WMN Feature - Emily McInnes - Let's Talk Teaching

Teachers don’t get enough credit or recognition. Period. It’s not an easy career path and your successes and rewards are measured in… well, not in cash. But teachers play a key part in our lives. They influence who we are - they shape us. We wanted to know what it’s like to be a teacher today - in the age of smartphones, fake news, and the fight for equality, -  so we reached out to Emily McInnes, a young Teacher at the Toronto District School Board. 

TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND. WHERE DID YOU GROW UP AND WHAT WAS YOUR CHILDHOOD LIKE?

I grew up on Prospect Road, in Nova Scotia.  Anyone who has been to Nova Scotia, and driven from Halifax to Peggy’s Cove, has likely driven past my house and didn’t know it.  My childhood was wonderful and privileged: supportive parents; great friends; sports teams; creative outlets; summer camps; water sports; etc.  It also had some challenges: my parents were separated when I was in Gr. 7; I struggled to fit in in Middle School (who didn’t?); and I uncomfortably wriggled through finding my own identity in a small community that was both nurturing and isolated.

THE INTERNET TELLS ME THAT YOU STUDIED JOURNALISM. WHAT LED TO THAT DECISION AND DID YOU LEARN ANYTHING THAT STUCK WITH YOU?

It was actually less Journalism, and more the Foundation Year Program (FYP), that made me apply to King’s College.  FYP is essentially the world’s toughest reading list. It sounded like a challenge and I was up for it. I decided to try the Journalism elective but it wasn’t for me – I preferred making up stories instead of reporting on real events that were unfolding.  Not a great habit for a journalist. So I finished my elective and then completed a Combined Honours in English, History, and Philosophy.

LET'S TALK TEACHING. WHEN DID YOU DECIDE THAT YOU BELONGED IN FRONT OF THE CLASSROOM?

I think I’ve always wanted to be a teacher.  When I was younger, I wanted to be a firefighter or a teacher; and then an artist or a teacher; and then a lawyer or a teacher.  Always a teacher though. I worked as a camp counsellor for a few years as a high school student; and as a Writing Tutor at university.  After my undergrad, I travelled to Latin America and taught with my cousin at a school in Ciudad Vieja, in Guatemala. I remember our first day: we assumed we’d be shadowing a teacher and oriented to the building.  Instead we were given a boom box with some random CD and taken to a room with 30 children. We spoke zero Spanish. The class was awkward to say the least, but we managed to get them playing Follow the Leader, Simon Says, and by the end of the class, we had taught them a few English words, thought on our feet, used our creativity and communication skills to make the teeniest of impact.  That was it.

EVERYONE HAS ONE LIFE-CHANGING TEACHER. WHO WAS YOURS AND WHAT DID HE/SHE DO TO INFLUENCE YOU?

I have been lucky to have had several.  Mr. Stewart was my middle school Social Studies teacher, and basketball coach.  We would start each class with a ‘Current Events’ discussion where we would read the paper and discuss what was affecting the world.  I will never forget that and as a teacher, this has become integral to my own classroom: we always discuss current events and I connect texts and curriculum to current issues to make the learning relevant and meaningful.

While studying at OISE, there were some incredible teachers.  Rob Simon and Patrick Finnesey may have had the biggest impact on me and my teaching.  My understanding of critical literacy – connecting literature to real world events – came from Rob; and my passion for social justice – understanding that teaching is necessarily political – was fostered with Patrick.  I wouldn’t be the teacher I am without their inspiration, knowledge, and support.

WORD IS, TEACHING (ESPECIALLY HERE IN ONTARIO) IS A CHALLENGING THING TO GET INTO. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE STRUGGLE AND HOW IT RELATES TO YOUR JOURNEY FINDING PERMANENT WORK?

The problem with teaching is there are many people trying to get into the profession, and very few who leave before they absolutely need to.  I think it is reflective of the kind of people who tend to teach – most of us are sincerely and passionately committed to education and love the job.  Even retired teachers are continuing to supply teach. The year I entered Teacher’s College, Ontario put into effect Bill 274 which meant that hiring practices would be based on seniority first.  The Bill meant a tedious process of becoming a permanent teacher: first step: get on the supply list; work at varying schools tirelessly attempting to leave great impressions; then apply to be on the long-term occasional list (LTO) covering teachers away on maternity or long-term sick leave; at this point every day feels like a job interview where you need to make yourself indispensable.  Many teachers get stuck in this stage for years and years. I was lucky: after 3 years of LTOs, I managed to apply and get a permanent teaching job.

I’ve come to think of it like most professions – it takes a few years to make a name for yourself and begin to move through the system.  The lack of stability is frustrating though. I was surplussed from my school’s needs this year, and moved to another school- luckily, an amazing one.  This is the first but likely not the last time this will happen to me. I have friends who have been permanent teachers for 9+ years and continue to be bumped from one school to another based on staffing needs, but little consideration for their sense of stability and lives.  

WE'VE NEVER HAD MORE ACCESS TO INFORMATION THAN WE DO TODAY. WHAT EFFECT DOES THIS HAVE FOR TODAY'S TEACHER? DOES IT MAKE IT EASIER OR HARDER?

Both.  Ironically with more access to a wider breadth of knowledge, student research skills have weakened.  There’s a focus on teaching tangible research skills like assessing the credibility of a source and properly crediting that source.  It’s frustrating because students can plagiarize easily – they have access to hundreds of ready-made essays, analyses, and assignments.  This challenges me to design new and innovative assignments that they won’t be able to find online – which is good for all involved. Access to information is also invaluable as a teacher to find resources and lessons.  I can discover articles, TedTalks, podcasts, and easily share them on Google Classroom with the whole class. It means teaching and learning can take place outside of the classroom much more easily.

 

IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT'S BEEN THE BIGGEST CHANGE IN THE CLASSROOM SINCE YOU WERE A STUDENT?

I’m so relieved that social media was non-existent when I was a student.  At best, it’s a constant distraction; at worst, it’s an addiction and a dangerous tool for constant bullying and social pressures.  It’s especially bad for girls. Recent findings from CAMH’s Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey shows that girls in Ontario are twice as likely to feel stressed, hopeless, and overwhelmed and social media appears to be a leading cause.

YOU COULD BE A LAWYER OR A HOTSHOT EXECUTIVE. WHY DO YOU TEACH?

My dad wanted me to be a lawyer.  A hotshot executive was never my style.  There is a beautiful concept in Judaism called “Tikkun Olam” which means “healing or repairing the world”.  The belief is that the world is fundamentally broken, and it is humanity’s shared responsibility to heal, repair, and transform the world for better.  I feel like my way of helping to heal the world is through education. It’s where I feel I can make an impact. Teaching is a person to person profession and you really can make a difference in the lives of the students you teach.  It’s a lot of pressure and a lot of responsibility that some days, quite honestly, I don’t feel up for. But it’s pretty amazing to know that a student decided to pursue Law because you inspired their interest in the subject. Or that you were the one person a student felt they could talk to about the shit going on in their lives, and without which, might not have survived high school.  Or that you were able to change someone’s perspective about inherent bias in a way that will forever impact the way they interact with others. I also love the creativity within teaching. I can read a cool article one day, and teach it the next. I can learn constantly as well – I learn alongside my students and they teach me so much – including the latest slang and best new music. Summers off aren’t terrible either.

WHAT'S THE ONE THING YOU WISH MORE PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT BEING A TEACHER?

I think some people don’t understand that teaching isn’t a career; it’s a lifestyle.  You teach people, but it’s one of those jobs where you deal with every element of life.  It’s not just planning and instruction in front of the classroom; it’s people skills; it’s noticing a student has been absent for two weeks and trying to figure out why; or observing that a student is struggling socially or emotionally and connecting them to helpful resources;  it’s social work; it’s psychology; it’s coaching; it’s parenting; it’s giving advice to a student whose friend just overdosed; it’s teaching life skills; it’s modelling positive balance and attitude and correcting negative behaviours and attitude. It comes with long hours and significant pressure because teachers are an essential support network for some students.  It’s a lot of weight to carry. It’s rewarding but it’s exhausting.

MILLENNIALS BASHING IS A REAL THING. THEY ARE LAZY, ENTITLED, SELFISH. ANY TRUTH TO THESE INSULTS? WHAT ARE TODAY'S YOUTH REALLY LIKE?

Sure, some truth.  But with any generalized statement like this, it’s also far from true for many students.  I have been fortunate to teach a number of students who are truly inspirational. They are more open-minded, progressive, and engaged in politics than I ever was at their age.  They are creative and multi-talented, respond to kindness with kindness, and appreciate being treated with respect. I taught one of the young women who helped create Ontario’s new Sex-Ed curriculum (now outrageously rescinded).  I taught several students who turned a Black History Month Show into a school movement for racial equality. I have been in many classrooms where students who are a little different were welcomed with patience and acceptance.

I would say alongside high rates of depression and anxiety, there’s a lack of resilience that’s concerning.  Students experience academic, social, emotional pressures and the fear of failure is real, and if/when they do fail, there is a panic that isn’t healthy.  Rather than considering failure as a necessary step to success, failure is viewed as an end point you must avoid reaching. I’m planning to start September with a lesson about people who have failed first, and then succeeded; like Albert Einstein, who almost dropped out of university, Dr. Seuss, whose first manuscript was famously rejected 28 times, Vera Wang who failed to make the Olympic Figure Skating Team, prompting her to take a job as an assistant at Vogue which got her started in the fashion industry.

YOU TOOK A STAND ON SOCIAL MEDIA NOT LONG AGO AND MADE IT CLEAR THAT YOU WILL BE TEACHING INDIGENOUS HISTORY DESPITE THE RECENT GOVERNMENT CANCELATION. WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT TO YOU AND WHY SHOULD PEOPLE CARE?

Along with the recent sex-ed curriculum cuts – the government retracted the newly created 2015 curriculum and reverted back to the 1998 curriculum – we are moving dangerously backwards in many ways.  Education is often called “society’s great leveler” and this content is important for us all to understand. Growing up, I was only given an opportunity to study indigenous communities through a problematically ‘exotic’ lens.  The Ontario curriculum has made significant strides forward, emphasizing not just tragic content like the legacy of Residential Schools and the Sixties Scoop, but also content that celebrates the incredible resilience and successes of indigenous people – like Richard Wagamese, Wab Kinew, Tanya Tagaq.  Thanks to workshops by the TDSB’s Aboriginal Education Centre, and the Ontario Federation for Indigenous Friendship Centres, my eyes have been opened to a side of our history that is just starting to be told widely and publicly, as it was suppressed for so many years. Students don't know this. Most adults don’t know truly what happened.  We need to teach indigenous history in Canada because we can’t understand our country without it.

 

Words by: Adam Meery
Photography: Bettina Bogar

August 26, 2018

WMN Feature - Saadia Muzaffar - Creating Change for Girls

During Saadia's childhood she was often told that she was 'too much.' She wasn't. She was just curious. And that curiosity unravelled into answering the question, "why can't girls do this?" The answer has always been: they can. And Saadia is making sure girls know that. She's the founder and CEO of TechGirls Canada, a non-profit organization committed to developing solutions that address barriers in the fields of STEM - Science, Tech, Engineering and Math. TechGirls is about creating diversity and equality for girls.

We had a lot to talk about during our walk through High Park where Saadia often goes to clear her mind with a walking meditation. We talked through what it’s like to be an immigrant woman of colour, childhood revelations, and how adopting a dog completely changes your life. The hard hitting stuff.

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR CHILDHOOD. WHAT WAS IT LIKE? 

My childhood was spent questioning my place in the world. I remember telling my third grade teacher that I feel too much.  I think that was my way of saying the world, and what was happening around me, was overwhelming to me. I was fortunate to have parents who encouraged my curiosity and I drowned myself in books, art, travel, and asking "why can't girls do that?" over and over again until I started getting told I was too much. Too bold, too clever, too curious, too sure.

HOW WAS THE EXPERIENCE OF MOVING COUNTRIES FOR YOU?

I moved from Pakistan to Canada when I was 19. At that age, you're very aware of having to straddle two worlds, and the feeling that you don't belong anywhere.  But I was also excited by the notion of getting to reimagine who I could be in this new reality. That I could rewrite some of the narratives I had been forced into for 19 years. To my mother's horror I landed here and chopped off my hair as a sign of starting fresh. Years later, she would tell me she did the same thing when she started college. People are funny in what they forget and what they choose to remember.

YOU WORKED IN FINANCE BEFORE SWITCHING TO THE NON-PROFIT SECTOR. WHAT IS IT LIKE TO WORK AS A WOMAN IN A MALE-DOMINATED INDUSTRY?

A strange thing about being in large systems like this is that you're forced to accept it and integrate into it.  But my nature always ensured that I didn't accept the status quo. But I didn't know what the alternative looked like. I also didn't have the vocabulary to express the million paper cuts I was feeling every day being a woman, a person of colour, and an immigrant. I fought back the best I could,  but you can see that it wasn't always easy.

HOW DID THE IDEA OF TECHGIRLS CANADA COME TO YOU? WHAT DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION DO? 

TechGirls Canada, or TGC, was born out of frustration. When we started five years ago, there wasn't a lot of talk on diversity. And when there was,  it referred to "women"  which translated to mostly straight, abled-bodied, white women. Someone like me had almost no place in this conversation with my many intersecting identities and experiences. TechGirls Canada (TGC) is the hub for Canadian women in Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM). Proudly supporting Women of Colour, LGBTTQ, and Indigenous trailblazers. TGC is committed to fostering collaboration in designing solutions to address the barriers for diversity and equity in the technology sector. TGC works to advocate for resources, funding, private and public sector partnership opportunities, and catalyze joint programs.

IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT DOES THE WORLD NEED MORE OF?

The world needs more people saying, "Huh, I hadn't thought of it that way." We are drowning in a lot of performance of allyship with not enough of us doing the work of unlearning what terrible social systems like toxic masculinity, racism, and patriarchy have taught us. We squander so many opportunities for becoming better humans when we get defensive. Next time you are presented with information that counters what you believe about someone's lived experience that you don't share, try saying "Huh, I hadn't thought of it that way," and taking a step back.

WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE FOR YOUNG WOMEN LOOKING TO PURSUE THEIR CAREERS IN STEM? 

Build a group of supportive people around you who will lift you up when these sectors weigh you down. Stay focused on doing your best work. Keep your receipts. Ask for help. Don't drink the Kool-aid of "always be closing" - give your body the sleep it needs.

“BUILD A GROUP OF SUPPORTIVE PEOPLE AROUND YOU WHO WILL LIFT YOU UP...”

CONNECT WITH SAADIA:

LINKEDIN
TWITTER

Intro by: Lori Harito / Photography by: Bettina Bogar

WMN Feature - Sarah Phelps - Life In Vivid Colours

It takes guts to make art and put it out there for people to see. It takes raw courage to make a living doing it. That why I love Sarah. She's my go-to girl for conversations about what it’s like to be a full-time artist and how important it is to believe in yourself, your art and your talent. 

But Sarah's no starving artist. Her hard work has paid off. Her pieces hang in the homes of celebrities and have been featured in publications around the world. I hung out with her to find out more about how she did it.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? 

My first position out of university was a Wildlife Biologist for the Ministry of Natural Resources where I tracked and surveyed amphibians, reptiles, and mammals in the field.  I also traveled to Australia and worked for the Queensland Institute of Medical Research analyzing mosquitoes, ran a koala survey for the Gold Coast City Counsel, and worked with a PhD student capturing and releasing wallabies. These jobs were all so amazing and soul fueling. My extensive experience in nature is continually expressed in my paintings, as my work has an organic vibe with modern edge and flare. 

WHAT MADE YOU SWITCH TO BECOME A FULL-TIME ARTIST?

I've been an artist my whole life and intended on going to university for fine arts, but at the last minute I changed my mind and pursued wildlife biology. I love animals. It wasn't until I started moving up in the environmental industry that my passion as an artist started brewing inside of me. After 10 years of wildlife biology, I threw caution to the wind and paint to canvas and soon realized that abstract painter was my true calling. The stars aligned and before I knew it, I was offered an artist studio and my first solo art exhibit was a great success. The rest is history.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO PAINT? 

I am inspired by my present life, past experiences, future dreams, and positive energy. I allow my emotion to pour and flow onto the canvas through interesting textures and intriguing colour palettes. My paintings create a story for the viewer to interpret. There is nothing better than someone connecting deeply with one of my paintings. I believe each piece is meant for a specific person and eventually they will find one other.

WHERE CAN WE SEE YOUR WORK?

You can see my latest works on my website www.sarahphelps.ca and in person at my art gallery & studio in the historic Distillery District of Toronto.

“UNDERSTAND THAT IT WILL TAKE HARD WORK, DETERMINATION, CONFIDENCE, AND SELF LOVE TO BE TRULY SUCCESSFUL.”

WHAT DO YOU THINK ARTISTS NEED MORE SUPPORT OF? 

Artists need more support from arts & culture sectors of government, more available and affordable work spaces, more opportunities to expose their work, and more support from the community to buy and invest in art/artists. 

WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST FOR SOMEONE WHO IS WANTING TO PURSUIT PAINTING FULL-TIME? 

Follow your passion, take a chance and go full throttle. Keep that side job until you feel the timing is right to become a full time artist. Understand that it will take hard work, determination, confidence, and self love to be truly successful. Anything is possible :)  

CONNECT WITH SARAH:

www.sarahphelps.ca
sarahphelpsartist@gmail.com 

WMN Feature - Sue Love & Sapna Flower - A Clinic Built Together

If you live in Toronto’s east end, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of Sue Love and Sapna Flower. In 2012 they opened Restore, a naturopathic health clinic, which quickly became Leslieville's favorite. Partnerships are really hard and as someone who’s tried (and failed) to work with a partner, I wanted to know their secret.

HOW DID YOU TWO MEET?

Sapna: At school! We liked each other's names - haha!

WHAT’S THE STORY BEHIND RESTORE? WHEN DID YOU OPEN?

Sapna:  We opened in January of 2012.  Sue and I wanted to create a warm and comfortable health hub where you can get support with any concern you may be having. We wanted to have a strong team of like-minded regulated practitioners who took the patient's needs in mind to help them through whatever is going on in their lives at the time.

Sue: We knew Leslieville was where we wanted to be, as it was right between where we both lived, and where we had spent lots of time studying together. We designed our space in a way that feels comfortable, and also clean and professional, and thankfully the Leslieville locals seems to like the vibe we created.

Dr. Sue Love, ND

Dr. Sapna Flower, ND

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON HAVING A PARTNER IN BUSINESS? WHAT KIND OF ADVICE DID PEOPLE GIVE YOU WHEN YOU STARTED OUT TOGETHER? 

Sue: Just about everyone we sought advice from warned us that having partner was a terrible idea. We somehow knew it would work, and went forward against everyone’s advice. I can’t imagine having done this on my own. Having a partner to live through the ups and downs of business and life together has been key to keeping me sane over the past 6 years. Sapna is the best partner I could imagine!

Sapna:  With opening a business and having an 8 month old at the time, I could not have imagined going through all that work without Sue.  Now that I have 2 young children, the support of my business partner has gotten me through the most challenging times and I wouldn't change it for anything!  My thoughts on having a partner, despite being discouraged by people to not have one, is that you need to treat it like a marriage.  You need to have the tough conversations, compromise and honesty all while nurturing the relationship as your business grows.  Essentially, you need to really know your partner before jumping into the business venture with 2 feet.

"MY THOUGHTS ON HAVING A PARTNER, DESPITE BEING DISCOURAGED BY PEOPLE TO NOT HAVE ONE, IS THAT YOU NEED TO TREAT IT LIKE A MARRIAGE.  YOU NEED TO HAVE THE TOUGH CONVERSATIONS, COMPROMISE AND HONESTY ALL WHILE NURTURING THE RELATIONSHIP AS YOUR BUSINESS GROWS. "

WAS THERE ANY TIME IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WHEN YOU DISAGREED ON SOMETHING? 

Sapna:  Absolutely, but we always seem to find understanding or compromise a resolution that suits both of us and the business as a whole.

Sue: Of course, and I see this as a key component of a healthy partnership. The process of working through different perspectives will foster growth for the business and your relationship.

YOU’RE BOTH FULL-TIME MOMS WITH A BUSINESS, WHERE YOU TAKE CARE OF HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE. WHAT ARE YOUR SECRETS FOR WORK-LIFE BALANCE?

Sapna: Turning off work when you get home...and having a great partner!

Sue: Hiring great people and trusting them, so we can turn off work when we get home! Setting boundaries and sticking to them – for example, when we opened the clinic we decided that we would close the clinic every long weekend so that we, and our practitioners, would have that time with family.

IF YOU HAD ONE ADVICE FOR WOMEN TRYING TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESSES, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Sue: Be thorough in doing your research but also trust your instincts. They’ll never fail you. Don’t let others discourage you. If you have a clear vision, you can make it happen.

Sapna:  Know your business, have a clear vision and surround yourself with positive and smart people who can foster your ideas.

CONNECT WITH SUE & SAPNA:

www.restoreyourhealth.ca
647-725-2525
info@restoreyourhealth.ca

WMN Feature - Suzanne Barr - Chef + Creator

Once a successful producer at MTV in New York City, Suzanne decided to drop it all and go for the dream. She went to culinary school, moved to a different country and opened up a hip little diner. Spoiler alert, it’s unbelievable and the food critics agree. With this much hustle, I had to know more about this incredible woman so I dropped by for some brunch and mimosas. Edit: I did this story back in May 2017, when Saturday Dinette was still open. The restaurant closed due to issues with the landlord but Suzanne is now the Co-Executive Chef at the Gladstone Hotel, about to open up Kid'Chocolate Bar and is hard at work on a cookbook.

WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE BECOMING A CHEF? WHAT MADE YOU SWITCH?

I was an executive producer at MTV Networks in NYC. I officially hit a wall and needed a change as I had been working in Film/TV for over 10 years. 

HOW DID YOUR CULINARY CAREER START?

My culinary career began when I graduated from a small culinary school in NYC called the Natural Gourmet Institute. Then I moved to Kauai, HI for my externship and never looked back.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB AS A CHEF?  

My first chef job was working as a private chef for a family in Bridgehampton, LI.  I worked for the family as their chef for almost 4 years. They are still apart of my life.

WHAT INFLUENCES YOU? HOW DO YOU COME UP WITH YOUR MENUS? 

Many things influence me, including: music, photography, conversations, memories, history or travels. I typically am inspired to create menus that are seasonally driven but mostly, connected to something I am watching, eating, talking about, and dreaming about.

WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU RIGHT NOW IN THE CITY? 

I am currently working at the Gladstone Hotel as Co-Executive Chef and I am also awaiting the next stage of development of a cookbook, “ A love letter to my mother”.

WHAT IS THE DINETTES PROGRAM?

The Dinettes program came to me as we were planning the opening of Saturday Dinette over 4 years ago. It is a work/life training program where we work with young women of colour to help them gain culinary skills and life experience in the hospitality industry. We are currently working to confirm a long-term agreement with The Gladstone Hotel as our permanent incubator home for the program. I am excited to announce this come 2018.

HAVING A BABY AND RUNNING A BUSINESS IS A THOUGHT THAT A LOT OF WOMEN STRUGGLE WITH. WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE TO WOMEN WHO ARE DELAYING MOTHERHOOD BECAUSE OF THE FEAR OF LOSING OUT ON OPPORTUNITIES/BUSINESS? 

My advice would be to do what feels right, special and magical. Make sure you are committed to the sacrifices that come with becoming a mother and a working mom. There will be moments of insecurity and doubt, but it will pass. The most important advice is to keep in conversation with your partner, make time for date night, go home early when you can and make sure to always allow for family time.  Love, love, love every day - even in the moments of confusion.