DEBBIE
SAMSON
Debbie's work as an educator is firmly grounded in her belief that public school systems have the power to create more just, critically engaged sustainable societies.
This core belief is rooted
in her South African heritage. At a young age Debbie, born in Hilbrow
in 1962, thought deeply about the role
that the education system in South Africa had in perpetuating an unjust status
quo. Growing up listening to stories about the education system in South
Africa from her mother, Antoinette Samson, who was a teacher in Johannesburg,
Debbie began to realize the powerful and political nature of public education.
As a teenager growing up in Canada she was greatly impacted by the Soweto
Uprisings. She drew inspiration from the students who boldly stood up for
an education that reflected their voice, rights, language and power.
Debbie has combined her social activism and her passion for education in all
the work that she does. She has worked in various roles within the Waterloo Region
District School Board, English as A Second Language Department teaching and advocating
for the rights of refugee and immigrant students and families. Debbie has also
worked at the classroom, school, community and system wide level on many social
justice issues
including: homophobia, heterosexism, anti-racism education, and
gender issues.
Debbie has collaborated with community groups, unions, trustees, administrators,
students, families and teachers to foster change at the grassroots and policy
levels.
She has inititiated many groups and programs including: Positive
School
Community Coalition; (a group that advocates for improved policies
and resources to insure that all people within her board of education are treated
with equity,
regardless of their sexual orientation, gender or gender identification) Peace,
Fairness and Freedom: (a student social justice group that develops
and presents workshops in the community) and A Newcomer Youth Recreation
Program in collaboration
with community groups.
Debbie has
developed and facilitated numerous workshops on Equity Issues as well
as English as a Second Language Teaching, Anti-Racism Education, Literacy
and Anti-Bullying. She has spoken in the community at forums addressing
the needs of marginalized youth. She has been a central figure in the
Waterloo District Elementary Teacher Union's Anti-Racism and Human Rights
committees.
At the core of all that Debbie does is her passion for teaching. Her teaching
is guided by her belief that a true teacher helps students to connect with the
power that lies within them to transform their lives and their world. She strives
to create a just educational system in which all children's voices are heard
and needs are met. She establishes learning environments in which children are
encouraged to think critically and make connections with their lives and a world
that is grounded in social justice and equity.