Message from the Chair
A message from Professor Jen Gilbert, Chair of CTL
Welcome to the Department of Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (ÃÈÃÃÉçÇø), University of Toronto. As Chair, I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to all our future, new, and returning students.
In CTL, you will study with faculty who are world-class researchers committed to imagining and building innovative and inclusive educational futures. From investigating the impact of digital technologies on students social, emotional and academic well-being, to exploring children’s understanding of climate crisis; from assessing the skills second language learners bring into the classroom to asking difficult questions about the persistence of structural inequalities—faculty in CTL pursue research that is interdisciplinary, creative, and impactful.
CTL offers three graduate programs:
- Curriculum and Pedagogy: MEd, MA, PhD
- Language and Literacies Education: MEd, MA, PhD
- Master of Teaching (MT – our teacher education program)
With a focus on multidisciplinary collaboration, critical inquiry, and social justice, our programs provide unique opportunities for our students to study across these programs. Whether you are pursuing certification as a teacher candidate or conducting fieldwork for your PhD, you will have access to faculty, courses, and research opportunities in each of our programs.
In addition to our commitment to faculty research and innovative programming, we provide comprehensive student support services. We believe that an inclusive environment is essential for student success. Our administrative team is here to assist you throughout your academic journey, offering guidance in course selection, research support, and career planning.
Joining CTL means becoming part of a vibrant and academically rigorous community that values collaboration, diversity, and scholarly engagement. I invite you to take full advantage of the opportunities available to you, including engaging with our faculty's research projects, participating in workshops, and connecting with fellow students who share your passion for education and research.
This is an exciting time to be in CTL and we look forward to getting to know each of you and having you become a member of our growing CTL community.
Sincerely,
Jen Gilbert 
Chair, Department of Curriculum, Teaching & Learning
Chair of the Department of Curriculum, Teaching & Learning, Jen Gilbert
is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning (CTL). Dr. Gilbert’s scholarship and teaching explores the experiences of LGBTQ+ students, teachers, and families in schools and the history of controversies over sex education in schools. Dr. Gilbert's work is international in scope and she has established a strong research partnership network in both the U.S. and Australia. She is an active public scholar and designs projects that explores the connections of social equity and education.
Dr. Gilbert previously held Professorship and academic leadership roles at York University in the Faculty of Education. She has been formally recognized for her scholarship, mentorship and leadership by the American Educational Research Association, World Association of Sexual Health and Canadian Society for the Study of Education.
