Teaching & Learning
Background
Denise Handlarski holds a Ph.D. in English literature from York University and is a graduate of the Queen's-Trent Concurrent Teacher Education Program.
She specializes in educational theory and pedagogy, educational and community leadership, Jewish studies, intersectional feminism and critical race studies, sex education, postcolonial theory and literature, especially the literature of South Africa.
Having taught abroad, at night school, in literacy programs, and in secondary schools at the Toronto District School Board, Denise has had the opportunity to work with a diverse range of students from a variety of backgrounds and with a variety of learning needs.
teaching teachers
Denise brings this experience her current position teaching at the Trent School of Education & Professional Learning. Her goal is to teach teachers to meet the needs of diverse learners and become advocates for socially just classrooms and communities.
Her courses include History Curriculum, Sociocultural Perspectives on Human Development (about diversity and equity in education), and Supporting Literacy and Learners with Special Needs, Community and Adult Education, and graduate-level courses in Race, Ethnicity and Education, Advanced Topics in Social Justice, and Educational Theory.
Denise's commitment to providing quality education that meets the needs of her students has been proven in her creative lesson and unit plans, her ability to engage students with their communities, and the various successes of her students. Denise is an energetic and dynamic educator who seeks to empower students to think critically and become both productive citizens and fascinating human beings.
Projects
Denise completed a project funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada on Jewish Responses to the Loneliness Epidemic. To learn more about the project, access videos from our Gathering event and promising practices papers from the presenters, and to read the final report, click here.
Another project Denise is excited about is our series of Sex Ed videos for teachers and students. These have received over 500, 000 clicks. Those are here. With a news article about it here.
For more on Denise’s teaching click here
Wen Do
Denise became a Wen-Do Women’s Self-Defense instructor in 2004. Wen-Do’s focus is on practical self-defense for women and girls. We cover verbal and physical techniques for a range of situations and attackers. Wen-Do operates from a feminist and anti-oppression perspective. We do “myth-busting” in our classes, empowering women and girls to find their voices and strength.
If you are interested in organizing a Wen-Do class, please contact Denise.
You can visit our website for more information:
