By Gerald V. Paul

Education Beyond Borders (EBB) launched its Ontario chapter last Friday with the goal of extending its mission to engage, educate and empower teachers.

President Noble Kelly told The Camera that “Education Beyond Borders strives to engage, educate and empower educators and ultimately their students around the world to provide quality education for all.

“These three words – engage, educate, empower – have shaped and guided us throughout the past seven years.”

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Consul General Fitzgerald Huggins, attending the launch  at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel, commented that he welcomes a working relationship with EBB as it is devoted to closing the global divide.

Kelly told the gathering that “when we teach our colleagues, we learn from them; when we collaborate and share with others, we grow and transform ourselves.

“Embracing culture in education, reversing the impacts of a colonial system, and revitalizing and integrating indigenous curriculum were some of the major discussion points.”

He noted their work is transformative. “We have seen our colleagues take on leadership roles in their school and communities.

“Where they once felt powerless and uninformed, our colleagues are now participating in high level pedagogical debates as well as incorporating their own chapter of EBB to continue and sustain their vision of the delivery of quality education in their schools.”

Courtney Doldron, EBB vice president, said despite its crucial connection to economic and social development, teacher training is often uneven, protracted or unsupported.

“Teachers are not just a resource for our children; they are the key to development.”

  culture, curriculum, education, Education beyond borders, ontario