This presentation invites the audience to critically explore the ethical roles and responsibilities of educators and mental health practitioners at post-secondary institutions. Applying post-colonial philosophies and the frameworks of Foucauldian power/knowledge and Black Feminism, we deconstruct the concepts of professionalism, professionality, and intellectuality in post-colonial and oppressive social and educational contexts. By so doing, we reassess critical meanings of academic and professional work and the expectations from intellectuals such as educators and mental health practitioners when working with historically marginalized social groups. Drawing on ancient philosophies of education as well as post-modern perspectives on the educators’ and health providers’ roles, we establish our arguments on the necessity of adopting transformative leadership styles and taking active roles in dismantling oppressive systems through educational and mental health interventions. The presentation also offers applicable strategies for disrupting and decolonizing oppressive cycles and provides pathways for promoting equity and social justice.

Bio:

Dr. Ahlam Rahal (She/her) is a Registered Counselling Therapist from Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists (NSCCT), a licensed Palestinian school counsellor, an assistant professor at Acadia University, and a researcher interested in critical multiculturalism and power dynamics and social justice in mental health and educational settings. In her professional background, Rahal has worked as a counsellor in Canadian and Palestinian public schools and post-secondary academic institutions, providing students from marginalized social groups with mental health and educational services. Reflecting on her professional and personal journey, Rahal believes that mental health practitioners and educators should be transformative leaders and social justice advocates for supporting equity-deserving groups.

Dr. Késa Munroe-Anderson is a passionate, community-oriented educator, researcher, and change agent who practices an Africentric, anti-racist, Black feminist approach to leadership and education.  Having served in various capacities of responsibility and leadership in government, non-profit organizations, and post-secondary institutions, she is currently Associate Professor in the School of Education at her alma mater, Acadia University.  Here, Dr. Munroe-Anderson leads the School’s Master of Education in Inclusive Education - Equity and Social Justice Cohorts designed to build and develop Nova Scotia’s capacity of Equity and Social Justice leaders in education. She is also the Coordinator for the Africentric Bachelor of Education Cohort for African Nova Scotians and persons of African descent which started in January of 2025 and responds to the need for equitable representation of Black teachers in Nova Scotia’s public school system. Amongst numerous awards, in 2024 Dr. Munroe-Anderson was honoured to be amongst the first in Canada to receive the King Charles II Coronation Medal for her work in education in Nova Scotia and Canada.