29 October, 2015 at 7:00 PM
Janusz Korczak and the Importance of Listening to Children’s Voices in Education:
Theory, Research, and Practical Strategies
WATCH VIDEO: The Importance of Listening to Children’s Voices in Education: Theory, Research, and Practical Strategies
INTRODUCTIONS:
Jerry Nussbaum, President of the Janusz Korczak Association of Canada
KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
Dr. Kimberly A. Schonert-Reichl, Professor in the Human Development, Learning, and Culture program at UBC and the Interim Director of the Human Early Learning Partnership in the School of Population and Public Health in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia
MODERATOR:
Maria LeRose, Program Consultant for the Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education
LECTURE ABSTRACT:
Throughout the literature it is increasingly recognized that a child’s and adolescent’s functioning in school is inextricably linked with his or her sense of belonging and connection to the school environment and his or her relationships with peers and teachers within it. Thus, it is necessary to obtain the perspectives of children and youth regarding their school experiences and for them to be included in decisions that affect their lives in schools in explicit and authentic ways. This presentation will focus on the aspects of Janusz Korczak’s work that can inform both present and future efforts to bring children’s voices into schools. Included in this discussion will be some of the recent scientific findings which indicate that including students’ voices not only leads to higher academic achievement, but also supports the development of their empathy, compassion, and well-being. The session will also include a panel of young children who will be asked to provide their own experiences on why this is important and give their advice to educators and others on how to include children’s voices into the fabric of schooling.
PANEL:
Robin Kaebe, Salma Rafi and Alexander Corless Grade 6 students, Lord Roberts Elementary
ABOUT THE KEYBOTE SPEAKER:
Dr. Kimberly A. Schonert-Reichl is a Professor in the Human Development, Learning, and Culture program at UBC and the Interim Director of the Human Early Learning. The author of more than 100 articles and two books, Dr. Schonert-Reichl studies the social and emotional development and well-being of children and adolescents, particularly in relation to identifying the mechanisms that foster positive human qualities such as empathy and compassion. Her recent research includes a focus on population-level data on children’s social and emotional competence and resiliency, and evaluations of school-based social and emotional learning programs. She is a fellow of the Mind and Life Institute and winner of several awards, including the Killam Teaching Prize for excellence in teaching, and the Confederation of University Faculty Associations’ (CUFA-BC) Paz Buttedahl Career Achievement Award for sustained contributions over the course of a career to the nonacademic community through research and scholarly activity. Dr. Schonert-Reichl is also an advisor to the BC Ministry of Education’s new educational curriculum that includes a focus on Personal and Social Competency.
ABOUT THE MODERATOR:
Maria LeRose is Program Director for the Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education. She is an award-winning television producer and interviewer, and an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at UBC. She received her Masters of Education from the University of British Columbia in the Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology and Special Education – with an emphasis on social and emotional development. Before embarking on a career in Journalism, Maria coordinated the first Child Abuse Prevention Program in BC, and worked in a variety of Social Service jobs including Youth and Child Care Worker, and Mental Health Worker. She has moderated panels featuring the Dalai Lama, Mikhail Gorbachev, Sir Ken Robinson and other luminaries.
This session has been co-ordinated by Dr.Kimberly A. Schonert-Reichl, Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia