Teachers are at the heart of our education system and play a significant role in educating and supporting students.

The purpose of Ideas for Education is to listen to and empower staff on the front line, who have good ideas that will improve teaching and learning in Nova Scotia.

This initiative helps empower teachers to improve the education system and benefits administrators and staff by supporting their teams to act.

Helping improve student achievement and outcomes

Share your ideas to strengthen Nova Scotia’s public education system!

Ideas should be focused on the school or family of schools’ level. 
 

As the teacher submitting the idea, you will be asked to support implementation if it is selected as a pilot.
 

In your submission, please provide as much detail as possible on how you would implement this idea, what the objective is, and how you would evaluate success.
 

Submit your idea here!

   We’re working closely with a table of classroom teachers to review submissions throughout the school year.


If your idea is selected to as a pilot, you will receive communication from EECD.


Ideas are currently under review and new pilots for the 2024-25 school year will be announced shortly!


 MAINTAINING EXISTING PILOTS

 

In 2023-24, eight projects were piloted in schools across the province and have now been evaluated, based on advice from teachers and other participants. Results show that all pilots have been very well received and are showing early benefits for students and teachers. The survey showed almost universal support for continuing these pilots, and frequent requests to expand them. 

All pilots have been renewed for another year and will use the evaluation results to build on success to date.

Child and Youth Care Practitioners (CYCPs)

CYCPs are trained to provide trauma-informed care, behaviour support and programming for vulnerable students. They were assigned to lower elementary schools where a need was identified. This is being piloted in CCRCE and SSRCE.

The collaboration with our CYCP around various students, their needs, and how best to support them has been wonderfully helpful as we extend the circle of care around our highest needs students and families. It is great to see the unique programming that is able to be put in place – it seems to be very student-centred.
— Teacher

Attendance Support Teachers

Dedicated teacher to support students missing a lot of time.  This is being piloted in CSAP, HRCE, SRCE, and TCRCE.

Attendance has proven to be one of our largest barriers to student success and one of the biggest stressors for teachers. … I have seen so much growth with students and hearing such positive comments from teachers.  I would love to see this program continued and supported.
— Teacher

Elementary Math Specialists

Elementary math specialists assigned to work with teachers and students to improve student enjoyment and achievement in math and reduce stress for teachers. This is being piloted in all RCEs and CSAP.

One of the biggest challenges of this role was its undefined nature.  Clearly defined roles and responsibilities are needed and should be understood by all.
— Elementary math specialist

Newcomers Support

Social workers supporting newcomer students and families, with particular focus on advice, co-ordination and resources to adapt to school life and support students’ emotional well-being and success. This is being piloted in AVRCE, CBVRCE, and CCRCE.

“You are our lucky charm.  Everything has been going right for us since we met you.”
— Newcomer

Teacher Mentors

Experienced teachers mentor new or subject-matter teachers. This is being piloted in all RCEs and CSAP.

When my VP suggested I take part in a mentorship program, I kind of felt it was because she didn’t think I was a good enough teacher.  After taking part in the program, I am so glad I did because my mentor did not make me feel like I wasn’t good enough.  She … gave me suggestions and ideas that I would have never thought to do that were very successful in getting my students motivated to write and read.
— Teacher

Term Substitute Teacher

Substitute teachers hired for a full term to work every day supporting a specific school or family of schools.  This is being piloted in all RCEs and CSAP.

I think these are essential to a healthy school climate.  It afforded students another familiar face in situations where teachers were absent.  Administratively, it allowed for less interruption to other key programs which are often impacted when a sub is not available.  Having the extra set of hands at school provided a flexibility and assurance that we often lack.
— Teacher

Expanding the GuysWork program

GuysWork is a school-based program where young males examine the pressures they feel, and how these pressures can affect their health and the health of their peers. This is being piloted in SRCE.

This is a phenomenal program.  I have implemented it for both boys and girls separately, with non-binary and trans students within these groups. I hope to see it grow, resources get even more refined, and to hear that this is being implemented in all schools across the province (and hopefully soon the country.
— School counsellor

Forest School

Enabling more students to attend Forest School programs to promote learning and connections to nature through outdoor play and hands-on activities. This is being piloted in CCRCE.

She has a tremendous amount of energy and Forest School calms her down.  She has better sleeps and is faster to do crafts and hands-on learning.  A couple of kids at Forest School that attend traditional school have stopped picking on her after they attended forest school together.
— Family member of a participating student

Message from Hon. Becky Druhan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development

Letter from Minister Druhan to teachers