against oppression, this approach transforms language instruction into a catalyst for soci- etal transformation. As pedagogical theorist and teacher-


educator Gloria Ladson-Billings noted, critical consciousness is the most vital as- pect of culturally relevant pedagogy. By in- tegrating the narratives of women activists into language teaching, educators fulfil the curriculum’s Strand A goal of developing understandings of diverse identities and perspectives while students practise essential transferable skills like critical thinking and global citizenship. Tis integration creates authentic con-


texts for students to analyze “culturally di- verse texts” while developing core language competencies. Trough engagement with activist voices, including those from First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities, stu- dents learn to question norms that produce inequalities – exactly what Ladson-Billings envisioned when she described schools as places that should “destabilize, create disrup- tion, and disrupt the status quo.” As students explore these powerful exam-


ples, they strengthen their sense of identity and responsibility. Tey develop digital liter-


26 ETFO VOICE | SUMMER 2025


acy skills by examining relationships between text forms, content, and creators, ultimately learning that transformation begins with awareness and culminates in action – foster- ing the “empathetic, respectful, and inclusive” engagement that Strand A seeks to nurture. In education, the exploration of iden-


tity is not just an academic exercise; it is a source of inspiration and a vital process that shapes how we interact with our students and colleagues. To illustrate the signifi- cance of self-examination in understand- ing resilience and resistance, we can draw inspiration from three remarkable women, Rosa Bonheur, Viola Desmond and Natasha Kanapé Fontaine, through books written by Canadian authors. Each year, our school participates in


the largest recreational reading program in Canada – the Ontario Library Association’s Forest of Reading. Te program encourages a love of reading through carefully curated book selections for different age groups. In 2025, the books nominated for the prix


Peuplier category (French picture books) collectively explored themes of identity, fam- ily dynamics, discovery, empathy and activ- ism through diverse storytelling approaches.


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