Dal Events

Everyday EDIA Practices for TAs

Tue, 12 May 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Tuesday, May 12, 2026
2–3 pm (UTC-04:00) Atlantic Time (Canada)
Online via Microsoft Teams

This workshop introduces teaching assistants (TAs) to everyday equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) practices that are practical, grounded, and doable. Rather than viewing EDIA as an add-on, participants will explore how small, intentional choices in communication, facilitation, and assessment can meaningfully shape students’ learning experiences. Through brief case-based scenarios drawn from real teaching contexts, TAs will discuss how to respond to common challenges such as classroom dynamics. We will conclude with concrete pedagogical strategies that TAs can immediately apply in their tutorials, labs, and grading, including inclusive facilitation moves, accessible lesson planning tips, and approaches to fostering welcoming and supportive learning environments.

Students who are not currently TAs are also welcome to attend, as the workshop offers valuable preparation for future teaching roles and careers in academia.

Presenter

Ezgi Ozyonum, PhD (she/her)
Educational Developer (Student Development)

Teaching Philosophy Statement: Draft, Swap, Revise

Wed, 13 May 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Wednesday, May 13
2–3:30 pm
Online

Link to register for the event

A Teaching Philosophy Statement (TPS) is a concise narrative that articulates your values, approaches, and goals as an educator. It is commonly required for academic job and teaching-related applications.

This two-part workshop series is designed for graduate students and teaching assistants who want to write or refine their TPS through a structured, collaborative process.

We will meet online on Wednesday, May 13 from 2-3:30 pm to explore the purpose and key components of a TPS and begin drafting. Participants will then work independently on their drafts over the following week.

In the second session on Wednesday, May 20 from 2-3:30 pm, we will swap statements, practice giving and receiving feedback, and revise our work based on peer insights.

This workshop involves a commitment from May 13 to May 20, including two 90-minute sessions and independent writing time between sessions.

Learning from the Land (Halifax)

Thu, 21 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Thursday, May 21, 2026
10 am–12 pm
Department of Biology Outdoor Learning Space

Registration is now full.

This workshop invites participants to step outside the classroom and spend intentional, reflective time in nature, exploring what the land can teach about teaching, learning, and your role as an educator.

Before the session

Choose a natural space that feels accessible and safe—a park, shoreline, field, forest, or other outdoor area.
Visit this same location twice for 1–2 hours each, ideally in different weather or light conditions.
Bring a notebook, sketchbook, or audio recorder to capture your observations.
During your visits, pay attention to what you see, hear, smell, feel, and even taste. Ask yourself: What is the land teaching me right now? What do patience, reciprocity, or interconnection look like here?

After your visits, create a 1–2 page reflection—or an alternative representation such as a poem, drawing, audio recording, or photo essay—that describes your observations, identifies at least two lessons about teaching and learning, and suggests how you might bring one of these lessons into your own teaching practice.

During the session

Participants will share their reflections and creative representations, then engage in a group discussion to explore the insights gained from the land and consider how these lessons can inform teaching and learning in diverse educational contexts.

Facilitator

Rachelle McKay, MA (she/her)
Educational Developer (Indigenous Knowledges and Ways of Knowing)

Learning from the Land Workshop (Halifax-Grad Students)

Thu, 21 May 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Thursday, May 21, 2026
2–4 pm
Department of Biology Outdoor Learning Space

Registration is now full.

Before the session

Choose a natural space that feels accessible and safe—a park, shoreline, field, forest, or other outdoor area.
Visit this same location twice for 1–2 hours each, ideally in different weather or light conditions.
Bring a notebook, sketchbook, or audio recorder to capture your observations.
During your visits, pay attention to what you see, hear, smell, feel, and even taste. Ask yourself: What is the land teaching me right now? What do patience, reciprocity, or interconnection look like here?

During the session

Facilitator

Rachelle McKay, MA (she/her)
Educational Developer (Indigenous Knowledges and Ways of Knowing)