FROM THE EDITOR


The winter issue of Voice focusses on the vic- tories ETFO has achieved in solidarity with other education and public sector unions, as well as some of the incredible work our members are doing in the classroom to ad- vance progressive conversations in Ontario and to support their students. In her column in this issue, President


Brown refl ects on the victory against Bill 28. “Rather than negotiating in good faith with CUPE, the Ford government decided to im- pose a contract and trample over workers’ rights,” Brown writes. “ETFO and other pub- lic and private sector unions immediately ral- lied not only to defend CUPE members, but


to defend the collective bargaining and democratic rights of all Ontarians. What would stop this government from using the notwithstanding clause again to undermine other rights protected by the Charter and the Human Rights Code. Faced with a united move- ment and the prospect of a general strike, Ford buckled and repealed the bill.” Heather Aggus and Carla Pereira provide a behind-the-scenes look into how ETFO geared up to fi ght Bill 28 in their article in this issue. In The Power of Representation, Chad Mills refl ects on why public schools need more


Black educators, encouraging Black students to consider teaching as a career and refl ect- ing on his own journey as a public school teacher. “Simply pulling aside a Black student in your class, school or community and suggesting education as a career they should consider, may put the wheels of possibility in motion,” he writes. Encouraging Black individuals to consider teaching was also the focus of the ground-breaking ETFO-lead symposium Generation Black: You’re Next, which marked the launch of ETFO’s Genera- tion Black public campaign. Punita Bhardwaj lists the calls to action that arose from the symposium in her article. Also in this issue, Jennifer Reid considers how educators can encourage their stu-


dents to be climate justice activist in her article Girls, Activism and the Environment, and Gorden Nore reviews a collection of books that feature non-binary heroes, neurodiverse protagonists and healthy masculinity. Both of these articles offer great resources and in- spiring approaches to educating students. These features along with the columns, book reviews, and an excerpt from a new


curriculum resource titled Niizh Manidoowag/Two-Spirit are sure to make great new year’s reading. Wishing you a happy New Year.


ETFO Executive Members


PRESIDENT Karen Brown, Elementary Teachers of Toronto


FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT David Mastin, Durham


VICE-PRESIDENTS Shirley Bell, Kawartha Pine Ridge Monica Rusnak, Ontario North East


OTF TABLE OFFICER Nathan Core, Waterloo Region


EXECUTIVE MEMBERS Gundi Barbour, Upper Grand Andrew Chittka, Bluewater Mary Fowler, Durham Juan-Yahya Gairey, Peel Shideh Houshmandi, Hamilton-Wentworth Carolyn Proulx-Wootton, Grand Erie Mario Spagnuolo, Greater Essex County Julie Stanley, Bluewater Sylvia van Campen, Upper Canada 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: Mary Morison, 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 refl ect the views of the authors and do not necessarily express offi cial 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.


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


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certifi ed renewable energy paper. 4 ETFO VOICE | WINTER 2022


PHOTO BY CHRISTINE COUSINS


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