Celebrating Resilience with Dr. Ungar
The Kenora Catholic District School Board (KCDSB) is thrilled to welcome Dr. Michael Ungar over the next few days, culminating in his keynote address at our Professional Development Day tomorrow, September 27. As a globally recognized expert in resilience and mental health, Dr. Ungar’s presence brings invaluable insights to our educators on how schools can foster resilience in students and their families.
Meet Dr. Michael Ungar
Dr. Ungar is the Director of the Resilience Research Centre at Dalhousie University and the world’s top-ranked Social Work scholar. In 2022, Dr. Ungar was ranked number one Social Work scholar in the world in recognition of his ground-breaking work as a family therapist and resilience researcher. His research focuses on how schools and organizations can create supportive environments that build resilience, particularly for marginalized children and families.
Key Themes to Inspire Our Educators
In his keynote tomorrow, Dr. Ungar will highlight that resilience is not simply an individual trait but a process that depends on access to essential resources. He will share nine key factors that contribute to student success, offering strategies for educators to support student mental health through relationships, structure, and a sense of belonging.
Supporting KCDSB’s Mental Health Strategy
Dr. Ungar’s work aligns perfectly with KCDSB’s three-year mental health strategy, which emphasizes creating environments that nurture resilience. "Dr. Ungar’s insights have greatly shaped our approach," said Sue Devlin, KCDSB’s Mental Health Clinical Supervisor. "We are excited to see his transformative work in action with our educators."
Looking Ahead
Dr. Ungar’s visit represents an exciting opportunity for KCDSB as we continue to enhance our mental health strategy through 2025.