Bonus 9: Learning In Safer Spaces

In this bonus episode of Late in 88, hosts Bronwin and Elinor dive deeper into the important topic of sexuality education in Canadian schools, featuring expert insights from curriculum scholar Dr. Tonya Callaghan. Dr. Callaghan, who has years of experience teaching in junior high and high school, shares critical reflections on the challenges and gaps in the 1988 curriculum and how schools have handled gender and sexual diversity education over the decades.

They discuss the evolution of sexuality education, the impact of school board policies, and the urgent need for inclusivity in today’s classrooms. Learn about the struggles faced by 2SLGBTQIA+ students, the importance of Queer-Straight Alliances (QSAs), and how homophobic and transphobic bullying still affects students today. Dr. Callaghan also highlights how a lack of teacher training has left many educators unprepared to address sensitive topics such as sexual orientation and gender identity.

Tune in for a powerful discussion on why creating safer and more inclusive learning environments is essential for the well-being of all students.

About Dr. Tonya Callaghan

Prior to joining the Werklund School of Education, Dr. Callaghan enjoyed a varied teaching career at the secondary level with over ten years of experience in national, international, rural, urban, Catholic and non-Catholic environments. She completed a joint doctoral degree in two graduate programs at The University of Toronto: 1) The Curriculum Studies and Teacher Development Program in the Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE/UT), and 2) The Graduate Collaborative Program in Women and Gender Studies with the Women and Gender Studies Institute in the Faculty of Arts and Science. The recipient of two University of Calgary teaching awards for Curriculum Development, Dr. Callaghan was invited to join the Teaching Academy with the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning. 

Dr. Callaghan served as a facilitator with support groups for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) youth in Calgary, Edmonton, and Toronto. As a member of the Alberta Teachers’ Association’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee, Dr. Callaghan provided input on professional development workshops designed to build safe and caring classrooms, schools, and communities. They serve as an Ambassador for the Canadian Association for the Study of Women and Education (CASWE) at the UCalgary Werklund School of Education, as a member of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Network (UCalgary Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion), and as a Member-at-Large for the Alberta and Calgary Gay/Straight Alliance Networks. They also serve as a peer-reviewer for several scholarly journals, and as an adjudicator for Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council grants. Dr. Callaghan has also served UCalgary as a Senator. 

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