Educators gather for 11th Annual JDTAN Education Summit

By Neil Armstrong

For the first time in its 11 years of existence, the Jamaica Diaspora Taskforce Action Network (JDTAN) Advancement in Education Summit, one of the diaspora’s largest international professional learning initiatives usually held in the United States, will be held in Canada and attended by more than 170 educators from the Caribbean, Canada, and the United States.

From July 5 – 10, the organization is hosting this gathering in partnership with the Jamaica Teachers’ Association, York University, the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, and the Union of Jamaican Alumni Associations. It aims to foster educational excellence through research, innovation, leadership development, and global collaboration.

Under the theme “Resilience: The Imperative,” participants will engage in a week of immersive learning designed to strengthen educational leadership, classroom practice, artificial intelligence integration, teacher well-being, and international institutional partnerships.

“For eleven years, this summit has demonstrated what is possible when educators, universities, and the Jamaican Diaspora work together with a shared commitment to strengthening education. Every partnership we build ultimately benefits students, teachers, and schools across Jamaica,” Dr. Leo Gilling, Executive Chairman, JDTAN.

Organizers note that the summit has become one of the most enduring examples of educational collaboration between Jamaica, Canada, and the Jamaican Diaspora, providing educators with access to global expertise, innovative practices, and lasting institutional partnerships.

“Every educator who joins us brings a story of dedication, hope, and resilience. This summit creates a space where those stories become shared knowledge, lasting partnerships, and renewed purpose. Together, we are building bridges across borders that strengthen our schools, empower our teachers, and create brighter futures for the students we serve,’ said Dr. Sherian Demetrius, Chair of this year’s summit.

Acknowledging the support of Jamaica National, Black Creek Community Health Centre, the Jamaica Canadian Association, and its many sponsors and community partners whose investment in professional learning and international collaboration helped make the summit possible, JTDAN said they all believe in the transformative power of education.

The summit begins with a special welcome experience at Niagara Falls on July 5, offering visiting educators an opportunity to experience one of Canada’s most iconic natural wonders. JTDAN said the visit is more than a sightseeing excursion and serves as a gesture of appreciation for the educators’ dedication and provides an opportunity to build relationships, strengthen professional networks, and experience Canadian culture before beginning a week of intensive professional learning and international collaboration.

On July 6, York University will host the opening ceremony where educational leaders, university partners, representatives of the Jamaican Diaspora, and distinguished guests will celebrate more than a decade of collaboration dedicated to strengthening education through international partnerships, research, and innovation.

Educators will participate in four days of workshops, keynote presentations, panel discussions, and collaborative learning sessions led by experts from Jamaica, the United States, and Canada from July 6 to 10. Topics include educational leadership, student resilience, teacher well-being, classroom innovation, human development, restorative practices, technology integration, and evidence-informed teaching and learning.

Delegates will participate in a combined Education Innovation and Artificial Intelligence Experience featuring visits to George Brown Polytechnic and Toronto Metropolitan University on July 9.

The summit concludes on July 10 with the 3rd Annual Education Gala, an evening dedicated to recognizing outstanding contributions to education and celebrating the partnerships that have sustained eleven years of international collaboration.

The Jamaica Diaspora Taskforce Action Network (JDTAN) is a charitable organization dedicated to advancing education, health, youth development, technology, leadership, and community capacity through strategic partnerships between Jamaica, Canada, the United States, and the Jamaican Diaspora.

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