Yolanda uses she, her and elle pronouns.  She was a French Immersion teacher with the Toronto District School Board for 20 years; her best years spent in Kindergarten. 

She is the former Vice President, organizer, Executive Officer of the Elementary Teachers of Toronto. 

In 2022, Yolanda left ETT to pursue a new role at the Ontario Federation of Labour, the OFL, where she represents one million workers, as the Director of Human Rights. Her portfolios include supporting the Black and Racialized Workers, Young Workers, Disability Rights and Human Rights Committees, as well as the First Nations, Metis and Inuit Circle.

Andrew B. Campbell (DR.ABC) is an Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, in Leadership for Racial Justice in Teacher Education in the Master of Teaching Program at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto. 

He is the Coordinator for the Black Future Educators’ Program (BFEP) and the newly appointed Centre for Black Studies in Education (CBSE) Director. 

His scholarship and teaching focus on advancing equity and belonging, affirming Blackness, educational leadership, 2SLGBTQIA+ issues, teacher education and Black educators’ pedagogy and practice. 

He loves people, food, fashion, travelling and bringing his community together for a good meal. 

Joel Westheimer is Professor of Democracy and Education at the University of Ottawa and an Education columnist for CBC Radio. Westheimer taught grades 6, 7 and 8 in the New York City Public Schools. He speaks and writes on a broad variety of educational issues including the role of schools in democratic societies, the obsession with and consequences of over-testing, and building community. His books include What kind of citizen? Educating our children for the common good, 2nd edition and Pledging Allegiance: The Politics of Patriotism in American schools (forward by Howard Zinn). Westheimer is a member of the National Academy of Education and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. He can be reached at joelwestheimer@mac.com. Find out more at joelwestheimer.org.

Riche de 20 années d’expérience dans le monde du livre, Anne-Marie Fortin a fondé la compagnie Pouce carré en 2022.
Elle détient un baccalauréat et une maîtrise en littérature. Après un début de carrière en librairie et en édition, elle a développé, depuis plus de 10 ans, une expertise en littérature auprès des communautés pédagogiques francophones et d’immersion au Canada.
En plus de ses fonctions chez Pouce Carré, Anne-Marie est directrice littéraire de la collection Pigeon voyageur, aux édition David, en Ontario.
Anne-Marie est également l’autrice de l’album Mon beau potager (Isatis).

Tracey Tinley is an award-winning and experienced teacher and presenter. She has served as a district instructional coach, a lead writer with The Critical Thinking Consortium (TC2), and a seconded professor at the Faculty of Education for the University of Ottawa. She is an executive board member of the Canadian Assessment for Learning Network (CAfLN) and a featured presenter of the provincial ETFO Assessment Series. Tracey has presented literacy workshops across her province at events such as Reading For The Love Of It (EYS Reading Association) and was a virtual speaker at the 2023 and 2024 Unlocking Science of Reading conferences. Her writings and teaching reflections have been featured in a variety of publications, including Educational Leadership magazine (ASCD). Tracey continues to teach, laugh and learn alongside her English Learners and teacher colleagues in Ottawa, Ontario (Canada).

Barbara Brockmann is an experienced and enthusiastic junior/ intermediate Teacher and Writer. Her interests inside and outside the classroom include oral history; developing culturally responsive pedagogy; embedding the arts in life and classroom practice; and uncovering the multiple perspectives of our Canadian stories. She is the recipient of the Governor General’s History Award for Excellence in Teaching (2002) and two ETFO Writer’s Awards (2005- play manuscript The Ebony Road: An African-Canadian Journey; 2010-Remembrance Day Plays for Schools and Communities.) She is currently enjoying both her retirement and work as an OCDSB Occasional teacher.

Pam Harris is shifting the way we view and teach mathematics. She is a mom, former high school math teacher and university lecturer, and the Founder of Math is FigureOutAble. Math teachers around the world rave about her online Building Powerful Mathematics workshops. For over 20 years, Pam has been helping leaders and teachers reach more students in less time so that students math with confidence and success.

Jon Corbin is a multi-hyphenate musician, educator, and speaker based in Bedford, Nova Scotia. With 18 years as a high school educator and guidance counsellor, he has also built an extensive catalogue of authentic and inspirational Hip Hop projects. Jon co-authored the education resource #BlackMusicMatters: Hip Hop and Social Justice in Canada. Jon is currently pursuing an MFA in Creative Nonfiction at the University of King’s College while writing his first book, Confessions of a Mixed (Up) Kid. He is also developing Spark Rap Class, a virtual program that teaches the basics of writing rhymes.

Michael “MikeAll” Grandsoult is a Scarborough, Ontarian and Hip Hop educator. He is an elementary school teacher with the Toronto Catholic District School Board. He uses rap/poetry as a bridge for learning and strives to promote passion for literacy. MikeAll’s goal is to put the poet back into Rhythm And Poetry.                                               "

Dr. Shoshana Magnet is full professor of Feminist and Gender Studies at the University of Ottawa.  Her research expertise is in feminist approaches to children's mental health.  She is the founder of the organization www.picturebookstogrow.com which gives workshops on picturebooks and how to use them to talk to kids about big feelings and big topics - from anger and grief to divorce, death and other hard struggles.

Heather Weber is a Grade 4 homeroom and Grade 4 to 6 music teacher in Kincardine, Ontario.  Over her 20 years with the Bluewater District School Board, she has taught in both the elementary and secondary panels and has experience teaching most subjects and grades.  Heather is currently the Chair of the Bluewater Regional Science and Technology Fair, a Special Education and Social Sciences Specialist, the Vice-President of the Bluewater Occasional Teacher Local, and a member of the Bluewater DSB Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.  

Matthew Carroll has been working as a teacher in Northern Ontario for the past 20 years. Matthew combines practical classroom experience with a deep understanding of advocacy to support inclusive learning environments. He has served on ETFOs Human Rights and Special Education Standing Committees.

Tracy Sims is an experienced educator with over 15 years in the classroom, teaching Kindergarten since 2010. She presents and facilitates professional learning workshops for educators across Ontario, both in person and virtually. Tracy is deeply passionate about teaching and learning, with a strong focus on play-based learning, behaviour, self-regulation, and early math and literacy development through play. She shares her learning, thinking, and passion for all things Kindergarten with educators through social media at @passionatelycuriouseducators.

Propeller Dance creates, performs and teaches contemporary inclusive dance that breaks down barriers. We uplift and empower people of diverse bodies and minds, while working towards a more equitable society through Disability Arts. Propeller Dance teachers focus on creativity and expression, as well as aerobic activity, improving strength, coordination, and flexibility. Propeller Dance teaching methodologies draw on a variety of dance genres such as contemporary dance and improvisation to engage all abilities and ages through movement. 

Propeller Dance creates, performs and teaches contemporary inclusive dance that breaks down barriers. We uplift and empower people of diverse bodies and minds, while working towards a more equitable society through Disability Arts. Propeller Dance teachers focus on creativity and expression, as well as aerobic activity, improving strength, coordination, and flexibility. Propeller Dance teaching methodologies draw on a variety of dance genres such as contemporary dance and improvisation to engage all abilities and ages through movement. 

Propeller Dance creates, performs and teaches contemporary inclusive dance that breaks down barriers. We uplift and empower people of diverse bodies and minds, while working towards a more equitable society through Disability Arts. Propeller Dance teachers focus on creativity and expression, as well as aerobic activity, improving strength, coordination, and flexibility. Propeller Dance teaching methodologies draw on a variety of dance genres such as contemporary dance and improvisation to engage all abilities and ages through movement. 

Dr. Connie Dalton is a Clinical Psychologist with 20 years of experience in clinical practice, training, and program development. She is a founding member and Chief Executive Officer of the Ottawa Institute of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (OICBT). At OICBT, Dr. Dalton divides her time between organizational leadership, providing clinical care to youth and adults, and consulting with organizations to improve clinical service delivery. Her work is grounded in best-practice assessment and CBT, with an emphasis on understanding risk, resiliency, neurodivergent factors, and relevant diagnoses to develop effective, individualized intervention plans.

It all started with a student job in a museum, and I was instantly hooked. For the past 17 years, I have worked in cultural institutions, surrounded by collections spanning millennia. Along the way, I developed a passion for informal learning, particularly within the maker movement. I currently work as an Experiential Learning Officer at the Canada Science and Technology Museum, where I coordinate Exploratek, the museum’s makerspace, which I built from the ground up. I design hands-on creative challenges for the public and am inspired by visitors’ ingenuity. I am also a PhD candidate researching how tinkering and student-centered learning pedagogies can be made more accessible and inclusive for children in disabling situations.

Generative AI offers powerful new affordances for language educators, but also pressing questions. How can we integrate AI in ways that empower teachers while helping students develop the AI literacy (Long & Magerko, 2020) needed to navigate risks like algorithmic bias (Baker & Hawn, 2022) and cognitive over-reliance (Zhai et al., 2024)? This workshop offers practical strategies for integrating AI tools in language classrooms to foster both language acquisition and critical AI literacy. Participants will explore pedagogic sequences that engage students in structured cycles of work with and without AI, accompanied by reflexive tasks examining the technology's strengths and limitations. By positioning teachers and learners as essential "humans in the loop," the workshop reframes AI not as a shortcut, but as an exoskeleton, a powerful tool students must learn to pilot under instructor guidance to support agency and growth (Séror, 2025).

Paolo Zambito has worked with non-profit organizations for several years. Since 2018, he has been serving as the Executive Director of Kin-Ball Canada and travels across Canada and Northern U.S. to advocate for the benefits of inclusivity in sports.

With a Master's degree in Public Administration, Paolo's academic journey was complemented by a supervised internship under the tutelage of former Quebec Minister of Health, Mr. Rémy Trudel. During his internship, Paolo collaborated with COLUFRAS, an international NGO dedicated to disseminating documentation on public health issues.

Tamara Jones is a French Immersion teacher at Earl of March Intermediate. After witnessing her students' enthusiasm for Manie Musicale, she was thrilled to find Meg's bracket and bring it into her school. Always looking for new ways to engage large groups of students, Tamara was thrilled to get the opportunity to work with Meg. She is excited to see how far this project will go.

Meg Fracke is an elementary school teacher with OCDSB currently enjoying her first mat leave. A lifelong music fan, (bring back MuchMusic's Top 30 Countdown!) Meg loves to incorporate music into her teaching. She wanted to bring Indigenous learning and culture into her classroom in a way that felt natural so she started the music bracket featuring Indigenous songs three years ago. Her school's students loved it!

She is very thankful for the support her little bracket has received and is excited to see it grow and reach more students than she ever thought possible!

Hanieh is a lifelong educator, author, and entrepreneur. 

With over 12 years of teaching experience, the publication of her first book of poetry “Because I Can"", and the ongoing growth of her edtech company, e-Tree Group, she brings curiosity, creativity, and care to everything she does. 

She has taught and worked in Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec, and internationally in the Middle East, and holds a Master of Education from the University of Toronto, specializing in Curriculum and Teacher Development.

Hanieh values life and culture, passionately creates engaging e-courses, and facilitates tailored discussions that inspire growth for learners and organizations.

Jas is a yoga teacher and movement educator with a background in fitness and a passion for accessible wellness. Her sessions focus on decolonizing wellness and creating space to to meet students where they are on their movement journey. Jas is committed to creating inclusive spaces where everyone feels empowered to move, breathe, and belong.

For the past 13 years, Jaclyn has served Greater Essex as an inclusive, compassionate, and collaborative leader. She is deeply committed to creating spaces where women feel a true sense of belonging and champions women's leadership, representation, and inclusion within the union. Her accomplishments include presenting at And Still We Rise and receiving the Young Woman of Excellence Award for raising awareness of gender-based violence and human trafficking. Jaclyn is also a former international public speaker and a proud mother of four daughters.

Dr. Brian Dower is a retired Toronto-based chiropractor who brings warmth, curiosity, and over two decades of healthcare experience into his work as a mindfulness educator. After a career-altering injury shifted his professional path, Brian turned to mindfulness as a way to guide himself through this change, and it quickly became the foundation of his second career. Now one of 150 certified Unified Mindfulness teachers worldwide, he develops curriculum, and offers classes, coaching, and immersive mindfulness retreats across Canada and abroad. Known for his grounded, approachable style, Brian helps people cultivate clarity, resilience, and calm in the midst of real-world demands.

Liesl McConchie is a globally recognized expert in brain-based learning, mathematics education, and instructional strategies that drive measurable student achievement. With over 25 years of experience, she has partnered with more than 300 schools worldwide, helping educators bridge neuroscience and practical classroom application.

A former K–12 math teacher, Liesl equips educators with research-backed strategies that increase engagement, retention, and student confidence—especially in mathematics and diverse learning environments. Her work empowers teachers to quickly adapt instruction so all students can thrive.

Liesl brings a unique international perspective, having spent more than three years studying and working in Denmark’s Scandinavian school system and co-founding an innovative school grounded in cutting-edge pedagogy.

She is the co-author of the bestselling Brain-Based Learning and is currently writing Building a Positive Math Identity: A Brain Science Approach. Known for highly engaging, interactive professional development, Liesl doesn’t just teach best practices—she models them, ensuring educators experience the power of brain-based learning firsthand.

Anu Bahri is a seasoned educator and an ETFO Award winner, with over 25 years of teaching experience in inner city schools within the Toronto District School Board. She currently serves as a K-12 Learning Coach for Continuing Education and was seconded to TCS as their Education Consultant and Global Trainer for their goIT Student innovation program. Anu's commitment to education extends beyond the classroom as she has presented at various educational technology conferences and is a Teach SDG Ambassador, dedicated to promoting equity and diversity in the classroom.

Rhonda has been practicing Art Psychotherapy since 2009.  She is a dedicated Art Psychotherapist and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner with a Master's degree in Psychotherapy and Spirituality from St. Stephen's College, Edmonton.  

Rhonda's journey working in schools began in 2013 in Northwest Territories where she worked as an Art Therapist in a remote community in both elementary and secondary schools for four years. 

In 2017 Rhonda and her family returned to the Ottawa Valley yet maintained ties with the North.  Since 2019 she has been supporting schools as a mental health consultant in remote communities in Northwest Territories and Nunavut. 

Michelle McKay is a teacher/early years educator who teaches in the Peel District School Board. She completed her Ph.D. at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (University of Toronto) in Curriculum and Pedagogy. Michelle’s research is situated around engaging in acts of reconciliation with Kindergarten students. Her passions include early learning, equity-based work, and inclusive instructional strategies. She provides professional development for educators from across the province on a range of topics related to early learning and play and enjoys working with early years professionals. 

Rabia Khokhar is an elementary teacher in Toronto, an education and equity consultant at Rabia Teaches, a sessional instructor in a teacher’s college program and a doctoral candidate. Her research interests include equitable education, literacy, children’s literature, and educator professional development. Rabia has taught in a variety of settings and in various roles. She is passionate about bringing theory to practice and enjoys sharing her teaching, learning and research on her social media platforms. Rabia is the recipient of the Elementary Teacher’s Federation of Ontario’s 2021 Anti-Racist and Equity Activism Award, the 2022 Professional Learning and Curriculum Development Award and the 2022 Angela Thacker Excellence in Teacher-Librarianship Memorial Award and the 2025 Harmony Educators Award. You can find out more about Rabia on her website www.rabiakhokhar.com , X: @Rabia_Khokhar1 and Instagram: @Rabia_Reads

Cassie Steepe is a Training and Development Specialist at Sonderly with over ten years of experience supporting autistic individuals and coaching caregivers and educators. She holds a post-graduate certificate in Autism and Behavioural Sciences and previously worked at the Geneva Centre for Autism delivering intensive behavioural intervention. Trained in PECS, Project ImPACT, Parent-Implemented Interventions, and Stepping Stones Triple P, Cassie develops courses with neurodiversity experts and delivers live training across Canada and the USA. Her engaging, evidence-based approach provides practical strategies educators can apply immediately to build inclusive, supportive learning environments.

Dr. Andrew Miki is a registered psychologist and holds a BSc. in Psychology from Queen’s University, a MA in Animal Cognition & Neuroscience from Wilfrid Laurier, and a MA/Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from York University in Toronto. He has assessed and treated hundreds of educators to help them recover from a medical leave and successfully return to work. In 2013, Andrew founded Starling Minds, an online automated CBT program. In partnership with educators’ unions/associations across Canada/US, over a million educators and their families have access to Starling Minds. More recently, Andrew has given a Tedx talk and launched Mental Fitness Leadership Training programs that have been adopted by healthcare and education organizations. Andrew’s clinical work and research have been published in scientific journals and featured in Forbes and Authority Magazine.

Ms. Hopkins is an independently licensed clinical social worker who has specialized in working with kids who exhibit challenging behavior for more than 25 years.  She has managed the clinical departments of two organizations serving youth and families in residential facilities, foster homes, therapeutic day schools, and homeless shelters.  She has been a Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) Trainer since 2007 helping schools, residentials, hospitals, and parents to successfully implement the CPS Model.  Ms. Hopkins is also the Director of Learning Resources & Support for Dr. Ross Greene’s non-profit, Lives in the Balance. 

Matt Miller has taught in public schools for more than 10 years, teaching all levels of high school Spanish. In his career, he planned nearly 12,000 class lessons. He taught more than half a million instructional minutes. And he graded work for nearly 2,000 days of class. He’s an award-winning author of six books. Matt is a Google Certified Innovator and was named a ‘23-’24 Top 100 Influencer in EdTech by EdTech Digest. His Ditch That Textbook blog encourages tens of thousands of educators in more than 100 countries to use technology and creative ideas in teaching.

Josh Towell is a yoga teacher who blends mindful movement, breath, and nervous system awareness to create practices that are both grounding and empowering. His classes balance strength and softness, inviting students to move with intention, presence, and curiosity. Informed by his experience working with people in high-stakes, real-world environments, Josh emphasizes clarity, adaptability, and tools that translate seamlessly off the mat.

Abhi Ahluwalia is the founder of unlearn., a social enterprise he launched in high school as a clothing line in the 1990s. What began as apparel has grown into a movement that uses thought-provoking design and dialogue to spark critical thinking about belonging, equity, and human rights. Abhi works with school boards across Canada and organizations such as Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and Parks Canada to help educators and leaders create more inclusive spaces. His work has been recognized with the Lincoln M. Alexander Award, the Anne and Ed Mirvish Achievement Award, and most recently the Ontario Principals’ Council Outstanding Contribution to Education Award.

With a college diploma in natural environment techniques and specialized in natural heritage management and interpretation, Maxime has 15 years' experience in environmental education. Having worked for environmental and conservation organizations such as Société des établissements de plein air du Québec (SÉPAQ), Enviro Éduc-Action, Nature Conservancy of Canada, Boucher forest Foundation and the National Capital Commission, he has developed an expertise in raising public awareness on environmental issues.

Adam is an educator at the Bank of Canada Museum, where he builds new lesson plans, resources, and supports for classroom teachers. A former classroom teacher, he is joined by his colleague Heather Montgomery, who shares the same work.

Adam is an educator at the Bank of Canada Museum, where he builds new lesson plans, resources, and supports for classroom teachers. A former classroom teacher, he is joined by his colleague Heather Montgomery, who shares the same work.