Upcoming Laurier EdTalks lecture introduces a more compassionate, holistic approach to education

Feb. 16, 2022
For Immediate Release

Waterloo – The fourth lecture in the Laurier EdTalks: Reimagining Education series, presented by Wilfrid Laurier University’s Faculty of Education, in partnership with the Waterloo Public Library, will describe a compassionate, holistic approach to supporting students’ success and well-being.

Raghad Ebied, faculty member in the Centre for Leading Research in Education at Laurier and former instructor in Laurier’s Faculty of Education, will present “Compassionate Education: Supporting Well-Being and Resilience” via Zoom on Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. This event is open to the public and free to attend. Registration is required. The lecture will be an interactive experience, with opportunities for audience members to ask questions.

“My interest in a compassion-based framework started with my research on supporting newcomer refugee students in Ontario who may have experienced trauma,” said Ebied. “Now, given the global pandemic and the challenges it has posed for all of our students, I see an even greater need for a compassion-based framework that supports student success and well-being from a more holistic perspective.”

Children are experiencing trauma and violence in increasing numbers due to the rising amount of natural disasters, disease and conflict worldwide. In her lecture, Ebied will argue that supporting these students through a compassion-based framework would help promote a more equitable learning environment. Research has shown this more holistic approach positively impacts both students, who experience more academic success and improved well-being, and educators, who report less stress and burnout.

Ebied is currently pursuing her PhD in Western University’s Faculty of Education and is also the equity, diversity and inclusion education coordinator at the university. Ebied is an Ontario certified teacher, trainer in equity, diversity and inclusion, and author of multiple books promoting diversity, compassion and creativity, including Hadi’s Adventures, a children's English/Arabic book series.

The second season of Laurier EdTalks lecture series runs until April 2022. Future lectures will focus on empowering children and youth to be good citizens and mitigating opportunity gaps through extracurricular community programs. Find out more about the upcoming events in the series.