Educational Administration and Leadership public presentations 2025

Educational Administration and Leadership public presentations 2025

Dear EDST Community,

You are invited to join us for the upcoming Educational Administration and Leadership (EDAL) public presentations of the culminating Master’s research papers. This work is a collaboration of the UBC-VSB-Richmond School District Cohort focused on the theme: Inquiry, capacity building and leadership for Indigeneity, equity and inclusion.

As part of EDAL program’s on-going efforts to engage in meaningful connections with school communities, many of the final EDAL M.Ed. public presentations are held in various Lower Mainland schools and school districts as a way to mobilize knowledge and activism beyond the university. These presentations will include scholars and practitioners as paper discussants and will engage staffs, district and community members in the post-presentation discussion about important educational and leadership initiatives to move the work forward. The final research for the 2025 capstone projects with be published in a special issue of the International Journal of Leadership in Learning

(IJLL) titled: Inquiry, capacity building and leadership for Indigeneity, anti-racism and anti-oppression.

For specific accessibility needs or if you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact Hartej.gill@ubc.ca

 

Light refreshments will be served

 

We look forward to your participation. All welcome! Shukria,

Hartej

 

UBC-VSB-Richmond School District Cohort Collaboration

Inquiry, capacity building and leadership for Indigeneity, equity and inclusion

 

Master of Education Group Inquiry Community Presentations Department of Educational Studies

Educational Administration and Leadership program

 

 

PRESENTATIONS DETAILS

 

Presenters: Nicole Harrison, Karenjeet Samra, Tami Ogura

Title: Voices of Educational Leaders: Storytelling and counter-storytelling as critical praxis in educational leadership

Mentor: Ms. Nassim Elbardouh (UBC-VSB-Richmond Cohort Mentor and Former VSB District Resource Teacher for Diversity & Anti-racism – on leave)

Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Time: 4:30-5:30pm

Location: Gladstone Secondary School, 4105 Gladstone St. (Room B006, please enter through the door at East 24th and Gladstone – signage will indicate Learning and Instruction and Equity and Anti-Oppression)

Discussants:

Dr. Deirdre Kelly (Society, Culture, Politics in Education, EDST, UBC) Dr. Glory Ovie (Educational Administration and Leadership, EDST, UBC)

 

 

Presenters: Jessica Eguia, Jenny Guan, Sabrina Pillay and Rachpal Sidhu- Grewal

Title: Teachers co-researching relationally towards reconciliation and decolonization within schools in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland

Date: Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Time: 4:30-5:30pm

Location: Palmer Secondary, 8160 St. Albans Road, Richmond (In school library — main floor to the right of the main entrance)

Discussants:

Elder Lillian Daniels Cree, Kawacatoose (Survivor of the Residential School System, and former public and reserve school educator)

Dr. Lyn Daniels, Cree, Kawacatoose (Knowledge Keeper, Director of Instruction, Aboriginal Learning, Surrey School District, UBC-VSB-Richmond Cohort Mentor and Sessional Instructor EDST, UBC)

Dr. chuutsqua Rorick, Hesquiaht First Nations (Adult Learning and Education, Educational Studies, UBC)

 

 

Presenters: Matthew Chu and Paul Teodosio

Title: Investigating the reflections of past-lived experiences and well-being of Asian students in schools

Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Time: 4:30-5:30pm

Location: Steveston-London Secondary School (Room 502, JEDI Centre – please follow posted signs from the main entrance)

Discussants:

Ms. Annie Varghese (UBC-VSB-Richmond Cohort Mentor and School Principal, Richmond School District)

Dr. Yilin Pan (Educational Administration and Leadership, EDST, UBC)

 

Presenters: Jason Lee, Amanda Peacock and Adeline Wong

Title: Oppression and privilege: Anti-racism policy analysis of Vancouver School Board’s Anti-racism and Non-discrimination Policy

Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Time: 6:00pm -7:00pm

Location: Via Zoom, https://ubc.zoom.us/j/62674064048?pwd=Q1U4VDJJZVBxK3kvS3NmZVZ4NkNkQT09    Meeting ID: 626 7406 4048. Passcode: 362857

Discussants:

Ms. Baren Tsui (UBC-VSB-Richmond Cohort Mentor and Teacher Consultant – Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Richmond School District)

Dr. Bathseba Opini, (Educational Administration and Leadership, EDST, UBC)

 

 

 

 

Narcisse, Skel7áw̓s Naomi

PhD Student EDST, Mom, Aunty, Sister, Daughter, Warrior & Another Coyote

Skel7áw̓s is a doctoral student in the department of EDST, Her research is on the Legacy of Indigenous Matriarchs in Administrative Roles in the University. 

Skel7áw̓s is a leader in sharing innovative pathways while maintaining her deep-rooted education from her home territories. She fosters an environment of encouragement while nurturing holistic spaces. She is guided by her Mentors, Matriarchs, Ancestors, tmicw (land) and Nxekmenlhkálha múta7 nt’ákmenlhkalha (traditional laws and way of life). Skel7áw̓s shares from a St’át’imc and Secwépemc women’s perspective, on the interconnection of traditional laws, education, lands, and language through oral stories. Skel7áw̓s has studied at Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, Simon Fraser University, and University of British Columbia. 

Food from Mother Earth and Collective Tremembé Knowledge

Learn more:

https://edst.educ.ubc.ca/events/event/food-from-mother-earth-and-collective-tremembe-knowledge/

EDST Research Day blog series 2025

The EDST Research Day blog series is now published and available online. The series includes five posts, each interlinked at the bottom of the articles for easy navigation:

  1. Research Day Overview – Reflections and Summary
    Link
  2. Keynote Reflections from Dr. Taylor Webb on “Education in the Algorithmic Condition”
    Link
  3. Faculty Spotlight: Rob VanWynsberghe Recognized for Exemplary Supervision and Mentorship
    Link
  4. Student Spotlight: Yotam Ronen Honoured for Building Academic Community
    Link
  5. Staff Spotlight: Honouring Himadri Udahage Dona for Exemplary Service
    Link

Supporting Our Community in the Wake of the Lapu-Lapu Day Tragedy

 

Jump to: Information on Vigils, Resources & Support in Solidarity with the Filipino Community

Supporting Our Community in the Wake of the Lapu-Lapu Day Tragedy

April 28, 2025

Dear EDST Members:

The tragic killing that occurred at the Lapu-Lapu Day celebration in Vancouver on April 26, resulted in heartbreaking loss and injury within the Filipino community. The deaths and injuries have also left the wider community—in Vancouver, Canada, and beyond—in shock and deep sadness.

The festival marked Lapu-Lapu Day, a holiday in the Philippines that celebrates an Indigenous Chief who led his community to defeat Spanish colonizers in a battle in 1521. Leaders in the Filipino Community note that, in addition to their family and friends, they are drawing on the courage and strength of Filipino history and political activism.

Following the Dean’s message of early this morning, EDST’s thoughts are with all those affected, including members of the Filipino community and members of our broader University family.

Recognizing the impact such events can have on students, faculty, and staff, we would like to share resources to support those navigating feelings of shock, grief, fear, or uncertainty during this time.

The following supports are available for UBC students, faculty, and staff, as indicated in the Dean’s message:

Students: https://students.ubc.ca/health/counselling-services/mental-health-care-ubc 
Faculty and Staff: https://hr.ubc.ca/health-and-wellbeing/mental-health

As a Faculty and Department, EDST stands together in care, compassion, and solidarity with those affected and the wider community. Please take care of yourselves and one another during this difficult time.

Deirdre Kelly
Acting Head, on behalf of EDST

Information on Vigils, Resources & Support in Solidarity with the Filipino Community

Dear EDST Members:

This is a follow-up message to the one I sent yesterday about the tragic killings that occurred at the Lapu-Lapu Day celebration in Vancouver, BC, on April 26, resulting in heartbreaking loss and injury within the Filipino community. The Vancouver Sun has published information on the 11 fatalities, ranging in age from 5 to 65, “while many more were injured and remain in hospital” (as of April 28, 2025). Awaiting a thorough investigation, our most immediate concern is to come together in solidarity and support with those affected and with all members of the community.

The present letter to the EDST community makes available resources and information concerned with the organized vigils and support initiatives taking place across the Vancouver area. This is time-sensitive and only a partial list. Additional vigils have been and will be held in Victoria, on the Legislature’s premises. The links provided as part of this letter are all external to EDST and to UBC. In the preparation of this letter, EDST expresses its gratitude to the EDST Assistant to the Head, Genoveva Mendoza Quirós.

The following Google doc offers a handy compilation where all the vigils, remembrance events, and support events are being listed. The ones listed below are the ones that may be of more direct interest to EDST members. Please keep in mind that the Google Doc is being constantly updated, so after I send this email there might be more events planned.

  • Neighbourhood Silent Vigil
    Tuesday, April 29, 7:00 – 8:00 pm
    At the pantry, by Marpole Maple Park, Vancouver, BC

    Candles will be provided and lit even if it’s not dark as a collective ritual of grief and solidarity. No hate will be tolerated including anti-immigrant rhetoric. The boulevard the pantry is located in is accessible for mobility devices. This is an outdoor event; you are welcome to wear a mask. There will be a few on hand.
  • Candlelight Vigil/Pagtitirik ng Kandila
    Wednesday, April 30, 2:30 pm
    University Boulevard (in front of the UBC Bookstore)

    The candlelight vigil is in memory of the victims and in support of the families affected by the Lapu-Lapu Day Festival tragedy that occurred on April 26. Everyone is invited to come together in solidarity, prayer, and reflection. Those gathering will stand united in offering heartfelt condolences and strength to those impacted by this heartbreaking event.  

Select general resources and sites of information

Advisories & Invitations

In solidarity, on behalf of the EDST community,

Deirdre Kelly

Professor & Acting Head

Department of Educational Studies

Where to Find Existing Datasets for Educational Research: An Introduction to Statistics Canada and the UBC Research Data Centre

Link: https://edst.educ.ubc.ca/events/event/where-to-find-existing-datasets-for-educational-research

Continuing the Professionalization of Student Services: Navigating Disability Inclusion and Stereotype Threat in Canadian Higher Education

Please join us for a public talk by visiting scholar, Dr. Donna Hardy Cox, Professor in the School of Social Work at Memorial University, Newfoundland.

Title: Continuing the Professionalization of Student Services: Navigating Disability Inclusion and Stereotype Threat in Canadian Higher Education 

Date and time: Monday May 12, 2025, 3:00-4:00pm 

Location: Ponderosa Commons North, room 2012 (Multipurpose Room)

DIY Bookmark Making Workshop

Ethics Review for Educational Research

Link

Aneet Kaur Kahlon successfully defended her M.A. Thesis

Please join us in congratulating Aneet Kaur Kahlon who successfully defended her M.A. Thesis on April 8 of 2025.

Title:
Investigating racial equity and anti-racism policy in K-12 public schooling in British Columbia: An anti-colonial analysis of the Surrey School District’s Racial Equity Strategic Plan

Abstract: 
The purpose of this research is to examine how Canadian K-12 public education racial equity policy may function to reproduce the oppressive social, historical, and political forces it claims to challenge. This thesis conducts a qualitative content analysis of Surrey School District’s Racial Equity Strategic Plan 2023-2028, through an anti-colonial discursive framework, to research how capitalism, colonialism, imperialism, and white supremacy may be overlooked within attempts to achieve racial equity in education. Specifically, this investigation focuses on how hegemony may be reinforced through the implementation of educational racial equity policy due to persistent power inequities embedded in the text which function in opposition to policy goals. This research delves deeply into investigating historical educational policies in British Columbia’s public schools in order to understand how educational policy has affected Indigenous, Black, and racialized communities in the past and how these outcomes endure today. This research finds that in order for the Surrey School District’s Racial Equity Strategic Plan 2023-2028 to improve the equity outcomes of its target populations, it must acknowledge and address the normative colonial structures and values that enforce educational domination over and oppression of marginalized communities beyond the dimension of race. Racial equity and anti-racism policies must incorporate initiatives of critical structural reform of education systems that seek to address the root cause of racism, such as capitalism, colonialism, imperialism, systemic whiteness, and white supremacy, in order to meaningfully and holistically address racism for Indigenous, Black, and other racialized communities within K-12 public schooling.

Examining Committee:
Dr. Ali Abdi, Professor, EDST (External Examiner)
Dr. Bathseba Opini, Associate Professor, EDST (Co-supervisor)
Dr. Hartej Gill, Associate Professor, EDST (Co-supervisor)

Congratulations Aneet!

 

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