Transforming the Canadian History Classroom

Transforming the Canadian History Classroom is a call for a radically innovative practice that places students – the stories they carry and the histories they want to be part of – at the centre of history education.

Samantha Cutrara is a curriculum specialist with the Office of the Vice-Provost Academic at York University. She is a history education strategist who has developed museum exhibitions and related programming, written curriculum and resources, and led professional development sessions for educators. In 2015 she won the Ontario Museums Association Award for Excellence in Exhibits for the Dear Sadie exhibit at the Archives of Ontario.

Aaron Stout, University of Lethbridge:

"…Cutrara calls on teachers to be aware of the unintended impacts of the traditional history classroom that prioritizes ‘approved’ content over meaningful interactions."

Michael Marker, director of Ts”kel Indigenous Graduate Studies and associate professor, Education, University of British Columbia:
Transforming the Canadian History Classroom is a unique and courageous contribution to the conversation around history teaching, historical consciousness, and historical thinking.

Timothy J. Stanley, professor, Education, University of Ottawa:
This book reminds us that the best history teaching builds from the needs and interests of students. It is a very important corrective to a dominant trend in history education and the public school curriculum, arguing effectively for ways to connect historical knowledge and learning to young people themselves.