Rethinking Learning for the 21st century

The mission of Cohort 21 is to build a community of passionate CIS Ontario educators who are interested in refining and redesigning their practice through the exploration of new pedagogies, ideas, and tools.

Your First Step

Registration for Cohort 21 opens in May. CIS Ontario Schools can submit educators from any division, department or role. The Cohort 21 experience runs from October to April. It is made up of four face to face sessions inter-connected by rich online discussion and supported by our passionate team of volunteer facilitators and coaches.

May - June

Building Community

The first face-to-face session is dedicated to building relationships. It is here that we setup the framework and mindset for the year. This session is also about professional learning networks and the tools that enable them. Participants walk away with a new toolkit and community with whom to connect, collaborate and learn.

October

Design Thinking

It is during the 2nd session that the “Action Plan” is launched and innovation begins. Through rich Design Thinking protocols participants are asked to think deeply about their practice and identify a challenge that needs addressing. The day concludes when everyone publishes their thinking to their Cohort 21 blog to allow for personalized feedback and support.

November

Innovation

Each year the third face-to-face session is focused on innovation. Cohort 21 has formed unique partnerships with many different start-ups and learning organizations. Throughout the day, members will hear from special guests, thought leaders and Cohort 21 alumni to help ignite inspiration and continue to support the Action Plan process.

January

The End of the Beginning

The final face-to-face session is a celebration of learning. Cohort members connect in small groups to share and reflect on their Action Plan journeys and commit to bringing their learning back to their own schools. The day ends just as the Cohort 21 experience began: with a commitment to the ongoing process of refining practice and exploring new pedagogies and tools.

April

Connect

Blog

Discuss

Reflect

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Member Posts from across the Cohort 21 Network

Urgent Vs Important

Published 10/2/2023 in Shauna Martini

Why Cohort? Last year I participated in Cohort21 for the first time, and was so grateful to find such a supportive and understanding community. Cohort21 not...

Urgent vs Important - Reflections on the return to school

Published 10/2/2023 in Markella Christakis

My initial understanding of Cohort 21 was that a group of like-minded teachers from around the province gather, while each person creates a final project...

Urgent vs Important - Reflections on the return to school

Published 10/1/2023 in Amy Foley

Today the weather has been perfect for our visit to the beautiful Havergal College campus. Question 1: Why have I joined Cohort 21? What are my...

Cross-curricular collaboration for belonging

Published 9/30/2023 in Kiloran Fensom

I joined Cohort 21 because I was shoulder-tapped. This is my fourth year teaching Senior Kindergarten (SK) and I enjoy evolving or tweaking the program...

Urgent vs Important - Reflections on the return to school

Published 9/30/2023 in Savannah Barker

Welcome to your first post!: Following each Cohort 21 Face to Face session, we will provide you with several questions to reflect on. By making...

Urgent vs Important - Reflections on the return to school

Published 9/30/2023 in Jon Campbell

Welcome to your first post!: Following each Cohort 21 Face to Face session, we will provide you with several questions to reflect on. By making...

Isn't it all urgent? Still working on the ability to say no!

Published 9/30/2023 in Michael Black

I cannot believe that October is next week! Where did September go? I feel this is a common educator lament, "Where did the time go?"...