Teaching Canada's History: Finding a Sense of Community

This special podcast series features some of the finalists for the 2026 Governor General’s History Award for Excellence in Teaching. This award recognizes teachers from across the country for their exceptional work in teaching Canadian history. It is also an opportunity to promote and facilitate the sharing of best practices and innovative teaching ideas within Canada’s history education community.

Listen in alongside host Renee Allen to learn more about how teachers and students are working together to interpret the past, connect it to the present, and share stories that matter.

Click here for podcasts featuring some of the francophone finalists.

This episode features Ryan Swackhammer and Joy Wilson, who use community partnerships to enhance student learning.

Their conversation explores how they approach difficult topics with their classes, and how building trust creates more meaningful learning experiences.

More from this series

• Centring Identity

• Letting Students Lead

• Finding a Sense of Community

• The Role of Student Voice

• Supporting Responsible Storytelling

• Interdisciplinary Connections