RISE is a wonderful example of leading academics across Canada collaborating to develop instructional strategies and practical tools to help future teachers create spaces and places where sexual and gender diversity are celebrated and all students can thrive.
Dr. Annette Trimbee
President and Vice-Chancellor
MacEwan University
What an outstanding and much-needed resource, research-informed and easily assessable, providing support for not only the teaching of BEd courses, but for all educators. A website such as this, with such wide-ranging resources, is not often available and should be celebrated for its comprehensiveness.
Dr. Blye Frank
Dean Emeritus, Faculty of Education
University of British Columbia
The RISE project speaks to the importance of centering Indigiqueer and 2SLGBTQ+ perspectives in teacher education faculties across the country. This resource will be incredibly useful for those of us who engage in the important work of teacher education.
Faculty of Education, University of New Brunswick
RISE: Queering Teacher Education is a substantive contribution to theory and practice in teacher education. Having worked in this field for 25 years, I can attest that the RISE materials, including theories, current resources, suggested discussion topics, activities, and assignments carefully identify and meet a major pedagogical gap. Guided by principles of Respect, Inclusion, Safety and Equity, this well-organized website will enable queer issues to be integrated across subject areas in pre-service teacher education for the benefit of Canadian public education.
Dr. James McNinch
Professor Emeritus and former Dean
Faculty of Education, University of Regina
The RISE Project team has created a comprehensive website full of important resources and strategies designed to help diversify and queer the field and foundations of K–12 education. Faculties of Education are invited to join a collaborative, research-based journey to provide thoughtfully developed curricula that helps mobilize knowledge and build in-depth understanding and support for queer inclusion across all subject areas. This website compendium is a much needed and welcome addition to the field of teacher education in Canada. Bravo!
Dr. Fern Snart
Professor Emeritus and former Dean
Faculty of Education, University of Alberta
The RISE website shares points to the everyday challenges and celebrations of LGBTQ children, youth and families and children as they navigate their way through the Canadian education system. There is much teachers can do to support students and families, and I encourage visitors to the site to find a place—any place—to start reading and engaging with the materials presented here. Enjoy!
Dr. Tara Goldstein
Professor, Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education and Vice Principal, New College at the University of Toronto.
The RISE Project is an excellent multi-layered resource designed for teacher educators, pre-service, and in-service teachers who are committed to creating more socially just, equitable and inclusive classrooms. The 2SLGBTQ+expansive education proposed by this website is not only research-informed, but also coherent and accessible. Whether one is disrupting fixed pronouns for the first time, or has spent a decade engaging with queer theory in educational contexts, the RISE Project offers learning and unlearning opportunities at every click.
Dr. Lace Marie Brogden
Dean, Faculty of Education
St. Francis Xavier University
With the RISE website we finally have the long yearned for and much needed queer archive of histories, cultures, identities, theories, research and practice that will enable a reorienting of teaching and teacher education in Canada.
Dr. Dennis Sumara
Dean Emeritus and Professor
University of Calgary
The Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF/FCE) strongly believes that inclusive teacher education is essential in Canada to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in our classrooms and to support the well-being and academic success of all students. The RISE Project is a valuable and much-needed resource, which provides a comprehensive approach designed to help strengthen teacher education in Canada. By integrating 2SLGBTQ+ inclusive teaching practices and learning materials into teacher education programs, future educators can learn how to create inclusive and supportive classroom environments for all students, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. This can include learning how to use gender-inclusive language, incorporating diverse representations of families and relationships in teaching materials, and supporting 2SLGBTQ+ students who may be struggling with their identities or facing discrimination. The RISE Project will empower current and future educators to learn how to create safer schools for everyone!
Sam Hammond
President
Canadian Teachers' Federation