Piruvik Preschool, Pond Inlet, Inuvik – “The Pirurvik Preschool provides Early Childhood Education (ECE) that is child centered and based on the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) principles and is enriched through the use of Montessori materials. Our goal is to provide a culturally relevant learning experience guided by the IQ principal Pilimmaksarniq which allows children to learn at their own pace.Both IQ and Montessori put the emphasis of learning in the hands of each child by trusting them to know what they need.
Ursula Franklin Academy (Gr 9-12), Toronto, Ontario ( Toronto District School Board) – “In the words of Dr. Ursula Franklin: “Peace is not the absence of war but the presence of justice and the absence of fear …, and it is this philosophy that guides the vision of the Ursula Franklin Academy community. By focusing on learning through an anti-oppression stance, we respond to the complexity, diversity, and the beauty of the world around us. As a community we work in unison to both better understand and shape the future by focusing on the inter-relatedness of all curriculum to Ursula’s areas of expertise – Science, Mathematics, Technology, Social Justice, and Peace Activism. In doing so we continuously develop the tools that enable us to think critically about our world and the place we want to have in it. Our integrated learning touchstones include the Wednesday Program, our focus on cross-curricular instruction, and extra-curricular activities which allow Ursula Franklin Academy to activate around the key issues of social and economic justice. Fundamentally, at Ursula Franklin Academy we recognize that students, teachers, staff, parents, guardians, advocates, mentors, and alumni have an important role to play in educating and supporting one another as we each endeavour to become, as Ursula suggests, “personally happy and publicly useful”.”
Yukon First Nation Education Directorate and First Nation School Board Yukon – “Unified control over First Nations education so we can empower our people in our ways of knowing and prepare our children to be active participants in the current world.” See also First Nations Are Rethinking Education in the Yukon. And It’s Working
Killarney Montessori School (K-Gr 6), Calgary, Alberta (Calgary District School Board) – “In January 2000, the CBE approved the Montessori Alternative Program, which commenced in September 2000 at Killarney School. Eventually, Lake Bonavista School and Captain John Palliser School also opened with Montessori programs. Based on a profound respect for the potential of each individual and the discovery that children learn best when they are able to follow their individual interests, Montessori created carefully prepared classrooms that allow freedom of choice and movement with a balance of guidance and structure. Montessori continued to work in collaboration with others as she developed her methods, educational materials and teacher training courses. Research and development remain a vital part of Montessori education. Montessori methods and materials have been tested around the world and adapt well to a variety of cultural settings. This adaptability, and Montessori’s insight into how children learn, result from her understanding of the universal principles of human development. Her early discoveries are now being confirmed by modern research.
The Element High School, Ottawa, Ontario – “Proximity to a dynamic and vibrant community gives our students access to a variety of resources such as public libraries, museums, government offices, etc. This encourages our students to look to the community to find resources while expanding their horizons and further developing their independence. Our smaller numbers allow teachers to be available when needed. The Element mentorship program fosters independence while giving each student the support they require. This guarantees that each student has the amount of freedom they are able to handle responsibly. Our program is designed to offer students relevant experiences, which truly engage them by allowing free choices and the opportunity to follow their passion while ensuring they will have the academic skills to pursue further academic studies. Students learn real life skills through programs such as cooking, entrepreneurship and community work.”
