Join us for the keynote session at this year’s Ped Day, From Spark to Circuit: Designing for Motivation, Meaning, and Hope in the Classroom, by Jessica Riddell at 9 AM in 5B.16 on Friday, Nov. 7.

Educators in the CEGEP system are uniquely positioned to reimagine what teaching and learning can become. This session draws on the Hope Circuits framework to explore how we can create classrooms that spark curiosity, deepen motivation, and foster a culture of student flourishing.

We will explore how to cultivate “hook questions”—provocative, generative inquiries that invite students to explore answers that are possible but not predetermined, and that connect with course competencies. These questions can serve as catalysts for both intellectual engagement and identity formation—helping students see themselves as co-creators of knowledge.

Visit the link to register for the key note and other Ped Day events or just show up!

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Jessica Riddell will deliver the keynote address at Dawson’s upcoming Pedagogical Day on Nov. 7.

Dr. Riddell is a professor of Early Modern Literature in the English Department at Bishop’s University (Quebec, Canada) and holds the Stephen A. Jarislowsky Chair of Undergraduate Teaching Excellence. In this capacity, she focuses on systems-change in higher education that fosters human flourishing.

An award-winning educator and scholar, Dr. Riddell has published extensively on Shakespeare, experiential learning, and inclusive high-impact practices. Her 2023 book, Shakespeare’s Guide to Hope, Life, and Learning (University of Toronto Press), was nominated for the Gordon Book Prize. Her most recent work, Hope Circuits: Rewiring Universities and Other Systems for Human Flourishing (McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2024), continues her exploration of hope and transformation in education.

Join us at 9 AM for Dr. Riddell’s keynote presentation kicking off Ped Day. Visit the link for the program and to register.