I (Yiola) cannot help but sing Kool and the Gang’s popular 80s song Celebrate these days. There is just so much to celebrate. A warm and special congratulations to Professor Clare Kosnik for her appointment as Director at the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study (JICS).

JICS is a remarkable place. It is a place where exemplary Teacher Education (The Child Study and Education Program) meets exemplary teaching (The University of Toronto Laboratory School) meets world class research and faculty (The Laidlaw Research Centre).  This tripartite forms a powerful relationship for developing all that is exceptional in teaching and learning.

Clare Kosnik is a remarkable academic. She brings considerable experience in academic leadership to this important role. She was Director of the Elementary Preservice Program at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto from 2000 to 2003, Head of the Centre for Teacher Development from 2007 to 2009, and Director of the Master of Teaching Program in the Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning from 2009 to 2011. Her colleagues, students and online followers know of her international contributions to scholarship on teacher education, action research and teacher inquiry, and literacy education which are made possible through large research funds, including support from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Carnegie Foundation, the Spencer Foundation, to mention just a few.  But, so much more than this, Clare Kosnik is a remarkable person. Like past Directors at the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study, Clare brings compassion, care, and deep commitment to student learning and teacher development through teacher education and research.

Welcome to the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study, Clare.  I look forward to working with you!

Everyone around the world, come on!  Yahoo!  It’s a celebration.