In an educational milieu in which standards and accountability hold sway, schools can become places of stress, marginalization, and isolation instead of learning communities that nurture a sense of meaning and purpose. In Ensouling Our Schools, author Jennifer Katz weaves together methods of creating schools that engender mental, spiritual, and emotional health while developing intellectual thought and critical analysis.

Kevin Lamoureux contributes his expertise regarding Indigenous approaches to mental and spiritual health that benefit all students and address the TRC Calls to Action.

Jennifer Katz, PhD, taught for 16 years in diverse classrooms from K to 12, including special education and inclusive classrooms in Winnipeg and Vancouver. She has also served as a resource teacher and counselor. In addition, she has been a sessional lecturer at the University of British Columbia, educational consultant, editor, and presenter. Her work as an advocate of inclusive education has spanned several provinces and territories, and multiple audiences – university courses, academic conferences, parent advocacy groups, professional development workshops, and educational conferences. She continues to work closely with students and teachers who are living and learning in inclusive classrooms across Canada and internationally. Dr. Katz is currently an assistant professor in faculty of education at the University of Manitoba.

Jennifer Katz's profile page

Kevin Lamoureux currently serves as the Education Lead for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation while on leave from the position of Associate Vice-President, Indigenous Affairs at the University of Winnipeg. Lamoureux has served as faculty member at the University of Winnipeg and the University of Manitoba, and is a well-known national public speaker. He has served as co-chair for the Manitoba Provincial Task Force on Educational Outcomes for Children in Care, scholar-in residence for several school divisions, and education consultant throughout Manitoba and across Canada.

Kevin Lamoureux's profile page

• Winner, Exceptionality Education International Book Award

Ensouling [Our Schools] provides an enticing view of how our schools could be better designed to address the social, emotional and academic needs of our students. What really sets this text apart is the way it intertwines this issue and the broader issues of reconciliation. Although perhaps lacking some universal adoptability, the work contains enough significant and thought-provoking information to be well worth the read.—EdCan Network

EdCan Network

At this time in Canadian history, this is an important theoretical and practical book that deepens our understanding of the interconnectedness of SEL, UDL, Trauma-Informed Practice, Mental Health, & Inclusion under the umbrella of responding to the TRC. This is a tall order, but Katz and Lamoureux do it masterfully and leave the reader with incredible hope for education, youth, and the future of this Land and country.

Exceptionality Education International

We wanted the resources to be evidence-based, Canadian and with a focus on supporting well-being for everyone in the classroom. We looked for resources that are identity-affirming and differentiated. We made a commitment to centre historically marginalized voices and perspectives and to keep in mind the needs of both educators and students. The resources needed to be practical, easy to implement, and provide a range of activities and learning opportunities for students and staff. [Ensouling Our Schools] met our criteria.

ETFO Voice Magazine