First item of business will be establishing goals for the second half of the year for the Indigenous Student Trustees Council. Members will have the opportunity to share their ideas and thoughts on how the ISTC wants to look in the next coming months. Additionally, through increasing interest in mandating an Indigenous Student Trustees in school boards across Ontario, the Indigenous Student Trustees Council is going to be discussing strategies to help non-Indigenous Student Trustees navigate this popular topic. A research period will provide brainstorming time to think of possible resources and contacts to educate ourselves on this topic and bring the knowledge we learned to interested Student Trustees within OSTA.
Step into the Dragon's Den, where bold ideas meet transformative education curriculum! In this interactive, fast-paced session, participants will pitch innovative curriculum enhancements to a panel of "Dragons" to invest in the next big idea for student success, using skills honed at the start of the session. Inspired by student trustees' experiences, this session encourages advocacy-driven curriculum designs that support student leadership, representation, and engagement.
Building Inclusive Foundations: Safe and Brave Spaces (Session #1)
In this session, student trustees will explore practical strategies for creating safe and supportive spaces within their schools and boards. They will learn how to promote trust and respect, build meaningful connections with student organizations, and collaborate to enhance their advocacy efforts. Through interactive role-playing activities, participants will practice advocating for safe spaces and promoting equity, gaining hands-on experience in real-world scenarios. By the end of the session, student trustees will be equipped with the tools, inspiration, and confidence to lead with empathy, build strong relationships, and champion inclusivity in their communities.
Led by Audrey Akharoh, Chair of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advocacy Interest Group at the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association (OSTA-AECO), this session will offer valuable insights and actionable strategies for student leaders committed to making a positive impact.
The promotion of student well-being requires practical strategies that student trustees can bring back to their boards to create a lasting impact. Led by School Mental Health Ontario (SMH-ON), this session will explore actionable initiatives that connect students to mental health resources and promote academic success through a well-being-first approach. With a focus on engaging parents and guardians to address stigma, as well as fostering meaningful conversations between student trustees and their peers, this session will equip trustees with tools to champion mental health in their communities.
Cultivating Conversation, a session dedicated to having group conversations to discuss the experiences they have had as students and their ideas of how meaningful Truth and Reconciliation can and should be advanced.
External Partner: Development and Peace Caritas Canada See it happen! Hear from a Catholic Education stakeholder and learn from their passions and insights, as well as how to get involved.
Incorporating the grandfather teaching of Wisdom Indigenous Student Trustees are going to think about the legacy that this years Indigenous Student Trustees Council wants to leave at the end of our term. What wisdom would we like to pass on, and what steps do we need to achieve our goals and leave a powerful and long-lasting dynasty within the future of OSTA.
Effectively Engaging your Audience, where student trustees will collaborate to create and deliver presentations about various topics in education. They will build various skills, including researching, public speaking, and giving effective presentations.
Director Tom D’Amico of the Ottawa Catholic SB will be presenting on the Artificial Intelligence. Based on his venerated presentation at the OCSTA Seminar 2024, it will engagingly provide insights on AI usage, modern variants, and how school boards should adapt to modern technology.
Saturday February 15, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am EST
Les Saisons
Pino Buffone, the Director of Education for the Ottawa-Carelton DSB will be presenting on the importance of French Education in our school systems. The presentation will be engaging one-hour long deep dive into multi-lingual education here in Ontario.
Hear from the Ralph Sharples, the President Elect of the Catholic Principals’ Council of Ontario, as he takes student trustees through education from the standpoint of his organization and explores the roles of education advocates province wide.
Empowering Change: Combining Advocacy and Activism
This session will empower student trustees to turn their passion for advocacy into actionable strategies for lasting change. Participants will explore the key elements of creating a strategic advocacy plan, including setting clear goals, engaging stakeholders, and measuring success. Through group collaboration, they will brainstorm and develop innovative solutions to address important issues within their boards and communities. After refining their strategies with feedback, participants will leave with a clear, actionable plan to drive meaningful impact. The session will conclude with reflections on perseverance and how to sustain momentum for long-term success.
Led by Audrey Akharoh, Chair of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advocacy Interest Group, and Sharanya Sivasathiyanathan, Chair of the Mental Health and Student Well-Being Advocacy Interest Group at the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association (OSTA-AECO), this session offers a unique opportunity to learn and collaborate with fellow student leaders.
Leveraging your Legacy From your scent to your sense: how do the subconscious physical and mental impressions you leave on internal and external partners benefit you as a student trustee? Explore how to highlight your natural gifts and unique talents when navigating relationship building and initiative creation. This session will provide student trustees with tools to unlock their most authentic selves and leave a long-lasting legacy in networking and beyond.
Student Advocacy: You and Your Board “Student Advocacy: You and Your Board” teaches Student Trustees how to leverage their Student Senates, school board support, and self-advocate. Student Trustees will learn about Student Senate structures, roles, and best practices to create effective Student Senates. Student Trustees will learn to navigate their school boards with an understanding of who can help them with specific needs. Student Trustees will learn about their Education Act rights as student trustees and how to self-advocate within their roles
This discussion explores real-world implementations of and changes to curriculum education, analyzing the key factors that have influenced these shifts. We will examine how educational policies translate into practice, the challenges faced during implementation, and the broader societal, political, and economic forces that shape curriculum decisions. Through case studies and critical analysis, we aim to understand the impact of advocacy efforts and policy changes on the educational landscape. Led by Jacklyn Saddler, Chair of the Curriculum and School Community Advocacy Interest Group at the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association (OSTA-AECO).
Led by Irfan Toor, Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the Ontario Principals’ Council, this session will challenge student trustees to think critically about the unique needs within their school boards. Through guided discussions and practical insights, participants will explore the question, “Who needs our help the most?” and learn how to identify and prioritize areas where advocacy and support can have the greatest impact. By focusing on equity and inclusivity, this session will empower student trustees to address systemic challenges, amplify marginalized voices, and create meaningful change within their communities.
Creating a Vision, a session dedicated to creating a Vision document for our AIG, serving as a guiding outlook and concept for the group’s future, as well as a guide for OSTA’s work, featuring proposals for organizations, predominantly the Ministry of Education, towards advancing sincere Truth and Reconciliation.
(Inside the CEIG’s Head – Initiating, Planning & Sustaining) Planning your path; short-term vs long-term planning, how to adhere to sustainable projects and TAKE ACTION in your community
Taking Action at EAC, a collaborative session where student trustees will have the chance to work together to build plans develop initiatives related to various advocacy topics.
