Strive

Episode 93 of Leading Inspired Learning is now available! 🎙✨

In this episode, Ally, Strive Manager, hosts Chiya Hassan & Natassia Rees-Evans, our 2026 ECL student interns. This split episode allows Chiya and Natassia to set goals and expectations for their summer and then reflect on their time as our interns. They explore the role of the ECL placement, the importance of student mentorship, and how their future goals have continued to evolve. Listen, learn, reflect, enjoy!

Listen now at www.striveswo.ca/podcast-posts/ep-93 (or wherever you get your favourite podcasts)! This episode is also available in video format via the link above, on Spotify, or on our YouTube channel!

Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and review! ✨

This episode was released on the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, following our regular release schedule. We encourage you to explore some of the resources linked on this episode's landing page to expand your own learning.

Beyond the Bell: Belonging in Shared Spaces is now available for professionals in ALL REGIONS we serve (London, Middlesex, Elgin, and Oxford)! 🎉

Facilitated by Kale Cabrera of Beyond the Bell, this opportunity explores what it means to be a school-age educator, specifically a school-age educator operating in spaces that are not their own. From classrooms to libraries, educators working in before- and after-school programs are tasked with creating homes in environments that are not always designed with their needs in mind. Along with the challenges, we will explore the unique victories of being a school-age educator in our beautiful, flexible, chaotic, ever-changing field.

📅 Wed. October 14
🕛 6:30 - 8:00 PM
📍 Zoom

Registration closes on Tues. October 13 at 12:00 PM. Register at www.striveswo.ca/event-posts/beyond-the-bell-oxford

Check out October's Professional Learning Opportunities and important dates! 🗓️

Register on our Events page for all these professional learning opportunities and more. Visit www.striveswo.ca/events!

Cooks and Dietary Planners are invited to meet, share ideas, and engage in conversations with fellow professionals during their next Community of Practice. For this session, Growing Chefs! will share practical ideas and recipes for Snacks and Sides that can be used in childcare settings. 🥕🍅🥔

📆 Wed. October 28
⏰ 2:30 - 4:00 PM
📍 Growing Chefs! (460 King St., London)

The success of a Community of Practice relies on shared reflection and the open exchange of ideas, experiences, and knowledge between members. Please come prepared to engage in meaningful conversation.

Registration closes on Tues. October 27 at 12:00PM. All Communities of Practices are FREE - just choose the county you WORK in as your ticket type. Register at www.striveswo.ca/event-posts/cop-cooks-dietary-planners-oct26

Join us for a workshop designed to empower educators to embrace risky play both indoors and outdoors, facilitated by Lobna Ajaini, MPED, HBECL, B.Eng, RECE. Explore the benefits of risky play, practical risk management strategies, and ways to create supportive environments for adventurous exploration. Together, we'll critically reflect on how the notion of “risky” play is often socially constructed through adult perspectives, while children experience it as a natural process of play, exploration, meaning-making, and learning.

📆 Thurs. October 29
⏰ 6:30 - 8:30 PM
📍 Zoom
💲London/Middlesex: Pay What You Can | Elgin/Oxford: Free with Access Code (Ticket type is based on the county you WORK in)

Registration for this series is currently SOLD OUT - please email us at [email protected] to join the waitlist. Learn more at www.striveswo.ca/event-posts/embracing-risky-play

Let's spend the morning exploring the traits of a leader who is well and engaged. How can we add more love to our lives? Leading others is a joyful and all-consuming job, so how can we bring a more self-aware, fully present person to that role? Darci Lang has met with hundreds of childcare leaders and will share how great leadership happens.

Breakfast will be provided. Presentation to follow.

This session is designed for professionals in a leadership role within their organization.

📅 Fri. November 6
🕡 9:00 - 11:30 AM
📍 Four Points by Sheraton London (1150 Wellington Rd., London)
💲 London/Middlesex: Pay What You Can | Elgin/Oxford: $20 (Ticket type is based on the county you WORK in)

Registration closes on Thurs. October 22 at 12:00 PM. Learn more at www.striveswo.ca/event-posts/leading-with-love

How can we find the love and joy in each of our days when life is just so busy? Life can be very difficult, but on the other side of difficulty is a beautiful life. There is so much we cannot control, but so much that we can. How can we bring more love into our everyday rituals and routines? Join Darci Lang for an energizing evening to fill your tank.

Light refreshments will be provided.

📅 Thurs. November 5
🕡 6:30 - 8:30 PM (Doors open at 6:00 PM)
📍 Four Points by Sheraton London (1150 Wellington Rd., London)
💲 London/Middlesex: Pay What You Can | Elgin/Oxford: $20 (Ticket type is based on the county you WORK in)

Registration closes on Thurs. October 22 at 12:00 PM. Learn more at www.striveswo.ca/event-posts/bringing-love-to-your-day

NEW TO STRIVE ONLINE! 💻📣

Did you miss some of our recent professional learning events? The session recording for "Exploring Indigenous Understandings of Neurodiversity" is now available on Strive Online (until March 16, 2027)! This is available for free on the new password-protected Strive Online - no account required!

Watch this session to:
💚 Explore how Indigenous worldviews, knowledge systems, and community strengths can inform more meaningful and culturally grounded support for Indigenous families with autistic children in the classroom

Visit www.strive-online.ca and enter the password (message us if you need it). Scroll down to the "Just Added" section of the home page or browse areas of learning!