On March 31, University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) welcomed close to 50 Toronto District School Board teachers who are leading Climate Education to kick off Earth Month, which runs though April. Lawson Climate Institute was pleased to support this event, hosted by a team including Lawson Scholar Sarah Urquhart, Professor Hilary Inwood (OISE), and Associate Professor David Montemurro (OISE). Showing appreciation for teachers’ efforts and leading a professional learning activity, the private event encouraged educators to lead more with their students this spring.
“Addressing climate change requires not only scientific and technological innovation, but also informed and empowered educators,” said Shatha Qaqish-Clavering, Director Strategy and Operations of LCI. “Teachers play a critical role in helping young people make sense of complex climate challenges, and in supporting them to imagine and build more sustainable futures. The Lawson Climate Institute is especially proud to support this work.”
In a message shared following the event, the organizers wrote: “With close to 50 educators in attendance, the gathering created a meaningful opportunity for connection, rich conversation, and reflection on climate action at personal, professional, and systemic levels. Teachers were able to engage in conversation, share teaching ideas, and contribute to a collaborative art-piece demonstrating the growing power of our collective work.”
Dr. Hilary Inwood is a Lawson Climate Institute member as well as a teacher educator, researcher, and artist who leads the Environmental & Sustainability Education Initiative at OISE. Her research focuses on developing teachers’ knowledge and skills in environmental literacy and environmental art education. She has been an instructor for Additional Qualification courses in environmental learning at OISE for the past decade, and delivers keynotes and professional learning workshops for K-12 teachers focused on cross-curricular approaches to ESE and Climate Change Education.
The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education is Canada’s only all-graduate faculty of education. As one of the world’s most research-intensive faculties of education in the world, OISE is made up of a diverse community of innovators, collaborators, and leaders that have been advancing education, human development and professional practice globally for over 100 years. OISE addresses current and emerging challenges with the scale, academic excellence, and collaborative energy that few institutions in the world can claim.
We look forward to supporting the next generation of education leaders and climate researchers through future events.