Course Details - Additional Qualifications

Course Name: Equitable and Inclusive Schools, Part 1
Part: 1
Description: The AQ Course Equitable and Inclusive Schools Part I, explores the theoretical foundations, development of learners, program planning, and implementation, assessment, equitable and inclusive learning environment, and ethical considerations related to teaching and learning with equity and inclusion in mind. The course will critically explore frameworks and strategies that foster the creation and sustainment of a safe, inclusive, equitable, accepting, and engaging learning environment for all. Candidates will participate in adult learning theories and processes that foster critical reflection, dialogue and inquiry, while exploring shared ethical and professional responsibility to identify and challenge individual and systemic barriers to support the learning, well-being and inclusion of all learners. We acknowledge that candidates will bring a wide range of strengths, lived experiences, and will have diverse abilities to demonstrate their understanding of the course content, thus an integrated and responsive approach will be adapted in how learners will engage and demonstrate their understanding.  This course will be of interest for teachers interested in issues of equity, social justice, anti-oppression, anti-discrimination, and anti-racism through the lens of an inclusive and equitable classroom environment. The Standards of Practice for the Teaching Profession and the Ethical Standards for the Teacher Profession from diverse perspectives have been embedded in the learning expectations for the AQ course: Equitable and Inclusive Schools, Part I. The course in grounded in Ontario’s Learning Context, Ontario Human Rights Code and foundational principles of an Anti-Oppression Foundation, Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, Aménagement Linguistique Policy (PAL), Accessibility for ALL and Learning for All-Special Education to inform instructional practices that are reflective of Ontario’s diversity and serve as a foundation for equitable, inclusive and accessible education.  This course is organized over 12 modules (approximately 10 hours per module). Participants should expect to spend 125 dedicated, asynchronous working hours in order to successfully complete the course. An inquiry-based approach has been embedded throughout each module, providing participants the opportunity to explore pedagogical practice, researchers, ministry documents, and videos on best practice. Participants will have opportunities to reflect on their current practice, explore new materials and pedagogical understandings, reflect and respond. Many opportunities are embedded throughout the course to improve current practice. Cumulative tasks are embedded within each assignment as well.  While there will not be any regularly scheduled, live, synchronous sessions however, there will be opportunities to book 1:1 conferences as needed by participants.  Dates and times for these sessions will be announced at the beginning of the course.
Instructors for the current Session: Fall 2024: Nadia Nembhard-Hunt