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Through our free educational resources, we enable young equity-deserving people from historically marginalized communities to see themselves as changemakers, find their purpose and make a meaningful difference in their communities.
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What if all young people saw themselves
as changemakers?
A changemaker is someone who...
identifies a challenge in their own life, home, school, community or society and who takes action in a responsible and sustainable way.
ANNOUNCEMENT: CLOSURE​
It is with deep sadness that we announce that UpstartED will cease operations by December 31, 2024.
We are incredibly grateful to the Elders, educators, youth, content contributors, funding partners, and community members who supported our mission. Your belief in our vision has been the driving force behind every achievement of the past 8 years.​
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While this chapter is closing, our commitment to serving educators and youth endures. All our resources have been made open-source and are freely available.
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With love and gratitude,
The UpstartED team, volunteers and Board
We provide educators with free, culturally-inclusive resources, rooted in a community-centered philosophy, which supports their practice and helps youth develop their identity, sense of belonging, and agency, empowering them as changemakers.
Did you know?
A strong sense of identity and belonging contributes to healthier relationships (Allen et al., 2018; Crocetti, Rubini, & Meeus, 2008), greater academic engagement (Gillen-O’Neel and Fuligni, 2013), and enhanced psychological well-being, including reduced anxiety and increased self-esteem (Bogaerts et al., 2023; Crocetti et al., 2015; KaraÅ› et al, 2011). Additionally, these factors are linked to higher levels of civic engagement (Crocetti, Jahromi, & Meeus, 2011) and career readiness (Mameli, Molinari & Passini, 2019).
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By engaging with UpstartED, educators access an integrated set of resources
Middle/high-schools resources that enrich their practice
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Sequenced program options with modifications and adaptations for different learning needs and developmental levels
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A combination of tactile and digital tools and resources to cater to accessibility needs
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Units aligned with Canadian provincial curricular standards
Assessment tools and data insights on key outcomes
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Multimodal formative and summative assessment options to track student progress
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An impact report with quantitative and qualitative insights into student outcomes and classroom culture
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Active engagement in the program evaluation process with the UpstartED team
Educator training and implementation support
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On-demand support from a Program Success Advisor to assist with lesson planning, modifications and adaptations
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Teacher toolkit with prompts for self-reflection to promote personal growth
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A community of practice bringing together like-minded educators
The voices of youth, their families, educators and communities shape the programs we design
We offer a process, not just a program
Rather than designing a 'one-size-fits-all' educational solution, we build culturally-relevant programs that are designed with youth, their educators, families and local communities. In doing so, we enable students to see themselves and their cultures represented as part of their learning.
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Teacher at the Individual Learning Center in Whitehorse, Yukon, and former Liard First Nation Chief
Liard McMillan
"UpstartED's approach to learning
program design is a big thing for us."
By promoting student-led learning, we help foster critical and creative thinking. UpstartED's approach respects First Nations ways of knowing and doing. It also honours individual students​. Our First Nations students don't have to fall through the cracks.
We are active in schools and learning centers across Canada
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Yukon
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Hear from...
Andrew Laviolette
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Career Teacher (Grades 7, 8) from
Robert Service School in
Dawson, Yukon
The content that I went through with my students was not only aligned with what is required of me to teach, but it also allowed them to spend time with important life concepts. It was great to help students move towards their best selves and I learned alongside them since this was also new to me!
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The You(th) Explore program enriched me as a person
and teacher.