For many, summer is a time for camping, outdoor sports and cold drinks on a warm patio. But for these educators, summer isn't about winding down—it's about catching up on research and writing, travelling to international conferences, and devoting time to exciting projects.

For many, summer is a time for camping, outdoor sports and cold drinks on a warm patio. But for these educators, summer isn't about winding down—it's about catching up on research and writing, travelling to international conferences, and devoting time to exciting projects.

How do you meet the biggest challenges faced by the world in the 21st century? University of Alberta education professor Bill Hanson is convening 110 of the world’s leading educators, policy makers and thought leaders at a UAlberta co-hosted gathering at the Banff Centre this week—participants who have been hand-selected for their contributions to solving some of the most civilization-threatening issues, including religious extremism and climate change.

“They're incredibly talented and, I'd say, inspiring people—real difference makers,” said Hanson.

With the end of the semester, the veil of winter has finally lifted. The sun is shining, the grass has changed from brown to green, flowers are in full bloom and birds can be heard singing all over campus. We will be celebrating with our graduates and their families on June 12, and Dr. Raj Pannu, a long-time friend and contributor to our Faculty will be presented with an honorary degree at the afternoon convocation.

The trope of artificial intelligence (AI) systems rising up to make human beings obsolete is a common one in science fiction. But University of Alberta educational psychology professor Jason Harley says its dominance in the public imagination does a disservice to the potential for AI to help human learners succeed in educational contexts—and to ensure access to educational supports for all students.

Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life, the adage goes. Mackenzie Martin might add that if you pack your days with the things you love, you’ll never put off until tomorrow what you can do today. Given that Martin was recently awarded one of eleven Rhodes Scholarships in Canada this year, her advice might just carry a little extra weight.

In this edition of Class Notes, Sarah Tiamiyu (BEd ‘02) tells how her education degree and a graduation gift of luggage started her on a teaching adventure that took her to some unexpected places.

What do Alaska, Vatican City, Montego Bay, and Washington D.C. all have in common? If your answer is opportunities to travel the world with a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Alberta then you guessed right!

Andrew Morgan had a dozen years of experience as a classroom teacher in Edmonton when he decided to return to the University of Alberta, where he’d earned his bachelor of education, to pursue a master’s degree in elementary education. In addition to adding credentials that will enable him to pursue future career prospects, Morgan says he wanted to embody an important lesson.

The Faculty of Education has a proud tradition not only of producing great educators, but great educational research. Here are some recent stories you may have missed about UAlberta education researchers and the important work they do to improve teaching and learning in Alberta, in Canada and around the world.

An early childhood education researcher who works ardently with schools and communities to support the classroom success of newcomers to Canada and an educational measurement expert who envisions a future where students can access instant feedback to support their learning objectives any time are among seven University of Alberta faculty selected as Killam Annual Professors.