CTL Newsletter - January 2025
Message from the Chair
Dear CTL Community,
I’m kicking off this newsletter with what might seem like a bit of a cliché: Happy New Year! Welcome back! Like many of you, I’m grappling with the challenge of surviving January in Toronto. While these cold, short days are temporary, any initial optimism quickly fades when I remember that Toronto winters often drag on well into April.
Even as nature slows down—and even hibernates—during these dark months, academic life continues full steam ahead. Classes are in session across all our programs, we’re in the process of hiring new faculty, we’re admitting next year’s students, and many of us are gearing up for a busy spring conference season with AERA, AAAL, and Congress ahead. CTL is buzzing with activity, and the energy in the halls of the 10th and 11th floors helps combat even the harshest of winter's chill.
I’d like to take a moment to highlight a few groups who’ve been especially busy and deserve our gratitude:
- A big thank you to the LLE team, led by Jeff Bale, for completing a proposal to offer TESL certification in the Language Teaching Field. We’ll be sharing more details with the wider community in the coming months.
- Thanks to Michelle Pon for organizing the intersession and summer course schedules, which will be available in mid-March.
- And a special thanks to Candice Corda and Teri Karanikolas for efficiently processing a huge number of expense reimbursements. As Bessie mentioned in the department meeting, we’ll soon be rolling out a new, streamlined expense reimbursement form to make the process even easier for everyone.
I hope each of you finds some time to step away from the hustle and bustle of academic life, enjoy the winter outdoors, and discover new ways to enjoy life in Toronto this January.
Warmly,
CTL Student Portal
For resources and services available to you as a student in CTL, visit:
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Quick Links
ACORN
PeppeR
Quercus
OISE Student Success Centre (OSSC)
Academic Skills Hub (ASH)
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Important Dates
Feb.17.2025 - Family Day (UofT Closed)
Mar.10-14.2025 - March Break (No OISE classes)
Mar.19.2025 - Course Selection and Enrolment Begins on ACORN on 6:00am
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Resources for 24-hour community crisis
9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline
Call or text 9-8-8
U of T My Student Support (MySSP)
1-844-451-9700
Good2Talk Student Helpline
1-866-925-5454
News & Updates from Our CTL Programs
This section is a vital resource for staying current on important developments across each of CTL's graduate programs: Curriculum & Pedagogy, Language and Literacies Education and Master of Teaching. It offers key updates on faculty appointments, events and program initiatives and changes. We encourage all members of our community to stay informed about each of our programs to promote collaboration, uncover opportunities for research intersections, and strengthen our sense of community.
Curriculum & Pedagogy Program
Course Scheduling Consultation Process
Introduction to Education Studies in Canada
Language and Literacies Education Program
Research Colloquium in LLE
New Pathway to TESL Ontario Certification
Master of Teaching
Program
Curriculum Renewal Update
MT Black Educators' Association Event
Meet Our New Faculty
CTL warmly welcomes Dr. Julie Garlen and Dr. Ashley Moore, who officially began their faculty appointments with the department on January 1, 2025. Dr. Julie Garlen joins CTL as an Associate Professor specializing in Teacher Education. Her work focuses on equity, accessibility, and engagement within teacher education, spanning programs such as Childhood & Youth Studies, Indigenous Studies, and Human Rights & Social Justice. Dr. Ashley Moore joins CTL as an Assistant Professor specializing in Language Teaching and Learning in Multilingual Settings. His research explores queer- and trans-affirming language education, linguistic dissociation, and critical language teacher education. We look forward to their valuable contributions to both our work and our vibrant community.
Dr. Julie Garlen
I’m thrilled to have joined CTL, where I am returning to my career passion for teacher education. Before immigrating to Canada in 2018, I spent the first 12 years of my academic career in the Department of Teaching and Learning at Georgia Southern University, where I worked with teacher candidates and practicing teachers at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and supervised nine doctoral students to completion in our Ed.D. program in Curriculum Studies. I immigrated to Canada in 2018 to accept a job at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, where I led the Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies as a department head. In that role, I facilitated a major modification of our undergraduate program in Child Studies to advance critical, social-justice oriented perspectives. Although my role at Carleton was a profoundly rewarding experience, I found myself eager to return to teacher education, as my scholarly work is largely focused on the relationships between cultural texts and practices, childhood, early learning, and teacher education. CTL will bring me the exciting opportunity to contribute guidance and leadership as a senior faculty member while advancing research that can directly inform the future of teacher education in Ontario.
This position is also of great personal significance to me, as I’ve been splitting my time between Ottawa and Toronto since 2018 to be with my partner, our children, my chosen family, and social community. I’m the proud bio mom of three adult children and bonus mom to two more. They’re some of the most amazing human beings (and I’m not at all biased!). Outside of work, I can often be found baking gluten-free paleo treats, listening to audiobooks and podcasts, writing poetry, binging reality TV (for research purposes, of course) or attending Crossfit classes. I’m extremely grateful to have found my academic “home” at OISE and look forward to becoming a part of the CTL community.
Dr. Ashley Moore
It’s my true pleasure and privilege to be welcomed into the OISE community. I join the University of Toronto after two and a half wonderful years as Assistant Professor of TESOL at Boston University Wheelock College of Education and Human Development. This is something of a homecoming as I completed my PhD at the University of British Columbia under OISE alum, Professor Ryuko Kubota. My empirical and theoretical work focuses on the pursuit of queer/trans-affirming language education, critical language teacher education, and critical realist research methodologies. My doctoral research led to the conceptualization of linguistic dissociation—a psychosocial process through which an individual or group comes to distance themselves from previous acquired linguistic resources because those resources have come to connote intersubjective disharmony. Sadly, we can see examples of linguistic dissociation in educational contexts where multilingual learners’ full linguistic repertoires are not valued and meaningfully integrated. My work aims to understand the complex factors that cause linguistic dissociation among different kinds of people and challenge any factors that are rooted in oppressive ideologies. I’d be delighted to think alongside other OISE folks who are interested in any of these topics.
Outside of my scholarship, I am a keen home cook, restaurant glutton, and—out of necessity—long-distance runner. I also enjoy hiking, drawing, painting, reading fiction, and writing poetry and short stories. I’m looking forward to making friends and building communities around these activities, so please reach out if you share any of them. Although I’m new to Toronto, after a life of big international moves (the UK, Japan, France, Canada, and the US), the city holds the promise of a permanent and happy home for my husband and me. I’m overjoyed to be here.
Research Spotlight
This section highlights the diverse and impactful research outputs of our faculty, showcasing their latest books, articles, media appearances, research initiatives, and more. It offers a glimpse into the innovative work being done across a range of disciplines, celebrating the contributions of our faculty to advancing knowledge and making a meaningful impact in their fields.
Autoethnographies of Plurilingualism
Enrica Piccardo's co-edited book Autoethnographies of Plurilingualism: Voices of the Selves spotlights the authentic voices of plurilingual learners, bringing together autoethnographies of over twenty graduate students to deepen current understandings of lived experiences of plurilingualism. The volume begins with outlining foundational work on plurilingualism in language education up to this point, with the body of work on plurilingual subjectivities historically focusing on researchers’ and practitioners’ gazes, rather than students.
This book will be of interest to students and scholars in applied linguistics, language teaching and learning, and language education.
Women, Gender, and History Education
Rose Fine-Meyer's co-edited book Women, Gender, and History Education: Perspectives from Ontario and Quebec is the first edited collection to focus on women, gender, and history education in Canada. The aim of this edited collection is threefold: to offer a historical analysis of women and gender in K-12 teaching and learning of history; to provide an examination of women and gender in relation to contemporary pedagogy, curriculum, and resources in K-12 history education and teacher education; and, to explore the future of history education when informed by intersectional feminism and gender theory. Readers are introduced to the ways in which women’s historical narratives have been repeatedly marginalized, despite the efforts of feminist activists and educators.
"Reconciliation and Joy" in Literacy Today
Shelley Stagg Peterson’s new co-authored article "Reconciliation and Joy" in Literacy Today discusses the important relationship between literacy, identity, and place, emphasizing that our environment shapes who we are, and vice versa. It proposes that teachers support the development of strong Indigenous rural and urban identities when they bring Indigenous-authored books set in rural and urban communities into their classrooms. Highlighting rural Indigenous youth's experiences, identities, and the places where they live disrupts dominant ideologies of place where urban is considered the norm. Examples of rural Indigenous representation in Canadian children's literature are discussed in terms of how they support rural Indigenous youth in developing a positive reading self-identity.
Upcoming Faculty Research Grant Opportunities
Grant Opportunity | NOI | MRA | UofT Internal Deadline | Sponsor |
| SSHRC Insight Development Grant | N/A | JAN.27.2025 | JAN.31.2025 | FEB.2.2025 |
| Research on Research Joint Initiative | N/A | FEB.11.2025 | FEB.18.2025 | FEB.20.2025 |
| Spencer Foundation Large Research Grants | JAN.14.2025 12 PM CT | JAN.28.2025 | FEB.4.2025 | FEB.11.2025 |
| SSHRC Connection Grant | N/A | JAN.24.2025 | JAN.30.2025 | FEB.1.2025 |
| Spencer Foundation Vision Grants | FEB.11.2025 12 PM CT | FEB.25.2025 | MAR.4.2025 | MAR.11.2025 |
| SSHRC Partnership Engage Grant | N/A | MAR 2025 (TBA) | MAR 2025 (TBA) | MAR.15. 2025 |
*If you intend to apply to any research funding opportunity, please contact CTL Research & Project Coordinator, Amelia Ainsworth, at ctlresearch@utoronto.ca early in the process.
CTL Student Experience & Equity
The CTL Student Experience & Equity Team continues to work behind the scenes to keep the CTL community informed on events and resources and provide supports around mental health, well-being, accessibility and community resources. Contact the team at oise.ctl.equity@utoronto.ca
1) Growing Families: A community for OISE students who are parents and/or caregivers of dependents
Share stories, connect with students having similar experiences and learn about local resources & supports. Join Nalini Chandra (Lecturer in the Master of Teaching program on child development), Yasmin Mohammed (Intern from the Faculty of Social Work doing her placement in CTL) and Máiri McKenna Edwards (Student Experience & Equity in CTL)for lunch.
Thursday, January 23rd, 2025 | 12:00-1:30pm | OISE 11-244
2) Let's Get Set Together
LGST is a weekly gathering online to support students getting organized for the upcoming week in community. Some do well working online and some can't get in to campus.
Fridays | 1:00-2:00pm | Zoom
3) Special Workshop: Learning Strategy Support for Master’s Students
Join Yaseen Ali, Learning Strategist with the Centre for Learning Strategy Support (CLSS) AND a PhD student in CTL, for a dynamic virtual session for you on Motivation, Procrastination, Identifying Strengths, Academic Resources & Making a Plan
Thursday, January 30th, 2025 | 7:00-8:30pm EST | Zoom REGISTRATION
4) UofT EDI in a Global Context
To support the UofT community and to sustain the principles of inclusion and belonging, the U of T Institutional Equity Office (IEO) will bring together engagement and education opportunities and available resources from across U of T.
Request a Community Check-In
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For more information from the CTL Student Experience & Equity Team, view the January 2025 Newsletter or visit the CTL Student Experience & Equity Team page on the CTL Student Portal for Events, Community Resource Pages and more.
Upcoming Observances
Days of Significance Listing
Heritage Months Listing
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Quick Links
CLNx
Community Safety Office
Indigenous U of T
Institutional Equity Office
Folio Events Calendar
The Division of People Strategy, Equity & Culture
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Resources and Support for 24-hour community crisis:
9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline
Call or text 9-8-8
U of T Telus Health Student Support
1-844-451-9700
Good2Talk Student Helpline
1-866-925-5454
St. George Health & Wellness Centre
416-978-8030
University Campus Safety (St.George)
416-978-2222
Recent Doctoral Defenses
CTL extends our heartfelt congratulations to our doctoral students who have recently defended their theses. This significant achievement reflects your dedication, perseverance, and intellectual growth throughout your academic journey. We are incredibly proud of your accomplishments and excited to see the impact your research will have on your field. Best wishes as you move forward into the next chapter of your academic and professional careers!
Dr. Stacy Costa
PhD in Curriculum and Pedagogy
Thesis Supervisor: Marlene Scardamalia
Thesis Title: Extending Problem Based Learning, Argumentation and Transactivity through Knowledge Building
Dr. Robert Huang
PhD in Curriculum and Pedagogy
Thesis Supervisor: Marlene Scardamalia
Thesis Title: Knowledge Building, Multimodal Digital Storytelling and Networked Communities
Dr. Maria Vamvalis
PhD in Curriculum and Pedagogy
Thesis Supervisor: Kathy Bickmore
Thesis Title: Climate Justice Pedagogies for Youth and Planetary Well-Being: Perspectives from Canada*
Upcoming Student Award Opportunities
Award | Required Legal Status | Degree | Student Submits To | Student |
| CAGS/ProQuest & SGS Doctoral Dissertation Award & John Leyerle-CIFAR Prize for Interdisciplinary Research | Domestic & International | Doctoral | Department nominated (External Graduate Award) | JAN.30. 2025 |
| Wilfred Rusk Wees Fellowship | Domestic & International | Doctoral & Master's | (OISE Internal Award) | JAN.31. 2025 |
| Ontario Graduate Scholarship | Domestic & International | Doctoral & Master's | Online (External Graduate Award) | MAR.6. 2025 |
| Governor General’s Gold Medals | Domestic & International | Doctoral & Master's | Department (External Graduate Award) | MAR.17. 2025 |
| Margaret I. Hambly Memorial Scholarship | Domestic | Doctoral & Master's | (OISE Internal Award) | MAR.31. 2025 |
| OISE Alumni Association Doctoral Fellowship | Domestic & International | Doctoral | (OISE Internal Award) | MAR.31. 2025 |
| William Pakenham Fellowship | Domestic | Doctoral & Master's | (OISE Internal Award) | MAR.31. 2025 |
*Please visit the Scholarships and Awards section of the CTL website prior to applying for up-to-date and accurate information and to access full award listings.
Upcoming Events
Special Workshop: Learning Strategy Support for Master’s Students
JAN.30.2025 | 7:00-8:30 pm | Register
An interactive workshop for Master's Students
Applying for an Academic Position: Part 2
FEB.14.2025 | 1:00-2:30 pm | Zoom Registration
Part 2 of the CTL Professional Development Series for Doctoral students
2025 Master of Teaching Research Conference (MTRC)
FEB.20.2025 | 9:00-5:00 pm | OISE
Annual conference for the MT Community showcasing research from Year 2 MT students
Applying for an Academic Position: Part 3
MAR.21.2025 | 1:00 - 2:30pm | Zoom Registration
Part 3 of the CTL Professional Development Series for Doctoral students
AERA & CSSE Preparation Workshop
APR.4.2025 | 3:00-4:30 pm | Zoom Registration
A preparation workshop for CTL students attending or presenting at AERA or CSSE
Applying for a SSHRC Post-Doctoral Fellowship
APR.11.2025 | 1:00-2:30 pm | Zoom Registration
Last session of the CTL Professional Development series for Doctoral Students
Contact Us
Have a departmental inquiry and not sure who to reach out to? We're here to help! Contact us by email, join a drop-in session or visit the Administration & Staff Team at OISE of the 11th Floor, South from Monday to Friday from 8:30am - 4:45pm where someone will be pleased to assist you.
Departmental Inquiries
Program Specific Support (C&P, LLE, MT)
Awards, Funding, and Student Employment
Finance, HR, and Operations
Online Meetings and Virtual Drop-in Hours
Staff Directory
Leadership Administration
Executive Assistant & Finance Administration
Graduate Program Administration
Special Offices
In the next Issue
The next issue of the CTL Newsletter will be released in April 2025. Do you have a story, event or newsworthy item you would like to share with the CTL Community? Complete the CTL Newsletter - Article Submission Form and a member of the CTL Communications team will be in touch with any follow up questions. Have a communications related questions? Email: ctlcommunications@utoronto.ca
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CTL Communications
Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning
OISE, University of Toronto
252 Bloor Street West
Toronto, ON, M5S 1V6
oise.utoronto.ca
