DISE and ECP Faculty of Education Members Share Expertise in Community Conversation about the Bedford Elementary Report Hosted by CBC's Nantali Indongo
A community conversation on the Ministry of Education’s report on the “toxic culture” created at Bedford Elementary, led by the CBC’s Nantali Indongo, included local parents, community organizers and leaders, education professionals and youth, as well as Faculty of Education members Ratna Gosh (DISE, Emeritus), Nanre Nafzinger (DISE, Assistant Professor), Adama Kaba (DISE, PhD), Bronwen Low (DISE, Chair), Melissa Edwards (teacher and recent B.Ed. graduate) and Steven Shaw (ECP, Chair).
In the story available on CBC’s "This is Montreal," Bronwen Low describes the report as evidence of a “massive system failure” in education and speaks to the need to bridge the theory-practice gap through stronger collaborations between universities and schools, and the importance of valuing the critical work of teachers in the lives of young people.
Steven Shaw shares that the best predictors of success for youth with learning disabilities is a supportive teacher, and parent perceptions of alignment between school, community, and Ministry values.
Melissa Edwards describes how the Education Act makes clear that teachers have a responsibility to create safe learning environments for all students, including embracing student cultures.
Adama Kaba described how she experienced and fought barriers to parent inclusion as employee and parent in Côte des Neiges schools, and noted that the current conversation showcased how much support for youth lies in the strength of local families and community organizations.