Humber’s Innovative Learning is hosting its annual Part-Time Teachers’ Conference on Saturday, April 29 at the International Graduate School. This hybrid conference is for part-time faculty in Ontario colleges. There is no cost to attend this event.

Proposals are now accepted for 60-minute sessions. Please indicate if your session will be offered on-campus or hybrid (on-campus & virtually).

This year’s conference theme is: “Personalizing the Learning Journey.”

Teaching in today’s college classroom involves navigating many competing demands, particularly as we begin the transition away from pandemic-driven strategies. The conference theme encourages presenters to reflect on how we can embrace technology-enhanced teaching, consider the needs of diverse student populations, and empower students to take active roles in their education.

Presentations will focus on one or more of the following subthemes:

• Student success in transitioning learning spaces (e.g., teaching the post-pandemic student, online/hybrid/HyFlex teaching)
• Supporting achievement among diverse students (e.g., focus on accessibility, flexible learning, anti-racist approaches, decolonization)
• Instructor tool kits to support student learning (e.g., technology-enhanced teaching, hands-on learning experiences, methods for developing practical skills)

Proposals will be reviewed based on the following criteria:

• Relevance of the proposal to the conference theme
• Topic connection to current practices in teaching and learning
• Plans for how attendees will be engaged in the session
• Clear session outcomes and overall clarity of the proposal

To submit a proposal, complete the PTTC 2023 CFP Application.

Deadline: Friday, March 24

Those selected will be notified by March 31.

Over the past few months, Media Relations has worked with several of our Humber Experts in various departments and faculties to help them share their work and expertise with the media.

We’ve had tremendous success with many of our staff featured on television and in print and digital publications.

Here are some examples from 2023 so far:

Rolling Stones and Celine Dion

Andrew Scott, program coordinator of the Bachelor of Music program, was interviewed by the Canadian Press to talk about the Canadian Artist Celine Dion and why she wasn’t included in the Rolling Stones’ list of Top Singers. This article appeared on the CP24 website, Global News, Toronto Star, and many others.

Local tourism on the rise due to airline cancellations and lost baggage

Christel Kuiper, program coordinator for the Travel and Tourism Management program, appeared on CHCH News to speak about how industry partners are waiting on Humber graduates to fill gaps in the labour shortage. Kuiper says College can help fill the demand with skilled workers. She also gave some travel tips – like booking with a travel agent or travelling with a carry-on.

Cybersecurity in hospitals/LCBO

Francis Syms, professor, Protection, Security, & Investigations and associate dean of Continuous Professional Learning, was featured on CTV Toronto – he discussed the increase in cyber-attacks on retailers and institutions. Syms explains that this could be due to an increase in e-commerce and talked about personal information being sold for cash. 

Blue Monday

Michael Kopinak, associate director of Athletics and Recreation was featured on CHCH Trending Now to discuss Blue Monday and its origin. He gave advice on managing mental health challenges and talked about opening up these discussions.

Hotel Industry

Kristy Adams, professor and program coordinator, Hospitality and Tourism Management, was featured on the Hotelier Podcast to discuss the various changes and innovations made at Humber since the pandemic, Humber’s efforts to work with the industry to solve current challenges such as the labour shortage and future plans to ensure the continued delivery of quality education.

Rising Crime in Youth

Joshua Harold, Professor in the Department of Liberal Studies, appeared on CHCH News to talk about youth navigating the social, economic, and educational consequences caused by the pandemic.

Turkey and Syria Earthquakes

Kathy Branton, manager, Business Continuity and Emergency Management, appeared on CHCH Trending Now to discuss next steps for the nations dealing with a devastating earthquake. She shared tips on how to protect yourself should a disaster occur in your area.

Funeral Director Shortage

With a shortage of Funeral Directors in some parts of Ontario, Jeff Caldwell, professor in the Funeral Service Education programs talked about the steady flow of students in the Funeral Service programs on CBC Radio Canada.  

Pain clinics

Daniel Bear, professor and drugs policy researcher, appeared on CHCH news to talk about importance of regulated pain clinics.

Humber’s Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology

The Etobicoke Guardian came and toured Humber’s Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology. They interviewed Philip Stubbs, director of Academic Programs at the Centre, to talk about the programs, facility, and the future of the building.

Please reach out to Media Relations & External Communications Specialist Sylvie Lendvay (sylvie.lendvay@humber.ca) if you have any unique story ideas that would be of interest to the media.

In 2020, Humber created humber.ca/campus-return to provide a dedicated page to share COVID-19 related information. Employee-specific resources were also provided on the Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness webpage. 

As restrictions have been lifted and public health guidance has evolved, there is no longer a need for a dedicated COVID-19 information page. As a result, two actions will be taken by March 6:  

• we will be retiring humber.ca/campus-return and moving all remaining, relevant information to the humber.ca/updates page 
• employee-specific information about COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses will be moved to the Occupational Health and Safety section of the HROE page 

Additionally, the covidreporting@humber.ca email address will not be active, as we will no longer be providing case management for students and staff. 

We will continue to share any updates or new information with the Humber community whenever necessary.  

While these changes are being made to reflect current reporting practice, it is important to remind everyone that there are still some public health recommendations in place. 

These recommendations include the use of a well-fitted mask in all public spaces, including on campus, for a period of 10 days from the start of the illness if you: 

• Tested positive for COVID-19 or have COVID, or 
• Have symptoms of a respiratory illness (e.g. a cough). 

The mask should be worn for the 10-day period even if symptoms improve. 

It is also considered good public health practice to follow this masking recommendation if you have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 or other respiratory illness. 

If you are experiencing symptoms or have tested positive for COVID-19, take Ontario's Self-assessment to find out what to do next. Please follow the guidance provided with respect to self-isolating, self-monitoring, and masking.  

Students are asked to communicate directly with their instructors/program regarding potential absences from class or other academic accommodations they may need. 

Employees should notify their manager regarding absence from work due to illness or other work arrangements. If you have any questions regarding sick leave or workplace accommodation for medical reasons, you can email occhealth@humber.ca. 
 
Take Care, 

Jason Hunter 
Vice-President of Students and Institutional Planning
Interim Vice-President of Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness 

You can help give the gift of education to deserving Humber students!

We are asking our friends to assist us in finding exciting, unique items to support the Silent or Live Auctions to be held at the 2023 Humber Golf Classic.

Please contact Amy Rice at amy.rice@humber.ca.