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University of Windsor
Fellowship to school teacher candidates in civil rights issues
Teacher candidates at the UWindsor Faculty of Education will learn more about their civil rights and the importance of teaching students the habits of democracy, thanks to a new $65,000 fellowship from the Law Foundation of Ontario.
“Students have an interest in exploring their rights and freedoms, even in primary grades,” said Danielle McLaughlin, director of education and administration at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and Education Trust.
As the recipient of one of two 2010 Community Leadership in Justice Fellowships, she will join the university in January 2011 and spend six months in-residence at the faculty contributing to future teachers’ understanding of the role of civil liberties in education. It's the first time the foundation has awarded a fellowship to a faculty of education.
“If we want them to become engaged citizens who can constructively resolve differences, we need to equip teachers to encourage that interest and build it into classroom activities,” McLaughlin said.
She will work with colleagues at the faculty to develop new critical thinking assignments for teacher candidates to use during their practice teaching. She will also develop online teaching components for an animated civil liberties video series for children in grades two to five.
Dean of education Pat Rogers said social justice education is a high priority for her faculty. This fellowship speaks to UWindsor’s commitment to apply teaching, research and creative activity to issues of importance to the world, she said.
“Teachers have an important role to play in educating our youth about the democratic process," said Dr. Rogers. "We’re certain Danielle will do an excellent job helping our teacher candidates educate their students about their rights, freedoms and responsibilities. She will also be a great resource to our Urban Education program.”
Granted annually since 2006, the fellowships bring leaders from public interest organizations together with the justice system and Ontario’s universities, colleges and law schools. Fellows spend a term in a law school or other post-secondary institution undertaking activities such as researching, teaching and mentoring. Their goals are to enrich the faculty and students' academic experience through innovative approaches to teaching and learning, improve educational outcomes and advance justice-related objectives.
The University of Ottawa’s Human Rights Research and Education Centre was also awarded a fellowship this year.