Schedule

This opening keynote session will focus on how critical it is for educators and families to value and support social participation in all areas of life and throughout the lifespan. The speaker will address this topic from the perspective as a parent and educator while drawing upon personal experiences and life applications.

Sarah has been working in the field of education for over 20 years. In 2011, she began working for the CIUSSS-ODIM, teaching adults with severe-profound intellectual disabilities. She then joined the EMSB as a Special Education Consultant in 2016 and became one of the Coordinators for The Centre of Excellence for the Physically, Intellectually and Multi-Challenged. Sarah is an advocate for students and families with special needs’ children and is also the proud mother of three, including a son with Down syndrome.

Our mid-month keynote session will not only answer the questions asked above, but also describe the positive benefits of teaching mindfulness in the classroom, and provide concrete strategies that one can choose to use in their daily life as well as with their students as ways to beat stress, reduce anxiety and relax the body and mind. 

Kirsten is a Consultant for Inclusive Education at the Lester B Pearson School Board (LBPSB). She is a member of the Center of Excellence for Mental Health (CEMH) and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Master’s degree in Education (Educational Psychology) from McGill University. 

Stephanie Mitelman is Part Time Faculty at Concordia University since 2005, in the Department of Applied Human Sciences, where she teaches courses on human sexuality, diversity in human relations, and family life education. Stephanie is a Member of the Order of Sexologists of Quebec, an AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator, and a Certified Family Life Educator with the National Council of Family Relations, and a member of the International Board of Sexuality Professionals.

Join Marina at the QCS(V)I Unconference for a workshop on Functional Fitness and an introduction to the Online SIFit Challenge. Discover why functional fitness is essential for student health and learn how to implement the SIFit Challenge in your school. Equip yourself with tools to inspire students to embrace active lifestyles and foster lifelong wellness habits. 

Marina teaches Social Participation at ACCESS Royal Oak and leads group fitness classes as a functional fitness instructor. Fitness and promoting a healthy lifestyle are her passions, and she is dedicated to merging her enthusiasm for teaching special needs with her love for fitness to create a meaningful impact on people's lives.

Using drama in the classroom is a great way to foster empathy and develop connections. In this workshop we will learn by doing.  A list of the games we play (and more) will be provided so that you will have your own basic toolkit to use with your students.

Linda Jewers is an SI teacher with the EMSB.  She enjoys offering students the curriculum through an arts-based lens. She has a BFA in Contemporary Dance and began teaching dance and drama at 14.

This workshop will feature a virtual tour and discussion of the newly refreshed QCS(V)I website. Participants will be invited to provide feedback and also make suggestions in terms of what content/resources/features they'd like to see developed in the future.

This workshop will be led by Jennifer Campbell (EMSB) and supported by her QCS(V)I website team, including: Amanda Dowbyhuz (LBPSB), Elias Tanbe (EMSB), Julian Verboomen (LBPSB), and Tanya Lo Bianco (EMSB).

This is an opportunity to connect with other SI/SVI staff and learn about their centers and programs without leaving your desk! Make connections that could lead to social learning opportunities for your students, in-person visits, and more! Here are the dates: 

• CDC Vimont w/ Eileen Simms on Wednesday, May 8 from 9:30-10:00 via Zoom.

• Galileo w/ Matea Dixon on Wednesday, May 15 from 11:30-12:00 via Zoom. 

• Endeavour w/ Kira Bratton on Friday, May 24 from 11:00-11:30 via Zoom.

Over the course of the month of May, teachers will be visiting each other's classrooms. Those who RSVP'd for an exchange have been emailed.

Meet old friends and make new ones! Join us Tuesday, May 14 at 7 pm for dinner at Pizzeria 900 in Old Montreal. Click here for directions. Reservation is under QCSVI. We do not have funds to cover dinner so this event is at each participant's expense.