2023 School Council Speaker List
When filling out the form for potential speakers, you can choose organizations that focus on topics such as equity and anti-oppression, food sovereignty, human rights, mental health, or any other relevant subject you think is a possible barrier for families to engage in their child's learning.
Organization | Focus: Equity and anti-oppression | Contact Information |
Center for Resilience and Social Development Student and Family Advocacy | The Centre for Resilience & Social Development delivers services to Black youth between the ages 6-25 and their families who seek interventions to meet their educational and career/life goals. | Address: 1376 Bank Street, Suite #100, K1H 7Y3, Ottawa, ON, Canada Phone: +1(613) 686-6333 E-mail: mandi@crsd.org |
Parents for Diversity | Promotes knowledge and understanding of equitable and inclusive learning environments, supports students’ rights to discrimination-free learning environments, and anti-racist teaching practice. Builds resources on equity in education, facilitates public conversations on equity and inclusion in schools, and provides recommendations on policy, regulation, legislation and guideline changes. | Email: info@parentsfordiversity.com Parent Advocate Email: parent.support@parentsfordiversity.com |
Inuuqatigiit | A multi-service Inuit organization that provides cultural, educational, recreational and social support services to children, youth and families of Ottawa’s growing Inuit community. The center serves as a major hub of early years and youth services for Inuit families in Ottawa. | Website: |
The Get REAL Movement | Get REAL is focused on combatting 2SLGBTQ+ discrimination, racism, and bullying in schools, summer camps, and workplaces. | |
Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity | The CCGSD is dedicated to creating a discrimination-free world, with a foundation based on three essential elements: education, research, and advocacy. Presentation topics:
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Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre Tour for Humanity | Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) is one of Canada’s leading human rights and social advocacy organizations. Inspired by the legacy of Simon Wiesenthal, FSWC works to build a more inclusive and respectful Canada by sharing the lessons of the Holocaust, advocating for human rights and combating both antisemitism and hate in all its forms. |
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National Council of Canadian Muslims | This workshop delves into the impact of Islamophobia in educational settings. It covers the definition of Islamophobia, dispels common myths about Islam and Muslims, and explores how Muslim students are affected by negative stereotypes. The workshop offers case studies, resources, and guidance for educators and administrators to foster equity, inclusion, and safety in schools. | Website: https://www.nccm.ca/connect/training/ |
Building Bridges Interfaith Workshops with Rabbi Blum and Dr. Aisha Sherazi | A variety of workshops designed to get people thinking about the assumptions we make about each other, and hopefully breaking down the stereotypes we are used to creating in our minds. | |
MASC Speakers we have invited earlier: Traditional Storytelling: Jacqui Du Toit | MASC is an Ottawa-based community arts organization that offers schools and communities arts experiences led by professional artists that awaken the creative process, deepen cultural awareness, encourage engagement, and give vivid demonstration of Canada’s diversity. | Contact info: Katryn Hepworth |
My Life Online Empowering students to be safe, smart, and kind online | This session will provide parents and guardians with information on how to help their children feel empowered and excited to be safe online. Participants will learn how to help children build a positive online presence. It will help parents and guardians to refresh their outlook on social media and provide their children with a clear set of values, principles, and social skills to guide their lives online. | Contact info: Cristina Biggs cristina@topyouthspeakers.com |
Paul Davis Cyberbullying, Sexting, TikTok (and its many issues) and privacy | Paul Davis has presented to over 80,000 parents and 624,000 students since 2012. This session will provide parents with information about social networking safety with a focus on cyberbullying, sexting, TikTok (and its many issues) and privacy. | Contact info: paul@socialnetworkingsafety.net |
Media Smarts | MediaSmarts is a Canadian not-for-profit charitable organization for digital and media literacy. They have been developing digital and media literacy programs and resources for Canadian homes, schools and communities since 1996. They support adults with information and tools so they can help children and teens develop the critical thinking skills they need for interacting with various forms of media. | Contact info:
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Organization | Focus: Mental Health | Contact Information |
Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services | Provides workshops on substance use, technology use and how loved ones can help. | Website:
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OCDSB Mental Health Teams | Provides workshops on the following topics: Supporting your child’s mental health & well-being Parenting through the Early Years Supporting self-regulation: what is it and how can we build our child’s skills? The Parent/Caregiver Connection: Building resilience through attachment relationships Recognizing and responding to stress and worry Emotion focused parenting | Contact info: Emily Balla Mental Health Lead |
YouTurn Youth Support Services or A New Day | Both agencies provide support to youth involved in or at risk of sex trafficking | Website: |
Parents Lifeline of Eastern Ontario | A non-profit organization for parents whose children are facing mental health challenges | |
Captains and Poets | Captains & Poets, led by a dedicated team of educators, parents, and DEI experts, empowers youth for success in today's complex world. We blend well-being and identity to boost self-awareness and leadership, fostering connections to self, others, and a better world. Our mission is to inspire emotional courage and inspired action in young people globally. Join us in creating a brighter future! | |
Organization | Focus: Early Numeracy and Literacy | Contact Information |
Parent Resource Centre | Early On offers workshops on Early Learning and Childhood Development, covering topics like Early Literacy, Math Literacy, and Health and Well-being. Gain valuable insights and practical strategies to support young children's growth and development. | Website: https://parentresource.ca/ |
Early Childhood Community Development Centre (ECCDC) | These sessions can be designed to meet the needs of licensed childcare programs, schools, family support programs, home child care programs and other related children's services agencies. | Link to speaker sessions:
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Scientists in School | Scientists in School is a leading Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education charity that annually inspires over 700,000 children and youth in Canada. The goal of these sessions is to have parents and guardians explore STEM alongside their child(ren), discover new things, and help build their child’s/children’s confidence and motivation for continued learning. | Contact info: Paula Cudmore, BSc Regional Manager, Eastern Ontario Region Paula.Cudmore@scientistsinschool.ca Alternate option: |
Vanessa aka The Math Guru How to Raise Kids Who Aren't Afraid of Math (Even If You Are)! | Vanessa is the founder of The Math Guru. She has a Masters in Math Education & Feminist Theory where her thesis was Imagining a world where Paris Hilton loves math. Math can be super stressful for kids AND parents these days. Feeling like you can't do math leads to a lack of confidence, a feeling of hopelessness, and...a LOT of crying at the dinner table! But guess what? You don't have to be a math genius in order to raise one! This session will provide 5 super secret (and super easy!) tips that are guaranteed to turn that math frown upside down - for both parents, AND their kids! Ready to transform the way you approach math freakouts with your kids? | Contact info: Vanessa |