Congratulations to the 2025 Teachers Life SPIRIT Award Winners! https://youtu.be/FXXuexmEYZc At Teachers Life, we believe that great educators are more than just teachers, they’re mentors, motivators, and pillars of their communities. Each year, we proudly honour exceptional individuals through the Teachers Life SPIRIT Award, recognizing educators who embody the altruistic spirit of teaching and consistently go above and beyond in their schools and communities. We are thrilled to congratulate the 2025 SPIRIT Award Winners: Edyta Bassier from OSSTF District 19 – Peel and Michelle Moison from OSSTF District 9 – Essex. What is the SPIRIT Award? The Teachers Life SPIRIT Award was created to recognize Members who demonstrate: An unwavering commitment to the teaching profession A positive influence on students and staff Outstanding service to their school community Leadership that inspires, motivates, and uplifts A consistent drive to go above and beyond Each winner receives a $1,000 award and a...
Applications are now open for the 2025 CoLab Program, an innovation accelerator backed by Teachers Life. This 10-week, fully virtual program invites 50 Canadian youth aged 18-29 to collaboratively develop solutions that address the mental health crisis in Canada. Participants will engage in Challenge Sessions with inspiring keynote speakers, Co-Creation Sessions with industry mentors, and Entrepreneurial Sessions to enhance business skills. In addition to receiving thoughtful mentorship, participants will also be provided with entrepreneurial tools and resources throughout the program to support their thinking through each stage of ideation. At the end of the program, participants will apply for grant funding from a grants and awards pool of $60,000+ to launch their minimum viable solution into the Canadian market. Each participant will also receive a $500 honorarium upon completion of the program. Program Details Duration: July 3 - August 26, 2025 (Grants & Awards Ceremony: September 10, 2025) Application Deadline: June...
What an extraordinary adventure we’ve experienced with the 2024 Press Start CoLab Program! This cohort of enthusiastic and passionate young changemakers has brilliantly demonstrated how innovation, purpose, and compassion can unite to tackle one of the most critical challenges we face today—the mental health crisis in Canada. Throughout the 10-week program, a remarkable group of young innovators (ages 18-29) took part in our innovation accelerator program, thoughtfully designed with entrepreneurial tools, resources, and mentorship to create minimum viable solutions for Mental Health Crisis in Canada. From improving access to mental health services to combating the negative stigma surrounding mental health, this program has truly empowered a new generation of leaders to collaborate and implement genuine change in their communities. Congratulations to this year's Emerging Social Innovators and grant recipients, who received access to a total pool of $70,000+ in grants and awards. We thank our extraordinary partners and contributors, including our grant sponsors...
Mental health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being, and for teachers and students, maintaining mental wellness is incredibly important. The pressures of academic performance, classroom management, and external societal challenges can take a significant toll on emotional and psychological health. Many resources and support systems have been developed to assist both educators and learners in navigating mental health challenges. This article explores the various mental health resources available for teachers and students in Canada, with a particular focus on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a condition that disproportionately affects individuals when big shifts in daylight occur, mostly in the fall and winter, but in some cases, in spring and summer. Mental Health Challenges Faced by Teachers and Students Challenges for Teachers Educators in Canada often face a variety of stressors, including heavy workloads, curriculum changes, student behavioral issues, teacher shortages and administrative responsibilities. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated these...
