In September 2021, Jennifer Shelswell and I launched the first 'The Savvy Ally' Learning Circle through Georgian College in honour of 2SLGBTQI+ History Month in Canada and to promote education, 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion, and effective allyship. Since then, I have partnered with the District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) to offer Learning Circles to their faculty, staff, and educators, with six having been conducted in total from January 10, 2022~April 3, 2023. Here are some testimonials from participants who completed 'The Savvy Ally' Learning Circle:

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"The Savvy Ally book club is an essential experience for any adult who is connected to a school.  You will gain knowledge, strategies and the motivation to “get it right” when it comes to creating inclusive and thriving school communities for our students!" 😊

 

"I feel that the experience with our learning circle was very meaningful.  By reading and discussing The Savvy Ally, I was able to educate myself on the role an ally plays – not an identity but something you earn with action – and also share ideas and experiences in a safe place with people who are driven for change."

 

"My experience with The Savvy Ally book club was one of joy and learning! Full of community and love; we learned and connected together in a common goal of making schools more equitable. Thank you so much for holding this experience and I know we will all continue the work!"

 

"One of the best book clubs I have participated in. The Savvy Ally is an enlightening and useful guide to learn and reflectively re-evaluate how we action our support through understanding the lived experiences of the 2SLGBTQ + community.  Janice and Jennifer were such caring and thoughtful facilitators. They created the conditions for honest and vulnerable conversations and demonstrated how we are all lifelong learners just trying to get it right."  

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Click the photo of the book to access the Word doc for 'The Savvy Ally' Learning Circle Educational Resources.