FROM THE EDITOR


Te fall issue of Voice is delivered as edu- cators work to get themselves and their students settled into the routines of a new school year. Tis year, ETFO members also prepare for and undertake strike votes, as we support our bargaining team to get the best possible deal for our members and to continue to fight for improvements in sup- ports and funding for Ontario students. As Deputy General Secretary Lisa Mastrobuo- no writes in her article A Vote for our Schools and Our Future, “ETFO remains committed to negotiating fair central agreements that meet the needs of our members and support Ontario’s world-class public education sys-


tem. Tese are our priorities as we continue to bargain renewed agreements for our teacher, occasional teacher and education worker members. Strong strike mandates can only help to support those priorities.” In Standing Firm Against Hate Melissa Sky implores 2SLGBTQ+ allies to stand in


solidarity with rainbow colleagues and students in the face of rising violence and hate towards the community. “I’d challenge everyone to put the safety and well-being of chil- dren above the fear of conflict. You’re not just allowed to do this work, its actually an expectation of our jobs.” In Understanding Climate Change and Bringing Advocacy, Art and Indigenous Wisdom


into the Classroom, Mika Gang reflects not only on teaching her students to be active citizens and stewards of the earth but also on the role of investment in fossil fuels and the need for the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan to divest of industries that are harming the earth. “To effectively support our students through this uncharted territory, we have a responsibility to continue educating ourselves and seeing our stories of progress, remind- ing us that a hopeful future is possible if we are ready to work for it,” she writes. In From English Language Learner to Multilingual Learner Colleen Elep considers


the need to change the narrative towards an asset-based perspective of multilingual learners. “An assets-based view,” she writes, “honours the knowledge, cultures and lived experiences of students, positioning multilingual English language learners as competent contributors to the learning environment.” Tis issue’s curriculum resource on translanguaging supports this perspective. These features, along with a round-up of the 2023 ETFO Annual Meeting, book re-views and a fall crossword are sure to make great reading.


ETFO Executive Members


PRESIDENT Karen Brown, Elementary Teachers of Toronto


FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT David Mastin, Durham


VICE-PRESIDENTS Shirley Bell, Kawartha Pine Ridge Gundi Barbour, Upper Grand


OTF TABLE OFFICER Nathan Core, Waterloo Region


EXECUTIVE MEMBERS Tamara DuFour, Hamilton-Wentworth Mary Fowler, Durham Juan-Yahya Gairey, Peel Shideh Houshmandi, Hamilton-Wentworth Carolyn Proulx-Wootton, Grand Erie Mario Spagnuolo, Greater Essex County Mike Thomas, Thames Valley Sylvia van Campen, Upper Canada Jenn Wallage, Waterloo Sharon O’Halloran, General Secretary Lorna Larmour, Deputy General Secretary Lisa Mastrobuono, Deputy General Secretary


ETFO Voice Izida Zorde, Editor Sharon O’Halloran, Business Manager Michelle Goddard, Advertising Sales David Beyer, Design


Contributors not otherwise credited: Karen Kindree, Federico Carvajal


Member of the Canadian Association of Labour Media (CALM) and Canadian Education Press Association


Indexed in the Canadian Educational Index / Répertoire canadien sur l’éducation


ISSN: 1481-4072


Articles contained herein reflect the views of the authors and do not necessarily express official policy of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario.


Acceptance of an advertisement does not imply ETFO endorsement of the product or service. Advertising contracts are subject to cancellation if members complain.


Publications Mail Agreement no. 42409515. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:


136 Isabella Street Toronto, ON M4Y 0B5


Phone: 416-962-3836 or 1-888-838-3836 E-mail: etfovoice@etfo.org etfovoice.ca


Printed by Thistle Printing on FSC certified, 10% post-consumer content; Carbon Lite and Green-e®


certified renewable energy paper. 4 ETFO VOICE | SUMMER 2023


PHOTO BY CHRISTINE COUSINS


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52