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On May 27, we will come together as the Redeemer community to celebrate the Bachelor of Education Class of 2026. This will be a time to recognize the students’ accomplishments and hard work. There will be a reception following the ceremony for graduates and their guests.

Please be aware that there is ongoing construction on Garner Road/Rymal Road in Ancaster and plan accordingly. 

Note: A ticket is required to attend this event.

Who’s speaking?

Dr. Steve Sider is a professor in the Faculty of Education at Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada. He was previously associate dean, PhD program director, and the director of the International Education Studies degree program, the first program of its kind in Canada with a focus on preparing teachers to teach in global contexts. He served as Director of Teacher Education at www.ÑÇÖÞÉ« from 2005-2010 where he led the BEd program through its first successful accreditation review process with the Ontario College of Teachers. His PhD (2006) is from Western University (London, Canada) and focused on the school experiences of newcomer children to Canada. He is the past-president of the Comparative and International Education Society of Canada and the founding Director of the Centre for Leading Research in Education, a university research centre exploring interdisciplinary aspects of education. He is a fellow at the Balsillie School of International Affairs.

Dr. Sider is best known for his research and advocacy on how to foster inclusive schools where children with diverse abilities can flourish. He has written multiple books and over 100 research articles, chapters, and practitioner publications on the topic. He has received multiple awards for his research, including the book of the year award for his 2022 book, Leadership for Inclusive Schools. In 2025, he received the Canadian Association for Educational Psychology biennial outstanding leadership award for his research in the field of inclusive and special education. He is the 2026-2027 Laurier University Research Professor.

Although Dr. Sider lives and teaches in Canada, the first eight years of his life were spent in northern India. These early educational experiences fostered his desire to be an advocate for inclusive schools where every child authentically belongs. Dr. Sider spent 15 years as a classroom teacher and a secondary school principal before commencing his work in post-secondary contexts. His work has taken him to more than 25 countries including small island states, as diverse as St Lucia and Mauritius, and large countries such as Egypt and Ghana. He is currently leading the international Partnership for Research on Inclusive Education (iPRIE), an international consortium of more than 60 researchers from 30 organizations in 14 countries.