bed graduate janae grafham receives ontario secondary school teachers’ federation faculty of education award

congratulations to janae grafham (bed graduate, 2021), who has received the ontario secondary school teachers’ federation (osstf) faculty of education award. the award is granted to a graduating intermediate/senior teacher candidate who exemplifies award criteria, including engaging in social activism to promote the professional nature of teaching and demonstrating leadership among teacher candidates.

janae’s dedication to activism and leadership is evidenced by her commitment to being a mental health advocate through her involvement with jack.org, an organization that trains and empowers young leaders to revolutionize mental health. she is an environmental activist, involved with the ontario nature program and recently presented at the forests ontario “growing our future” conference. she is also a youth leader for the youth circle for mother earth, a group that aims to protect lands and waters for future generations through cross-cultural knowledge sharing, dialogue, and youth mentorship. as part of this role, she recently guided a team of youth on a month-long virtual youth summit for mother earth.

janae explains that her longstanding passions for environmental science and working with others to make a difference culminated in her decision to pursue the bachelor of education program and the one-year certificate in indigenous learning program. she notes that the osstf award “has encouraged me to consider what it means to be part of a team. when people come together for a common purpose, great accomplishments are possible.”

since graduating, janae has accepted a position teaching high school science.   

congratulations janae on these achievements!