Professional Development for Educators

Spend the day exploring Vancouver’s Chinese Canadian Museum (CCM) and its many stories. The museum honours the history, contributions, and heritage of Chinese Canadians, while elevating and engaging with voices and communities across Canada.

The day will begin with a special Wing Sang Building Tour, highlighting the rich history of the oldest brick building in Chinatown and its transformation from 1889 to the present.

You will also be introduced to the museum’s current exhibitions, Dream Factory: Cantopop Mandopop 1980s-2000, and A Soldier for All Seasons” and have access to a range of educational resources.

Lunch is included and will be catered by Breka. When filling out the registration form, please make sure to let us know if you have any allergies.

There is no walking tour component to this program, but you may still have to stand for extended periods of time.

Please note that capacity is limited. Registration closes October 20th at noon or when sold out.

This Pro-D is presented with the Chinese Canadian Museum (CCM).

About the Speakers:

Rosalie Gunawan is a museum educator and cultural worker of mixed Chinese-Indonesian and white heritage. She currently serves as the Education and Public Programs Manager at the Chinese Canadian Museum, where she oversees the development of school field trips, public tours, public programming, and the production of CCM’s podcast, The School Room.

Janice Wu coordinates the Chinese Canadian Museum’s education and public programs. Born and raised in Burnaby, Janice’s background is in visual arts, with a BFA from Emily Carr University. She is also a working artist with a career in illustration that spans over a decade. As a second-generation Canadian-born Chinese, a large majority of her work addresses cultural belonging, family history, and the diasporic experience.

Professional Development Day (“Pro-D Day”) sessions are intended for current educators focusing on enriching their K-12 lesson plans/programming. VHF recognizes educators as a diverse field and not exclusive to district school teachers. We welcome all those whose field of work or employment/volunteer position impacts the education of K-12 children and youth. Please contact jessica@vancouverheritagefoundation.org if you have any questions regarding our Pro-D sessions. If you are not a current educator but are interested in the event, please sign up for the event waitlist.

Please review our cancellation policy here before registering.

All donations are tax deductible. An official tax receipt is issued for donations of $20 or more. Our Registered Charity number is 891765968.

We will spend the day learning about Vancouver’s Jewish communities and the Oakridge neighbourhood, and how the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre and Jewish Museum and Archives of BC foster connections locally, as Holocaust history continues to be relevant today.

The day will take place inside and outside with the majority of the programming taking place inside the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, and a tour of one of the local Synagogues in the neighbourhood.

📆 Overview of the Day:

We will be spending the majority of the day inside at the Vancouver Holocaust Education centre located inside the Jewish Community Centre, the day will end at Schara Tzedeck Synagogue. To get to Schara Tzedeck Synagogue we will all take the #17 bus down Oak Street.

This full-day session will take place rain or shine so please dress for the weather! Participants may encounter a variety of terrain including gravel, stairs, slopes.

📝Supplies Needed: Weather-appropriate clothes, a reusable drink container with your own beverage, a pen and/or pencil, a hard surface to write on, and mobile or screen with Wi-Fi or data is optional.

🍎Snack and Lunch: A light breakfast and Lunch is provided by Nava.

All meals are Kosher. Lunch options will include tuna or salmon as meat choices, along with a vegetarian alternative. If you have any dietary restrictions (e.g., celiac, dairy-free, vegan) or food allergies, please be sure to indicate them on the sign-up form.

Please note this is a mask-friendly and scent-free event and that the starting and end points of this workshop are at different locations.

Registration closes on November 17th at noon or when sold out.

About the Speakers:

Lise Kirchner is the Director of Education at the VHEC, where she has worked in various capacities for over 25 years. Lise has extensive experience in the development and delivery of the VHEC’s educational programs, exhibitions and teaching resources. Her work has also included projects to enhance the accessibility and pedagogical use of the VHEC’s collection of artefacts, archival records and Holocaust testimonies. Lise studied history at the University of Victoria, law at the University of British Columbia and practiced workplace and human rights law in Vancouver before joining the VHEC.

Ellie Lawson is the Education Manager at the VHEC, responsible for the advancement and support of educational initiatives at the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre. She develops and delivers impactful programs for schools, professionals, the public and adult learners. Ellie began her career at the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum and holds a master’s degree in public history from Indiana University Indianapolis, with expertise in Holocaust and genocide history.

Ada Alster is an archivist specializing in digital and community archives. She received a B.A. in Anthropology from Humboldt State University, in Arcata, California and a dual master’s degree in Archival Studies and Library and Information Studies from the University of British Columbia. Ada has experience working in libraries, archival institutions, and museums. Ada has worked at the VHEC since 2021, with a stint as a digital archivist at the Museum of Vancouver in 2023. Ada is currently pursuing a graduate certificate in Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Gratz College and is dedicated to expanding her knowledge in the field.

Caitlin Donaldson is the Director of Collections & Exhibitions and is responsible for managing the preservation of and access to the records, archives, testimonies and museum collection of the VHEC, in support of the mandate of the Centre. In addition, she oversees the use of artefacts, archival materials and testimonies in exhibitions. Caitlin graduated from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor of Arts in humanities and archaeology. She holds a Library & Information Technology diploma from Langara College

Elana Wenner is the Director of Programming and Development at the Jewish Museum & Archives of BC. With a background in Jewish education and community work, she is dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of local Jewish history as tangible resources that continue to shape and nurture the broader cultural community both today and for generations to come.

Professional Development Day (“Pro-D Day”) sessions are intended for current educators focusing on enriching their K-12 lesson plans/programming. VHF recognizes educators as a diverse field and not exclusive to district school teachers. We welcome all those whose field of work or employment/volunteer position impacts the education of K-12 children and youth. Please contact jessica@vancouverheritagefoundation.org if you have any questions regarding our Pro-D sessions. If you are not a current educator but are interested in the event, please sign up for the event waitlist.

The subject matter for this program will be focused on Holocaust education. The goal for this program is for educators to be able to take away information that will be of assistance to integrating Holocaust education into the classroom.