haul.

Collectively, the data suggest that generalizations about teachers’ experiences during the pandemic are inadequate, as teachers are expressing a wide range of experiences, thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Teachers are not all in the same boat, even though they are weathering the same storm of COVID-19. This observation suggests that a different type of analysis might provide us with more practical information for moving forward. The team is currently examining these data sets using latent profile analysis. This statistical approach will generate prototypes of categories based on the data provided by Canadian teachers, which we can then link to the supports and demands that teachers told us are most meaningful to each group. That work is happening now and will be reported as soon as it is ready.

For further reading, check out this recently published EdCan article by the University of Winnipeg research team here:

It’s OK to Be OK, Too: Why calling out “toxic positivity” in teachers may backfire

To learn more about the Well at Work initiative visit:

www.edcan.ca/well-at-work

Meet the Researchers

Dr. Laura Sokal

Laura Sokal is Professor of Education at the University of Winnipeg in central Canada. Aside from working in schools in five countries, she has served as a Child Life Therapist, as Director of programs for marginalized children and youth, and as Associate Dean of Education. Her SSHRC-funded research program includes investigations of the psycho-social aspects of teaching and learning from preschool to university, with a special focus on inclusion and well-being.

Dr. Lesley Eblie Trudel

Dr. Lesley Trudel has been successfully involved in K-12 education for over thirty years. She has held positions ranging from instructional to administrative, working with diverse populations in both urban and rural settings. Lesley was most recently an Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Manitoba, Canada. In January 2019, she joined the Faculty of Education at the University of Winnipeg as an Assistant Professor. Lesley is a collaborative and interdisciplinary researcher, with a keen interest in organizational learning and systemic change.

Jeff Babb

Jeff is an Associate Professor with the Department of Mathematics & Statistics at the University of Winnipeg. He joined the Department in September of 2000 and served as its Chair for 2004-2009. Jeff was Principal Consultant for the Statistical Advisory Service the Department of Statistics at the University of Manitoba for 1998-2000. Previously he served as the Biometrician for the Grain Research Laboratory of the Canadian Grain Commission in Winnipeg for 16 years.

Meet the Knowledge Mobilization team at Well at Work

Sarah Ranby, Research Analyst

Sarah leads the planning, communications, coordination, and conducting of research and knowledge mobilization outputs for EdCan. She earned her Master of Science Degree in Family Relations and Human Development and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology from the University of Guelph. Sarah’s research interests broadly include knowledge mobilization, and program evaluation, in particular, analyzing school-based supports that promote positive mental health.

André Rebeiz, Research Manager

André is Project Lead for EdCan’s Well at Work initiative, which supports school districts and provinces to make teacher and staff well-being a top policy and investment priority. He is a graduate of Sciences Po Paris (Institut d’études politiques de Paris) holding a Master’s degree in International Public Management from the Paris School of International Affairs and a Bachelor’s degree in the Social Sciences.

Annual Report

INTRODUCTION

Message from the Chair

It was an honour to lead this esteemed 129-year-old organization’s focus on a challenge that is more crucial than ever: shifting mindsets by showcasing research, policy and practice that results in healthier, happier, and more resilient K-12 staff and in turn, their students.

In 2019-2020, via our Well at Work K-12 staff well-being initiative, we shared the latest research and practice that sparked the discussions that we need to have so that educators can situate themselves and their understanding of wellness both individually   and collectively to thrive, and not just survive. Thank you to the McConnell Foundation for their support of our Well at Work initiative and for co-hosting and co-designing our successful staff well-being stakeholder consultation event last November. This high-level gathering helped to define how our network can help to support decision-makers in identifying investments in employee well-being that can pay off in reduced HR costs, increased performance and heightened student achievement. I also want to emphasize how crucial the continued financial support from our Sustaining Ministry of Education Members and our School District, Faculty of Education and stakeholder organization members was to support our work.

The unprecedented challenges that we face have heightened the importance for EdCan to provide K-12 staff with valuable professional learning support through our growing collection of evidence-based resources. There’s no better time to help strengthen educators’ social and emotional well-being to achieve healthier schools and better learning experiences for their students.  

Denise Andre, EdCan Chair

Message from the CEO

This past year has emphasized the level of deep commitment and courage required by our education professionals, who care about their students more than themselves. Systemically, however, there are toxic levels of stress in many schools. There’s no denying it. There are staff who are depleted and drained with little left to offer their students.

Remedying this issue is a shared responsibility among all levels of our education systems, and throughout 2019-2020, thanks to the dedication and perseverance of EdCan staff, the research, insights and good practice of hundreds of K-12 staff well-being experts in Canada and Internationally were featured via our Well at  Work K-12 staff well-being initiative, via our knowledge mobilization, professional learning and convening activities.  

Thanks to the amazing support of our members, funders, partners and sponsors, EdCan continues to reinvigorate its role of amplifying and validating emerging research and promising school and classroom practices to empower influencers to accelerate innovation, enhance professional learning and inform policy development.

Beyond staff well-being, EdCan focused on the issues that mattered in 2019-2020. From focusing on how our schools are taking action on climate change, to sharing the nuances of culturally relevant teaching and supporting LGBTQ+2 students and staff, we connected the dots between policy, research and practice to help educators make sense of some of the most complex issues facing Canadian public education today.  Our work over the last year truly exemplified EdCan’s longstanding commitment to equity, inclusion and respect.

Max CookeEdCan CEO

The EdCan Network has maintained its 129-year tradition as the only national, nonpartisan, bilingual organization representing 110,000 educators across Canada.

Our role as an intermediary connects K-12 education systems across the country by producing and disseminating authoritative and evidence-based, yet accessible content that is trusted by educators, parents, and policymakers alike.

EdCan aims to improve education policies that heighten equity and support deeper learning (i.e. a combination of the fundamental knowledge and practical basic skills all students need to succeed), and expanding the reach of educational resources in an effort to bridge the research-implementation gap.

OUR AREAS OF ACTION

With the support and guidance of its Board of Directors and Advisory Council, EdCan staff focused on the following areas required to enhance educators’ capacity to explore and respond to public education’s emerging systemic opportunities and challenges:   

EdCan is renowned for developing knowledge tools across a wide range of content mediums, on emerging topics and key issues facing K-12 education today.

INVESTING IN TEACHER AND STAFF WELL-BEING

Since September 2019, when EdCan officially launched its Well at Work campaign, breakthroughs in efforts to build a strong pan-Canadian network where stakeholders across and beyond the education sector break down silos, align their efforts, and generate greater investments together on the issue of K-12 workplace well-being.

Well at Work Webpage

A central online repository for a growing collection of practical resources (e.g. infographics, fact sheets, blog posts), magazine articles, and multimedia was developed to provide schools and school districts with the tools that they need to take their first steps towards improving working conditions for the long-term.

Well at Work Podcast Series

Well at Work Edition of Education Canada Magazine

This issue of Education Canada focused on how we can (and why we must) strengthen the social and emotional wellbeing of K-12 staff, in turn enabling them to achieve healthier schools and better learning experiences for students. Article topics ranged from creating organizational cultures that foster workplace well-being; the well-being of education leaders and front-line staff; identifying and challenging the mindsets, assumptions and public perceptions towards the well-being of K-12 educators that hinder change; and lessons from interventions in other sectors.

This discussion kit contains a total of eight group discussion and self-reflection guides – four in English and four in French – covering topics ranging from creating organizational cultures that foster workplace well-being; the well-being of education leaders and front-line staff; and identifying and challenging the mindsets, assumptions and public perceptions towards the well-being of K-12 educators that hinder change.

Well at Work Campaign Downloadables

In an effort to build awareness around the Well at Work initiative posters, postcards, banners, social media images, and phone wallpapers were created for user distributions on various social media platforms.

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At the beginning of the global pandemic last March, EdCan temporarily pivoted its focus to Well at Home to help educators to focus on their own well-being from home.  

Webinar Series

Amid the pandemic, we began to host a series of FREE webinars to provide Canadian K-12 staff with actionable strategies that support their well-being as they navigate working from home and continue to find ways to stay connected to students and colleagues during this time.

CUTTING THROUGH THE RHETORIC

First published in 1949, Education Canada Magazine is considered one of the most trusted sources for evidence-based professional learning discussions about some of the most complex issues facing educators today.

The role of sex education and the renewed controversy over sex-ed in some provinces was explored, looking beyond the politics to focus on what the research actually said, as well as specific programs that addressed homophobia, misogyny, sexism and consent.

“So let’s get down to the how. How do we build a school culture where all students, across the gender and sexuality spectrums, feel (and are) safe, accepted, and free to be themselves?”

With the growing diversity of Canadian classrooms demanding that educators develop the inclusive and intercultural competencies that will allow them to support the success of diverse students, this issue showcased the most appropriate, engaging and responsive teaching practices in today’s classrooms.

“Culturally responsive education goes far beyond an initial welcome. It’s about learning to identify and question our own cultural assumptions, and to not just make room for but actively invite in and learn from our students’ varied and rich cultural perspectives.”

This issue put the spotlight on how we can (and why we must) strengthen the social and emotional wellbeing of K-12 staff, in turn enabling them to achieve healthier schools and better learning experiences for students.

“We have a tendency to see well-being as solely a personal responsibility. If employees are struggling, they should go to the gym, get better organized, become more resilient or adaptable. But several of our authors dispute this assumption. Self-care, while important, only goes so far. Instead, our authors argue that occupational mental health, like physical health and safety, is a shared responsibility.”

This issue looked at environmental education and leadership around greener schools design and practice.

“If young people are worried and angry about the crisis that lies ahead for them, they have every right to be. They’ve been left holding the bag, and they know it. So how do we equip them to address these challenges in a positive way that doesn’t just create more anxiety and fear?”

NO SPIN – JUST THE FACTS

The Facts on Education series

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Our trusted one-page fact sheets translated impartial research into answers to some of today’s most pressing questions from parents and teachers, including:

E-NEWSLETTERS

The EdCan Bulletin connects K-12 educators with the most relevant research.

Subscribers

Subscribers

AWARDS

The Whitworth Award

Dr. Shirley R. Steinberg recognized for empowering educators and students to challenge media bias and misrepresentation

Dr. Steinberg – Professor of Critical Youth Studies at the University of Calgary’s Werklund School of Education – was honoured for her influential career as one of Canada’s leading scholars who has expanded media literacy into the field of critical pedagogy. Her work supports teachers and students to use and explore a wide variety of art forms, culture, and media – including hip-hop, commercial broadcasting, and new digital technologies – as a way to understand and question biases in the media and everyday life.

Dr. André P. Grace was recognized for his profound impact in improving the lives of sexual and gender minority youth in Canada

Dr. André P. Grace—Professor and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Sexual and Gender Minority Studies at the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Education— was honoured for his pioneering research and lifelong commitment to addressing the educational needs of sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth.

The Pat Clifford Award

Dr. Angelica Galante’s research on plurilingual instruction has the potential to increase student engagement among immigrant students and their Canadian-born counterparts  

Dr. Angelica Galante – Assistant Professor at McGill University’s Faculty of Education – was honoured for her exceptional leadership in exploring and showcasing teacher professional development opportunities and practical classroom practices that engage students from all linguistic and cultural backgrounds in learning about different languages and cultures.

Chris Ostrowdun’s research has the potential to challenge new teachers’ mindsets and assumptions towards creating inclusive classrooms for students with disabilities

Chris Ostrowdun – PhD Candidate at the University of Calgary’s Werklund School of Education – was honoured for his ongoing research, which strives to prompt pre-service teachers to rethink, reflect, and reconsider how they approach inclusive education practices towards students with disabilities.

CONVENING AND PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

EdCan convenes its key collaborators (Ministries of Education, Faculties of Education, professional associations and stakeholder organizations, its member/non-member school district leaders and other educators) for challenging conversations that explore the latest research insights, identify research gaps, promising practices and systemic implementation barriers – all with the goal of developing actionable strategies that can influence policy and practice improvements.

The Case for Investing in K-12 Staff Well-Being

Infographic 
Infographic 

November 22, 2019 (Toronto, ONT.)

Building on the knowledge and insights being shared by prominent researchers and practitioners via the EdCan Network’s ‘Well at Work’ initiative, this exclusive professional learning session included teacher, principal, superintendent, and workplace well-being expert voices who built a solid case for why investing in the well-being of school and school district staff makes sense from financial, legal, and student achievement perspectives. More importantly, this meeting challenged mindsets and assumptions that may serve as barriers to change.

Key takeaways from some of the event participants:

“That if all education stakeholders work together, government, boards of education and unions, we can create an environment that promotes and sustains staff well-being.”

“We must make time for this work. It is crucial to the success of our students, retention of staff, and it makes financial sense in the long term.”

“I learned about resources that I could bring back to my own workplace. The data presented was very affirming of the direction we are going locally, but I wondered about what other opportunities there may be to collectively make an impact on provincial/national challenges, especially in provinces where there are several local school districts.”

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Pan-Canadian meeting of Superintendents’ Associations

November 21, 2019 (Toronto, ONT.)

This annual meeting is appreciated for the high-level discussions, sharing and support between associations sharing challenges and how best to respond. The discussion focused on how superintendents’ own well-being was impacted and what supports are offered and/or needed around teacher and principal well-being.

EDUCATION CANADA DISCUSSION KITS

An an EdCan Member Exclusive Benefit for Organizations (School Districts, Faculties of Education, Corporations, Non-Profits), evidence-based literature from EdCan’s critically-acclaimed Education Canada magazine was transformed into practical group discussion and self-reflection guides that were used by K-12 staff to question, strengthen, and improve their professional practice across a variety of current and emerging trends in education, which included:

Understanding Myths and Misconceptions about LGBTQ2 Youth at School: Challenging stereotypes, fear and misinformation to create safe places for LGBTQ2 students

The Gender-Friendly Classroom: Practical advice for teachers on welcoming gender diversity every day

Teaching with (and not about) students’ diverse cultures: Responding to student diversity in today’s Canadian classrooms

Well at Work Professional Development Discussion Kit for K-12 Staff: This kit contains a total of eight group discussion and self-reflection guides – four in English and four in French – covering topics ranging from creating organizational cultures that foster workplace well-being; the well-being of education leaders and front-line staff; and identifying and challenging the mindsets, assumptions and public perceptions

FINANCIALS

MOVING FORWARD: EDCAN’S THEORY OF CHANGE

From April to July 2020, a Working Group of EdCan Advisory Council Members, Directors and staff participated in the Innoweave planning process to articulate crucial foundational elements of the organization, such as intended impact statements, a theory of change and strategic planning priorities. The following table provides an overview of this strategy:

Intended Impacts

By 2025, EdCan will have collaborated with all Ministries of Education and other education organizations to enhance educators’ capacity to explore and respond to public education’s emerging systemic opportunities and challenges. The organization will achieve the following impact for its beneficiaries:

Ultimately, this work will heighten every students’ well-being and opportunities for meaningful learning to help them discover their purpose and path in life.

The EdCan Network Thanks You

Every aspect of our research programs, professional learning and publications depends on our network of members, sponsors and supporters (detailed in the list below) who commit their valuable time, expertise and resources to produce such high quality work for Canadian educators.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

APRIL 1, 2019 TO MARCH 31, 2020

EDCAN NETWORK BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICERS

Chair, Denise AndreVice-Chair, Yves Saint-MauriceTreasurer, Anne MacPheePast-Chair, Darren Googoo CEO and Secretary, Max Cooke

2019-2020 ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Dr. Steve Cardwell, Associate Vice President – Academic, Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU)

Kevin Kaardal, Superintendent of Schools/CEO, Central Okanagan Public Schools (School District 23)

Chris Kennedy*, Superintendent of Schools and CEO, West Vancouver School District No. 45 (until September 2019)

Claire Guy, Executive Director, British Columbia School Superintendents Association (BCSSA)

Doug Shepperd, Superintendent of Schools, Delta School District No. 37

Bryan Tisdall, Executive Director, Terry Fox Centre

Dianne Turner, Special Advisor, BC Ministry of Education (until September 2019)

ALBERTA

Dr. Sharon Friesen, Professor, Werklund School of Education,University of Calgary

Dr. Michele Jacobsen*, Professor, Werklund School of Education, and Teaching Scholar, University of Calgary

Sana Javed, Manager, Canadian Western Bank

Dr. Heather Kanuka, Professor, Educational Policy Studies, University of Alberta

SASKATCHEWANDean Shareski*, Educator, Author and Consultant

MANITOBA

Nikhil Kumar, Director, Great-West Lifeco

Christian Michalik, Superintendent of Schools, Louis Riel School Division

Donna Miller Fry, Superintendent, Pine Creek School Division

ONTARIORob Adley*, Director, WW Sales & HPE Global Account Management, AMD

Denise Andre*, Director of Education, Ottawa Catholic School Board (retired) / Executive Director, Eastern Ontario Staff Development Network

Janice Ciavaglia, Director of Education, Assembly of First Nations

Eugénie Congi, Superintendant of Education, Conseil des écoles catholiques centre-est (CECCE)

Amy Coupal, Chief Executive Officer, The Ontario Caregiver Organization

Shannon Fuller, Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy & Planning Division, Ministry of Education

Charlie Guy, Leadership Consultant, CHRECassandra Hallett DaSilva, Secretary General, Canadian Teachers’ Federation

Anne MacPhee*, Director Finance and Operations, Canadian Mental Health Association, National

Stuart Miller, Director of Education, Halton District School Board

Valérie Morand, Executive Director, Fédération nationale des conseils scolaires francophones

Arlene Morell, Vice President, The Canadian Home and School Federation (as of September 2019)

Eric Roher, Partner, Borden Ladner Gervais (BLG) (as of June 2019)

Bernard Roy, Education Consultant

Mary Lynne Stewart, National Director of Philanthropy, March of Dimes

QUEBECDavid Allnutt, Consultant

Rob Buttars, Director General, New Frontiers School Board

Steven Colpitts, Assistant Deputy Ministry (Anglophone, Indigenous and cultural diversity sectors), ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur du Québec

Normand Lessard, Director of Education, Commission scolaire Beauce-Etchemin (CSBE)

Yves St. Maurice*, Lecturer

NEW BRUNSWICKLyne-Chantal Boudreau, Professor, Université de Moncton

George Daley, Deputy Minister, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (as of November 2019)

Marcel Lavoie, Deputy Minister, ministère de l’Éducation et du Développement de la petite enfance(as of November 2019)

John McLaughlin, Deputy Minister, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (until November 2019)

Gérald Richard, Deputy Minister, ministère de l’Éducation et du Développement de la petite enfance (until November 2019)

NOVA SCOTIADarren Googoo*, Director of Education, Membertou First Nation

Peter McCreath*, Executive Chairman and Managing Director, PLMC (until September 2019)

Cathy Montreuil, Deputy Minister, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development

Nancy Pynch-Worthylake, Executive Director, Canadian School Boards Association (CSBA)

NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADORDarrin Pike, Administrative Officer, Programs and Services, Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association

Anthony Stack, CEO/Director of Education, Newfoundland & Labrador English School District

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

Dr. Curtis Brown, Superintendent, South Slave Divisional Education Council

*Board of DirectorsSTAFFMax Cooke, Chief Executive Officer

Bineta Diallo, Event Coordinator (as of February 2020)

Sophie H.-Bienvenue, Digital Marketing Coordinator (until March 2020)

Albert Ko, Development Coordinator (until December 2019)

André Rebeiz, Research Manager

Sarah Ranby, Research Analyst

Mia San José, Operations Manager

Leche Whiteman, Social Media & Marketing Coordinator (Intern) (until September 2019)

Karl Wieler, Development Manager (until April 2020)

CONSULTANTSHolly Bennett, English Editor, Education Canada magazine

Jocelyn Bentley, Videographer

Jean-Claude Bergeron, French Editor, Education Canada magazine (May 2019 issue)

Annie Côté, French Editor, Education Canada magazine (December 2019 and March 2020 issues)

Dave Donald, Art Director, Education Canada magazine

Daniel Escate, Graphic Designer

Stephen Hurley, Podcast Producer

Beth Kukkonen, Advertising Sales Manager, Education Canada magazine

Stephane Lachance, Media Editing

Gilles Latour, Consultant

Brent Logan, Graphic Designer

Yolande Nantel, French Editor, Education Canada magazine (September 2019 issue)

Diana Pham, Illustrator, Education Canada magazine (December 2019 issue)

Johanne Raynault, Translator

Michelle Richardson, Bookkeeper

Stéphanie Rivet, Graphic Designer

Edith Skewes-Cox, Translator

FINANCIAL AND IN-KIND

Sustaining Members

Department of Education, Advanced Education and Research – Québec

New Brunswick Department of Education and Early Childhood Development

Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development

Ontario Ministry of Education

Program Support

Canadian School Boards Association

Desjardins Foundation

McConnell Foundation

The Case for Investing in K-12 Staff Well-being (event)

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG)

McConnell Foundation

General SupportJelena Anikina

Chantal BeaulieuRon Canuel

Max Cooke

Jacques Cool

Jan Courtin

Andrew Currie

Adrian Di Rocco

Sharon Friesen

Charlie Guy

William Guy

Michele Jacobsen

Vani Jain

Astrid Kendrick

Albert Ko

Gilles Latour

Anne MacPhee

Colin Madden

Nicole Mailman

Jean Martin

Beverley Murray

André Rebeiz

Bernard Roy

Mia San José

Jason Shim

Christos Sourligas

Logendra Thayalan

Karl Wieler and Melissa Di Rocco

Jinli Yang

Anonymous (5)

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG)

PAT CLIFFORD AND WHITWORTH AWARDS SELECTION COMMITTEEDr. Heather Kanuka (Chair)

Dr. Sharon Friesen

Dr. Michele Jacobsen

Dr. Leyton Schnellert

Dr. Jay Wilson

EDUCATION CANADA MAGAZINE EDITORIAL BOARDMarius Bourgeoys, Co-founder of Escouade ÉDU, Lecturer, Coach et Consultant

Zoe Branigan-Pipe, Teacher, Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board

Dr. Curtis Brown, Superintendent, South Slave Divisional Education Council

Steve Cardwell, Associate Vice President – Academic, Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU)

Dr. Alec Couros,  Professor, Information and Communication Technologies; ICT Coordinator, University of Regina

Nathalie Couzon, Techno-pedagogical Advisor, Collège Letendre

Grant Frost, President (Halifax County Local), Nova Scotia Teachers’ Union

Roberto Gauvin, Education Specialist and School Entrepreneur, CyberNB

François Guité, Consultant, ministère de l’Éducation, de l’Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche (MEESR) du Québec

Dr. Michelle Hogue, Associate Professor, Coordinator of First Nations’ Transition Program, University of Lethbridge

Stephen Hurley, Education Consultant; Founder of VoicEd Radio

Dr. Thierry Karsenti, Professor, Canada Research Chair in Digital Education, University of Montreal

Normand Lessard, Director General, Centre de services scolaires de la Beauce-Etchemin

Jennifer Lewington, Freelance education journalist

Corinne Payne, President, Fédération des comités de parents de Québec (FCPQ)

David Price, Senior Associate, Innovation Unit, Leeds, UK

Cynthia Richards, President, Canadian Home and School Federation

Sébastien Stasse,  Director, Training and Research, CADRE21

Dr. Louis Volante, Professor, Brock University and Professorial Fellow at UNU-MERIT (Until January 2020)

Chris Wejr,  Principal, Langley School District

Dr. Joel Westheimer,  University Research Chair in the Sociology of Education, University of Ottawa

Andrew Woodall,  Dean of Students, Concordia University

Dr. Christine Younghusband, Assistant Professor, University of Northern British Columbia School of Education (as of January 2020)

Rapport Annuel 2019-2020

INTRODUCTION

Message de la présidente du conseil d’administration

Ce fut un honneur pour moi de diriger ce vénérable organisme fort de 129 années d’expérience au moment où il a porté son attention sur un défi plus important que jamais : changer les mentalités en mettant en avant la recherche, les politiques et les pratiques qui rendent le personnel scolaire du primaire et du secondaire, et du même coup les élèves, en meilleure santé, plus heureux et plus résilients.

En 2019-2020, dans le cadre de notre initiative Bien dans mon travail pour le bien-être du personnel des écoles primaires et secondaires, nous avons présenté les dernières découvertes et pratiques qui ont déclenché les discussions indispensables pour permettre aux éducateurs comprendre le mieux-être et de se situer par rapport à celui-ci, tant individuellement que collectivement, pour non pas simplement survivre, mais s’épanouir. Je remercie la Fondation McConnell de son soutien à notre initiative Bien dans mon travail et de son rôle d’organisateur et hôte conjoint de l’évènement de consultation des intervenants au sujet du bien-être des éducateurs, qui s’est tenu en novembre dernier. La rencontre de haut niveau a contribué à définir des façons dont notre réseau peut aider les décisionnaires à découvrir des investissements en bien-être des employés qui se traduiront par une réduction des coûts en RH, une amélioration du rendement et de meilleures réalisations de la part des élèves. Je tiens également à souligner l’importance critique du soutien financier continu apporté à nos travaux par nos membres bienfaiteurs du ministère de l’Éducation et nos membres affiliés aux centres de services scolaires, facultés des sciences de l’éducation et organismes d’intervenants.

Les défis sans précédent auxquels nous sommes confrontés confirment encore à quel point il est important pour le Réseau ÉdCan de fournir aux enseignants du primaire et du secondaire un précieux soutien en matière d’apprentissage professionnel grâce à notre collection grandissante de ressources fondées sur des données probantes. Il n’a jamais été plus à propos de contribuer à renforcer le bien-être social et émotionnel des éducateurs afin d’améliorer tant la santé des écoles que les expériences d’apprentissage de leurs élèves.

La présidente du conseil d’administration du Réseau ÉdCan,Denise Andre

Message du président-directeur général

L’an passé a mis en relief le haut niveau d’engagement et le courage que doivent posséder les professionnels de l’éducation, qui se soucient de leurs élèves plus que d’eux-mêmes. Toutefois, sur le plan systémique, le stress atteint des niveaux toxiques dans de nombreuses écoles. Il n’y a pas à le nier. Certains membres du personnel, épuisés et à bout, n’ont plus grand chose à offrir à leurs élèves.

Remédier au problème est une responsabilité partagée par tous les échelons de nos systèmes d’éducation, et durant l’exercice 2019-2020, grâce au dévouement et à la persévérance du personnel du Réseau ÉdCan, nous avons mis en valeur les recherches, les perspectives et les bonnes pratiques de centaines d’experts canadiens et internationaux en bien-être des intervenants scolaires du primaire et du secondaire dans le cadre de notre initiative Bien dans mon travail pour le bien-être du personnel des écoles primaires et secondaires, par le biais de nos activités de mobilisation des connaissances et d’apprentissage professionnel.  

Grâce au phénoménal soutien de ses membres, fondateurs, partenaires et commanditaires, le Réseau ÉdCan continue de fortifier son ambition, soit d’amplifier et de valider la recherche émergente et les pratiques prometteuses afin d’habiliter les personnes influentes à accélérer l’innovation, rehausser l’apprentissage professionnel et éclairer l’élaboration de politiques.

Au-delà du bien-être des intervenants scolaires, le Réseau ÉdCan a mis l’accent sur les enjeux d’importance au cours de l’exercice 2019-2020. Qu’il s’agisse des mesures prises dans les écoles en matière de changement climatique, des nuances de l’enseignement adapté à la culture ou du soutien aux élèves et aux enseignants LGBTQ+2, nous avons relié les politiques, la recherche, et les pratiques afin d’aider les éducateurs à mieux comprendre certains des enjeux les plus complexes auxquels sont aujourd’hui confrontés les professionnels de l’éducation publique au Canada.  Les travaux menés au cours de l’année exemplifient véritablement l’engagement de longue date du Réseau ÉdCan envers l’équité, l’inclusion et le respect.

Le président-directeur général du Réseau ÉdCan,Max Cooke

Le Réseau ÉdCan est depuis 129 ans le seul organisme pancanadien bilingue et non partisan au pays et représente 110 000 éducateurs.

Son rôle consiste à relier les systèmes d’éducation primaire et secondaire du pays par la production et la diffusion d’une documentation fondée sur des données probantes faisant autorité, mais cependant accessibles, dont les enseignants, les parents et les décideurs apprécient la fiabilité.

Le Réseau ÉdCan vise à améliorer les politiques d’éducation qui renforcent l’équité et favorisent un apprentissage plus poussé (soit une combinaison de connaissances fondamentales et de compétences de base pratiques dont tous les élèves auront besoin pour réussir), et à élargir la portée des ressources pédagogiques afin de combler l’écart entre la recherche et la mise en œuvre.

NOS DOMAINES D’ACTION

Avec le soutien et l’orientation de ses directeurs d’administration et de son conseil consultatif, le personnel d’EdCan s’est concentré sur les domaines nécessaires suivants afin d’améliorer la capacité des éducateurs à explorer et à répondre aux nouvelles opportunités et défis systémiques de l’éducation publique:

Le Réseau ÉdCan est reconnu pour la création, sur toute une gamme de supports, d’outils de savoir à propos des questions émergentes et des enjeux clés auxquels font face les éducateurs du primaire et du secondaire.

IL EST GRAND TEMPS D’INVESTIR DANS LE BIEN-ÊTRE DES ENSEIGNANTS ET DU PERSONNEL SCOLAIRE

Depuis septembre 2019, date du lancement officiel de la campagne Bien dans mon travail du Réseau ÉdCan, il y a eu des percées dans les activités de construction d’un solide réseau pancanadien dans lequel les intervenants à l’intérieur et au-delà du secteur de l’éducation, ensemble, font tomber les cloisons, harmonisent leurs efforts et produisent de plus grands investissements en matière de bien-être au travail dans les écoles primaires et secondaires.

La page Web Bien dans mon travail

Un dépôt central en ligne abritant une collection grandissante de ressources pratiques (p. ex. infographies, fiches d’information, billets de blogue), d’articles et de présentations multimédia, entendant fournir au personnel des écoles et des commissions scolaires les outils nécessaires pour s’engager sur la voie de l’amélioration des conditions de travail à long terme.

Balados Bien dans mon travail

Bien dans mon travail du magazine Éducation Canada

Cette édition, d’Éducation Canada était concentré sur  comment nous pouvons (et pourquoi nous devons) renforcer le bien-être émotionnel et social du personnel des systèmes d’éducation publique primaire et secondaire, et ce, afin de favoriser des milieux scolaires plus sains et des expériences d’apprentissage plus enrichissantes pour les élèves. Les sujets des articles  couvraient une une variété de questions, notamment : le bien-être des directions scolaires et du personnel de première ligne; et l’identification et la remise en question des mentalités, des hypothèses et des perceptions du public envers le bien- être des professionnels de l’éducation, lesquels entravent le changement.

Cette trousse contient huit guides d’autoréflexion et de discussion de groupe – quatre en anglais et quatre en français – couvrant des sujets comme la création de cultures organisationnelles qui favorisent le bien-être au travail; le bien-être des leaders scolaires et du personnel de première ligne; et comment identifier et remettre en question les mentalités, les hypothèses et les perceptions du public à l’égard du bien-être des intervenants scolaires de la maternelle à la 12e année qui entravent le changement.

Images téléchargeables de la campagne Bien dans mon travail

Affiches, cartes postales, bannières, images pour médias sociaux et papiers peints de téléphone à distribuer aux utilisateurs de diverses plateformes de média social pour mieux faire connaître l’initiative Bien dans mon travail.

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En mars dernier, au début de la pandémie mondiale, le Réseau ÉdCan a temporairement réorienté son attention sur Bien chez soi afin d’aider les éducateurs à s’axer sur leur propre bien-être pendant qu’ils travaillent depuis leur domicile.

DE LA THÉORIE À L’ACTION

Publié depuis 1949, le magazine Éducation Canada est considéré comme une des sources les plus fiables de discussions d’apprentissage professionnel fondé sur les données probantes au sujet de certains des enjeux les plus complexes auxquels sont confrontés les éducateurs d’aujourd’hui.

Nous nous sommes penchés sur le rôle de l’éducation sexuelle et la controverse renouvelée à ce sujet dans certaines provinces, en transcendant la politique pour nous axer sur les résultats de la recherche et sur certains programmes combattant l’homophobie, la misogynie et le sexisme et remettant en question le consentement.

« Alors, passons au comment. Comment bâtir une culture scolaire au sein de laquelle tous les élèves, où qu’ils se situent sur les continuums de l’identité de genre et de la sexualité, se sentent (et soient) en sécurité, acceptés et libres d’être eux-mêmes? »

Vu la diversité grandissante dans les salles de classe canadiennes, qui oblige les éducateurs à acquérir des compétences inclusives et interculturelles pour favoriser la réussite d’élèves d’horizons divers, ce numéro a mis en valeur les pratiques d’enseignement les plus appropriées, stimulantes et adaptées aux salles de classe d’aujourd’hui.

« L’enseignement culturellement sensible dépasse de beaucoup un accueil chaleureux initial. Il s’agit d’apprendre à découvrir et à remettre en question ses propres présupposés culturels, et de ne pas simplement faire une place aux perspectives culturelles riches et variées de nos élèves, mais de les rechercher et d’en tirer des leçons. »

Ce numéro a mis l’accent sur les façons dont nous pouvons (et les raisons pour lesquelles nous devons) renforcer le bien-être social et émotionnel des intervenants scolaires du primaire et du secondaire, de manière à favoriser des milieux de travail sains dans les écoles et de meilleures expériences d’apprentissage pour les élèves.

« Nous avons tendance à voir le bien-être comme une responsabilité purement personnelle. Si les employés connaissent des difficultés, ils devraient faire de l’exercice, mieux s’organiser, devenir plus résilients ou faire preuve d’une plus grande adaptabilité. Mais plusieurs de nos contributeurs rejettent ce postulat. L’autothérapie, bien qu’importante, a des limites. Nos contributeurs avancent au contraire qu’au même titre que la santé physique et la sécurité, la santé mentale au travail est une responsabilité partagée. »

Ce numéro portait sur l’initiation à l’environnement et le leadership en matière de conception d’écoles plus vertes et de pratiques connexes.

« Si les jeunes sont inquiets et mécontents de la crise qui les attend, ils ont de bonnes raisons de l’être. Ils vont payer les pots cassés, et ils le savent. Comment allons-nous les préparer à relever ces défis de manière positive sans aggraver encore leur anxiété et leur peur? »

DROIT À L’ESSENTIEL

Les faits en éducation

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Nos fiches d’information édifiantes transposent la recherche impartiale en réponses aux questions des parents et des éducateurs sur certains des enjeux actuels les plus immédiats, comme par exemple :  

INFOLETTRES

Le bulletin Éducation Canada a mis la recherche la plus pertinente à la portée des éducateurs du primaire et du secondaire.

Abonnés

Abonnés

PRIX

Prix Whitworth

Shirley R. Steinberg, Ph. D., est honorée pour avoir donné aux éducateurs et aux étudiants les moyens de contester les préjugés et les déclarations inexactes des médias

Mme Steinberg, Ph.D., professeure d’études critiques auprès des jeunes à la Werklund School of Education de l’Université de Calgary, a été honorée pour sa brillante carrière en tant qu’une des plus importantes spécialistes au Canada ayant étendu le champ de la littératie médiatique au domaine de la pédagogie critique. Son travail aide enseignants et étudiants à utiliser et à explorer une grande variété de formes d’art, de cultures et de médias, notamment le hip-hop, la radiodiffusion commerciale et les nouvelles technologies numériques, comme moyens de comprendre et de remettre en question les préjugés dans les médias et la vie quotidienne.

André P. Grace est honoré pour son important travail en lien avec l’amélioration de la vie des jeunes des minorités sexuelles et de genre au Canada

Le Réseau ÉdCan est heureux de décerner à André P. Grace, Ph. D., professeur et titulaire de la Chaire de recherche du Canada de niveau 1 en études sur les minorités sexuelles et sexospécifiques à la Faculté d’éducation de l’Alberta University, le prix Whitworth 2019 pour l’excellence de la recherche en éducation. The Pat Clifford Award

Prix Pat-Clifford

Les recherches d’Angelica Galante, Ph. D., sur l’enseignement plurilingue favoriseraient l’engagement tant des élèves immigrants que de ceux nés au Canada.

Le Réseau ÉdCan est heureux de décerner à Angelica Galante, Ph. D., professeure adjointe à la Faculté d’éducation de l’Université McGill, le prix Pat-Clifford 2019 pour la recherche en éducation en début de carrière. Ce prix prestigieux souligne le leadership exceptionnel de Mme Galante dans l’exploration et la promotion de possibilités de perfectionnement professionnel des enseignants et de pratiques pédagogiques d’engagement des élèves de tous les milieux linguistiques et culturels à l’apprentissage de différentes langues et cultures.

La recherche de Chris Ostrowdun pourrait remettre en question les mentalités et idées préconçues des nouveaux enseignants et encourager l’émergence de salles de classe adaptées aux élèves handicapés.

Le Réseau ÉdCan est également heureux de décerner à Chris Ostrowdun, doctorant à la Werklund School of Education de Calgary University, le Prix Pat-Clifford 2019 pour la recherche en éducation en début de carrière, catégorie maîtrise. Ce prix prestigieux souligne sa recherche en cours visant à inciter les futurs enseignants à repenser et à réévaluer la façon dont ils abordent les pratiques éducatives inclusives à l’égard des élèves handicapés.

MOBILISATION ET APPRENTISSAGE PROFESSIONNEL

Le Réseau ÉdCan mobilise ses collaborateurs clés (ministères de l’Éducation, facultés des sciences de l’éducation, associations professionnelles et organismes d’intervenants, dirigeants des commissions scolaires membres du réseau ou non, et d’autres éducateurs) pour tenir des conversations stimulantes qui examinent les dernières découvertes et cernent les lacunes en matière de recherche, les pratiques prometteuses et les obstacles systémiques à la mise en œuvre – le tout dans le but d’élaborer des stratégies concrètes susceptibles d’influencer les améliorations apportées aux politiques et aux pratiques.

Les implication en matière financière, juridique et de résultats scolaires d’un investissement dans le bien-être du personnel d’écoles primaires et secondaires

Le 22 novembre 2019

(Toronto, Ont.)

À partir de connaissances et d’opinions d’éminents chercheurs et praticiens communiquées dans le cadre de l’initiative Bien dans mon travail du Réseau ÉdCan, cette séance exclusive d’apprentissage professionnel a présenté les perspectives d’enseignants, de directions d’école, de surintendants scolaires et d’experts en bien-être au travail, qui ont avancé de solides arguments en faveur des investissements dans le bien-être du personnel des écoles et des centres de services scolaires et en ont expliqué les bienfaits du point de vue financier, juridique et des résultats scolaires. Qui plus est, la rencontre a remis en question les mentalités et les hypothèses susceptibles de faire obstacle au changement.

Voici certains des principaux points à retenir selon quelques participants :

« Si tous les intervenants du secteur de l’éducation collaborent – le gouvernement, les conseils scolaires et les syndicats, nous arriverons à créer un milieu qui favorise et maintient le bien-être du personnel. »

« Nous devons prendre le temps d’accomplir ce travail. Non seulement est-il essentiel à la réussite des élèves et au maintien de l’effectif, il est financièrement avantageux à long terme. »

« J’en ai appris long sur des ressources que je pourrais utiliser à mon travail. Les données présentées ont confirmé le bien-fondé de la direction que nous empruntons au niveau local, mais je me suis demandé s’il pouvait y avoir d’autres occasions de donner suite collectivement aux défis provinciaux et nationaux, particulièrement dans les provinces comptant plusieurs conseils scolaires. »

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Rencontre pancanadienne annuelle des hauts dirigeants d’associations de cadres scolaires

Le 21 novembre 2019(Toronto, Ont.)

Cette rencontre annuelle est appréciée pour les discussions de haut niveau, les échanges et le soutien entre associations au sujet des défis et de la meilleure manière de les relever. La discussion s’est axée sur le bien-être des hauts dirigeants et surintendants d’écoles et les mesures de soutien offertes ou requises en matière de bien-être des enseignants et directions d’écoles.

TROUSSES DE DISCUSSION ÉDUCATION CANADA

Un avantage exclusif pour le personnel des organismes membres du Réseau ÉdCan (conseils/centres de services scolaires, facultés des sciences de l’éducation, sociétés commerciales, organismes sans but lucratif) : Nous avons transformé les données et faits présentés dans les articles de notre magazine Éducation Canada en guides pratiques d’autoréflexion et de discussion de groupe dont le personnel scolaire du primaire et du secondaire s’est servi pour repenser et améliorer ses pratiques professionnelles en rapport à tout un éventail de tendances pédagogiques actuelles et émergentes, dont :

Vers un climat et une culture scolaire inclusive pour les élèves LGBT: Pistes de réflexion pour les équipes-écoles

Parler de sujets délicats en classe: Un défi nécessaire

Trousse de discussion destinée au développement professionnel du personnel scolaire de la maternelle à la 12e année : Guides d’autoréflexion et de discussion de groupe pour créer un milieu de travail sain à l’école

FINANCES

ALLER DE L’AVANT : LA THÉORIE DU CHANGEMENT DU RÉSEAU ÉDCAN

Entre avril et juillet 2020, un groupe de travail composé de membres du conseil consultatif, de directeurs et d’employés du Réseau ÉdCan a participé au processus de planification accompagnée d’Innoweave, dans le but d’exprimer clairement certains aspects fondamentaux de l’organisme, comme des énoncés de l’impact voulu, une théorie du changement et les priorités de la planification stratégique. Le tableau ci-dessous donne un aperçu de notre stratégie :

Impact voulu

D’ici 2025, le Réseau ÉdCan aura collaboré avec tous les ministères de l’Éducation et d’autres organismes œuvrant pour l’éducation dans le but de renforcer la capacité des éducateurs à examiner les opportunités et les défis systémiques émergents de l’éducation publique et à y donner suite. L’organisme aura l’impact suivant dans l’intérêt de ses membres :

Au bout du compte, ce travail rehaussera le bien-être de chacun des élèves et les possibilités d’apprentissage significatif à leur disposition, pour les aider à découvrir leur but et leur chemin dans la vie.

LE RÉSEAU ÉDCAN VOUS REMERCIE

C’est grâce à notre réseau de membres, de commanditaires et de partenaires (dont les noms figurent ci-dessous) que nous pouvons offrir des programmes de recherche, du perfectionnement professionnel et des publications, car ce sont eux qui investissent temps, compétences et ressources pour produire du travail de grande qualité à l’intention des éducateurs canadiens.

REMERCIEMENTS

Du 1er AVRIL 2019 AU 31 MARS 2020

CONSEIL D’ADMINISTRATION DU RÉSEAU ÉDCAN

ADMINISTRATEURS

Présidente : Denise Andre

Vice-président : Yves Saint-Maurice

Trésorière : Anne MacPhee

Président sortant : Darren Googoo

PDG et secrétaire : Max Cooke

MEMBRES DU CONSEIL CONSULTATIF DE 2019-2020

COLOMBIE-BRITANNIQUE

M. Steve Cardwell, Ph. D., vice-recteur adjoint à l’enseignement, Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU)

Kevin Kaardal, directeur général/PDG, Central Okanagan Public Schools (District scolaire no 23)

Chris Kennedy*, directeur général/PDG, West Vancouver School District No.45 (jusqu’en septembre 2019)  

Claire Guy, directrice générale, British Columbia School Superintendents Association (BCSSA)

Doug Shepperd, directeur général, Delta School District No. 37

Bryan Tisdall, directeur général, Terry Fox Centre

Dianne Turner, conseillère spéciale, BC Ministry of Education (jusqu’en septembre 2019)

ALBERTA

Mme Sharon Friesen, Ph. D., professeure, Werklund School of Education, Université de Calgary

Mme Michele Jacobsen*, Ph. D., professeure, Werklund School of Education, et boursière en enseignement, Université de Calgary

Sana Javed, Manager, gestionnaire, Canadian Western Bank

Mme Heather Kanuka, Ph. D., professeure en études des politiques éducatives, Université de l’Alberta

SASKATCHEWAN

Dean Shareski*, éducateur, auteur et consultant

MANITOBA

Nikhil Kumar, directeur, Great-West Lifeco

Christian Michalik, directeur général, Louis Riel School Division

Donna Miller Fry, directrice générale, Pine Creek School Division

ONTARIO

Rob Adley*, directeur, WW Sales & HPE Global Account Management, AMD

Denise Andre*, directrice de l’éducation, Ottawa Catholic School Board (retraitée) / directrice générale, Eastern Ontario Staff Development Network

Janice Ciavaglia, directrice de l’éducation, Assembly of First Nations

Eugénie Congi, Surintendante de l’Éducation, Conseil des écoles catholiques centre-est (CECCE)

Amy Coupal, chef de la direction, Ontario Caregiver Organization

Shannon Fuller, sous-ministre adjointe, Division des politiques et de la planification stratégique, ministère de l’Éducation de l’Ontario

Charlie Guy, consultant en leadership, CHRE

Cassandra Hallett DaSilva, secrétaire générale, Fédération canadienne des enseignantes et des enseignants

Anne MacPhee*, directrice des finances et des opérations, Canadian Mental Health Association, National

Stuart Miller, directeur de l’éducation, Halton District School Board

Valérie Morand, directrice générale, Fédération nationale des conseils scolaires francophones

Arlene Morell, vice-présidente, The Canadian Home and School Federation (depuis septembre 2019)

Eric Roher, associé, Borden Ladner Gervais (BLG) (depuis juin 2019)

Bernard Roy, consultant en éducation

Mary Lynne Stewart, directrice nationale de la philanthropie, La Marche des dix sous du Canada

QUÉBEC

David Allnutt, consultant

Rob Buttars, directeur général, New Frontiers School Board

Steven Colpitts, sous-ministre adjoint des services aux anglophones, aux autochtones et à la diversité culturelle, ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur du Québec

Normand Lessard, directeur général, Centre de services scolaires de la Beauce-Etchemin

Yves St. Maurice*, chargé de cours

NOUVEAU-BRUNSWICK

Lyne-Chantal Boudreau,  professeure, Université de Moncton

George Daley, sous-ministre, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (depuis novembre 2019)

Marcel Lavoie, sous-ministre, ministère de l’Éducation et du Développement de la petite enfance (depuis novembre 2019)

John McLaughlin, sous-ministre, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (jusqu’en novembre 2019)

Gérald Richard, sous-ministre, ministère de l’Éducation et du Développement de la petite enfance (jusqu’en novembre 2019)

NOUVELLE-ÉCOSSE

Darren Googoo*, directeur de l’éducation, Membertou First Nation

Peter McCreath*, président exécutif et directeur général, PLMC (jusqu’en septembre 2019)

Cathy Montreuil, sous-ministre, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development

Nancy Pynch-Worthylake, directrice générale, Association canadienne des conseils scolaires (ACSB)

TERRE-NEUVE-ET-LABRADOR

Darrin Pike, agent administratif des programmes et des services, Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association

Anthony Stack, PDG et directeur de l’éducation, Newfoundland & Labrador English School District

TERRITOIRES DU NORD-OUEST

M. Curtis Brown, Ph. D., directeur général, South Slave Divisional Education Council

*Conseil d’administration

PERSONNEL

Max Cooke, directeur général

Bineta Diallo, coordinatrice des évènements spéciaux (depuis février 2020)

Sophie H.-Bienvenue, coordonnatrice du marketing numérique (jusqu’en mars 2020)

Albert Ko, coordonnateur du développement (jusqu’en décembre 2019)

André Rebeiz, responsable de la recherche

Sarah Ranby, analyste de la recherche

Mia San José, responsable des opérations

Leche Whiteman, coordonnatrice des médias sociaux et du marketing (stagiaire) (jusqu’en septembre 2019)

Karl Wieler, directeur du développement (jusqu’en avril 2020)

CONSULTANTSHolly Bennett, réviseure des textes anglais, revue Education Canada

Jocelyn Bentley, vidéaste

Jean-Claude Bergeron, réviseur des textes français, revue Éducation Canada (numéro de mai 2019)

Annie Côté, réviseure des textes français, revue Éducation Canada (numéros de décembre 2019 et de mars 2020)

Dave Donald, directeur artistique, revue Éducation Canada

Daniel Escate, graphiste

Stephen Hurley, producteur de podcasts

Beth Kukkonen, directrice des ventes publicitaires, revue Éducation Canada

Stephane Lachance, montage média

Gilles Latour, consultant

Brent Logan, graphiste

Yolande Nantel, réviseure des textes français, revue Éducation Canada (numéro de septembre 2019)

Diana Pham, illustratrice, revue Éducation Canada (numéro de décembre 2019)

Johanne Raynault, traductrice

Michelle Richardson, comptable

Stéphanie Rivet, graphiste

Edith Skewes-Cox, traductrice

APPUI FINANCIER ET EN NATURE

Bienfaiteurs

Ministère de l’Éducation, de l’Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche – Québec

Ministère de l’Éducation et du Développement de la petite enfance du Nouveau-Brunswick

Ministère de l’Éducation et du Développement de la petite enfance de la Nouvelle-Écosse

Ministère de l’Éducation de l’Ontario

Appui aux programmes

Association canadienne des conseils scolaires

Fondation Desjardins

Fondation McConnell

Les implications en matière financière, juridique et de résultats scolaires d’un investissement dans le bien-être du personnel d’écoles primaires et secondaires (évènement)

Borden Ladner Gervais s.r.l (BLG)

Fondation McConnell

Appui individuel

Jelena Anikina

Chantal BeaulieuRon Canuel

Max Cooke

Jacques Cool

Jan Courtin

Andrew Currie

Adrian Di Rocco

Sharon Friesen

Charlie Guy

William Guy

Michele Jacobsen

Vani Jain

Astrid Kendrick

Albert Ko

Gilles Latour

Anne MacPhee

Colin Madden

Nicole Mailman

Jean Martin

Beverley Murray

André Rebeiz

Bernard Roy

Mia San José

Jason Shim

Christos Sourligas

Logendra Thayalan

Karl Wieler and Melissa Di Rocco

Jinli Yang

Anonymous (5)

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG)

COMITÉ DE SÉLECTION DES PRIX PAT-CLIFFORD ET WHITWORTH

Mme Heather Kanuka, Ph. D., (présidente)

Mme Sharon Friesen, Ph. D.

Mme Michele Jacobsen, Ph. D.

M. Leyton Schnellert, Ph. D.

M. Jay Wilson, Ph. D.

COMITÉ DE RÉDACTION DE LA REVUE ÉDUCATION CANADA

Marius Bourgeoys, cofondateur d’escouadeÉDU, conférencier, coach et consultant

Zoe Branigan-Pipe, enseignante, Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board

M.Curtis Brown, Ph. D., directeur général, South Slave Divisional Education Council

Steve Cardwell, vice-recteur adjoint à l’enseignement, Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU)

M. Alec Couros, Ph. D., professeur des technologies de l’information et de la communication; coordonnateur des TIC, Université de Regina

Nathalie Couzon, technopédagogue, Collège Letendre

Grant Frost, président (Halifax County Local), Nova Scotia Teachers’ Union

Roberto Gauvin, spécialiste de l’éducation et entrepreneur scolaire, CyberNB

François Guité, consultant au ministère de l’Éducation, de l’Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche (MEESR) du Québec

Mme Michelle Hogue, Ph. D., professeure agrégée et coordonnatrice, First Nations’ Transition Program, Université de Lethbridge

Stephen Hurley, consultant en éducation; fondateur de VoicEd Radio

M. Thierry Karsenti, Ph. D., professeur, Titulaire de la Chaire de recherche du Canada sur le numérique en éducation, Université de Montréal

Normand Lessard, directeur général, Centre de services scolaire de la Beauce-Etchemin

Jennifer Lewington, journaliste indépendante en éducation  

Corinne Payne, présidente, Fédération des comités de parents de Québec (FCPQ)

David Price, associé principal, groupe de l’innovation, Leeds, Royaume-Uni

Cynthia Richards, présidente, Canadian Home and School Federation

Sébastien Stasse,  directeur formation et recherche au CADRE21

M. Louis Volante, Ph. D., professeur, Université Brock, et professeur honoraire à l’UNU-MERIT (jusqu’en janvier 2020)

Chris Wejr, directeur, Langley School District

M. Joel Westheimer, Ph. D., titulaire de la Chaire de recherche universitaire en sociologie de l’éducation, Université d’Ottawa

Andrew Woodall,  doyen des étudiants, Université Concordia

Mme Christine Younghusband, Ph. D., professeure adjointe, Université Northern British Columbia School of Education (depuis janvier 2020)

COVID-19: Supporting Teachers in Times of Change

COVID-19 is here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future. Researchers from the  University of Winnipeg surveyed over 1,600 teachers across the country to explore which conditions, in terms of resources and job demands, allow teachers to remain resilient when teaching during times of disruption and change such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Note: These findings are part of a survey series on supporting teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Survey responses were first collected in April/May 2020, when teachers had just begun to teach remotely. The survey was administered a second time in mid-June 2020. It will be administered once more in September 2020, when students (in most provinces) are physically back in school practicing safety protocols related to COVID-19. Stay tuned for updates on this survey series.

WHAT WAS FOUND IN A NUTSHELL

  • On a scale of 1-to-10 (1 being not at all stressed and 10 being extremely stressed), 76% of teachers on average reported their level of job-related stress as being over 6 consistently in both April and June.
  • Teachers at both time points reported that the level of stress they were perceiving exceeded their coping ability—by 10% in April/May and by 6% in June.

While we would expect the pandemic and the changes it causes to provoke stress, what’s most concerning is that teachers reported high stress for such a long duration, a situation that commonly leads to burnout. This suggests that teachers require a decrease in demands, an increase in resources, or both, to ensure they can remain resilient and be their best self at work.

Teachers’ biggest concerns were:

  • Student well-being and inequities in access to learning;
  • Decreased self-efficacy – the belief in their ability to positively impact student performance; and
  • The excessive number of websites, learning resources, platforms, and other teaching and learning supports that have been released during the pandemic, which were viewed as increased demands rather than helpful resources.

CTV News Report: Some Winnipeg researchers are trying to find out how teachers are coping with stress (May 4, 2020)

Demographics

Two surveys were conducted between April and June 2020, which generated participation from over 1,600 teachers representing every province and one territory in Canada. Follow-up interviews were conducted with a sub-sample of the survey participants.

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Teachers reported significantly higher levels of exhaustion by June

The first two stages of burnout include exhaustion (stage 1) and cynicism (stage 2), both of which increased further along in the pandemic by June 2020.

So what explains teachers’ increased levels of burnout?

According to teachers, concern for students’ well-being was one of the most stressful aspects of their job.

Under regular circumstances, teachers use daily contact with students to form relationships and ensure that they have adequate food, support, and safety. In contrast, remote learning has elevated teachers’ worries about student well-being, as they are not able to interact in-person with students each day, leading them to feel less confident in knowing that their students are okay.

“My biggest stress right now is just not knowing all the well-being of the students…. There are a lot of times that I just don’t know what a student is doing or if they’re alright. We all connect with different students, and there are some that I’ve really been like thinking about– are they alright? Is everything good at home? I’d normally check-in with them, but now it’s another process.”

Teachers saw amplified inequities in access to learning, which went beyond the obvious digital divide.

Although teachers provided learning materials in multiple ways in addition to online supports, even students with internet access and devices were not all equally supported. Some students require extra supports because they have special educational needs or parents who don’t know the language of instruction. Additionally, some students have no one to help them because their parents are either working, busy with child care, or away.

“I would love just more, if other families that don’t have access, to have access to devices and some other resources so that they could have richer learning at home, a way to get that to them. We’re already doing it a little bit, but I think it could be better.”

Loss of accomplishment is the third and final stage of burnout. While teachers reported higher levels of exhaustion and cynicism by June, their sense of accomplishment also increased significantly about teaching online. It was found that an increased sense of accomplishment is associated with lower levels of burnout.

Teachers who received support from administrators were better able to manage student behaviour

Teachers are continuing to perceive significant support from their principals, and have increased their efficacy (i.e. belief in their ability) for managing behaviour while teaching online.

So what contributes to teachers feeling confident in their ability to effectively manage behaviour?

Perceived level of support is an important factor for teachers’ resiliency

Many teachers described experiencing an initial period of uncertainty and lower confidence in their ability to do things (e.g. solve problems, complete tasks). Teachers who perceived scrutiny from parents and administrators during this time had stated having more difficulty coping.

“I found I was almost getting depressed and felt completely helpless basically–the sense of helplessness and inability to help the kids like I typically would.”

Teachers who perceived support from colleagues, practiced self-discipline in setting limits on time and space, and who practiced self-understanding were more successful in coping and more confident in their ability to complete tasks.

“You’re doing the best you can: don’t beat yourself up, right? You know you have to take care of yourself. Some days I put down my head, and I am working straight through and it comes easy, and it’s great. Some days it’s hard to focus, and it’s a struggle. On those days you just have to remember that it’s an unnatural situation, and you do the best you can, and it’s not something that you should beat yourself up for.”

Many teachers discussed that without being physically present to consistently observe and monitor students’ off-task behaviour, that it was important for learning activities to capture students’ attention and focus. Teachers found it beneficial to collaborate with their colleagues in developing theme-based, cross-curricular inquiry within their lesson planning, which led to more engaged students while strengthening professional learning communities

“And I think being sure to reach out to colleagues, and get in touch and even if it’s not officially school business, just to chat. And we all follow each other on Instagram so we can say “Oh, that was such a great video you posted today of such-and-such kid” and just making sure, because we are a small school of pretty tight-knit staff… I think it’s been important to kind of make up a version of that through video calls and texting where we’re still checking in with each other and keeping in the loop with each other’s classrooms and celebrating successes.”

Teachers are continuing to provide high quality education despite feeling uncertain during this time

While teachers reported significantly more negative thoughts and feelings toward changes that have resulted from the pandemic, their own behaviour (i.e. teaching practice) hasn’t shifted significantly. This means that teachers are continuing to provide high quality teaching despite not feeling positive about the rate and pace of change imposed by the pandemic.

  • Teacher stress and student stress are two sides of the same coin. Stress often operates in a domino effect, where high teacher stress generally leads to higher student stress including poor wellbeing and achievement. When we support teachers, we support students.
  • When providing teachers with teaching and learning resources, less is more. While many organizations have published a plethora of resources to support education during the pandemic, this overload of information can be overwhelming and actually cause increased teacher stress and burnout. Offering a curated list of resources that teachers can select from to support them in their teaching would help to minimize the stress associated with feeling the need to use each and every resource that is available.
  • Include teachers in planning and decision-making. Supporting teachers, listening to their perspectives, and including them meaningfully in planning activities will ensure they remain resilient and empowered to provide students with the best education possible (both remotely and in-person) during the pandemic.
  • Promote teacher collaboration. Ensuring opportunities for teachers to collaborate increases collegial support and helps them develop creative and effective ways to engage students.
  • Administrative support is an important factor in teacher wellbeing. Support from administration has a strong impact on teachers’ ability to cope when faced with challenging – and even unprecedented – situations. Administrators can play a big role in building resilient teams who perform well when faced with adversity while becoming stronger in the process. Resilient teams are supportive, feel a clear sense of purpose, and adapt to change.

Stay tuned for the results of the next survey to learn more about how teachers are coping in September with schools across the country reopening.

For further reading check out this recently published journal article by the researchers here:

Supporting Teachers in Times of Change: The Job Demands- Resources Model and Teacher Burnout During the COVID-19 Pandemic

To learn more about the Well at Work initiative visit:

www.edcan.ca/well-at-work

Meet the Researchers

Dr. Laura Sokal

Laura Sokal is Professor of Education at the University of Winnipeg in central Canada. Aside from working in schools in five countries, she has served as a Child Life Therapist, as Director of programs for marginalized children and youth, and as Associate Dean of Education. Her SSHRC-funded research program includes investigations of the psycho-social aspects of teaching and learning from preschool to university, with a special focus on inclusion and well-being.

Dr. Lesley Eblie Trudel

Dr. Lesley Trudel has been successfully involved in K-12 education for over thirty years. She has held positions ranging from instructional to administrative, working with diverse populations in both urban and rural settings. Lesley was most recently an Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Manitoba, Canada. In January 2019, she joined the Faculty of Education at the University of Winnipeg as an Assistant Professor. Lesley is a collaborative and interdisciplinary researcher, with a keen interest in organizational learning and systemic change.

Jeff Babb

Jeff is an Associate Professor with the Department of Mathematics & Statistics at the University of Winnipeg.  He joined the Department in September of 2000 and served as its Chair for 2004-2009. Jeff was Principal Consultant for the Statistical Advisory Service the Department of Statistics at the University of Manitoba for 1998-2000. Previously he served as the Biometrician for the Grain Research Laboratory of the Canadian Grain Commission in Winnipeg for 16 years.

Meet the Knowledge Mobilization team at Well at Work

Sarah Ranby, Research Analyst

Sarah leads the planning, communications, coordination, and conducting of research and knowledge mobilization outputs for EdCan. She earned her Master of Science Degree in Family Relations and Human Development and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology from the University of Guelph. Sarah’s research interests broadly include knowledge mobilization, and program evaluation, in particular, analyzing school-based supports that promote positive mental health.

André Rebeiz, Research Manager

André is Project Lead for EdCan’s Well at Work initiative, which supports school districts and provinces to make teacher and staff well-being a top policy and investment priority. He is is a graduate of Sciences Po Paris (Institut d’études politiques de Paris) holding a Master’s degree in International Public Management from the Paris School of International Affairs and a Bachelor’s degree in the Social Sciences.

La réconciliation en action :

Une étude de cas concernant l’Academy of Indigenous Studies.

Par André Rebeiz du Réseau ÉdCan

L’Academy of Indigenous Studies (Académie d’études autochtones) et d’autres initiatives menées par la commission scolaire de cette école ont contribué à faire augmenter le taux de diplomation de leurs élèves autochtones du secondaire de 66 % en 2012-2013 à 77 % en 2016-2017.

Fonctionnant comme une « communauté d’apprentissage », ce programme est offert à l’école secondaire Mount Boucherie, membre du réseau des écoles publiques de Central Okanagan, à Kelowna (Colombie-Britannique). Les élèves autochtones et non autochtones peuvent suivent ce programme d’études secondaires de 20 crédits comprenant des cours, développés selon les perspectives autochtones, d’histoire, de littérature, de leadership, de culture, d’arts et de langue okanagane. La matière des cours est enseignée selon une optique autochtone canadienne de manière à intégrer certaines visions du monde, des paradigmes et des perspectives autochtones, ainsi que selon l’optique et les protocoles des collectivités locales des Premières Nations de l’Okanagan.

La vision du programme, comme celle des politiques éducatives autochtones du district, émerge de la collaboration entre le Conseil autochtone de l’enseignement (CAE) et les Premières Nations locales, ainsi que du truchement d’ententes sur l’amélioration de l’éducation des Autochtones (EAs). Ces dernières sont renouvelables et généralement établies sur une période de cinq ans. Cela contribue à favoriser une relation de collaboration dans laquelle les communautés autochtones disposent d’une plus grande autonomie dans la prise de mesures susceptibles d’améliorer au mieux les résultats de leurs élèves. Le CAE est un comité de représentants* des collectivités et des districts mis sur pied dans le but de rédiger, de mettre en œuvre et d’évaluer cette entente.

(en anglais seulement)

La culture est médecine

Confronter les préjugés liés aux Premières Nations.

Facteurs de décrochage des élèves autochtones à l’école secondaire Mount Boucherie

Les cohortes, passées et présentes, ont habituellement un faible taux de fréquentation et de réussite, et font face à des défis variés, notamment la négligence, la toxicomanie, la violence, l’aliénation vis-à-vis de la langue et de la culture, les préjugés défavorables, ainsi qu’une multitude de traumatismes intergénérationnels résultant des abus subis par les membres de la famille qui ont été placés dans les pensionnats autochtones.

De quoi s’agit-il et comment fonctionne-t-elle?

Cette « communauté d’apprentissage » se transformerait en un réseau à quatre niveaux, dont la cohorte étudiante et placée au centre, entourée des enseignements culturels et des valeurs fournies dans le cadre des cours. Les élèves sont ensuite soutenus par leurs professeurs, les conseillers autochtones et les tuteurs autochtones, qui évoluent dans un cadre élaboré par l’ensemble de la communauté connu sous le nom de Conseil autochtone de l’enseignement.

Les six éléments clés de l’Academy of Indigenous Studies

1. Cohorte étudiante

Dès la première année du secondaire, les élèves peuvent suivre un certain nombre de cours à l’Académie ou un programme d’études complet de 20 crédits menant à un diplôme spécialisé. Les élèves qui optent pour le programme d’études complet ont non seulement l’avantage d’apprendre les cultures des Premières Nations tout au long de leur secondaire, mais également l’opportunité de faire partie d’une cohorte qui évolue ensemble et qui se soutient mutuellement pendant toute la durée de leur parcours scolaire jusqu’à leur diplomation.

2. Cours axés sur les autochtones

Des cours multidisciplinaires axés sur les Premières Nations permettent aux élèves autochtones et non autochtones de choisir les matières qui les intéressent tout en formant des liens avec les autres cultures autochtones locales et canadiennes. Ces cours sont basés sur ceux offerts par le ministère de l’Éducation de la Colombie-Britannique. L’histoire et l’héritage des pensionnats autochtones sont également abordés dans plusieurs matières, par exemple par le biais de la littérature dans le cours English First Peoples (cours d’anglais selon une perspective autochtone) ou de documentaires dans le cours d’études autochtones contemporaines, ainsi qu’au travers d’anecdotes personnelles sur le sujet échangées dans le cadre du cours de création littéraire R’Native Voice.

(en anglais seulement)

S’attaquer au décrochage scolaire : encourager la réconciliation

Pourquoi devrions-nous enseigner et célébrer les cultures et savoirs autochtones dans nos écoles.

3. Enseignants

Un enseignant d’ascendance autochtone a été recruté pour diriger et animer le programme. Cette personne joue un rôle crucial en intéressant la collectivité au programme et en veillant à l’authenticité des enseignements culturels en tenant, autant que possible, des cours au grand air et sur le terrain, conformément aux valeurs d’apprentissage pratique et expérientiel qui sont à la base des paradigmes autochtones. Cet enseignant est également chef de département, et représente l’Académie aux réunions du Département à l’échelle de l’école. Dans les cas où il n’est pas possible de recruter un enseignant autochtone pour diriger certains programmes, comme c’est le cas pour le studio d’art des Premières Nations, des enseignants non autochtones travaillent en étroite collaboration avec le chef du département de l’Académie pour s’assurer que les protocoles okanagans locaux sont respectés.

4. Conseillers autochtones

Il s’agit de personnel de soutien, généralement d’ascendance autochtone, qui sert de pont entre les élèves autochtones et leur famille d’une part, et le système scolaire d’autre part. Ces personnes apportent un soutien supplémentaire aux enseignants de l’Académie en veillant au respect des protocoles, en fixant des objectifs d’apprentissage, en intégrant du contenu autochtone dans les enseignements en classe, et en invitant des membres de la communauté à transmettre leurs connaissances aux élèves. Les conseillers sont également des mentors que les élèves peuvent aborder à tout moment pour parler de leurs difficultés scolaires, familiales ou personnelles.

5. Tuteurs autochtones

En plus des cours à unités offerts par l’Académie, les élèves peuvent recevoir des crédits pour s’être inscrits à des séances de tutorat auprès de l’équipe de tutorat autochtone. Ces tuteurs, souvent d’ascendance autochtone, possèdent les connaissances culturelles nécessaires pour aider les élèves à faire leurs devoirs et leurs projets en lien avec les cours suivis à l’Académie.

6. Conseil autochtone de l’enseignement (CAE)

Le CAE du district est l’organisme qui définit la vision de l’Académie, ainsi que tous les autres programmes liés à l’enseignement autochtone dans l’ensemble du district. Il s’agit d’un partenariat formel entre les Premières Nations de l’Okanagan et des intervenants autochtones d’autres Nations et du district scolaire pour « représenter les intérêts des Autochtones dans la conception, la mise en œuvre et l’évaluation des programmes et des services qui permettront d’améliorer l’expérience et la réussite scolaires des élèves autochtones ». Les principaux objectifs du CAE sont les suivants :

Enseignements tirés de la création d’une communauté d’apprentissage axée sur les autochtones

Prendre le temps d’établir la confiance

Les discussions au sein du Conseil autochtone de l’enseignement du district étaient parfois difficiles, après des années de promesses rompues qui avaient alimenté le sentiment de méfiance des collectivités de l’Okanagan envers le système scolaire. Les dirigeants du district du Centre de l’Okanagan parlent souvent de la nécessité de « ralentir pour accélérer », c’est-à-dire prendre le temps d’établir des relations fondées sur la confiance avec les collectivités des Premières Nations, consulter, évaluer ce qui fonctionne et prioriser les initiatives de façon stratégique dans les domaines où l’impact sera le plus grand.

(en anglais seulement)

Réconcilier les promesses brisées

Conseils sur comment développer des relations solides nos communautés autochtones.

Consulter les collectivités

La commission scolaire a également appris qu’un partenariat solide qui vise à améliorer la réussite des élèves autochtones est celui qui permet aux collectivités des Premières Nations de s’autodéterminer et de décider ce qui leur convient le mieux : une approche qui tient pour acquis que les collectivités des Premières Nations possèdent les réponses, et demandent simplement au système scolaire de collaborer avec elles à mettre en œuvre leur vision. Ce processus de consultation nous a donné l’Academy of Indigenous Studies, qui n’est qu’une initiative parmi une myriade de mesures prises pour apporter un changement à l’échelle du système.

Dans le cadre d’activités culturels et historiques, les étudiants de l’Académie visite le musée de la Première Nation de Westbank. 
Dans le cadre d’activités culturels et historiques, les étudiants de l’Académie visite le musée de la Première Nation de Westbank. 

* Dans ce document, le masculin est employé comme genre neutre.

2016-2017 Ken Spencer Communications Report

We are pleased to present you with the communications results and outputs from the 2016-2017 Ken Spencer Award for Innovation in Teaching and Learning. This report includes promotional content of the winners, media and social media mentions, as well as website metrics for your review.

The sense of prestige that this award garners among selected programs continues to increase exponentially in large part thanks to the communications activities that support the promotion and recognition of these innovative programs. New this year was the production of two Education Canada Magazine articles with accompanying promotional videos of the first and second place winners, which greatly enhanced our ability to share good practice and showcase the courageous changemakers (and their students) who are driving these ambitious programs that challenge the status quo.

We look forward to sharing with you continued communications success during the 2017-2018 (the ninth anniversary year of this prestigious award), which continues to position itself as ahead of the curve in identifying the most innovative programs emerging in our classrooms and schools across the country. Thank you for your continued generous support to implement this important award in Canadian public education.  

Education Canada Magazine

Articles featured in our most recent issues

This is not a simulation

The Aspen Heights MicroSociety

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Read the article

Crossing Borders

Waterloo Collegiate’s performance tour group breaks down barriers between Canadian-born and newcomer students

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Read the article

EdCan Network Videos

Aspen heights Microsociety

MicroSociety is a thriving real-world entrepreneurial community marketplace created and managed by K-5 students and facilitated by teachers and community mentors.

Crossing Borders

Waterloo Collegiate’s award-winning Crossing Borders newcomer integration program.

Ken Spencer Award in the Media

Media Mentions

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Aspen Heights MicroSociety

Crossing Borders

Caledonia Tech and Innovation Program

and

The Riverview Essentials and Extension Assessment Model

The Flexible Studies Program  

École Victoria-Albert School Makerspace

Surrey Academy of innovation Learning

Previous Winner – Cochrane Healing Arts Time (CHAT)A safe place for students to refocus on learning

About the Ken Spencer Award

Website Content Analytics

Year-over-year Ken Spencer Award Web Page Traffic Comparison

Our web analytics demonstrate the following positive traffic growth indicators:

Significant year-over-year traffic increases illustrated in Table 1 were driven by both the announcement of the award winners in the spring of 2017 and the call for applications period in the fall of 2017.

Table 2 illustrates that most visitors discovered the Ken Spencer Award by seeking more information via search engines (organic traffic). This is an indication that our promotional strategy was effective. Promotional campaigns implemented on our social media channels (referral) and through our monthly e-newsletter (email) during the Sept-Nov 2017 award application period also garnered positive year-over-year web traffic increases.

Table 3 illustrates that Ken Spencer Award promotional campaigns increased the number of new visitors to our website and increased the length of time that they stayed on the page. This year-over-year increase in new visitors indicates promotional campaign success whereas the increase in returning visitors indicates an improvement in the level of interest among potential award applicants.

Overall, we conclude that our promotional and traffic development efforts were successful and we will continue to strategize improvements this year to raise more awareness about this award.

Examples of Social Media Mentions

Ken Spencer Award Ceremonies on Social Media

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www.edcan.ca

@EdCanNet

@EdCanPub

#EdCan #KenSpencerAward #KenSpencer

2018-2019 Ken Spencer Communications Report

In the decade since the CEA/EdCan network first had the privilege to administer the Ken Spencer Award thanks to the generosity of the SpencerCreo Foundation, the impact and prestige associated with this recognition for innovative teaching and learning has grown exponentially in Canadian K-12 education.

Considered a key source of validation for courageous educators from every region of vast country who have pushed the boundaries of classroom practice despite the limitations imposed on them by the system, this award has been leveraged to solidify program funding, scale implementation and propel a generation of emerging innovation leaders to challenge the status quo.

This report details the reach achieved in 2018-2019 through the EdCan Network’s promotional strategies to further leverage this award to influence systems change.

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Website Content Analytics

Interest towards the Ken Spencer Awards

Our web analytics demonstrate the following positive traffic growth indicators:

Almost 1,000 users were interested to learn more about the Ken Spencer award following our call for applications period in fall 2018. Over 1,510 users wanted to learn more about this year’s Ken Spencer award winners. Over 2,440 page views on the Ken Spencer Award homepage indicates that our users are highly engaged.

Award Winners and Earned Media Coverage

First Place Winner:

Met Innovation Centre for Entrepreneurship (MICE)

Where students’ entrepreneurial enthusiasm leverages local expertise from A-to-Z

In the media

(Click on the arrow in image boxes below to scroll through media mentions and photos)

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Second Place Winner:

Gwich’in Land-based Education

Where culture, language, and curriculum coalesce

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Honourable Mentions:

3D Virtual and Augmented Reality Class Museum

How technology brings history to life

SPLICE Projects

Where students take charge of what and how they want to learn

The Hopedale, Nunatsiavut Virtual Reality Class

Students learn to love where they live by exploring their history, traditions and culture

In the media

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Personalization at Max Aitken Academy!

Breaking the mould of schooling to customize Grade 6 learning

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i-Think about Science

Student conversations to impact sustainable schools

In the media

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Social Media Mentions

Twitter Promotion of Ken Spencer Award

With the promotion of award call for applications, the winners and the recognition ceremonies, our engagement on Twitter indicates strong traffic from January 2-May 31 2019:

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Examples of mentions on Twitter:

www.edcan.ca

@EdCanNet

@EdCanPub

#EdCan #KenSpencerAward #KenSpencer

Jury members

Thank you to the following educators who provided their valuable time and expertise selecting this year’s winners:

Stage 1

  • Annie Côté (Chargée de projets en innovation ouverte at Living Lab en innovation ouverte)
  • Doug Peterson (Retired educator and social media influencer)

Stage 2 (Chair)

  • Chris Kennedy (Superintendent and CEO – West Vancouver School District – BC)
  • Chris Kelly (Retired education leader – BC)
  • Dean Shareski (Educator, Author and Community Manager for Discovery Education Canada – SK)
  • Donna Miller-Fry (Superintendent – Pine Creek School Division – MB)
  • Bernard Roy (Education consultant – ON)

Le bien-être à l’école : par où commencer?

Des leaders en éducation provenant de partout au Canada se sont réunis à Toronto les 5 et 6 octobre à l’occasion du symposium Bien-être des éducateurs, un mot clé de la réussite des élèves, afin de discuter de la façon de créer un climat favorable au bien-être pour tous.
Des leaders en éducation provenant de partout au Canada se sont réunis à Toronto les 5 et 6 octobre à l’occasion du symposium Bien-être des éducateurs, un mot clé de la réussite des élèves, afin de discuter de la façon de créer un climat favorable au bien-être pour tous.

Il y a bien des années, quand l’auteur métis David Bouchard était écolier, il racontait des histoires à qui voulait l’entendre. « J’ai toujours été conteur, mais quand j’allais à l’école, personne – ni enseignant ni camarade de classe – ne m’a jamais dit que mes histoires étaient intéressantes », observe M. Bouchard. «  Mais à 49 ans, alors que j’étais directeur d’école à West Vancouver, j’ai démissionné parce que je ne pouvais plus supporter l’idée d’attendre encore six ans avant de donner libre cours à mes rêves, mes talents et mon bien-être, tout ça pour recevoir une pension . » L’illustre carrière de M. Bouchard, qui a publié de nombreux ouvrages dans différents genres comme la poésie et la littérature pour enfants, l’a amené à réaliser que les gens ne veulent pas tous la même chose, et qu’ils ne partagent pas non plus les mêmes idées sur ce qui constitue une vie saine et réussie. Quand il travaillait avec des adolescents inuits à Arctic Bay, au Nunavut, il leur demandait : «  Savez-vous quel est votre taux de réussite en tant qu’élève du secondaire ? Mieux encore, savez-vous quelle est votre espérance de vie ?  » Une jeune fille lui a répondu : «  Inférieure de dix ans à celle du Canadien moyen, et ma réussite ou mon échec importe peu, parce que la plupart des universités canadiennes rejetteront ma demande, et de toute façon la plupart d’entre nous abandonneront l’école longtemps avant . » Tout comme David avait réprimé son amour du récit, ces élèves évoluaient au sein d’un système scolaire n’attachant aucune valeur aux tambourinages, au chant guttural et aux contes oraux, soit des aspects de leur vie essentiels à leur sentiment d’identité et de bien-être, mais des talents qui ne leur vaudraient ni bonnes notes ni diplôme d’études secondaires. David, grâce aux contes et à ses expériences personnelles, a pu cerner ce qu’il considère comme un point clé des systèmes éducatifs actuels, soit que, pour vraiment assurer leur bien-être et leur réussite, il doive traiter les enfants comme des personnes à part entière ayant des besoins, des dons et des talents qui leur sont propres, et que les éducateurs ont besoin de temps et de soutien pour y parvenir.

« Humanisme et bien-être à l’école », par Julien Contu
« Humanisme et bien-être à l’école », par Julien Contu

Ce point de vue fait valoir le but premier du symposium national de 2017 du Réseau ÉdCan intitulé Bien-être des éducateurs, un mot clé de la réussite des élèves. Il correspond à déterminer quelle forme prennent «  le bien-être  » et «  la réussite  » pour les dirigeants scolaires, les éducateurs, les parents, les membres des milieux scolaires et les élèves partout au Canada. Mais si les éducateurs sont surchargés de travail et qu’ils manquent de ressources, comment peuvent-ils arriver à nouer des relations personnelles avec leurs élèves, découvrir les talents innés et les difficultés de ces derniers, et faire preuve d’empathie, de soutien et de compréhension ? Demander à un enseignant d’établir des relations interpersonnelles avec chacun de ses élèves, c’est demander beaucoup, surtout quand il doit dans le même temps satisfaire aux exigences du programme d’études, remplir de la paperasserie, mener des activités parascolaires et vivre sa vie en dehors de l’école.

Les conférenciers et les participants, à l’occasion de 14 séances d’information et cinq discours liminaires sur deux jours, ont répondu aux questions suivantes :

  • Qu’est-ce que le bien-être ?
  • À quoi la réussite scolaire ressemble-t-elle ?
  • Et comment les districts scolaires peuvent-ils se faire le fer de lance du changement systémique nécessaire pour répondre aux besoins individuels des apprenants ?

Balado – «  Avez-vous confiance en eux ? Ont-ils confiance en vous ?  »

«  Avez-vous confiance en eux ? Ont-ils confiance en vous ?  », une entrevue exclusive avec David Bouchard, auteur métis, à Radio VoiceEd. (Balado en anglais seulement)

I. Vers une vision pour le «  bien-être  »

« Comment peut-on se sentir bien quand on se trouve à travailler ou à étudier dans un milieu où règnent des inégalités marquées parmi les dirigeants, le personnel et les élèves ? » Patrick Case

Le sous-ministre adjoint, Secrétariat de l’équité en matière d’éducation au ministère de l’Éducation de l’Ontario, Patrick Case, a défié les participants de réfléchir au rôle des barrières systémiques dans le milieu scolaire, où les facteurs comme le statut socio-économique, la race ou le sexe font obstacle à la réussite. «  Il est difficile de parler du bien-être sans parler de l’équité  », a-t-il affirmé. «  Comment peut-on se sentir bien quand on se trouve à travailler ou à étudier dans un milieu où règnent des inégalités marquées parmi les dirigeants, le personnel et les élèves ?  » Selon M. Case, les droits de la personne n’auraient pas seulement progressé, mais également subi des affronts, des contestations judiciaires à la discrimination, pour cause de race, et jusqu’aux limitations d’emploi à l’égard des femmes. «  Dans tous ces cas, ce ne sont pas seulement les personnes touchées, mais les collectivités entières qui se mobilisaient et collectaient des fonds pour le changement social et juridique  », a ajouté M. Case. Il a souligné que même encore aujourd’hui, des collectivités entières travaillent à déterminer la façon dont les lois et déclarations sur les droits de la personne fondées sur la valeur devraient être interprétées dans différentes circonstances. D’autant plus que seulement 70 années de notre histoire se sont écoulées depuis l’adoption de la première législation en matière de droits de la personne.

Atteindre l’excellence holistique chez chaque enfant : une allocution dePatrick Case et Denise Dwyer (Ministère de l’éducation de l’Ontario)
Atteindre l’excellence holistique chez chaque enfant : une allocution dePatrick Case et Denise Dwyer (Ministère de l’éducation de l’Ontario)

Denise Dwyer, sous-ministre adjointe, Division du leadership et du milieu d’apprentissage au ministère de l’Éducation de l’Ontario, a déclaré : «  Personne ne voulait une stratégie sur le bien-être. On voulait simplement que nous nous préoccupions de toutes les facettes de l’enfant ainsi que de l’amélioration des expériences vécues par les élèves.  » Dans le contexte de la stratégie ministérielle appelée Le bien-être dans nos écoles fait la force de notre société, cela signifie répondre aux besoins cognitifs, émotionnels, sociaux et physiques des élèves. Intentionnellement vaste, la stratégie tient compte du fait que la réponse à ces besoins n’est pas «  taille unique  » et que, comme les lois et déclarations sur les droits de la personne sont par nature fondées sur la valeur, des règles d’interprétation prescrites n’assureraient pas l’équité.

«  Bien que les enseignants ne puissent pas directement éliminer les obstacles, les dysfonctions et les expériences traumatisantes, ils peuvent cependant combattre le désengagement en inculquant aux jeunes des connaissances politiques . » Ronald Gamblin

Pour les étudiants Riley Yesno et Ronald Gamblin, l’équité et le bien-être passent par l’engagement politique. Tous deux Autochtones, Riley et Ronald ont l’un comme l’autre connu des temps durs dans leur petite enfance. Pour Riley, une Anishinaabe de la Première Nation de Fort Hope, le problème était les débouchés limités pour les jeunes de la réserve, tandis que pour Ronald, un Anishinaabe-Cree vivant en milieu urbain, les difficultés tenaient à l’identité, au racisme et à l’acceptation après que sa famille ait quitté le quartier nord de Winnipeg pour s’installer dans une banlieue principalement blanche. Les deux jeunes ont grandi dans des milieux dysfonctionnels marqués par toutes sortes de désavantages socio-économiques et de mauvais traitements. Pour eux, le fondement même du bien-être a été le pouvoir d’agir et le sentiment d’appartenance que leur ont apporté l’engagement politique et l’activisme. «  Bien que les enseignants ne puissent pas directement éliminer les obstacles, les dysfonctions et les expériences traumatisantes, ils peuvent cependant combattre le désengagement en inculquant aux jeunes des connaissances politiques  », suggère Ronald. La participation de représentants autochtones aux conseils scolaires, l’information des jeunes au sujet des inégalités systémiques, et la mise en vedette d’Autochtones qui sont des modèles de comportement sont quelques façons de semer les graines de l’engagement. Comme l’engagement civique va de pair avec un sentiment d’appartenance, en donnant un but et en ouvrant une voie, il mène également au bien-être.

Viser le cœur du mieux-être : un atelier pratique de musique avec Mimi O’Bonsawin (auteure-interprète)
Viser le cœur du mieux-être : un atelier pratique de musique avec Mimi O’Bonsawin (auteure-interprète)

Pour une jeune femme de 23 ans de Sudbury, qui se dit «  Franco-Canadienne autochtone rousse aux tresses rastas  », le bien-être a beaucoup à voir avec la connaissance de soi. «  Il y a quelques années, quelqu’un m’a demandé de citer trois choses qui me caractérisent que j’aime  », confie l’auteure-compositrice-interprète Mimi O’Bonsawin. «  J’ai eu beaucoup moins de mal à trouver les choses que je n’aimais pas, et je pense que c’est une question à laquelle beaucoup de gens ont bien du mal à répondre.  » Mimi a expliqué que la composition de chansons n’est pas seulement sa passion, mais aussi la force qui la pousse à se montrer honnête avec elle-même en ce qui concerne ses sentiments, ses positions et son identité. Ses multiples facettes et talents lui permettent de raconter son histoire en chansons, ce qui lui confère un sentiment de fierté, de responsabilité et d’appartenance. «  Il se passe quelque chose quand on chante tous ensemble, quand on partage la même vibration  », remarque-t-elle. «  Si on le refaisait, le résultat serait différent, même si on chantait les mêmes notes.  » Encourager les élèves à mieux se comprendre par le biais de la musique, de l’art ou de tout autre moyen d’expression fait des miracles sur le plan de l’amour-propre et de l’acceptation de soi.

« Et si, au lieu de passer le plus clair du temps sur des choses qui donnent du fil à retordre aux élèves, nous insistions sur ce qu’ils n’ont aucun mal à faire et sur ce qui leur apporte de la joie ?  » Dean Shareski

Cette idée donne un petit coup de coude au concept de l’éducation en tant que recherche de la joie, thème sur lequel Dean Shareski, gestionnaire de communauté à Discovery Education Canada, s’est étendu. Au cours de ses 14 ans dans l’enseignement, M. Shareski a souvent entendu le mot «  rigueur  » pour désigner une composante clé de l’éducation. «  Quand je repense à l’époque révolue où je portais de grosses lunettes, je me souviens souvent de Christina, une camarade de classe qui ne souriait jamais  », a-t-il raconté. «  Aujourd’hui, je ne me demande pas si Christina a de bonnes ou de mauvaises notes, mais plutôt si elle est heureuse, et je m’interroge sur le rôle que j’ai pu jouer, en bon ou en mauvais, dans sa découverte de la joie . » M. Shareski soulève ici une question à double tranchant : d’un côté, connaître les résultats scolaires des élèves présente une certaine utilité ; de l’autre côté, selon lui l’apprentissage devrait se faire agréablement et sans peine, et c’est ce plaisir – et non la rigueur – qui est la clé de l’engagement des élèves à l’école, ainsi que sur la voie de l’éducation permanente. «  Et si, au lieu de passer le plus clair du temps sur des choses qui donnent du fil à retordre aux élèves, nous insistions sur ce qu’ils n’ont aucun mal à faire et sur ce qui leur apporte de la joie ?  » a-t-il avancé. Pour lui, la joie est l’expression du bien-être ; c’est un état que les éducateurs peuvent discerner de leurs propres yeux et oreilles, et une pierre d’assise sur laquelle ils peuvent bâtir.

Balado – «  À la recherche de la joie dans un monde complexe »

«  À la recherche de la joie dans un monde complexe », une entrevue exclusive à la Radio VoiceEd avec Dean Shareski, responsable communautaire chez Discovery Education Canada. (Balado en anglais seulement)

II. Pratiques gagnantes en matière de bien-être des enseignants et des élèves

Pourtant, dans un paysage riche en besoins d’apprentissage particuliers et en visions divergentes de ce qu’est la réussite, il peut être difficile de trouver le moyen d’intégrer une notion aussi large que le « bien-être » dans les salles de classe. À l’école Met de Winnipeg – une école secondaire alternative consacrée aux stages et à l’apprentissage par projet – les enseignants se sont vu accorder le temps, la possibilité et le soutien nécessaires pour développer des relations individuelles avec leurs élèves, au point qu’ils sont en mesure de bien connaître les difficultés et les passions de chacun d’eux. « Nous nous sommes dotés d’une politique fondée sur “un élève à la fois”, et nous sommes présents pour tous les élèves, pas seulement ceux à risque ou ceux très performants », affirme la principale de l’école, Nancy Janelle. « Notre modèle met l’accent sur le renforcement des relations et sur la confiance, ce qui nous permet de nous faire les “champions ‘de nos élèves, en plus d’être leurs enseignants. » Le fait de défendre les intérêts des élèves, de les conseiller, de les écouter et de croire en leur compétence et en leur réussite leur a permis de s’épanouir. Une diplômée nous a fait part de son expérience en ces termes :

« Pendant plus de dix ans, j’ai passé mes journées à redouter l’école. J’ai été victime d’intimidation, de harcèlement et de mauvais traitements dès l’âge de cinq ans, après qu’une fille m’ait dit qu’elle allait me tuer. Cette fille m’a menacée pendant toute ma préadolescence et m’a rendue craintive de parler aux autres. Des rumeurs se sont répandues à l’effet que j’avais entraîné un garçon dans les toilettes des filles; et c’est alors, à neuf ans, que j’ai appris le mot “salope”. C’est également à partir de ce jour-là que j’ai appris à réprimer mes sentiments. Avant même de commencer l’école secondaire, j’avais atteint mes limites et commencé à me faire du mal. Je détestais mon existence et me détestais moi-même, et ai décidé un jour que la vie ne valait pas la peine d’être vécue. J’ai a été transportée d’urgence à l’hôpital et, plus tard, on a recommandé que je change d’école. C’est grâce aux relations que j’ai établies à l’école Met que je suis parvenue où je suis aujourd’hui. J’y ai été encouragée par mes professeurs-conseillers, et pour la première fois depuis des années, j’ai pu être moi-même . »

Une table ronde animée par les élèves de l’école Met de Winnipeg, division scolaire Seven Oaks
Une table ronde animée par les élèves de l’école Met de Winnipeg, division scolaire Seven Oaks

À l’école secondaire de Cochrane en Alberta, la création d’un milieu scolaire favorable qui accorde aux professeurs le temps d’établir des liens solides avec leurs élèves s’est avérée tout aussi efficace pour encourager la participation des élèves. L’enseignante Brianne Link et la directrice Anne Kromm ont mis sur pied le programme de création artistique Cochrane Healing Arts Time (CHAT). Il s’agit d’un espace calme et accueillant offert aux élèves souffrant d’anxiété et de dépression en raison de pressions sociales et scolaires. Ceux-ci peuvent ainsi s’exprimer par le biais de diverses formes d’art, parler avec un adulte bienveillant et se retrouver parmi leurs pairs, qui deviennent en fait comme une seconde famille. « Nous avons des élèves qui réussissent au plan scolaire, qui obtiennent les meilleures notes, dans les 90 %, mais leur anxiété est si grande qu’ils marchent la tête baissée et évitent les contacts visuels », déclare Mme Link. « Ces jeunes se souviendront-ils de leurs années d’école secondaire comme d’une réussite ? Ce n’est pas tout de réussir au plan scolaire ; ils doivent également apprendre les compétences sociales nécessaires pour aller dans le monde, devenir adultes, passer une entrevue, obtenir un emploi et travailler avec d’autres personnes. » En somme, cet espace a permis aux enseignants de mieux connaître leurs élèves, tout en permettant à ces derniers de s’exprimer à travers leur art plutôt qu’en interaction nerveuse avec un adulte.

Sheldon Franken (et dans les mots de Platon) : « On peut en savoir plus sur quelqu’un en une heure de jeu qu’en une année de conversation. » Conseiller d’école primaire auprès de la Commission scolaire de Vancouver, M. Franken promeut les principes clés de l’apprentissage social et émotionnel (ASE) par le jeu : conscience de soi, conscience sociale, autogestion, compétences relationnelles et prise de décision responsable sont des qualités essentielles à l’acquisition de la résilience chez les enfants et les adultes face à l’adversité. À titre d’exemple, il expliquait comment chaque personne développe des « zones de confort » et des « zones de danger » dans sa vie. Certaines zones sont inoffensives alors que d’autres diminuent la qualité de vie. En représentant ces zones à l’aide d’un ensemble de cordes colorées – une corde jaune pour la « zone de confort », une verte pour la « zone de croissance » et un rouge pour la « zone de panique » – il invite les participants à évaluer leurs sentiments, leurs pensées et leurs comportements dans différents scénarios, puis à se déplacer vers la zone qui correspond le mieux à leurs émotions. « Les enfants qui nouent des liens solides avec leurs enseignants et leurs pairs sont plus susceptibles de prendre des risques dans leur apprentissage, et ces liens de compréhension peuvent être établis par le jeu », affirme-t-il.

Ainsi, pour Sheldon Franken (et dans les mots de Platon) : « On peut en savoir plus sur quelqu’un en une heure de jeu qu’en une année de conversation. » Conseiller d’école primaire auprès de la Commission scolaire de Vancouver, M. Franken promeut les principes clés de l’apprentissage social et émotionnel (ASE) par le jeu : conscience de soi, conscience sociale, autogestion, compétences relationnelles et prise de décision responsable sont des qualités essentielles à l’acquisition de la résilience chez les enfants et les adultes face à l’adversité. À titre d’exemple, il expliquait comment chaque personne développe des « zones de confort » et des « zones de danger » dans sa vie. Certaines zones sont inoffensives alors que d’autres diminuent la qualité de vie. En représentant ces zones à l’aide d’un ensemble de cordes colorées – une corde jaune pour la « zone de confort », une verte pour la « zone de croissance » et un rouge pour la « zone de panique » – il invite les participants à évaluer leurs sentiments, leurs pensées et leurs comportements dans différents scénarios, puis à se déplacer vers la zone qui correspond le mieux à leurs émotions. « Les enfants qui nouent des liens solides avec leurs enseignants et leurs pairs sont plus susceptibles de prendre des risques dans leur apprentissage, et ces liens de compréhension peuvent être établis par le jeu», affirme-t-il.

Bien que l’établissement de relations solides puisse être difficile compte tenu des contraintes de temps et des exigences imposées aux enseignants, et que la réforme scolaire puisse très bien être la clé de la solution, le psychologue Dr Andrew Miki et le neuroscientifique Dr Matthew Balcarras souhaitent voir les éducateurs se sentir, autant que possible, à leur meilleur maintenant. «  J’ai ouvert mon cabinet après avoir terminé mon doctorat, et j’ai rapidement commencé à recevoir un grand nombre d’enseignants en arrêt de travail pour cause de dépression et d’anxiété », raconte Dr Miki. «  J’ai appris tout d’abord que l’enseignement est une profession d’aide, que la plupart des gens deviennent enseignants pour faire une différence dans la vie des gens, ce qui peut s’avérer à la fois une bénédiction et une malédiction . » D’un côté, les enseignants portent plusieurs chapeaux : ils sont mentors, modèles, sources d’inspiration, employés, professionnels, collègues, soignants, parents, entraîneurs, maîtres de discipline, défenseurs des intérêts de leurs élèves, conseillers et diplomates. De l’autre, ils sont acteurs dans un système composé d’administrateurs, de collègues et du public, qui ne leur sont pas toujours favorables. Les participants au symposium ont partagé ce point de vue, en disant que leur stress provient en grande partie des attentes, de la difficulté à concilier travail et vie personnelle, à gérer leur temps et à travailler avec des collègues et des parents, ainsi que de la méfiance exprimée à leur égard. Le facteur de stress le plus remarquable parmi les participants était peut-être cette pensée récurrente «  Je ne suis pas un bon professeur.  »

«  Établir des liens avec les élèves est essentiel à leur réussite, mais avec les horaires chargés autant des élèves que des enseignants, nous en avons peu le temps.  » Participant

À leur tour, Sam Ozersky, Ph. D., Sagar Parikh, Ph. D., et Kathleen Qu ont demandé aux participants d’énumérer les principales causes de stress dans la profession enseignante. « Non seulement sommes-nous responsables de l’éducation de nos élèves, mais aussi de leur bien-être, de leur sécurité et, dans une certaine mesure, de la personne qu’ils deviendront un jour ? La pression est forte lorsqu’on a l’avenir d’enfants entre ses mains chaque jour  », a déclaré un enseignant. Un autre participant a évoqué le fait qu’« établir des liens avec les élèves est essentiel à leur réussite, mais avec les horaires chargés autant des élèves que des enseignants, nous en avons peu le temps.  » Les trois animateurs de l’atelier ont fait valoir que les enseignants doivent fonctionner au maximum de sa capacité s’ils veulent être en mesure de s’occuper de la santé de leurs élèves. «  Les symptômes de troubles de santé mentale ne sont peut-être pas aussi évidents que ceux d’une jambe cassée, et nous devons être sensibilisés à la façon d’aider les enseignants autant que les élèves dans ces situations  », concluent-ils.

III. Développer une culture favorisant le bien-être dans l’ensemble des commissions scolaires

Incorporer le bien-être comme exigence obligatoire dans le programme d’éducation de la maternelle à la 12 e année : une table ronde animée par Kathy Short, Ph. D., (directrice, Équipe d’appui pour la santé mentale dans les écoles), Katina Pollock, Ph.D., (directrice, Western’s Centre for Education and Leadership, Université Western) et Vani Jain (directrice de programme,Fondation J.W. McConnell)
Incorporer le bien-être comme exigence obligatoire dans le programme d’éducation de la maternelle à la 12 e année : une table ronde animée par Kathy Short, Ph. D., (directrice, Équipe d’appui pour la santé mentale dans les écoles), Katina Pollock, Ph.D., (directrice, Western’s Centre for Education and Leadership, Université Western) et Vani Jain (directrice de programme,Fondation J.W. McConnell)

Comment alors les commissions scolaires peuvent-elles développer une culture qui fait du bien-être une priorité? Vani Jain, de la Fondation de la famille J.W. McConnell, élabore actuellement une stratégie philanthropique sur la santé mentale des jeunes et des enfants. Elle a évoqué la nécessité d’une approche intégrée dans les écoles, en vertu de laquelle le bien-être s’inscrirait dans les pratiques quotidiennes. Ainsi, les éducateurs prendraient soin de leur propre bien-être et en donneraient l’exemple à leurs élèves dans la salle la classe, s’appuyant sur des pratiques fondées sur des données probantes, et recadreraient les programmes scolaires de façon à positionner le bien-être comme condition préalable à la réussite des élèves.

« Comment soutenir la santé mentale de son personnel? », par Jacques Cool et Normand Brodeur 
« Comment soutenir la santé mentale de son personnel? », par Jacques Cool et Normand Brodeur 

Kathy Short, Ph. D., qui travaille actuellement sur la stratégie provinciale de bien-être de l’Ontario, admet qu’il y a beaucoup de travail à faire, car « nos systèmes scolaires n’ont pas les moyens en place actuellement pour s’occuper de questions de bien-être. » Se doter d’une communauté de pratique où les éducateurs peuvent apprendre au contact de leurs pairs, cerner les conditions favorables à un changement systémique, combler les lacunes dans leurs connaissances sur le sujet du bien-être et de la santé mentale, tout en assurant l’équité par l’offre d’un soutien personnalisé à des populations uniques et vulnérables, constituent quelques points de départ de discussions. Cette conversation serait toutefois incomplète si le sujet du leadership scolaire n’y était pas abordé. Selon Katina Pollock, Ph. D., de l’Université Western (Ontario), les directeurs d’école et leaders scolaires aux prises avec l’épuisement professionnel de leurs enseignants ou d’autres problèmes de bien-être sont moins aptes à soutenir l’enseignement et l’apprentissage dans leurs écoles. Assurer le bien-être de tous au sein d’une école exige donc la participation d’intervenants à tous les niveaux, y compris la collaboration d’organismes communautaires et de recherche afin de faire progresser des pratiques fondées sur des données probantes.

Mettre le bien-être et la réussite des élèves et du personnel au cœur de vos priorités : Atelier organisé par Eugénie Congi (surintendante de l’Éducation, CECCE), Melissa Riley (enseignante, CECCE), Louis Barrière (gestionnaire en santé et sécurité du travail, CECCE) et Ann-Michelle McNulty (Leader en santé mentale, CECCE)

Le Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est (CECCE) représente un exemple innovant de stratégie systémique à l’appui du bien-être des enseignants et des élèves. En effet, son plan d’action 2020 visant à transformer l’apprentissage des élèves l’a amené à placer le bien-être au cœur de ses priorités. « Pour répondre aux besoins variés et complexes de nos élèves, nous devons veiller à ce que nos éducateurs soient non seulement compétents et motivés, mais aussi en bonne santé physique et mentale », a déclaré la directrice générale de l’Enseignement, Eugénie Congi. « Nous devons repenser notre talent et notre leadership, déterminer si nos politiques et pratiques ont été inclusives et favorables à l’innovation, demander aux membres de notre personnel s’ils ont obtenu suffisamment de soutien, voir si la collaboration a été pratiquée par tous et nous demander si nous avons examiné honnêtement les données disponibles afin d’améliorer nos pratiques. »

« Il peut être difficile pour un enseignant de savoir à quel moment envoyer un élève hors de la classe, ou quand tolérer certains comportements, surtout quand la motivation, l’apprentissage et la sécurité de ses camarades de classe sont en jeu. » Steve Bissonnette, Ph. D.

Pour assurer une école bienveillante : le soutien au comportement positif (SCP). Atelier organisé par by Steve Bissonnette, Ph. D., Université TÉLUQ.

Cela s’applique également au projet Soutien au comportement positif (SCP) en milieu scolaire, pour lequel il est vital d’avoir une équipe de direction soutenue par un leadership fort afin de faire l’unanimité. Par exemple, Steve Bissonnette, Ph. D., de l’Université TÉLUQ, affirme que les élèves de quartiers défavorisés placés dans des « écoles efficaces » – où tous partagent les mêmes valeurs – peuvent obtenir des notes aussi élevées, sinon plus, que les élèves des quartiers aisés. Le SCP, en un mot, est un plan d’action à l’échelle de l’école doté de valeurs bien définies et d’une vision de ce que sont des comportements acceptables ou inacceptables chez les élèves. Ce plan comprend des indicateurs de réussite ainsi que des stratégies d’intervention préventives et curatives. « Une des principales raisons qui poussent les enseignants à cesser d’enseigner est leur incapacité à gérer le comportement de leurs élèves », affirme M. Bissonnette. « Il peut être difficile pour un enseignant de savoir à quel moment envoyer un élève hors de la classe, ou quand tolérer certains comportements, surtout quand la motivation, l’apprentissage et la sécurité de ses camarades de classe sont en jeu. » Cependant, l’ensemble du personnel doit adhérer à l’idée de changer les choses, sinon un projet comme celui-ci est voué à l’échec.

 « Efficacité des écoles et leadership des directions », par Steve Bissonnette, Ph. D.
 « Efficacité des écoles et leadership des directions », par Steve Bissonnette, Ph. D.

IV. Soutenir le bien-être dans un monde branché

Bien-être, stress et Internet : stratégies d’autonomisation des élèves dans leur utilisation de la technologie, une allocution de Thierry Karsenti, Ph. D., Chaire de recherche du Canada sur les Technologies en éducation, Université de Montréal (en anglais seulement)

Au fil de ses observations en classe dans le cadre de ses recherches sur le bien-être et a technologie éducative, Thierry Karsenti, Ph. D., professeur à l’Université de Montréal, rencontre souvent des personnes qui craignent le changement. « Nous sommes en 2017 et nous ne devons plus avoir peur de la technologie. Au contraire, nous devons commencer à poser les bonnes questions, parce que, loin de disparaître, la technologie augmentera encore davantage d’année en année. » À la suite de plus de 1 500 heures d’observation en classe et d’études engageant 7 000 participants, M. Karsenti en est arrivé à la conclusion suivante : quand on fait confiance aux élèves et qu’on les informe tant des bons côtés que des aspects sombres de la technologie, les résultats d’apprentissage peuvent s’avérer très positifs. Autrement dit, c’est la façon dont l’ordinateur portable ou la tablette sont utilisés qui influence la réussite scolaire. Ainsi, on pourrait encourager la collaboration en classe et au moment des devoirs grâce au codage ; stimuler la motivation grâce à des jeux interactifs qui encouragent les élèves à « passer au niveau suivant » ; maintenir la concentration, en particulier chez les enfants atteints du trouble du déficit de l’attention ; et favoriser les compétences en pensée critique par le repérage de fausses nouvelles. Selon M. Karsenti, la crainte du changement découle en partie du manque d’information, d’où l’importance de mobiliser les pratiques fondées sur des données probantes dans des programmes de formation sur la technologie pédagogique à l’intention des enseignants.

«  Une grande partie de ce besoin d’être en ligne n’est pas alimentée par les enfants, mais par de grandes sociétés qui rendent leurs plates-formes accoutumantes afin d’y retenir les jeunes . » Valerie Steeves, Ph. D.

Valerie Steeves, Ph. D., professeure à l’Université d’Ottawa, en est venue aux mêmes conclusions sur l’importance de voir avec des yeux d’enfant la façon dont ceux-ci utilisent la technologie.  Depuis 1999, dans le cadre de son projet Jeunes Canadiens dans un monde branché, Mme Steeves étudie l’usage que font les jeunes des médias sociaux et, à cette fin, les a mis au défi de faire un «  jeûne  » de médias sociaux pendant une semaine. Une fois passé le choc initial, les élèves ont dit être plus capables de respecter les délais, d’en faire plus pendant une journée, de voir leurs amis en personne plus souvent, de lire davantage, de réfléchir profondément, de gérer leur stress et de passer plus de temps en famille. «  Une grande partie de ce besoin d’être en ligne n’est pas alimentée par les enfants, mais par de grandes sociétés qui rendent leurs plates-formes accoutumantes afin d’y retenir les jeunes  », dit-elle. Bien que les élèves aient déclaré un certain nombre d’avantages dans les médias sociaux, comme les contacts avec leurs amis et l’échange de blagues entre eux, Mme Steeves a néanmoins l’intention d’organiser des rencontres entre des enfants et des décideurs politiques afin de faire adopter des lois et des programmes susceptibles d’aider les enfants et les jeunes en ligne.

« En quoi l’utilisation des médias sociaux pourrait-elle avoir une incidence sur la santé mentale des jeunes? », feuillet d’information publié par le Réseau ÉdCan en collaboration avec l’Association canadienne des commissions/conseils scolaires (ACCCS) et LEARN Québec
« En quoi l’utilisation des médias sociaux pourrait-elle avoir une incidence sur la santé mentale des jeunes? », feuillet d’information publié par le Réseau ÉdCan en collaboration avec l’Association canadienne des commissions/conseils scolaires (ACCCS) et LEARN Québec

Passer aux étapes suivantes

« Chaque enfant possède quelque chose d’unique », a dit David Bouchard dans son allocution. « C’est notre travail, en tant qu’éducateurs, de le découvrir. » Si le fait de donner aux éducateurs et aux élèves des stratégies d’adaptation leur permet de faire face aux défis quotidiens, une approche systémique crée des conditions favorables à l’établissement de relations fondées sur la confiance entre éducateurs et élèves. Comme l’ont fréquemment souligné les conférenciers et les participants au colloque, d’étroites relations enseignants-élèves font partie intégrante de la réussite et du bien-être de ces derniers, et pourtant, les éducateurs qui veulent faire une différence font face à des contraintes provenant de tous les côtés. Une transformation graduelle de la culture scolaire, plutôt que le traitement des symptômes à l’aide de remèdes à court terme, est essentielle pour donner aux enseignants et aux écoles les moyens de soutenir les besoins des élèves au-delà des cours.

Les plus récentes initiatives du Réseau ÉdCan

Le Réseau ÉdCan continuera d’appuyer et de mettre en valeur les pratiques prometteuses qui développent proactivement le bien-être au sein de la culture de toute l’école, parce que cette question nous concerne tous. Nous vous invitons à consulter Éducation Canada, le magazine trimestriel bilingue du Réseau ÉdCan, ainsi que notre série de feuillets d’information intitulées Les Faits en éducation, pour obtenir plus d’information sur le bien-être des élèves et des enseignants.

Pour accéder aux allocutions complètes et aux biographies de nos conférenciers, visitez la page des événements du Symposium sur notre site.

À propos de l’auteur

André Rebeiz est chercheur au Réseau ÉdCan. Il est diplômé de l’Institut d’études politiques de Paris (Sciences Po Paris).

À propos du Réseau ÉdCan

Avec plus de 125 ans d’expérience en tant que principale voix pancanadienne indépendante pour l’éducation primaire et secondaire, le Réseau ÉdCan est destiné à appuyer les milliers de courageux éducateurs qui travaillent inlassablement afin d’assurer que chaque élève découvre sa place, sa voie et sa raison d’être.

Plus au sujet du bien-être des éducateurs

Découvrez plus de vidéos en anglais du symposium

En vedette dans notre magazine Éducation Canada

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Well-Being at School: What does it look like?

Education leaders from across Canada gathered in Toronto for the Educator Well-Being: A Key to Student Success symposium from October 5-6, 2017 to discuss how they can create a climate that supports well-being for all.
Education leaders from across Canada gathered in Toronto for the Educator Well-Being: A Key to Student Success symposium from October 5-6, 2017 to discuss how they can create a climate that supports well-being for all.

Decades ago, David Bouchard was a student in school who told stories to anyone who would lend an ear. “I’ve always been a storyteller at heart, but when I was in school, not one person – not a teacher nor a classmate – ever told me my stories were interesting,” said David. “It wasn’t until I was 49 and working as a high school principal in West Vancouver that I resigned from my job because I couldn’t bear the thought of putting my dreams, well-being, and gifts on hold for another six years to receive a pension.” David’s illustrious career – with numerous published works across various mediums like poetry and children’s literature – led him to realize that people don’t want the same things, nor do they have the same ideas about what it means to live a healthy, successful life. While working with Inuit high school students in Arctic Bay, Nunavut, he asked, “Do you know what your success rate is as a high school student? Better yet, do you know what your life expectancy is?” A young woman responded with, “Ten years less than the average Canadian, and it doesn’t matter if I succeed or not because most universities in Canada won’t let me in and most of us will drop out before that anyway.” Just as David suppressed his love for storytelling, these students were moving through a school system that did not value drumming, throat singing, and oral histories: aspects of their lives that connected deeply with their sense of self and well-being, and skills that wouldn’t get them good grades or a shot at graduation. David, through storytelling and personal experience, identified what he sees as a core issue in today’s education systems: that children need to be treated as whole individuals with unique needs, gifts, and talents, and that educators need time and support to achieve this – if we are to ensure their well-being and success.

“Strengthening Teacher Instructional Practices in the N.W.T.: Can redirecting instructional time improve wellness and outcomes?” by Curtis Brown and Sarah Pruys
Strengthening Teacher Instructional Practices in the N.W.T.: Can redirecting instructional time improve wellness and outcomes?” by Curtis Brown and Sarah Pruys

This perspective underscored the principle goal of the EdCan Network’s 2017 national symposium Educator Well-Being: A Key to Student Success: to identify what ‘well-being’ and ‘success’ look like to school leaders, educators, parents, school community members, and students across Canada. But if educators are over-stretched and resources are scarce, how can they build individual relationships with their students, identify their gifts and their challenges, and respond with empathy, support, and understanding? Asking a teacher to establish one-on-one relationships with each of their students is no small feat, especially when they’re expected to simultaneously meet curriculum expectations, keep-up with paperwork, lead extracurricular activities, and have a life outside of school.

Speakers and attendees – during fourteen concurrent sessions and five keynote presentations over two days – answered the following questions:

  • What is well-being?
  • What does student success look like?
  • And how can school districts lead systemic change to meet unique learner needs?

Podcast – “Do you trust them?” Do they trust you?”

Podcast – “Do you trust them? Do they trust you?” A VoiceEd interview exclusive with David Bouchard, Métis author

I. Towards a Vision for ‘Well-Being’

“How could I possibly be ‘well’ if I find myself working or learning in an environment where there are imbalances among school leadership, staff, and students?” Patrick Case

The Ontario Ministry of Education’s Assistant Deputy Minister for equity, Patrick Case, challenged attendees to consider the role of systemic barriers in schooling, where factors such as socio-economic status, race or gender are hurdles to success. “It’s difficult to talk about well-being without talking about equity,” he maintained. “How could I possibly be ‘well’ if I find myself working or learning in an environment where there are imbalances among school leadership, staff, and students?” Patrick suggested that human rights have gone through a rocky course of developments and setbacks – from legal challenges to discrimination on the grounds of race, towards employment restrictions against women. “In all of these cases,” Patrick continued, “it was not only individuals involved, but rather whole communities who were mobilizing and raising funds for social and legal change.” Patrick highlighted that even today, whole communities are engaged in an effort to make sense of how value-based human rights codes or declarations ought to be interpreted in different circumstances – pitted against the backdrop of only seventy years of human history since the first human rights legislations were enacted.

Achieving Excellence for the Whole Child: A keynote presentation by Patrick Case and Denise Dwyer (Ontario Ministry of Education)

Denise Dwyer, Assistant Deputy Minister in the Leadership and Learning Environment Division of the Ontario Ministry of Education, noted that, “Nobody really wanted a well-being strategy: they just wanted us to focus on the whole child and on enhancing the student experience.” In the Ministry’s Well-Being in Our Schools, Strength in Our Society strategy, this means meeting students’ cognitive, emotional, social and physical needs. The strategy is deliberately broad and recognizes that meeting these needs does not look the same across the board and that, because human rights declarations and codes are value-driven in nature, a prescribed interpretation would not ensure equity for all.

“While teachers cannot directly break down these barriers, dysfunctions, and traumas, they can, however, combat disengagement with political literacy.” Ronald Gamblin

For students Riley Yesno and Ronald Gamblin, the key to equity and well-being lies in political engagement. In their early childhood, both Riley and Ronald had experienced hardships as First Nations peoples – for Riley, an Anishinaabe from Fort Hope First Nation, it was an issue of limited opportunities for on-reserve youth, while for Ronald, an urban Anishinaabe-Cree, it was a question of identity, racism, and finding acceptance after he had moved from Winnipeg’s North End to the predominantly-White suburbs. Both youth had grown up in dysfunctional environments with socio-economic barriers and various types of abuse. The cornerstone to their well-being was the empowerment and sense of belonging they experienced because of their political engagement and activism. “While teachers cannot directly break down these barriers, dysfunctions, and traumas, they can, however, combat disengagement with political literacy,” they suggest. Having Indigenous student representatives on school councils, teaching young people about systemic inequities, and showcasing Indigenous role models are but a few ways to plant the roots of engagement. As civic engagement goes hand-in-hand with a sense of belonging – having a purpose and a path – it is also a route to well-being.

Performance by singer-songwriter Mimi O’Bonsawin

For a self-described “23-year-old dreadlocked, redhead, French Canadian First Nation” woman from Sudbury, Ontario, well-being is about self-understanding. “Someone asked me a few years ago to come up with three things that I loved about myself,” explains singer-songwriter Mimi O’Bonsawin. “I found it a lot easier to come up with things I didn’t like, and I feel that can be a really hard question to answer for a lot of people.” Mimi explained that songwriting is not only her passion, but also the driving force in pushing her to be honest with herself: how she feels, where she stands, and who she is. With her multiple identities, she is able to tell her story through song, bringing to her a sense of pride, ownership, and belonging. “Something happens when we all sing together, when we all share in one vibration,” she says. “If we were to do it again, it would be different, even if we were singing the exact same notes.” Encouraging students to understand themselves through music, art or some other medium works wonders for their sense and love of self.

“What if instead of spending the bulk of our time on things that kids aren’t good at, we focus on what they’re doing well and on what brings them joy?” Dean Shareski 

This idea is a slight nudge into the concept of education as the pursuit of joy, as Discovery Education Canada’s Community Manager, Dean Shareski, elaborated upon. During his 14-year teaching career, Dean had often heard the word “rigour,” to the extent of being coined as a key facet of education. “When I think back to the ‘Larry King era’ when I wore big glasses, I often remember Christina: a student in my class who never smiled,” he recalled. “Today I don’t wonder what her math scores are like, but rather whether Christina is happy, and what role I may have played in contributing to or taking away from her sense of joy.” Dean’s point is twofold: for one, there’s a certain utility in knowing how students are fairing in their studies; conversely, he contends that learning should be fun and effortless, and that this – rather than rigour – is key to engaging students in school and on a pathway to lifelong learning. “What if instead of spending the bulk of our time on things that kids aren’t good at, we focus on what they’re doing well and on what brings them joy?” he challenged. For Dean, joy is the expression of well-being, and it’s something we can see, hear, feel, and build upon as educators.

Podcast – “About Pursuing Joy in a Complex World”

Podcast – “About Pursuing Joy in a Complex World” A VoiceEd interview exclusive with Dean Shareski, Community Manager for Discovery Education Canada

II. Good Practices in Teacher and Student Well-Being

Short documentary on the Met School in Winnipeg, Seven Oaks School Division

Still, within a landscape rich in unique student learning needs and differing visions of success, it can be hard to think about how to integrate a concept as wide as ‘well-being’ into classrooms. At the Met School in Winnipeg – an alternative high school devoted to internships and project-based learning – educators are afforded time, opportunity, and support to develop individual relationships with their students, to the point that they are able to enter into the nitty-gritty of understanding students’ challenges and passions. “We have a policy of ‘one student at a time,’ and we’re here for all students, not only at-risk students or high-achievers,” says Met School principal Nancy Janelle. “Our model focuses on building relationships and trust, which allows us to be ‘advocates’ in addition to being teachers.” Advocating for students – giving direction, being an ear to listen, and believing that they are capable and can succeed – has allowed them to flourish. In one instance, a graduating student shared her experiences, saying:

“For over ten years I spent my days dreading going to school. I’ve been bullied, harassed, and abused since I was five years old, when a girl told me she would kill me. That same girl bullied me throughout middle school, and made me afraid of talking to others. Rumours had spread about me that I had brought a boy into the girls’ washroom, and it was then, at nine years old, that I learned the word ‘slut.’ I learned since then to suppress my feelings. By the time I reached high school, I had reached my limit and started hurting myself. I hated myself and my existence, and I decided that it wasn’t worth living anymore. I was rushed to emergency care and, later on down the road, was recommended to move schools. It was because of the relationships I formed at Met School that I am where I am today. I was nurtured by my teacher-advisors, and for the first time in years, I was able to be myself.”

Informational video on the Cochrane Healing Arts Time (CHAT) program in Alberta, Rocky View Schools

“A Different Kind of CHAT Room” by Brianne Link and Dr. John Burger
A Different Kind of CHAT Room” by Brianne Link and Dr. John Burger

Creating supportive school environments that afford teachers the time to develop strong bonds with their students has proven equally effective in encouraging student engagement at Cochrane High School in Alberta. Through the arts, teacher Brianne Link and school principal Anne Kromm created the Cochrane Healing Arts Time (CHAT) program: a calm and welcoming space for students experiencing anxiety and depression from social and academic pressures. It is here where they can express themselves through various art forms, speak with a caring adult, and be amongst their peers, who become more like a second family. “We have students who are academically successful, who get top marks in the 90s, but their feelings of anxiety are so severe that they have their heads down and make no eye contact,” said Brianne. “Would these kids look back at their high school experience and say that it was successful? Yes, they’re succeeding academically, but they also need to graduate with social skills to go out, become an adult, sit for an interview, get a job, and work with other people.” Effectively, this space has allowed educators to know their students better, while allowing students to speak through their art instead of through a nervous interaction with an adult.

Similarly for Sheldon Franken, and in the words of Plato, “You can learn more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” An elementary school counsellor with the Vancouver School Board, Sheldon promotes the key tenets of social and emotional learning (SEL) through play: self-awareness, social awareness, self-management, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making – all of which are essential to building resiliency in children and adults in the face of adversity. In one instance, Sheldon explained how each person develops ‘comfort zones’ and ‘danger zones’ in their lives – some of which are harmless, while others restrain quality of life. In representing these zones with a set of coloured ropes – a yellow for ‘comfort zone’, a green for ‘growth zone’, and a red for ‘panic zone ’ – attendees were called upon to evaluate how they feel, think and behave in different scenarios, and move towards the zone that best applies. “Kids who have strong relationships with their teachers and peers are more likely to take risks in their learning, and bonds of understanding can be formed through play,” said Sheldon.

While building strong relationships can be difficult given the time constraints and exigencies teachers face – and while school reform may very well be at the root of the solution – psychologist Dr. Andrew Miki and neuroscientist Dr. Matthew Balcarras want educators to be, as much as possible, at their very best right now. “I started my own practice after finishing my doctorate degree, and I quickly began receiving a lot of teachers who were off work due to depression and anxiety,” said Dr. Miki. “I’ve learned first and foremost that teaching is a helping profession, that most people become teachers to make a difference – which can be both a blessing and a curse.” In one sense, teachers wear numerous hats – they are mentors, role models, sources of inspiration, employees, professionals, colleagues, caregivers, parents, coaches, disciplinarians, advocates, counsellors, and diplomats. In another sense, they’re actors within a system of administrators, colleagues, and the public, who may or may not be supportive. Symposium attendees expressed intersection with this viewpoint, sharing that much of their stress stems from expectations, trying to achieve work-life balance, time management, working with colleagues and parents, and mistrust. Perhaps the most noteworthy stressor amongst participants was the recurring thought of “I’m not a good teacher.”

“Forming connections with students is critical to student success, yet with busy student timetables and teacher schedules, our time is limited.” Symposium attendee

In yet another instance, Dr. Sam Ozersky, Dr. Sagar Parikh, and Kathleen Qu similarly asked participants to list the greatest causes of stress in the teaching profession. “We not only have a responsibility for student learning, but also for student well-being, safety and, to a certain extent, the type of people they will one day become – it’s a lot of pressure to have the future of children in our hands every single day,” said one teacher. Another participant suggested that, “Forming connections with students is critical to student success, yet with busy student timetables and teacher schedules, our time is limited.” The three discussion facilitators underlined that teachers operating at optimum capacity is a prerequisite for their ability to care for students’ health. “Mental health issues have other conditions that may not be so obvious as a broken leg, and we need to be made more aware of how to handle these situations for teachers just as much as for students,” they concluded.

Unity Charity demonstrates how breakdancing, poetry, and self-expression in its multiple forms contribute to student well-being and retention: A special performance by Mikey Prosserman, Lakesan “Styx” Sivanthan, Joaquin “Urubeats” Manay, Faduma Mohamed and Kosi.

III. Crafting District-Wide Cultures that Support Well-Being

Embedding Well-Being as a Core Role for K-12 Education: A panel discussion by Dr. Kathy Short (Director, School Mental Health ASSIST), Dr. Katina Pollock (Director, Western’s Centre for Education and Leadership, Western University), and Vani Jain (Program Director, J.W. McConnell Foundation)

How, then, can school districts shift towards building whole cultures that support well-being as a priority? Vani Jain of the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, who is currently working on a philanthropic strategy on child and youth mental health, suggested that schools need an integrated approach where well-being is embedded into daily practices. This means educators taking care of their own well-being and modelling this to students, leveraging evidence-based practices within the classroom, and reframing curricula so that well-being is positioned as a prerequisite to student success.

  “Healthy Principals, Healthy Schools” by Dr. Katina Pollock.
  “Healthy Principals, Healthy Schools” by Dr. Katina Pollock.

Dr. Kathy Short, who is currently working on Ontario’s provincial well-being strategy, suggested that there is a lot of work to be done, as she sees that “our school systems are currently not setup to do well-being.” Having a community of practice where educators can learn from one another, identifying conditions that support systemic change, building gaps in knowledge around well-being and mental health, as well as ensuring equity by offering tailored support to unique and vulnerable populations are a few starting places for discussions to take-off. This conversation would be incomplete, however, without talking about school leadership. Principals and school leaders holstered by burnout or other well-being issues are less able to support teaching and learning in their schools, according to Dr. Katina Pollock of Western University. Ensuring school-wide well-being thus requires the participation of actors at all levels, including collaboration with community and research organizations to advance evidence-based practices.

A novel example of a system-wide strategy in support of teacher and student well-being can be seen within the Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est (CECCE), where their 2020 action plan for transforming the way students learn had, in fact, led them to centre well-being at the heart of their priorities. “In order to respond to the diverse and complex needs of our students, we need to ensure that we have educators in place who are not only competent and engaged, but also in good physical and mental health,” said Superintendent of Education Eugénie Congi. “We needed to rethink our talent and leadership, evaluate whether our policies and practices were inclusive and encouraging of innovation, ask staff whether they had enough support, see if collaboration was supported across the board, and question whether we were looking honestly at data in order to improve our practice.”

“It can be difficult for teachers to know when to send a student out of class, or when to be tolerant of certain behaviours, especially when the engagement, learning, and safety of their classmates are at stake.” Dr. Steve Bissonnette

This is true, as well, for school-wide positive behaviour support (PBS) plans, where it’s vital to have a guiding team backed by strong leadership to bring everyone on board. Dr. Steve Bissonnette of the Université TELUQ, for instance, contended that underprivileged students in ‘effective schools’ – where everyone buys into the same values – can meet the same achievement scores or even exceed that of students in better-off neighbourhoods. PBS, in a nutshell, is a school-wide action plan with defined values and visions for acceptable and unacceptable student behaviour, complete with indicators of success as well as preventive and curative strategies for intervening. “One of the greatest reasons why teachers cease to teach is because they are unable to manage student behaviour,” said Dr. Bissonnette. “It can be difficult for teachers to know when to send a student out of class, or when to be tolerant of certain behaviours, especially when the engagement, learning, and safety of their classmates are at stake.” However, staff needs to adhere to the idea of changing things, otherwise a project like this would not succeed.

IV. Supporting Well-Being in a Wired World

Well-being, stress and the Internet – Strategies to empower students in their use of technology: A keynote presentation by Dr. Thierry Karsenti, Canada Research Chair on Technologies in Education, Université de Montréal

In his classroom observations for his research on well-being and classroom technology, Dr. Thierry Karsenti of the Université de Montréal would often encounter people who were fearful of change. “It’s 2017 and we no longer need to be scared of technology; rather, we must start asking the right questions because it isn’t going away, and there will be more with each coming year.” In over 1,500 hours of classroom observation and studies surpassing 7,000 participants, Dr. Karsenti had arrived at the following conclusion: that when you trust students and guide them on both the positive and dark sides of technology, the results on learning can be very optimistic. In other words, it is the way in which the laptop or tablet is used that will influence school success. This encapsulates, for instance, supporting classroom and homework collaboration through coding, boosting motivation through interactive games that encourage students to “get to the next level,” maintaining concentration especially among children with attention deficit disorders, and fostering critical thinking skills in identifying fake news. For Dr. Karsenti, fear of change stems in part from lack of information, hence the importance of mobilizing evidence-based practices in teacher training programs on classroom technology.

“A lot of this connectivity is not fed by kids, but by corporations that make their platforms addicting and draw kids in.” Dr. Valerie Steeves

Dr. Valerie Steeves of the University of Ottawa arrived at similar conclusions about the importance of having a child-level view on how kids use technology.  Since 1999 through the Young Canadians in a Wired World project, Dr. Steeves has been tracking youths’ social media use and, in one instance, challenged them to take on a “social media fast” for a week. When the initial shock of the challenge wore off, students reported being able to meet deadlines, do more with their days, hang out with friends in person more often, read more, think deep thoughts, relieve stress, and spend more time with family. “A lot of this connectivity is not fed by kids, but by corporations that make their platforms addicting and draw kids in,” she said. While students reported a number of benefits to social media – like keeping connected or sharing jokes with friends – Dr. Steeves’s next step is to sit kids down with policy makers to bring about laws and curricula that can support them online.

“How could students’ use of social media be affecting their mental health?” An EdCan Network fact sheet published in collaboration with the Canadian School Boards Association (CSBA) and LEARN
How could students’ use of social media be affecting their mental health?” An EdCan Network fact sheet published in collaboration with the Canadian School Boards Association (CSBA) and LEARN

Student testimonies on the ‘Disconnection Challenge’ social media fast

VI. Where do we go from here?

“Every child has something special about them,” mentioned David Bouchard in his keynote. “It’s our job as educators to find out what that is.” While equipping educators and students with coping strategies allows them to confront everyday challenges, a system-wide approach creates conditions for educators to develop trust-based relationships with their students. As symposium speakers and attendees commonly emphasized, strong teacher-student relationships are integral to student well-being and success, yet educators who want to make a difference can find themselves constrained in every which way. Moving towards transforming whole-school cultures, rather than addressing symptoms with short-term remedies, is key to giving teachers and schools the foundation to support students’ needs beyond academics.

Achieving a Health School Culture… How to Heal the Wounds! A conversation with Andrew Retchless, Former principal within Eastern Townships School Board and current Adult Education Centre Director

Current EdCan Network Initiatives

The EdCan Network will continue to support and showcase promising practices that proactively develop wellness within entire school cultures, because this issue concerns us all. We invite you to check out Education Canada, the EdCan Network’s bilingual quarterly magazine, as well as our Facts on Education fact sheet series, for more information on student and educator well-being.

To access full presentations and biographies of our speakers, visit our symposium event page.

About the Author

André Rebeiz is a Researcher for the EdCan Network. He is a graduate of the Institut d’études politiques de Paris (Sciences Po Paris).

About the EdCan Network

With over 125-years of experience as the leading independent national voice in Canadian K-12 education, the EdCan Network supports the thousands of courageous educators working tirelessly to ensure that all students discover their place, purpose and path.

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