In an educational milieu in which standards and accountability hold sway, schools can become places of stress, marginalization, and isolation instead of learning communities that nurture a sense of meaning and purpose. In Ensouling Our Schools, author Jennifer Katz weaves together methods of creating schools that engender mental, spiritual, and emotional health while developing intellectual thought and critical analysis. Kevin Lamoureux contributes his expertise regarding Indigenous approaches to mental and spiritual health that benefit all students and address the TRC Calls to Action. About the Lead Author: Jennifer Katz, PhD, taught for 16 years in diverse classrooms from K to 12, including special education and inclusive classrooms in Winnipeg and Vancouver. She has also served as a resource teacher and counsellor. In addition, she has been a sessional lecturer at the University of British Columbia, educational consultant, editor, and presenter. Her work as an advocate of inclusive education has spanned several provinces and territories, and multiple audiences – university courses, academic conferences, parent advocacy groups, professional development workshops, and educational conferences. She continues to work closely with students and teachers who are living and learning in inclusive classrooms across Canada and internationally. |