What the Family Studies?
Welcome to our What the Family Studies? podcast, here to help family studies educators create engaging and valuable learning experiences for their students that will last a lifetime. We will interview those who are passionate about family studies education. Some weeks we will interview a current teacher or professional working in the field who will share their real experiences, insights, and strategies for successful delivery of family studies curriculum. We also want to focus some of our time on your wellness. The last couple of years have been so stressful and your wellness is so important. While we are based in Ontario, we are sure that our podcast will prove helpful and entertaining to teachers in other places too.
Episodes
26 episodes
Literacy Adventures from Childhood to Advocacy
Teresa Hamilton Kerr, a passionate voice in literacy education, takes us on a journey through her career and life-long commitment to spreading the joy of reading. From her formative years in a print-rich home to her impactful work at the Hamilt...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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33:56
Unlocking the Power of Teacher Research at the Canadian Symposium on Home Economics
Unlock the secrets to effective teaching research and engage with the vibrant community of home economists at the upcoming Canadian Symposium on Home Economics! Join us for the season premiere of "What the Family Studies," as we sit down with T...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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23:55
Nourishing Our Neighbors: The Heart of Community Food Banks
In today's episode we explore the operations of community food banks with Debbie Marson, Executive Director of the North Bay Food Bank. Debbie talks about the need for community support and advocacy to address issues of food insecurity. ...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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21:05
Stacey Green Whips Up Comic Relief for Mealtime Mayhem
Ever find yourself locked in a battle of wills with a pint-sized food critic at your dinner table? Stacey Green, a registered holistic nutritionist and the author behind the hilariously honest cookbook "You'll Eat it and You'll Like it," joins ...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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22:11
Whipping Up Success in the Flavorful World of Food Science Careers
Ever wondered how a scoop of your favorite ice cream came to be? Reid Ball, a food science whiz and product development technician at the Guelph Food Innovation Center, joined us to stir up the flavors of his educational and professional journe...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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24:24
RealCare Babies!
Join us for this episode where we talk about using RealCare babies in our classrooms. We are joined by Matthew Colbeck from Studica and Lesia Hucal, a family studies teacher ...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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30:09
Exploring Creativity through Fashion
In this episode we interview Jenn Sobec. Jenn is currently in her 17th year as a secondary teacher with the Durham District School Board. She began her teaching career in English and History 16 years ago. She has also taught Special Education b...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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21:31
Indigenous Food Ways in the Family Studies Classroom
We’re all excited to introduce our guest for this episode, Chef Destiny. Chef Destiny is the owner of FoodZen, a personal chef and pre-made meal business in Waterloo Region. FoodZen's goal is to bring zen to busy family sche...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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27:25
Incorporating 2SLGBTQIAP+ Identities into the Family Studies Classroom
In this episode we interview Justin Büyüközer (he/him). He is a secondary Family Studies teacher who identifies with the 2SLGBTQIAP+community. We are excited to learn more from Justin as he shares how he attempts to update his knowledge a...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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20:56
So I Want to Teach Family Studies - How Do I Get Qualified?
Our first episode of our second season is available now!! Come and learn more about getting qualified to teach family studies in Ontario. We speak to Jane Witte, AQ instructor, about the different courses, what you will learn and wh...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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15:43
That's a Wrap
It’s been a full first season for our little podcast and we’ve learned a lot! We’ve interviewed a number of people like Cassie Brunsveld from Agscape, Heather Bamford teaching us about moving toward a Gradeless classroom and Leisa Hucal a...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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36:40
Student Voice! Let's Hear What They Have to Say!!!
In this episode we had the privilege to chat with two secondary students who have made Family Studies an important part of their course selections throughout high school! As teachers we all know the importance of listening to studen...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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15:00
Welcoming Our Next Generation of Family Studies Educators!
During this episode we are doing something a little different. We are interviewing TWO current Western Faculty of Education students, Alex and Scarlett, about their pathway to teaching, why they decided to become family studie...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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23:17
Family Studies: Don't Leave School Without It!
In this episode we interview Family Studies teacher extraordinaire Val Hodowanski. We all know Val from the Ontario Family Studies Facebook page where she shares her amazing lessons ideas. Her creativity and ability to engage students is ...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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28:06
The Value of Networking
In this episode we interview Leisa Hucal about the value of networking. Lesia is a high school Family Studies teacher at St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School in Hamilton, Ontario. She came into teaching with a background and full-time care...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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22:12
Engaging in Conversation: Indigenous Perspectives in the Family Studies Classroom
Welcome to the episode 11 of “What the Family Studies?” Today we welcome Natasha Gleeson. Natasha is Inuk, having Inuit ancestry from Nunatsiavut (Labrador). Natasha is currently with the TDSB's Urban Indigenous Education Centre, where she is a...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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38:23
WE. ARE. FAMILY: Add the Learning Commons to the Family (Studies) tree!
In our 10th episode of What the Family Studies? we meet Amanda Freeman. Amanda joined the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board in September of 2022 as the Manager of the System Learning Commons. Prior to joining the Boa...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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23:26
Learn, Unlearn, Relearn - Reflecting, Examining and Challenging Anti-Oppression in Family Studies Classrooms
In our 9th episode of What the Family Studies? we meet Sharon Gordon. After working as family studies for 15 years, Sharon began a new position as a K-12 Equity Consultant at the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board in January of 2021...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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29:42
So I'm Teaching Fashion and I Can't Sew
In this episode we meet Dubravka Prica. She has taughts for the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board for 15 years. She has taught Family Studies for 15 years, with a focus on Fashion. Her start to teaching Family Studies w...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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26:21
Connecting with the National Eating Disorder Information Centre
In this episode we have the privilege of interviewing Ary Maharaj (he/him). Ary is a Registered Psychotherapist and currently works in community education at the National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC). NEDIC (https://nedic.c...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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35:54
Creating a Diet Culture Free Classroom
In this episode we get a chance to talk to Gwen Kostal. Gwen is an Ontario registered dietitian and the owner of Dietitians 4 Teachers. Dietitians 4 Teachers is dedicated to supporting educators to unlearn diet culture and find safe...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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33:14
Moving Toward a Gradeless Classroom
Have you ever considered going GRADELESS in your classroom? Check out our latest podcast episode on What The Family Studies!? where we continue our conversation with Heather Bamford on assessment and evaluation. Some additional resources ...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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25:55
Exploring Assessment in the Family Studies Classroom
In this episode we start a conversation with teacher extraordinaire and self-proclaimed assessment geek Heather Bamford. Heather is a Family Studies Teacher at John Fraser Secondary School, who has been teaching in the Peel Board for 19 y...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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22:38
A Conversation about Equity
In this episode we talk to Theresa Aqui. Theresa is a teacher with the TDSB and the Toronto Representative for OFSHEEA, and has participated in writing projects for both these organisations. She is an enthusiastic Family Studies teacher who rec...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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13:04
Getting to Know AgScape
In this episode you will have to chance to hear more about AgScape and the work they do to support family studies educators in the classroom. As the voice of agriculture in the Ontario classroom, AgScape provides factual, balanced, curriculum-l...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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17:39