This episode features Usha James from the Critical Thinking Consortium. Listen in as Usha and our project leads from CPCO and OPC discuss an inquiry based approach to leading the implementation of the Ontario Language Curriculum (Grades 1 to 8) with a focus on leadership moves/actions to support principals in beginning this important work.”

About our guest

Usha James spent 12 years as a secondary teacher and five years seconded to OISE at the University of Toronto, as an instructor in the Initial Teacher Education Program and Director of the Secondary Program. Usha has contributed to The Critical Thinking Consortium (TC2), a non-profit Canadian educational organization, for many years and was appointed Executive Director of TC2 in 2016. She has worked with educators and administrators of kindergarten to post-secondary students, supporting their efforts to improve the quality of their learner’ and their own thinking. Usha has seen how an understanding of how to nurture quality thinking can deepen understanding and practice of assessment, instruction and curriculum design in all subject areas as well as significantly enhance efforts to create more equitable and inclusive environments and learning opportunities. She has worked extensively with administrators and senior district leaders to help them nurture thinking schools and systems, supporting their strategic and school level planning and building capacity in leadership teams to think critically about their practice.

About our hosts

Teresa Paoli is a retired principal currently serving as an instructor and practicum supervisor with Niagara University in Ontario.Prior to her retirement, Teresa was a Student Achievement Officer with the Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat (Ministry of Education) where she worked alongside school principals, central staff and Supervisory Officers to support them with numerous ministry initiatives. She also served as the central coordinating principal for literacy and library services with the Toronto Catholic District School Board, working with central staff, principals and teachers to lead TCDSB literacy and library initiatives.She served as an elementary principal, vice principal, literacy coach/consultant and classroom teacher throughout her career at TCDSB.Teresa has written and taught several AQ and ABQ courses, and has contributed to several literacy/library resources for the TCDSB. She is a long standing executive member and past president of the East York Scarborough Reading Association. and continues to advocate for literacy and a love of reading in all her work.

Linda Ford-DeCunha recently retired after 34 years in the field of education. She has held a variety of positions including classroom teacher (Peel District School Board and Durham District School Board), Literacy and Numeracy Facilitator, Student Achievement Officer (Ministry of Education), Principal, and DDSB System Lead. In her most recent role as a System Lead, Linda contributed to the development of board professional learning plans and resources specific to the New Teacher Induction Program (K to 12), French and International Languages (1 to 12), and elementary curriculum (Literacy and Numeracy). Linda believes in the importance of creating safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning environments which foster collaborative inquiry and the development of collective efficacy. She is looking forward to her new role as the OPC Project Lead for the Implementation of the Language Curriculum.