Elementary Teacher, Toronto District School Board
Lillian Papel is a middle school teacher currently working with the Toronto District School Board, who over the last eight years has demonstrated a true passion for equity and inclusion in education. She holds an Honors Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Education from York University. In addition, she has qualifications in Special Education, Mathematics, Music and Dramatic Arts. Throughout her career with the TDSB she has promoted and incorporated inquiry and problem-based learning, the Engineering Design Process, STEM and the use of differentiated instruction and technology in her programing. Taking on various leadership roles in professional learning communities at the TDSB she has encouraged these teaching practices.Partnering with principals and colleagues in various Numeracy and Literacy Committee’s, she has modelled the use of STEM teaching and learning, and emphasized its influence on student engagement, use of technology and collaboration amongst learners. Earlier this year, Lillian encouraged a group of grade eight learners to participate in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Challenge. The students were successful in the challenge and were selected as regional finalists, awarded with a technology grant from Samsung Canada. The challenge inspired students to explore how STEM could be applied to help improve their school and local community. Students demonstrated a curiosity about the world around them and used STEM to find solutions to a problem that was important to them. Collaboratively they used innovative and critical thinking skills, took risks, and took their first steps in becoming leaders to build a better tomorrow.