From the dean ' s desk
Dr . Jerome Cranston
It has been over a year since we abruptly moved to remote learning , teaching , and working due to the impact of COVID-19 . We have used words like “ unprecedented ,” and “ once in a lifetime ” to describe the sheer magnitude of the global pandemic we are still living in . And , to a degree these words seem overused and consequently of little import given the loss of life that has occurred .
Yet , while there have been many challenging times for all , as we begin to look forward to and plan for a staged return to campus , the focus of this issue of Education News is on the gifts and moments of grace that have occurred this year . I am not suggesting that we should just wistfully ignore the very real losses of life and the emotional toll that has occurred . So many people are hurting and grieving . They need to be given the space and time to deal with their grief and their grieving . This should not be minimized .
But , we need to find ways to collectively move forward and herein lies the possibility of offering each other a moment of grace . Each and every one of us has the ability to share a moment of grace with someone else : a friend , a colleague and even a complete stranger . We can offer ourselves in humility . We don ’ t know what they are feeling but we can offer them our non-judgemental understanding . Sometimes they need to see a smile .
A smile requires no more energy than does a frown . Sometimes they need someone with an empathetic ear and compassionate heart to simply listen . Sometimes we might be able share a sense of a pragmatic optimism that our collective lives can get better and that we can dampen the extent of the climate emergency we are living in — if we do the necessary work and make the necessary changes . As hard as it may seem , we need to find ways to provide hope and joy to each other . Finally , treat yourself with the kindness and understanding you would show someone you love . Because you certainly deserve it .
In this issue , read how the science education team , an area especially geared towards hands-on learning , adapted to remote learning by developing science kits that students found engaging , and that even gave the children of students something to look forward to each week . Learn about student experiences of remote learning and teaching . Lakeland Scriver , a student in our After Degree Program , shares the unexpected benefits of remote learning , especially with regard to the ease of developing their transgender identity . Hanna Gross , who recently completed her pre-internship , and Keelin Louttit , who completed her internship in December 2020 , share their experiences of working in schools during a pandemic . Louttit was able to fund a community-oriented project with assistance from the Education Students ' Society .
Dr . Patrick Lewis , Knowledge Keeper Joseph Naytowhow , Elder Alma Poitras , and Dr . Anna-Leah King reflect on the gifts brought to them by the pandemic .
Dr . Latika Raisinghani offers a reflective poem , " Being Blessed ," choosing to focus on all she has to be grateful for . Also in this issue learn about what Dr . JoLee Sasakamoose has been doing with the Medicine Garden Project , which is assisting
Indigenous Elders with home-grown , nutrient-rich medicine and food . The initiative has grown and is being taken up at locations across Saskatchewan .
The teacher-researcher spotlight shines on the dissertation research of Dr . Brandon Needham , who explored the question : What actions can a school community take to engage in the TRC Calls to Action to become a site where truth and reconciliation become possible ?
Dr . Cristyne Hébert outlines the Professional Development offered to preservice teachers on digital literacies and pedagogies , something many students appreciated .
In " Notre communauté d ’ artistes trouve son inspiration dans la nature " Dr . Heather Phipps and Madame Stéphanie Pain share the joys they experienced with the community of learners in their Didactique des Arts class . Students ' artwork is featured along with with artwork from Madame Stéphanie Pain ' s Grade 4 students in the Fransaskois school where she teaches .
This issue celebrates our student , alumni , staff , and faculty award recipients . Of note , this year two of our alumni , Christine Selinger and Rosalie Tsannie-Burseth , and one of our grad students , Jacq Brasseur , were honoured with alumni awards . Grad student , Whitney Blaisdell was the winner of the University of Regina 3MT ® competition and will be competing in the Western Regional 3MT ® competition .
Dr . Jerome Cranston Dean / Professor
Faculty of Education