Cultural diversity in the classroom

About this session:

Created with the visionary leadership of Dr. Graeme Chalmers, the “Diversity” cohort is the first two-year elementary level cohort in Western Canada that is fully dedicated, (in terms of course content, methodology, and practicum requirements), to diversity, multi/transculturalisms, inclusion, anti-racism/anti-oppression and social justice. Following a BC Ministry of Education (2001) document, Diversity in B.C. Schools stating: “Our expectations for schools are high…. We turn to schools to help us enshrine language rights, to preserve diverse cultural heritages, to promote social equality and social justice.” This program was designed to make a public statement, from both the University of British Columbia (UBC) and the collaborating Vancouver School Board (VSB) about the importance of these issues to students, educators, and the community. In focusing on issues of diversity and social justice, preservice-teachers engaged with areas of social inequality and inclusion. This presentation will provide an overview of the Diversity Cohort of 2003-2005 including some highlights in terms of changes in attitudes, commitment, activism and resistance among pre-service teachers, school advisors, administrators, school district personnel, and university level educational leaders.

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Graeme Chalmers

Hartej Gill

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About Graeme:

Graeme Chalmers is a Professor of Art Education at UBC. He is a former holder of the David Lam Chair in Multicultural Education, and a few years ago was named one of UBC's "Distinguished University Scholars." Before first coming to North America on a Fulbright Grant, Graeme received his initial education and began his teaching career in Aotearoa / New Zealand. The holder of a number of awards from several professional associations, he is the author of 4 books and more than 150 journal articles, chapters, and reviews.

About Hartej:

Hartej Gill was born in India in the state of Punjab. She is the daughter of Mohinder and Jiri Gill and the grand-daughter of Kishan & Naranjan Gill and Balwant & Pritam Sull who all come from a tradition of rice, sugarcane, date, wheat and vegetable farming in their respective villages of Fatehpur, Moranwali, Jindowal, and Palahi. Hartej’s education began at the Government Primary School in Moranwali in the District of Hoshiar Pur. She has since worked as an Elementary School Teacher in both the English and French Immersion Programs in the North Vancouver School District. She has also held the positions of an English as an Additional Language Teacher, French as a Additional Language Teacher, Learning Assistance Teacher and Teacher-Librarian. In her last role in the North Vancouver School District, she worked as a Vice-Principal at Sherwood Park Elementary School. She has recently joined the Educational Administration Faculty in the Department of Educational Studies.

Hartej is particularly interested in Social Justice and Leadership and in using research to bridge the gap between theory, practice, and social activism. At the core of her work is the goal of provoking critical dialogues about identity, power, systemic oppression. colonialism, patriarchy and modernity etc. From her professorship position designated by EADM as a scholar-practitioner, she hopes to use her praxis as way of co-creating transformative and reciprocal relationships between universities, public schools, and the larger community.