Karen Murray, OCT, Leads Development of New AQ Guideline on Anti-Black Racism

July 17 2020

The Ontario College of Teachers has appointed Karen Murray, OCT, to lead the development of its new Additional Qualification (AQ) guideline to address Anti-Black Racism.

“This is an important conversation that we want to move intentionally to practice,” says Murray. “We want to create the conditions for staff and students to teach and talk about racism. This AQ can provide the tools to enable educators to become comfortable in engaging in Anti-Black Racism pedagogy.”

Murray is the Centrally Assigned Principal for Equity, Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression at the Toronto District School Board. She has supported the AQ policy development and implementation work of the College for many years and has been an instructor for the Teacher Leadership AQ highlighting equity leadership.

Murray has also participated on the provincial writing team for the Inclusive Classroom AQ. She has facilitated multiple educative sessions related to the adoption of an anti-oppressive stance within AQs for AQ providers, course designers and course facilitators. 

She is also highlighted in the College’s most recent AQ resource, Exploring an Inquiry and Anti-Oppression Stance within AQ Courses.

The College has an ongoing and long-standing commitment to anti-oppression, equity and inclusion. We recognize there is always more work to be done and are committed to doing more, including continuing to develop our own awareness; leading where appropriate; and, consult or follow as needed to support anti-oppressive and anti-racist practices, policies and processes.