The Ripple Effect Education and Waterloo co-op facilitate belonging in curriculum development
By: Jed Bick (he/him)
Co-op students develop and deliver meaningful educational workshops at the charitable organization.
The Ripple Effect Education (TREE) is a peace organization that develops curriculum and facilitates social-emotional, activity-based programming, workshops and education. Topics include conflict resolution, peacebuilding and social justice for audiences of all ages in schools, camps and workplaces.
TREE began in 2016 as a participant in the Grebel Peace Incubator at the Kindred Credit Union Center for Peace Advancement and is now a core collaborator along with other organizations. TREE sees the potential for its programming to make a significant impact.
“The Kitchener/Waterloo region is becoming one of the most diverse regions in Canada and there is also a growth in identity-based harms and conflict,” says Laurel Boytim (she/her), executive director and lead facilitator at TREE.
“We all experience conflict, it’s a part of life. Not everyone is aware of the skills they need to resolve conflict in a healthy way. We look to give the understanding and skillset of how to create a peaceful community.”
Laurel Boytim, executive director and lead facilitator at TREE
Bringing skills and experience to develop need-based curriculums
To identify the needs of the community and promote and celebrate diversity, TREE enlists Waterloo co-op students to develop and evolve program curriculum. The content of the curriculum is based on community research and customized based on previous workshop experience.
Co-op students working at TREE understand that the work they do is ongoing and ever-changing.
“We’ve changed our curriculum over time because we want youth and adults to see themselves reflected in what we’re talking about,” says Boytim. “We continually aim to represent different identities, religions, cultures and abilities. We want to be what we teach.”
Zayna Shaikh, Faculty of Environment student
Zayna Shaikh (she/her), a third-year Environment and Business student, spent a co-op work term at TREE facilitating workshops and designing curriculum based on community needs. During her work term, Shaikh identified out-of-date information within the workbooks TREE uses in its workshop.
She then took on revamping the content to align with current trends and needs that would resonate with the audience. Shaikh now works part time as an assistant program manager at the organization and continues to play a key role in shaping the evolving curriculum.
“We try to normalize and celebrate differences in our curriculum,” says Shaikh. “Whether that be through a little activity we do or a story we read about different cultures, there's a lot of interactive ways that we kind of let participants practice and get comfortable with embracing difference.”
Shaikh has previous experience working abroad and grew up in a multicultural city, both of which helped her to feel comfortable working at TREE.
“Along with other facilitators and volunteers, I bring that cultural perspective to TREE,” says Shaikh.
The team at TREE believes that Waterloo co-op students are successful at the organization because they are dependable and bring unique cultural perspectives.
I love our University of Waterloo co-op students, they are outstanding. They are well-educated, extremely involved, innovative, adaptable and energetic. They bring value to our organization.
Abby Akinyemi (she/her), a third-year Psychology major at Waterloo, added valuable insights during her work term as a workshop facilitator at TREE.
She found that while TREE designs its workshops based on community needs, certain classes or groups sometimes benefit from a different approach or content. When a new structure or content was needed, Akinyemi applied her critical thinking skills and adaptability to pivot.
“In certain classes there may be instances where things come up that aren’t necessarily part of the script,” says Akinyemi. “I use my creativity, flexibility and ability to think outside the box to ensure I’m meeting the needs of the specific class or group.”
Akinyemi also underscored the importance of a sense of connection within the workshops. Many groups need to feel connected before they feel safe to speak up and share their voice.
Abby Akinyemi, Faculty of Science student
“Emphasizing connections gives those who feel like they don’t have a voice more confidence to speak, since they become less worried that they won’t be understood,” says Akinyemi.
Akinyemi is currently in the process of identifying prospective schools and organizations across North America to further expand TREE’s footprint.
A peaceful future with the help of Waterloo co-op students
With the ongoing support of co-op students, TREE is not only building a more peaceful community but also setting the stage for a future where understanding, inclusivity and collaboration are at the forefront. Boytim is confident that TREE can continue to grow and chart a path for a more peaceful community.
“I'd like to see us continue to integrate co-op students and to see our work grow,” says Boytim. “I want to see us be a part of reducing identity-based conflict and harm in our community. If we could know that we helped to reduce some of that down the line, it would be a huge success in my mind.”