SAIRCY Project
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SAIRCY
Supporting the Academic and Social Integration of Children and Youth of Refugee Backgrounds
To view past newsletters, and learn more about the project and team members, Please scroll down:
SAIRCY Fall 2019 Newsletter
Supporting the Academic and Social Integration of Children and Youth of Refugee Background
About the Project
In our project, we are fortunate to work with different educators and professionals who support children, youth and families of refugee background in various ways. Our research aims to:
Describe the educational experiences of children and youth of refugee background in elementary and secondary schools
Explore the intersecting factors that impact the integration of children and youth of refugee background at school and in the community
Understand the roles played by home and school languages in the integration process
Bring to light promising practices that support the integration of children and youth of refugee background.
We work in multiple sites, such as reception centres connected to school districts, elementary, middle and secondary schools and community organizations in Canada and in various countries in Europe.
Our project has many strands including 1) surveys and interviews with educators and settlement counsellors, 2) observation & participation in activities in reception centres, schools and community organizations, 3) facilitation of “Me Mapping” workshops with children and youth, 4) facilitation of workshops for adults of refugee background on the Canadian school system, conflict resolution, healthy and unhealthy relationships and domestic violence as well as 5) the reflections of workshop participants and their teachers.
SAIRCY Team Testimonials about Me Mapping
Dr. Antoinette Gagné
Lead researcher and developer of Me Mapping Pedagogy
Associate Chair, Student Experience
Department of Curriculum Teaching & Learning
OISE, University of Toronto
I love seeing diverse children and youth engaging with each other while sharing their experiences and becoming more self-aware through Me Mapping.
Dr. Emmanuelle Le Pichon
Lead researcher on Me Mapping Pedagogy in Refugee Education
Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto
Head of the Centre de Recherches en Education Franco-Ontarienne (CRÉFO)
OISE, University of Toronto
I discovered how the Me Mapping pedagogy contributes to help students with a refugee background in building a sense of mutual trust.
Dr. Dania Wattar
Me Mapping Coordinator, Lead Teacher and Facilitator
Research Associate and Lecturer,
OISE, University of Toronto
Me Mapping allowed me to see children engage in meaningful learning. It also helped me, parents and educators to track and celebrate the growth and learning of children.
Ghada Chahrour
Me Mapping Facilitator- Pilot
Secondary School Teacher, PDSB
MT graduate, OISE, University of Toronto
Communicating with children and youth through the me mapping workshops not only enabled them to reflect upon their own experiences, but also enabled us to connect with them on a deeper level helping us to bring the best out of them.
Sumaya Bakbak
Me Mapping Facilitator- Pilot
Secondary School Teacher, PDSB
MT graduate, OISE, University of Toronto
Being part of the Me Mapping journey and interacting with children and youth allowed me to explore different perspectives and made me realize how valuable our experiences are in those young lives.
Zehra Melike Palta
Video and Data Manager/ Transcriber
Fellow/Graduate Assistant
OISE, University of Toronto
Me Mapping allows children and youth to share their stories and experiences in a safe platform. It provides an opportunity for us to listen to their needs and strategies to help them with their academic and social integration.
Nidhi Memon
Me Mapping Facilitator
Research Assistant, Ph.D Candidate
Department of Social Justice Education
OISE, University of Toronto
Me Mapping offers a platform for newcomer children and youth to voice their ideas, provide their perspective, which gives us an insight into their unique lived experiences.
Melissa Beauregard
Me Mapping Facilitator- Pilot
Newcomer Youth Settlement Programs Coordinator, YMCA of Greater Toronto
MA graduate, OISE, University of Toronto
The Me Mapping program showed me the value of providing an opportunity for children and youth to talk about themselves and their journey in a safe and supportive environment which encourages learning and creativity.
Sidney Masuga
Video Production and Editing
OISE, University of Toronto
It is incredible to see the diverse range of stories Me Mapping helps refugee background students document and share.
