Maria Vamvalis Email & Phone Number

I am an experienced educator, consultant, and a facilitator of engaging, transformative pedagogies, collaborative thinking, and strategic collective action in support of flourishing futures for all. I am currently a PhD candidate at OISE (University of Toronto), where my doctoral research focuses on holistic climate justice pedagogies for relational well-being aligned with complex decolonizing processes. I have presented diverse dimensions of my research both nationally and internationally. My practitioner focus has supported multiple organizations, projects, and leaders in advancing their educational responses to climate change.I've worked with educators and system leaders to embed critical thinking in education as a consultant and facilitator with the Critical Thinking Consortium for over a decade, contributing to diverse projects to support learner and collective well-being. I also work with global networks to resist authoritarianism and oppression in its multiple forms and guises, steadfastly committing to a vision of collectively realizing ecological and civic regeneration through epistemic and systemic justice.I co-facilitate the first national online course for educators in climate education through the Accelerating Climate Change Education Project and helped design and lead the first Climate Camp for TDSB educators. In addition, I am a member of the Climate Psychology Alliance of North America's Education Committee, on the steering committee of the Global Transformative Education Network, and collaborate internationally to advance and uphold civic space for free expression, access to information, and collective participation in social change.Highlights Include:*Presenting my research on climate justice pedagogies nationally and internationally to support systems change through education.*Working with educators provincially and nationally on powerful and engaging learning design, strategic directions, and educational programming through consultant and advisory roles with education and social change organizations*Leading a team of international facilitators to support dynamic and collaborative approaches to discussion and change for global network convenings*Supporting learners as an educator for over twenty years, primarily in the public school system and post-secondary institutions.*Developing, contributing to and leading research, writing and curriculum projects centered on meaningful and innovative climate justice education rooted in anti-racism, decolonization, ecofeminism, holistic well-being and peacebuilding.

Listed skills include Teaching, Curriculum Design, Curriculum Development, Research, and 20 others.