Peter Cameron (BA/B.Ed 1994) is self-described “M.A.D.” man. In other words, he wants to “make a difference” and teach his students to do the same.

Cameron, who’s been a teacher for 24 years, currently teaches Grade 5/6 at St. Elizabeth’s School in Thunder Bay, Ont. He is also the co-founder of M.A.D. PD, or Make a Difference - Professional Development, which brings together educators from around the world to share one idea that makes a difference in their classroom.

This coming school year, Cameron’s students, as well as students from other schools, will become Junior Water Walkers as part of a new project to raise awareness about the importance of freshwater. 

On how the Junior Water Walkers got started

At the beginning of every school year, I use the book Paddle-to-the-Sea to give my kids a sense of their place in the world and to have them understand how great the Great Lakes are. I also use Google Earth and as we’re reading the book we track the journey of that little boy in the canoe travelling though the Great Lakes. I became connected with Google Earth and they really liked how I was using the tool in the classroom, so we came up with the idea of a Voyager story. The intent there was to take the kids through a thematic adventure and have them understand that the Great Lakes are now at risk.

Then, in April of this year, I was walking with my son and our exchange student along one of the small lakes in Thunder Bay and we crossed paths with a woman dressed in traditional Anishinaabe clothing and carrying a copper bucket and a staff. Later, I opened up a magazine and there was a review of a book called The Water Walker. On the cover was a picture of a younger Josephine Mandamin — it was a story about the woman we had seen walking! I reached out to her and found out that she had walked all around the five Great Lakes to bring awareness to water issues. Josephine now has Parkinson’s disease and can no longer do her lengthy walks, so my students had the idea to become Junior Water Walkers and kind of take up her cause.

On continuing Josephine’s work

We’re challenging other classes to join us in honouring her great work and the Anishinaabe traditions. She’s very excited about it as well. The idea is that we’ll spend time learning about water and how great our waterways are, but then also understanding that they’re at risk. Then we’ll choose a body of water to adopt. Then maybe we’ll bring in a conservationist and learn about different ways that we can protect that body of water and all waterways. In the springtime, we’ll do our water walk and invite either Josephine or an Anishinaabe Elder and they’ll share some of the traditions around water. Hopefully, classes throughout the world will do the same. We’ve already got 24 classes registered! Many are around the Great Lakes, but we have classes from British Columbia and even Thailand. 

On his “M.A.D.” classroom philosophy

I believe it’s important to have a motto that brings your class together and gives your class a focus. Our motto is “We can make a difference.” We decided we wanted to have a “make a difference” podcast, M.A.D. The podcast happens throughout the school year. We had an episode where we shared about how we believe that Josephine is a difference maker. I became a teacher to make a difference for students, but it’s an even greater gift when we can teach our students that they can make difference. Every day is an adventure when I go into the classroom. I grew up seeking adventure in my own life, but what I love now is that sense of adventure that I can bring to my classroom.

On the use of technology in the classroom

It’s amazing what we can do now and what we can bring to our classroom. Before, my resources were the books and binders on my shelf. I don’t know that I would’ve found Josephine if it wasn’t for technology. I found her on Facebook. The opportunity to connect with people and bring their stories to our classrooms, whether or not it’s face-to-face, is amazing.

And you can see how the students form a personal connection to these people who we’ve brought virtually to our class. We’ve had a photographer from National Geographic, we’ve gone on virtual field trips to a turtle rescue hospital, we’ve gone to Antarctica, and gone cave diving. When my students can talk with these people and ask questions, their desire to learn is astounding. It’s completely changed the way I teach and the way my students learn.

To view more visit:  https://youtu.be/g7f3w41PqZc 

By Tanya Kirnishni
September 3, 2018

Chairperson George Patterson announced that Kathleen Lynch (HBSW '83) as the successful candidate as incoming President of Confederation College. Lynch will succeed outgoing President Jim Madder, assuming official duties on September 4, 2018.  

“We are very pleased with our decision and look forward to Kathleen’s contributions to Confederation College during her tenure,” said Patterson. “Kathleen understands the unique needs of Thunder Bay and the northwestern Ontario region. Having worked for Confederation in the past, she also understands the importance of the work we do to change lives through learning. With her proven experience at a senior executive level, existing relationships with community and Indigenous partners, and overall collaborative approach, the Board is confident Kathleen will successfully carry forward our strategic directions.”

Lynch has more than 30 years of progressive leadership experience in health care, human services and education. She joins Confederation College having been the Vice President of Rehabilitative Care at St. Joseph’s Care Group since January of 2014. Past experience also includes five years as the Dean of the School of Health and Community Services at Confederation College following additional years as faculty, and roles with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and Canadian Hearing Society.

Lynch holds an Honours Bachelor of Social Work degree from Lakehead University and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto.

“I am excited to carry forward the focus on innovation and collaboration, in offering successful programs that meet the needs of students and employers alike,” said Lynch. “I thank the Board of Governors for this opportunity and look forward to working together with the students, Board, faculty and staff to continue Confederation’s tradition of excellence in education with a uniquely northern perspective.”

A fourth-year visual arts student at Lakehead University says it feels incredible to have designed one side of a new coin for the Royal Canadian Mint.

The Royal Canadian Mint asked Mary McPherson to participate in the design process for the new coin.                                                             

She was thrilled when the Mint chose her image of Tecumseh, a legendary Shawnee war leader who allied himself with the British and heroically led hundreds of First Nations warriors into battle at such places as Fort Meigs and most famously, Detroit.

Released on Tuesday, Sept. 4, the new coin recognizes the 250th anniversary of Tecumseh’s birth.

“It feels incredibly different than the work that I usually produce,” said McPherson, who is Ojibway and a member of Couchiching First Nation.

“I’ve never had an artistic experience quite like this one. I feel extremely grateful to have had the honour of drawing Tecumseh and having the design immortalized on a coin.”

McPherson said she learned a lot during the process.

“What I particularly realized throughout the duration of this project was how Tecumseh had, according to Dickason and Newbigging, ‘sided with the British, not because he liked them particularly but because he saw them as the lesser of two evils,’” she said.

“Tecumseh fought for the wellbeing and independence of his people. He had also united Indigenous nations, in resistance to a divide-and-conquer mentality, while maintaining the essential notion that the land was to be shared among all peoples and was not something to be owned.”

The MM on the right side of the coin represents McPherson’s initials. McPherson said her Lakehead University education helped her immensely with this process.

“Through Visual Arts and Indigenous Learning, I was able to improve my drawing skills, research skills, and time management skills, which aided me in completing this project.”

For more information about the coin, visit the Royal Canadian Mint website.

Tesa Fiddler (BA'01, MEd.'12) a Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board teacher has been named the 2019 Outstanding Indigenous Educator by the Canadian Teachers' Federation.

A member of Weagamow and Onigaming first nations, Tesa received the award in Ottawa on July 11th, 2019. The award recognizes an educator who displays "leadership in Indigenous education and excellence in teaching that reflects Indigenous culture."

Fiddler has worked as an Indigenous Education Resource Teacher for the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board since 2011.

"On behalf of Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) I congratulate Tesa for her outstanding work in Indigenous education," NAN Deputy Grand Chief Derek Fox said in a statement. "As a caring educator, wife and mother, Tesa has devoted herself to helping youth understand who they are and where they come from, recognize their gifts, and recognize the resilience of Indigenous Peoples." An 'inspiration' "Tesa approaches her work with an open heart and an open mind, and her passion for education is matched only by her compassion for youth."

Fiddler was nominated for the award by the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association. "Education is of upmost priority among First Nations in Ontario and Leadership alike," Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald said in a statement. "It is the foundation for our youth to build a bright future, that is full of opportunities."

"We congratulate Tesa Fiddler in her work for championing the ongoing success of both First Nations and non-First Nations learners," Archibald said. "Her unique cross-cultural technique is the key to preserving our collective indigenous language, heritage and culture. Tesa Fiddler is an inspiration and a true role model for all to follow."

In addition to her work for the Thunder Bay Catholic board, Fiddler has also taught at York University, Lakehead University, Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School, and Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education Institute.

It has been an amazing 15 years since I graduated Lakehead with a BA and BEd.  Since then, I have worked for the Peel District School Board, married my university love Rob Esch (BS Electrical Engineering '04), we have two beautiful girls (Emily 11 and Abigayle 9).  Amid numerous challenges that life threw us it became clear I was made for something other than classroom teaching (but let me tell you as a Phys Ed. specialist it was super fun at times.)

As of October 1, 2019, I am officially retired from classroom teaching and have begun my own business (Total Wellness Milton.) It helps families incorporate fitness and nutrition into their busy lives and works with individuals who have suffered injury to return to sport safely. 

Rob is still an Engineer with Hitachi Truck and we look forward to 2022 when we can both be home full time working our dream job.