Conference Day

Today was a full day of listening, processing and thinking which started even before the actual conference began.  My friend RaeAnne has been taking her M. Ed. in counselling over the past year.  She is nearing the end.  We planned to meet for breakfast at ATF, sit together and go for lunch up the hill.  One of the lovely things about conference day is meeting up with friends that you may not see often enough.

The day had 3 main speakers, all very different from one another, which I found made the day go quickly.  I learned several things from each of them.  

Janet Duncan talked about "International Perspectives on Inclusion Societies."  I guess I'd never thought that much about inclusion in the "transitional democracies" (a new term for me meaning parts of the former soviet union), although I've heard and talked a lot about inclusion with the last few international high school students who have lived with us over the past couple of years.  I also knew that a lot of children born with physical or intellectual challenges did end up in orphanages, but never knew that by not having their births registered the parents could go on to have another child.  I also found her explanation of how, before the Olympics in China, the local population was actually taught how to respond and befriend people with challenges in preparation for the Paralympic games.  Hmmm... fascinating.  I enjoyed watching the 3 interpreters too.  After spending a week each summer over 3 years at APSEA ASL immersion, they were as enjoyable to watch as the speaker was to listen to.

Joanne Syms, who talked about "Anti-bullying for Schools" was engaging and dynamic.  I had heard her speak before and she constantly said interesting points.  A couple of her fascinating ones were that bullying usually takes place in front of peers and that it usually only takes 10 seconds after peers intervene for an incident to stop.  She also stated that "hurt people hurt people".  We can't change all bullies, but can teach peers and staff alike to being an inclusive caring community that will make a difference with a restorative justice approach.  

Rola Abi-Hanna spoke on the newcomer experience in NS schools.  I really liked the term "newcomer".  Although I had heard it before, I had not reflected on newcomer vs. refugee vs. immigrant.  This past year I met a student in my school who was on our cheerleading team (I'm staff co-ordinator of the team) whose family had moved to Canada from South America due to threats on their lives.  I have a greater appreciation of what these "newcomers" have been through.

Conference day was enjoyable.... maybe not quite a fun as a day at the beach though....but I certainly did learn and enjoy the day.