Culturally Responsive Practice in Nova Scotia’s Early Learning and Child Care Settings
Culturally Responsive Practice in Nova Scotia’s Early Learning and Child Care Settings is a 12-hour module developed in response to the ongoing enhancements to Nova Scotia’s Early Learning Curriculum Framework (NSELCF). Three (3) sub-modules have been designed to create a safe and ethical space for examining the nature of biases, prejudice, and assumptions. The modules unpack privilege and encourage participants to reflect on the historical and systemic roots of discrimination and racism. The modules reflect on the lived experiences of people who face these challenges in Nova Scotia. Each module is accompanied by home learning that will continue the conversations between modules.
Through a reflective approach, participants will become deeply aware of their own identities and the identities of the children, families, and communities they serve.
DISCLAIMER: The modules have been developed for synchronous learning. Participants are required to move through each of the modules in sequence, and with the same cohort. The inability to commit will result in a “restart” of the entire training. The objective of the modules is to demonstrate cultural responsiveness, thus, participants must demonstrate this understanding throughout. To do so, participants scheduled for online learning must work from an operational computer, with a working mic and camera.
You must agree to the pre-registration agreements before signing up for the sessions.
- I agree to participate from an operational computer with a working mic and camera.
- I agree all information is confidential and will not be shared outside my group discussions or cohort of participants
- I agree to commit to the entire 12-hour schedule to receive credit.
- I agree to conduct myself in a professional manner and be respectful of other people’s perspectives, opinions, and ideas.
- I agree that I will show up fully committed and engaged in the work.
REGISTER HERE
Module 1: Laying Face and Foundation
Module Objectives:
• Understand who the Mi’kmaq are
• Understand who the Acadians are
• Understand who the Gaels are
• Understand who the African Nova Scotians are
• Explore and contextualize our understanding of culture
• Explore and contextualize our understanding of intersectionality
• Explore and articulate the intersections of race, nationality, gender, and sexuality
Module 1 provides space for the four (4) historical cultures of Nova Scotia to share themselves in a meaningful way. Participants will better understand the four (4) historical cultures, languages, and beliefs. Participants will explore and contextualize specific intersections and how they relate to culture and themselves.
Module 2: Faces of Discrimination
▪ Explore and contextualize our own privileges, biases, and opinions
▪ Explore and contextualize discrimination
▪ Explore and contextualize racism
▪ Explore and contextualize systemic racism
▪ Explore the Indian Act, Residential Schools, Africville, Racialized Policing, “All lives Matter” and, Social Determinants of Health
▪ Explore and contextualize micro-aggression
Module 2 requires participants to explore and contextualize their own privileges, biases, and opinions. Participants will explore how these interrelate with discrimination, racism, and moreover, systemic racism. Participants will specifically explore contemporary racism in Nova Scotia.
Module 3: Faces of Reconciliation
▪ Explore and contextualize reconciliation
▪ Explore Truth and Reconciliation
▪ Explore and review Education Calls to Action
▪ Explore Black Lives Matter
▪ Explore and review United Nations Rights of the Child
▪ Explore Educator’s role in the classroom
▪ Explore 7 Sacred Teachings as a tool
▪ Explore racism from birth onward
▪ Explore Nova Scotia’s Early Learning Curriculum Framework
▪ Explore and articulate culturally responsive practice
▪ Explore and contextualize Allyship
Module 3 provides space to explore the different types of reconciliation while acknowledging the need to act now. Participants explore their own roles in this work; specifically exploring cultural responsiveness as it relates to Early Learning and Child Care Settings and moreover the Early Learning Curriculum Framework.
REGISTER HERE
A facilitating team will have two community members or a community member paired up with an ally to ensure there is always someone to speak from the first voice and lived experiences. Scheduling depends on facilitators' availability.
Meet Your Training Facilitators
Adam Braye
Adam Braye (He/They) has worked with children and youth in a variety of capacities and contexts for over 15 years. He currently works as a Family Home Childcare Consultant and Instructor for the Jane Norman College. The core of their personal practice is creating a healthy community through positive relationships. They believe creating connections between people, allowing people to feel seen, heard and valued is the foundation to success. Adam grew up on the beautiful east coast of Newfoundland. Outside the office he believes there is nothing better than connecting with nature, exploring beaches, or hiking in the woods. They enjoy cooking, Lego, sports and reading. He is a lifelong learner, particularly focusing on LGBTQ2+ studies. He actively advocates for the Transgender community, quality childcare and access to Mental Health for all people.
Anne Briscombe
My name is Anne Briscombe, I come from Kenya, and I belong to the Kikuyu tribe. I speak three languages: Kikuyu, Kiswahili, and English. I love listening to audiobooks and podcasts when walking my dog Pendo (means ‘love’ in Kiswahili). I have lived in Canada for 17 Winters and I am yet to get used to the snow. I have two children and a partner who are amazing human beings in my daily life.
Aram Kim
Aram Kim is a Lead ECE at Pre-Primary and a part-time instructor at NSCECE. Since 1998, she dedicated herself to the early childhood education field as an ECE supporting children and families with different needs and as a Program Coordinator creating curricula and teaching materials for young learners. She brings her decade of experience and passion for teaching to her current role as a facilitator who truly believes that teachers can make the world a better place.
B de Guzman
B obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Social Work at Miriam College, in the Philippines in 2003. For eight years he worked as a Social Worker in various sectors. In February 2012, B immigrated to Halifax, Nova Scotia. He graduated from the Nova Scotia College of Early Childhood Education in 2016 and promptly began his career as an Early Childhood Educator at Point Pleasant Child Care Centre. B also became a Canadian Citizen in 2016, and published a chapter in the textbook titled Inquiry-Based Early Learning Environments: Creating, Supporting and Collaborating by Susan Stacey, where he began to be recognized for his work in raw documentation. In 2017, B transitioned as transmale and began his journey to physical transition. His valuable experience paved the way to his advocacy work around Gender Inclusion, hence started co-presenting workshops on Gender Inclusion with Sexual Health Expert – Emily Martinello. Currently, he continues his advocacy work in Inclusion and Diversity, at the same time exploring avenues to continue pursuing Social Work, while he continues to work with children and families.
Carrie Melsom
Hello, my name is Carrie Melsom (she/her). I am a scatterling. My people are British settlers who have been on the move for the past 200 years. We have not planted anywhere, my immediate family is scattered across Canada. I have sung in a small queer, feminist, acapella choir for over 30 years. We sing songs of resistance and change often bringing stories of marginalized communities, including our own, into public spaces. I am a transit user. I carry childhood trauma. I love my dog, walking in nature, and knowing the names of random things. I spent over ½ my working life afraid I might lose my job if families found out I was gay. I have huge respect for children and the people who work with them. I was born at the end of the baby boom. I took in the idealism and activism of the 60s as a young child; I’m a true believer. I’ve marched for IWD, Take Back the Night, Pride, Climate Change, and with Idle No More to Parliament. I am an ally. I know we are the change and the change starts here. My strongest and proudest identity is as an early childhood educator. I feel blessed to join you in confronting some hard history and exploring the kinds of culturally responsive practices that will help ensure we do not perpetuate past injustices.
Jane MacKenzie
My name is Jane MacKenzie, I am currently the coordinator of the Early Years Support Site at Jane Norman College in Truro. I have worked in the field of early childhood education for the past 42 years, in a variety of capacities. I was the director of the Dr. Jane Norman Child Study Centre for 20 of those years. I have taught at the College, have developed and delivered workshops and facilitated the Early Learning Curriculum Framework. I am participating in the facilitation of this Culturally Responsive Training as an Ally. Over the last number of years, I have been in the process of educating myself with regards to diversity, unconscious bias, privilege, racism, etc. I truly believe the statement, “aware is halfway there.” When we have accurate information, when we take the time to listen and process, I believe we can begin to create small shifts in attitudes, values and behaviors.
Jessica DeMille
Jessica is an Inclusion Coach with NSECDIS in Yarmouth NS. She loves partnering with educators to help create environments that are inclusive and supportive to all children using the Pyramid Model framework and the NSELCF. As a past Pre-Primary Lead ECE, Jessica feels that reflective practice is an important part of an educator’s role. She is honoured to be part of a journey that will encourage us to reflect together.
Kerri Johnson
Kerri is a YWCA Halifax management team member and has been YWCA Director of Early Learning and Child Care since the Halifax location opened in 2012. Kerri has been in the field of Early Childhood Education and Child Development for over 30+ years and was instrumental in the opening of the YWCA Halifax Early Learning Centre (Spryfield) in 2012, YWCA Before and After School Program(s) (BAP) Rockingstone Heights Elementary (2019), Central Spryfield Elementary (2022), as well as the YWCA Dartmouth Child Development Centre (YWCA/DCDC) in January 2022. Kerri is a member of the Nova Scotia Early Childhood Education Curriculum Framework Committee with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and teaching faculty at Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC). She developed the NSCC Africentric ECE Program and Curriculum, as well as the NSCC Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIAA) and Pedagogical Leadership course for the NSCC ECE Advanced Practitioner Certificate Program. Kerri is a recognized leader in the provincial childcare sector with active roles in child development, education, advocacy, ECE curriculum, parent/family support, ECE student support, NSCC Africentric ECE program, as well as employment and settlement support for ECE newcomers to Canada.
Lea Anne Joudrie
Hi, my name is Lea Anne Joudrie, and I began my journey as an early childhood educator back in the early 1980s and have worn many hats along the way. For the first 32 years I worked at a childcare center in Truro. While there, I fulfilled the roles of infant, toddler and preschool educator as well as director/ owner/operator. My next role was that of family home provider, then onto FHCC director & consultant. I also am an instructor at Jane Norman College in the ECE program. I also create and deliver workshops and facilitate the NS Early Learning Curriculum Framework. I am looking forward to the next part of my journey with you, as we grow together to create more culturally responsive programs in our beautiful province of NS.
Lisa MacIntyre
Lisa MacIntyre (she/her) is currently a member of the Pyramid Model team in CBVR as Coach Team Lead. She began this journey in 2019 as a Pyramid Coach with NSCC Marconi after working as an ECE for 15 years in a large, non-profit centre licensed for ages 18 months-12 years. Besides being a facilitator for the NS Framework, she is also a trained facilitator for the BAP program, has been a Practicum Advisor for NSCECE, and a Subject Matter Expert and e-campus faculty for NSCC’s pilot Advance Practitioner Program. If you have attended any PD she has developed or presented, you may have heard her saying that ECE’s are neurosurgeons without scalpels. It’s important, impactful work that is important to support. Lisa is a single mom of teens (welcoming all good vibes and advice), enjoys reading, trivia nights, watercolor painting and has been a volunteer in her community for years where she strives to bring forth the importance of listening to and valuing children and youths’ voices, ideas, and perspectives. Lisa is a lifelong learner who loves and appreciates new experiences and opportunities.
Liz Hicks
Liz Hicks, elementary teacher from England, ECE diploma, 40 plus years in early childhood, in various capacities, and at present a private consultant working in early childhood education in NS, providing professional development in a variety of topics, consultations and pedagogical leadership plus delivering modules for the NS Early Learning Curriculum Framework. I believe children are capable, curious and have an innate need to connect with people and the world around them, which is also a belief I have for the educators that work with the children.
Megan Longmire
My name is Megan Longmire I come from a quiet Mi’kmaq community where I spent the last two years as an ECE and cultural liaison. I spent those two years providing culturally appropriate material to classrooms and taught Mi’kmaq language to our primary to grade three programs. I currently am the Indigenous support person for the Mi’kmaq early childhood education program provided by NSCC. I also am a part-time faculty that supports the same program. I was one of the thirteen students to graduate from the first ever Mi’kmaq early childhood education program. From there I was given the opportunity to create lesson plans for a new curriculum in the K4 programing for Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey. I am proud of who I am and my culture and cannot wait to support others in finding their path in life. I am a mother of four and love spending quality time with my husband, family and friends. Some of my hobbies include hunting, fishing and engaging in ceremonial practices such as smudging. Msit No’kmaq
Moashella Shortte
Moashella Shortte is a mother, educator, author, entrepreneur, and child and youth advocate. She received her formal training at Mount Saint Vincent University, earned an Early Childhood Management Certificate at St. Mary’s University and was granted a “Baccalauréat en sciences humaines” from “immigration et communautés culturelles”, in Montreal. She spent most of her formative working years at the East Preston Day Care and Family Resource Centre and ultimately became its Executive Director. In 2018, she co-founded Learning4YoungMinds, a company offering online and in-person workshops teaching empathy and socialization to young children; anti-racism training for
educators and student support workers; and writing support for BIPOC youth. She currently serves on the ECE advisory committee and is filling the role of lead faculty for the
Africentric Cohort of the ECE program at the Nova Scotia Community College. Moashella defines her mission as providing as many learners as possible with exceptional
learning experiences that will help them build a strong, positive foundation for learning for life!
Nik Philips
Nicholas (Nik) Phillips is a member of Mulin Sipu (Millbrook Mi’kmaw Nation). As a young two-spirited knowledge holder, Nik embodies the practice of Etuaptmumk (two-eyed seeing), bringing a wealth of Indigenous and Western knowledge to his life and work. He holds the belief that reconciliation is imbedded in our ability to share, listen, and understand one another. He is a well-rounded person who believes in supporting others in their own places of knowing. Aside from Nik’s professional pursuits, he is an adventurous individual who enjoys the outdoors, collecting traditional medicines, hunting, fishing, gardening, bee keeping and growing. He is also a traditional artist, collecting and designing Mi’kmaw traditional and contemporary beadwork.
Sarah Brown
Sarah Brown has been working in field of Early Childhood Education for 15 years, starting as an ECE working in infant, toddler and preschool rooms before taking on the role of resource teacher/inclusion coordinator. She works to support both children and staff in their quest of inclusion. She started facilitating workshops to the Nova Scotia Early Learning Curriculum Framework in 2018 and has loved the opportunity to learn from the participants perspectives. Though the challenge of providing workshops online has been an interesting one, she looks forward to returning to in-person facilitations. Outside of Early Childcare she is an avid swimmer, artistic swimming judge, and kayaker, loves hiking and camping. She looks forward to facilitating more workshops, as participants provide new perspectives of being an ECE.
Sieun Palmer
Born and raised in a homogeneous country, taking ECE and working in Toronto, ON helped me to experience the rich cultural differences and opened my eyes in my adulthood. Since moving to Nova Scotia, I sensed there wasn't enough diversity in the province, however, I observe and experience it is changing rapidly. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” I have been working in the ECE field for 17 years and currently I am a Lead ECE at HRCE where I work with children of various socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. Developing relationships with children, their families, and ECEs is my passion. I love exploring hiking trails with my 8-year-old son on weekends and running 4 book clubs. I am looking forward to growing with fellow educators to building culturally responsive practices for the benefit of future generations.
Sylvia Parris-Drummond
Sylvia Parris-Drummond is a proud member of the Black/African Nova Scotian community, Nanny, Mother, Sister, Auntie, and Godmother, and blessed with special and dear friends. Sylvia is the President of SVPARRIS CONSULTING and CEO of the Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute. Her work in education, strategic facilitation, and the community is rooted in core Africentric Principles. She is a seasoned collaborator and social justice change agent. Sylvia conducts policy analysis and develops educational products focused on anti-racism and social equity transformation. As an entrepreneur and recipient of the Queens Jubilee Medal (2022), 2022 Atlantic Business Top 50 CEO, and 2020 RBC Social Change Award, she seeks to reimagine and co-create spaces so that impact is centered.
Trina Fraser
Trina began her journey into East Preston Day Care Centre and Family Resource Centre programs as a new mother, parent volunteer, Early Childhood Educator. She is now an Executive Director overseeing and supervising a multitude of programs and 30 plus staff. Trina holds a teaching position with Nova Scotia Community College in the Afrocentric Early Childhood Educator course, having attained her Adult Teaching/Tutoring Certification in 2020. Trina is also an active member of the Nova Scotia Early Learning and Child Care Advisory Committee and the Nova Scotia Community College Afrocentric Early Childhood Educator Advisory Committee. Trina lives by many principles that indicate the benefits of hard work, being humble and caring for others. A key principle is: “Having a love for and wanting all people to prosper to be given opportunities and to be treated fairly and equally is all that should matter, living in today’s world knowing that we need to support each other is what should matter most, when one climbs, we all climb”.