WOTP teachers from English language and Indigenous school boards came together for the first time since November 2019. The session that was planned for March 2020 was cancelled, and subsequent mentoring sessions had been virtual until this year. All sessions were plenary and relevant to new WOTP teachers and veterans.
New venue, new facilitators
The consultant from the Lester B. Pearson School Board in Dorval (LBPSB), Davis Emory generously offered their boardroom, which has two big screens for presentations and for bringing in speakers online. The IT team at LBPSB ensured that the technical aspects of the meeting were seamless and Andrea Bertalan provided exceptional support for the logistics.
Facilitators Steve Greg, Western Quebec School Board (WQSB) and Travis Hall, English Montreal School Board (EMSB)
Familiar to many teachers, consultants Steve Greig and Travis Hall facilitated the for the day. Steve and Travis are the co-chairs for the CREATE committee (Career Education and Transition to Employment), which took on the planning and execution of WOTP mentoring in the absence of the WOTP Project Development Officer. Steve also organized the interesting icebreaker session andthe 
final group networking activity.
Exploring TÉVA (La transition de l’école vers la vie active)
Carmen Mucci, TEVA Consultant, EMSB Student Services presented “Exploring TEVA: The formal process of collaborative planning that assists students’ transition from school into the adult world.” The text of the presentation, Transition from School to Adult Life,) co-created by Pina Evangelista, Carmen Mucci and Brenda Izzi can be found on the LEARN site – click here to download.
Developmental Language Delays (DLD)
Carol Jazzar, Speech – Language Pathologist (SLP) and
Coordinator of the Centre of Excellence for Speech and Language Development, closed the morning with her presentation – click here to download.
What’s Ahead for WOTP
Marylène Perron, DSREA-SAR (Direction du soutien au réseau éducatif anglophone – Soutien au réseau, Ministère de l’Éducation du Québec (MEQ) provided a preview of the new WOTP that will be implemented gradually. 
See Marylène’s presentation – click here to download.
Interweaving culture with the curriculum and pedagogy
Kwawenna:wi Diabo presented, “A WOTP classroom at Kahnawake Survival School,” and brought along several items that students make using traditional methods. Indigenous education is oral, traditionally, thus we do not have the text. For information about this presentation, contact the WOTP Consultant at the Kahnawake Education Centre (KES), Jason Brand. To learn more about the Kahnawake Survival School – click here.
Quotes from Exit Cards: Some teacher feedback
What I liked most:
The Q&A on a variety is topics, as a new teacher in this program, this was invaluable.
I’m year 1, so just learning more about the program as a whole was super helpful!
Networking. Exchanging ideas
Talking to colleagues and hearing about what they do in their program that is unique or interesting.
Learning about how WOTP works at different schools/boards to compare and adopt the most successful practices.
Chatting with the other teachers about their reality which reminds us that we all have the same challenges.
Networking with other professionals. Always a pleasure to bounce new ideas and create opportunities.
I enjoyed seeing/hearing all the different ways that WOTP is being taught across the province because it gave me some ideas to take back to my school.
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