Reports on recent College activities and a selection of announcements, events and initiatives in the wider education community.
New award for educators
Original OJEN board members Madam Justice Frances Kiteley (left) and former history teacher Allan Hux, OCT, present the first annual Hux-Kiteley award to Peel DSB Superintendent Pat Noble, OCT.
Honouring justice education
Ontario teachers who demonstrate leadership in promoting justice education can win a new award from the Ontario Justice Education Network (OJEN).
Peel DSB superintendent Pat Noble, OCT, is the inaugural recipient of the Hux-Kiteley Exemplary Justice Educator Award. Recognized for her trailblazing work as a teacher, vice-principal and principal, Noble organized mock trial tournaments and helped establish a Specialist High Skills Major in Justice, among other initiatives.
Created a decade ago to advance better understanding of the legal system, OJEN fills a need highlighted by several senior Ontario judges, including former Chief Justice Roy McMurtry.
“People need to be better connected with our justice system,” explains Nadine Demoe, OJEN’s communications and grants manager. “Its vitally important that students get a basic understanding of how the law works.”
Among OJEN’s ongoing activities are courthouse visits and visits by justices to classrooms. Its Grade 5 poster challenge encourages students to create visual representations of Canada’s justice system, especially the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Hux-Kiteley Award winner receives one of the posters, framed, along with recognition at OJEN’s annual Summer Law Institute, which brings teachers together with justice professionals.
For more information visit OJEN’s web site at www.ojen.ca. To nominate someone for the Hux-Kiteley Exemplary Justice Educator Award, e-mail a brief description of the nominee’s activities to awardsprix@ojen.ca.
