What happens when a high school sewing class plants a seed that grows into a life of craft, community, and sustainable fashion? We sit down with textile artist Julia Massey to trace the arc from hemp baby clothes and block printing to eco printing, plant dyes, and an upcycling practice that rescues garments and reimagines colour with leaves, flowers, and time. Along the way, we unpack how curiosity matured into a values-driven studio and why customers light up when they learn that a goldenrod field can become a dress they’ll love for years.

For educators, we map classroom-ready approaches to eco printing and repair, plus practical ways to connect fibre science, ethical sourcing, and consumer choices to real-world projects that students can finish and wear.

We also take on the hard questions behind sustainability. Does the world need more clothes? How do we weigh organic fibres against fashion waste? Julia’s rejuvenated line—thrifted pieces mended and plant-dyed—offers one answer: keep materials in use, add story and skill, and show people how to love what they already own.

If you’re ready to learn more about Julia's work, workshop schedules and other resources be sure to check out her website https://juliamasci.com/. If this conversation sparked ideas for your classroom or your closet, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review so more makers and educators can find us.

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Curious how a national think tank turns dense research into tools you can use tomorrow? We sit down with the Vanier Institute of the Family to explore their bridge‑building mission, the inclusive way they define family, and the resources that make complex evidence clear and actionable for classrooms, community organizations, and policy.
 
 Laurel  Sakaluk  shares her surprising move from cytogenetics to family studies and policy, revealing why real progress happens when researchers, governments, and service providers work together. Nathan Battams demystifies “knowledge mobilization,” showing how plain‑language briefs, data summaries, and infographics bring insights from Statistics Canada and academic journals to a broad audience. Together, we unpack the Family Diversities and Well‑Being Framework—three practical lenses (structure, work, identity) that help you see who’s missing in the conversation and how policy can truly support diverse families.
 
 We also examine the big trends reshaping family life: record‑low fertility and what it means for population growth and caregiving; the rise of mothers’ paid work and growth in fathers’ unpaid care; and the ongoing diversification of identity across immigration, race, language, and gender. You’ll hear how these shifts affect everything from childcare and labour markets to equity and belonging, and why one‑size‑fits‑all solutions fall short.
 
 As a teacher of family studies/social science, you’ll find immediate takeaways: use Families Count as a concise primer, teach data literacy with accessible charts, spark evidence‑informed debate, and guide projects that reflect real communities. We close with where to find the full resource library, how to follow upcoming releases, and ideas to bring this material straight into your classroom.

To learn more about the Vanier Institute and its definition and functions of the family check out  https://vanierinstitute.ca/projects/definition-of-family/ 

You can learn more about the Family Diversities and Wellbeing Framework at  https://vanierinstitute.ca/projects/family-diversities-and-wellbeing-framework/

The Families Count research can be found at  https://vanierinstitute.ca/families-count-2024/ 

Be sure to bookmark this website and follow the Vanier Institute on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/vanierinstitute

 Enjoyed this conversation? Follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a review telling us how you will use the many resources of the Vanier Institute in your classroom. 

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Hungry for resources that actually work with real students, real schedules, and real constraints? We’re kicking off a new season by opening the door to a redesigned OFSHEEA website and five major projects built to make Family Studies more inclusive, practical, and engaging. With co-hosts Catherine and Katie and board members Carrie, Michelyn, and Corrine, we explore new course plans, fresh assessment approaches, and mini-units that meet learners where they live—at home, at work, and around the table.

We start with the website overhaul: cleaner navigation, aligned member resources, and a steady pipeline for teacher-created materials. Then we dive into the Grade 11 Food & Culture plan, reframed around storytelling instead of a “world tour of cuisines.” Safety and international kitchen norms lead into appreciating culture without appropriation, tracing cuisines through trade and migration, exploring global healthy eating patterns and staple foods, and closing with etiquette, celebrations, and Canadian foodways. The culminating task invites students to craft their personal food story, connecting identity to practice.

Next up is a full Grade 9/10 Food & Nutrition roadmap that respects timetable churn, foregrounds community building and inquiry skills, and carefully addresses body image with media literacy and harm reduction. We also unveil a renewed Grade 11 Raising Healthy Children plan organized into five units from readiness and birth to development and today’s family challenges, with clear guidance for sensitive topics and ideas on how to engage students in this important learning.

Finally, we spotlight financial literacy mini-units designed for Family Studies’ unique strength: money is relational. From smart teen shopping in Grade 10 Clothing and meal planning in HFN to running a childcare centre in HPW/HPD, a family finance simulation in HIP40 Personal Life Management, and data-driven choices in HHS4U, each unit is hands-on, culturally responsive, and classroom-ready. 

Preview free course maps and unlock full handouts and tasks at https://ofsheea.education/free-resources/   Be sure to become a member to get access to these time saving resources at https://ofsheea.education/forms/?classfilter=3   If the episode sparks ideas, subscribe, leave a review, and share the resource you’re most excited to try—what will you teach first?

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Facebook @Ontario Family Studies Home Economics Educators' Association
Email at [email protected]

Ever watch students struggle to make eye contact or endure a moment of silence without reaching for their phones? You're not alone. In this revealing conversation with Lisa, a Family Studies department head in Hamilton, we explore the fascinating world of teaching "Dynamics of Human Relationships" - a course she believes should be mandatory in every school.

Lisa's journey from social worker to educator provides her with a unique lens through which she approaches teaching relationships to today's digitally immersed teenagers. "I feel like so many kids don't know how to have a conversation with someone else," she shares, attributing this skill gap to smartphones being "put into kids' hands far too young." Her classroom becomes a rare space where students practice face-to-face interaction, emotional regulation, and mindfulness.

What makes this course exceptional is its accessibility to students across all academic levels and abilities. Lisa recounts how even students from special education classes find meaningful connections, creating natural opportunities for empathy development among diverse peer groups. Her culminating assignment - where students plan wellbeing activities for classmates - showcases this inclusive approach. She tells the moving story of a chronically absent, disengaged student who transformed when given the chance to share his passion for parkour with peers.

Working with a social worker, Lisa incorporates elements of dialectical behavioral therapy through "Skills for Everyday Stressors" workshops, teaching practical coping mechanisms for life's challenges. Her teaching philosophy embraces authenticity over perfection: "I always take the approach that we're in this together and I'm very authentic with them. I'll say I've never taught this before... so we're going to figure it out together." This vulnerability creates a collaborative classroom where students become invested partners in their learning journey.

Want to bring these relationship-building approaches to your classroom? Connect with us through the links in our show notes, and consider joining our podcast team as we prepare for our fourth season. Subscribe now to ensure you don't miss our return in September!

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Email at [email protected]

The pathway from high school to meaningful career isn't always straightforward, especially for students passionate about understanding human development and family dynamics. In this special episode aimed at high school students, we turn the spotlight on Western University's Family Studies and Human Development program with two inspiring guests at different career stages.

Associate Professor Roula Hawa and teacher candidate Grace Gillett share their journeys through family studies – Roula transitioning from 15 years as a high school family studies teacher to doctoral studies and university teaching, and Grace discovering her passion for education through Western's undergraduate program. Their stories reveal how family studies provides both roots (understanding where we come from) and wings (exploring diverse career possibilities).

We explore the rich history of family studies in Canada, tracing its origins to Adelaide Hoodless, whose son's death from unpasteurized milk in 1903 led her to establish Canada's first domestic science teaching school. This historical foundation has evolved into today's interdisciplinary field drawing from psychology, sociology, anthropology, education, and more.

What makes Western's program particularly valuable is its flexibility and real-world applications. Students study all types of families through a strengths-based, resilience-focused lens. Graduates pursue diverse careers in law, medicine, education, social work, and business. Grace shares her transformative experience conducting research with abuse survivors and teaching nutrition in elementary schools – opportunities that confirmed her calling to education.

For students considering their options, both guests emphasize keeping an open mind, embracing opportunities, and developing leadership skills. The interdisciplinary nature of family studies creates pathways into numerous fields while building transferable skills valued by employers. As Roula wisely notes, "It's okay to fail, because when you fail, you learn."

Curious about where your interest in family studies might lead? Listen for insights on program requirements, course offerings, and how to become a Professional Home Economist in this eye-opening exploration of post-secondary possibilities.

Show Notes: 

Western Faculty of Health Science – Family Studies  https://welcome.uwo.ca/what-can-i-study/undergraduate-programs/family-studies.html 

OFSHEEA https://ofsheea.education/ 

OHEA  https://www.ohea.on.ca/

How to Become a Professional Home Economist   https://www.ohea.on.ca/ohea-course.html

Student Branches  https://www.ohea.on.ca/student-branches.html

Learn more about Adelaide Hoodless -  https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/adelaide-hoodless 

Learn more about Ellen Swallow Richards - https://www.sciencehistory.org/education/scientific-biographies/ellen-h-swallow-richards/ 

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Facebook @Ontario Family Studies Home Economics Educators' Association
Email at [email protected]

Join us for a thought-provoking episode that uncovers the critical relationship between school nutrition and academic success. We have a captivating discussion with Carol Harrison, an esteemed dietitian with over 30 years of experience dedicated to promoting healthy eating among Canadian families and youth. Throughout the episode, we explore the issues related to food insecurity plaguing Canadian schools and how it affects students' ability to learn effectively.

Carol sheds light on the landscape of Canada's school food policy, revealing both the progress made and the challenges that lie ahead. With rising food insecurity affecting more families than ever, we delve into how lack of access to nutritious foods effect on students' mental health and overall well-being. 

Throughout the conversation, practical solutions are offered, especially in addressing the dietary needs of students choosing plant-based diets. We discuss the paramount importance of educating young people about nutrition and cooking. With Carol's expert insights, listeners will gain actionable strategies to encourage healthier eating behaviours among their students. 

We invite you to engage with us as we advocate for a brighter, healthier future for all students. Tune in, share your thoughts, and contribute to the vital conversation on school nutrition!

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review to help us spread awareness about the importance of nutrition in education!

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Facebook @Ontario Family Studies Home Economics Educators' Association
Email at [email protected]

Join us in this episode where we interview three amazing Family Studies educators.  They share the challenges and rewards they face in teaching hands-on skills essential for real-world success. The discussion includes the need for curriculum updates, budgeting strategies, and the overarching aim to elevate the importance of Family Studies education within the academic landscape. 
• Highlights of hands-on teaching experiences 
• Concerns surrounding student expectations and perceptions of Family Studies 
• Strategies to manage financial constraints and maximize educational resources 
• The call for curriculum updates and making Family Studies courses mandatory 
• Final thoughts emphasizing the value of Family Studies and encouraging community support

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Facebook @Ontario Family Studies Home Economics Educators' Association
Email at [email protected]

Unlock the keys to creating a more accessible world for individuals with disabilities with guests Jessica Kruger and Charlene VanderGriendt. Imagine a school environment where physical barriers are no longer an obstacle, and inclusive education is the norm. We promise you'll gain insights into how the Rick Hansen Foundation is promoting and supporting accessibility in schools and communities. Jessica shares her personal journey of resilience after becoming a quadriplegic, highlighting the creative strategies educators use to include students with disabilities in all activities. Charlene outlines the  Foundation's impactful School Program, which provides invaluable resources and professional development to foster a culture of accessibility and allyship.

Our conversation doesn't stop there. We address the significance of direct communication with high school students about their unique needs and how this practice can transform their educational experience. Discover the essential considerations for accommodating students in wheelchairs in hands-on classes like food and fashion labs, emphasizing the necessity of accessible spaces and adaptive tools. Explore strategies to foster empathy and inclusivity, while avoiding an "othering" approach. Learn how the Rick Hansen Foundation supports educators by offering ambassador speakers with lived experiences, enriching the creation of truly inclusive classroom environments.

For more information about the Rick Hansen Foundation and their great classroom and teacher PD resources check out their website at  https://www.rickhansen.com/schools-communities.  

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Discover how Tessa Casella's journey from aspiring English teacher to amazing family studies educator can inspire you to embrace change and find your true calling. With her diverse background, Tessa enriches her teaching with real-life applications while championing the integration of Indigenous perspectives in education. We also dive into the practical side of family studies education, where Tessa shares her engaging classroom activities, from matching monthly payments to lifestyle choices to organizing a grade 10 food class bake-off with local ingredients. Learn how these activities impart crucial life skills, like financial literacy, to students. 

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Email at [email protected]

Teresa Hamilton Kerr, a passionate voice in literacy education, takes us on a journey through her career and life-long commitment to spreading the joy of reading. From her formative years in a print-rich home to her impactful work at the Hamilton Public Library, Teresa reveals the importance of early literacy and the power of intervention for struggling readers. Her transition to adult literacy advocacy at the provincial level provides a wealth of insights into how communities and educators can foster a love of reading among diverse groups.

We uncover the enchantment of “Story Time with Mrs. T,” a beloved initiative Teresa revived after retirement to rekindle the joys of children's services. Teresa shares her thoughts on the intimate bonds formed during story time between parents and children and the cultural enrichment gained from introducing new languages like French through storytelling. With practical advice for educators on supporting students with varied literacy skills, she emphasizes the need for empathy and high-interest, low-vocabulary materials, ensuring reading remains an accessible gateway to learning for all students. The episode highlights strategies for balancing technology with the tactile pleasure of physical books and the importance of culturally relevant teaching practices. 

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Email at [email protected]