École Quaterway Elementary students sat with various guest in April to different life experiences and perspectives.
By NLPS staff
Since January, École Quaterway Elementary students have participated in social justice learning sessions to better understand diversity, inclusion, and equity.
Over nine sessions, two Grade 7 classes, and one Grade 6/7 class explored topics such as diversity, equality, power, privilege, social movements, intersectionality, and resilience. Drawing on resources from the Canadian Center for Diversity and Inclusion, the program encouraged students to consider how these ideas connect to society and their own school.
To bring these ideas to life, the school held a Human Library event in April. The Human Library started in Denmark and aims to challenge stereotypes and encourage open conversations and understanding among people with different life experiences.
At the event, each guest acted as a “book.” Students talked with them in small groups. Before the event, students learned about the guest speakers and prepared questions about their experiences, challenges, strengths, and how people can support each other.
Eight guests took part. In small groups, students listened to stories about topics such as sexual orientation, living in poverty, growing up during a civil war, having a visual impairment, working as a female police officer in a mostly male field, and dealing with mental health challenges.
Students said these conversations gave them new perspectives and made them think more about what others go through.
“I learned about resilience and calling out bullying,” one student shared.
“I learned from J. that being homeless taught him some valuable life skills,” another student shared.
One student thought about how important language and inclusion are after hearing a guest explain that jokes about being gay can still hurt people, even if they are not meant to.
Students also valued hearing stories they had never encountered before.
“I spoke with K, and I found it very interesting to hear her story, because I’ve never met anyone with a visual impairment before,” one student wrote. “She was very open, and I’m super glad I got to talk with her.”
The Social Justice Classes and Human Library event encouraged students to think critically about their words, actions, and assumptions while building the empathy and understanding needed to help create a more inclusive school community.