On November 14-15, 2014, African Canadian parents and youth from across Nova Scotia will join educators in Halifax to mark the 20th Anniversary of the publication of The Black Learners Advisory Committee Report on Education: Redressing Inequity – Empowering Black Learners (1994). This education conference is organized by the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and the Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute and in partnership with the Black Educators Association (BEA), the Council on African Canadian Education (CACE).

Workshops

The conference workshops are listed below.  If available, a workshop’s presentation may be opened/downloaded by clicking the Open Presentation button.

Facilitators: Rachel Ross-Mantley, Sharon Paris and Doreen Hill-Millet

In this workshop, participants will be introduced to the principles and practices of culturally-responsive teaching. This form of teaching uses the culture, knowledge, and language of students as the starting point for instruction, and is particularly effective for students of African descent.

Facilitators: Sylvia Parris, Janet Porter and Robin Harris

In this workshop, participants will be introduced to current research about early childhood development. As well, participants will be engaged in hands-on activities that demonstrate how to best prepare children from birth to four years of age for success in school and in life.

Facilitators: Nancy Taylor and Sarah Melanson

In this workshop, participants will learn about the elementary school curriculum, and will learn how students develop literacy and numeracy knowledge and skills in the elementary grades. As well, participants will learn how technology can be integrated into literacy and numeracy development.

Facilitator: Bernadette Hamilton-Reid

In this workshop, participants will learn about their rights and responsibilities when interacting with teachers, administrators, and school boards. Participants will learn practical strategies for supporting students in the education system, including how to support students who have an Individual Program Plan (IPP).

Facilitator: Késa Munroe-Anderson

In this workshop, participants will explore questions of identity, including, “What does it mean to be a person of African descent?” As well, participants will explore the issue of diversity within the African Nova Scotian community as Nova Scotia and our community continues to evolve. Lastly, participants will explore the question, “What role does Africentricity play in our identity as people?”

Facilitators: Martin Morrison and Misty Morrison

In this workshop, African Nova Scotian youth will explore the theme of resilience as they make the transition from high school to their next stage in life. This facilitated discussion will address topics including college, university, apprenticeship, and employment. The workshop also will explore strategies and services to help African Nova Scotian youth make successful transitions to further education, training, and employment.