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REPORT TO THE 2015 ANNUAL MEETING ON 

ETFO’S EQUITY AND WOMEN’S PROGRAMS

FACULTY OF EDUCATION EQUITY WORKSHOPS 

In conjunction with ETFO Professional Services, EWS provides Equity workshops for teacher candidates 
as requested by the Faculties of Education. This year, two presentations were offered involving 244 
teacher candidates.

FINANCIAL HEALTH AND WEALTH CONFERENCE 2015 WP 

In April 2015, approximately 150 members listened as keynote speaker, Kerry K. Taylor, shared her 
tips and wisdom on embracing a life of thrift by reflecting on our disposable lifestyles, impulsive 
spending habits and by challenging conventional views on accumulating wealth. She explained why 
saving money is about more than simply balancing a budget. 

The next day’s plenary presentation focused on the changing role of women in the finance industry 
and in their own homes. The workshop sessions following the plenary covered the following topics: 
Pension, Income Security Programs, Managing Debt, Controlling Your Financial Future and Financial 
Literacy and Social Justice. 

GSA SYMPOSIUM 

Twenty-three members from across the province attended this year’s 
symposium in May 2015. David Berger, a member of the Kawartha Pine Ridge 
Teacher Local, presented his keynote called Getting a GSA Off the Ground! 
David shared his own learning in establishing a GSA and how he worked with 
allies to get students and staff involved.

Annemarie Shrouder’s keynote, Sharing Accomplishments and Stories of
LGBTQ Diverse Individuals, focused on 
getting participants to examine their 
own assumptions and look at their 
unconscious biases. She encouraged 
them to expand their understanding 
of diverse LGBTQ individuals. 
Participants visited the Canadian 

Lesbian Gay Archives (CLGA) for a tour and orientation of 
services and resources available to educators. 

Melissa Sky, a member of the Waterloo Occasional Teacher Local, presented a session entitled Safety,
Friends and Rainbows: Successful Strategies for Elementary Gay-Straight Alliances. As an educator with 
OK2BME, she shared the work she has done to support dozens of elementary and secondary GSAs in 
the Waterloo Region. The afternoon ended with a session from the Get REAL Movement presented by 
Chris Studer and Sapphire Woods. 

NEXT STEPS WP: RESUMÉ AND INTERVIEW WORKSHOP

This two-day program is designed to support racialized women members in the area of résumé writing 
and interview skills preparation. This program has been developed to build confidence and provide 
opportunity to build on these essential skills in a supportive space.