Attendees take part in the second annual Teacher Appreciation Event at the Centre of the Forks reception space inside Museum London.
Celebrating our community: Recapping the 2nd annual Teacher Appreciation Event
Western Education community members had an opportunity to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones as the Faculty of Education, in partnership with Western Alumni, hosted its second annual Teacher Appreciation Event at Museum London.
The event was held at the museum’s stunning Centre at the Forks reception space in May and provided an evening to reflect on and celebrate the remarkable contributions of the faculty’s community, as well as its alumni.
Across the world, there are more than 43,000 people in the Faculty of Education’s alumni family. All of them share the goal of transforming education, transforming lives.
Dr. Claire Crooks, director of the Centre for School Mental Health at the Faculty of Education, was the event’s keynote speaker.
Her presentation, titled, “School Mental Health: The Good, the Bad, and the Opportunity,” shared a vision of comprehensive school mental health, as well as insight on implementing effective resources.
The event also heard from the Faculty’s alumni champion Rhodora Meliton-Vanderpool, Alumni Relations Associate Vice-President Temi Akin-Aina, and Education Dean Donna Kotsopoulos.
It was the first alumni event ever attended by Dr. Adrienne Gnidec, who graduated with a Bachelor of Education in 1987.
“I found this evening very welcoming, very warm,” Gnidec said.
The alum says she was especially moved by Kotsopoulos’ speech, which touched on the Western Education's new strategic plan. The plan carries the vision of “transforming education, transforming lives,” and is guided by the values of excellence, integrity, equity, belonging, social justice, and kindness. Gnidec says she’s happy to see the latter value included in the plan.
“I think this is what exemplifies education,” Gnidec added.
Kun Liu and Roya Karimli are graduate students with prior teaching experience who were looking to connect with fellow attendees as they eye a return to teaching.
“Regardless of whether I go back or not, I believe that teaching is one of the most honourable professions, so we definitely have to appreciate it,” said Karimli, who completed her Master of Arts with the Faculty of Education and is now pursuing her PhD in the field of Critical Policy, Equity and Leadership Studies (CPELS).
“I liked that we could network here, that’s a huge advantage of these events,” Karimli said.
Liu, who is pursuing a Master of Professional Education in the field of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), found herself especially interested in Crooks’ presentation, given its focus on working with young learners, which is a passion of Liu’s.
“What attracts me most to working with young learners is that their mental world is so fascinating and full of imagination,” Liu said.
“It’s just great to see people working to promote children’s mental health,” Karimli added.
Those looking to attend the next Teacher Appreciation Event will have to stay tuned for more details on 2024’s celebration.
In the meantime, alumni and current students will want to mark their calendars for Oct. 14. That’s when fellow Education alum and Western Mustangs football coach Greg Marshall will join the Faculty in hosting our Teacher Appreciation Football game.
