President’s Message
Rachel Collishaw
Most of us became history or social studies teachers because we believe in engaging our students in difficult conversations. We want students to know about humanity’s past and present, while still feeling hope for the future. This is not always easy. The social studies teacher is often called upon to help students make sense of the world around them as current events unfold. This is no easy task.
We hope that this issue of Salon will give you ideas, inspiration and practical tools to help you guide your students through difficult conversations in the classroom and beyond. Our goal is to connect you with teachers across the country, with researchers and historians and to advocate for you and for the place of social studies in schools across Canada, no matter where you live.
With our partners, we have published three classroom resources in both English and French to help you engage in difficult conversations at elementary, middle and high school levels. These lessons engage your students in meaningful content and conversations and connect with curriculum across the country. They are available for free in our publications section of the website:
- Canada’s participation in the Korean War: Inquiry, historical thinking and action
- Humans of the House teaching resources
- Learning about Trust
If you attended the World Congress in Vancouver last summer, you can apply for a Mapae Grant through the KWLF to run a teacher workshop. We’re happy to help by providing workshop materials to engage your colleagues in conversations about the legacy and importance of the Korean War.
As we celebrate our fifth anniversary as an organization, I am pleased to share that we have helped to launch provincial social studies teachers’ associations in New Brunswick and in Newfoundland and Labrador. We supported the NBSSEN launch in May in Fredericton, and we are looking forward to supporting and meeting the Newfoundland and Labrador Social Studies Special Interest Council members at our AGM in St. John’s in October. We are currently looking for a representative from the Northwest Territories, so if you know someone, or you are someone who might be interested in the role, let us know.
We could not do this work without our partners. In particular, the Government of Canada, The/La Collaborative, the Academy of Korean Studies, Thinking Historically for Canada’s Future, and the Korean War Legacy Foundation have allowed us to connect in person this past year across this very large country. Building a network of engaged social studies educators is about building relationships and trust. Two things essential before you can begin a difficult conversation.
