In 2018, OISE continued to be a leader in the world of education.
Every day, our students, faculty and staff were breaking boundaries, conducting ground-breaking research, and exploring new frontiers to change the future of education. With their innovative ideas, commitment to change, and involvement in their local and global communities, it came as no surprise that OISE was once again named the number one educational institute in Canada.
Together, we are making an impact—here at home in Toronto, and around the world—and are creating a momentum that will continue to drive us forward. Take a look back at some of OISE’s top successes in 2018.
World-acclaimed lab school opens new doors
On January 26, the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study (JICS) at OISE, a world-acclaimed preschool to 6th grade laboratory school, officially opened its renovated and expanded facility.
The only one of its kind in Canada, the lab school has a tripartite mission of bringing together research, graduate teacher education, and exemplary teaching practices to foster educational excellence. Read more.
OISE hosts Indigenous graduate student mentorship summit
On February 5, approximately 150 Indigenous and non-Indigenous university staff, students and faculty gathered for the Summit for Mentoring Indigenous Graduate Students (SMIGS).
The event, which was the first of its kind in Canada, explored the expertise, conditions, material investments, and discourses involved in changing the university so that Indigenous students can thrive. Read more.
OISE PhD student Emmanuel Tabi discusses importance of the film Black Panther
With the release of Hollywood blockbuster and comic book-inspired Black Panther, Tabi discussed how the movie is important in highlighting what blackness and black excellence means not only to black youth, but to all of society. Read more.
Education at OISE ranked 1st in Canada, 11th in the world
For the second consecutive year, OISE was ranked number one in Canada and 11th worldwide by the QS World University Subject Rankings, as well as the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
OISE also placed third out of all publicly funded universities in North America, and fifth overall in North America. Worldwide, it was the only Canadian institution in the top 15 spots. Read more.
Indigenous children's rights advocate Dr. Cindy Blackstock delivers R.W.B. Jackson Lecture
On June 13, OISE held its signature event, the R.W.B. Jackson Lecture. Over 800 faculty, students, staff, alumni, and members of the OISE and University of Toronto community gathered to hear renowned Indigenous children’s rights advocate Dr. Cindy Blackstock in conversation with award-winning CBC journalist Connie Walker. Read more.
OISE alum Dionne Brand is U of T Black graduation keynote speaker
Dionne Brand, a writer, filmmaker, educator and activist who served as Toronto's third poet laureate, spoke at this year’s Black graduation. The event was meant to acknowledge the barriers that remain for people of colour pursuing academia. Brand completed her master's in philosophy of education at OISE, and received an honorary degree during U of T's 2018 spring convocation. Read more.
OISE releases five-year Academic Plan
The Academic Plan 2017-2022 will guide the next phase of OISE’s development. In developing it, our community came together to reflect on our context and challenges, share ideas, and establish goals and priorities to move us forward. The plan outlines OISE’s purpose and mission, major initiatives and themes, objectives for the future, and methods for measuring our progress. Read more.
Jeffrey Ansloos discusses the importance of Indigenous content in classrooms
In July, the Ontario Ministry of Education cancelled a project to update provincial curriculum at the elementary and secondary levels with Indigenous content. Educators and Indigenous elders were set to meet in Toronto to participate in curriculum revision sessions over a two-week period before the project was cancelled.
Dr. Jeffrey Ansloos, Assistant Professor of Indigenous Mental Health at OISE, discussed the importance, benefits, and necessity of Indigenous content in classrooms in a now-viral video. Read more.
OISE librarian Desmond Wong creates list of Indigenous resources
OISE librarian Desmond Wong responded to the cancellation of the Truth and Reconciliation curriculum writing sessions by creating a library guide to freely accessible Indigenous education resources.
The guide was viewed more than 9,000 times within five days of its release, and has since gone viral. Read more.
Dr. Bonnie Burstow establishes new scholarship for research into violence against Indigenous women
This September, Professor Bonnie Burstow established her second scholarship at OISE, Burstow’s Scholarship for Research into Violence Against Indigenous Women: In Memory of Helen Betty Osborne. The scholarship will be directed to a graduate student whose thesis focuses on violence against Indigenous women. Priority will be given to students who are themselves Indigenous women. Read more.
OISE doctoral student John Horton is U of T’s oldest graduate
In November, 80-year-old John Horton graduated at fall convocation with a doctoral degree from OISE, making him U of T’s oldest graduate in 2018.
Ten years ago, the retired octogenarian made the decision to go back to school and became a full-time student in the Doctor of Education program, taking courses on media, the philosophy of emotion, and the intellectual history of hope. Read more.
Indigenous Education Month features
November 1 marked the start of Indigenous Education Month. Throughout this month, OISE News spotlighted Indigenous people from the OISE community who are making an impact in this important area.
Sandi Wemigwase, Dallas Fiddler, Jennifer Brant, and Fernanda Yanchapaxi are four extraordinary individuals who are working to make a difference in unique ways. Read more.
OISE experts address schools’ role in challenging toxic masculinity
In November, allegations of physical and sexual assault by students at St. Michael’s College School in Toronto prompted discussions on the role of ‘toxic masculinity’ in perpetuating and aggravating acts of violence among young men.
OISE experts weighed in on how schools should challenge this notion, the importance of standing up to homophobia, and why teacher training is vital. OISE professors Roy Gillis and Marvin Zuker contributed their expertise to news stories from CTV News, the Globe and Mail, and the Toronto Star. Read more.
Winter Wonderland Community Skate brings together entire OISE community
On December 10, over 250 OISE students, faculty, staff, alumni, and their family and friends laced up their skates for OISE’s first annual Winter Wonderland event at U of T’s Varsity Stadium.
Footage from the event was complied into OISE’s 2018 holiday video, which has since been viewed more than 5,000 times. Read more.
