Media Advisory and Photo Opportunity: Roots of Empathy Celebrates Vancouver's Tiny Teachers

TORONTO, June 11, 2012 /CNW/ - Premier Christy Clark and Mary Gordon, Founder/President of Roots of Empathy will honour the babies and families who have volunteered in Vancouver classrooms to bring Roots of Empathy to children across the Vancouver School Board.

What		Celebrating the work of Roots of Empathy babies, the world's youngest educators. These "Tiny Teachers" are the key to the program, recognized as Canada's top social innovation in 2011 by the Ernest C. Manning Awards. Roots of Empathy is an evidence-based classroom program that reduces levels of aggression - including bullying - among school children while raising social and emotional competence and increasing empathy. Roots of Empathy is pleased to be in 357 classrooms in British Columbia, and is excited to introduce 80 more programs in Full-day Kindergarten classes in the new school year.
Where		The Joyce Walley Learning Centre at The Museum of Vancouver 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver
When		Tuesday, June 12, 2012 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. *** Photo opportunity of Roots of Empathy babies at approximately 12:50 p.m. *** Photo opportunity of Speakers beginning at 1:00 p.m. ***There will be an opportunity for media to ask questions at 1:50 p.m.
Who	- - - - - -	Honourable Christy Clark, Premier Roots of Empathy Founder/President Mary Gordon Hon. Mary McNeil Minister of Children and Family Development Chief Ian Campbell of the Squamish First Nation, to offer an opening blessing Representatives from government, support agencies, corporate sponsors, school principals, teachers and Roots of Empathy Mentors, Instructors and administrators. The "tiny teachers" of the Roots of Empathy program and their dedicated parents.
Why		Mary Gordon, Founder/President of Roots of Empathy with Premier Christy Clark will recognize Roots of Empathy babies and volunteers in The Vancouver School Board (VSB). The work of the world's youngest teachers is at the heart of Roots of Empathy, a program that aims to reduce bullying and aggression through social-emotional learning. Since early fall, these babies have been helping to develop empathy in VSB classrooms. With the help of the BC government, Roots of Empathy continues to grow in the province. To date, the program has touched the lives of over 100,000 children in the province.

 

 

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Lisa Conway  
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Rebecca Collett
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