The Justice Education Society (JES) creates innovative programs and resources that improve access to British Columbia’s justice system. To date, the Society has produced over 50 legal publications, 28 websites, more than 50 instructional videos, and has introduced over one million British Columbians to their province’s justice system.
JES programs and resources serve the general public, teachers, youth, persons with disabilities, Aboriginals and immigrants in British Columbia and throughout Canada. These services help individuals better understand how our justice system works and how to resolve their legal matters.
JES offers workshops throughout the school year to teachers for their professional development. Some are free and others have a small fee. As well there is online certificate granting training available on the Youth Criminal Justice Act and webinar training coming on Being an Active Citizen.
Workshops for Teachers
JES is well-known for exceptional professional development training for teachers. Workshops are held on professional development days. We offer some free workshops and some we charge $75 per person. JES brings qualified and interesting speakers to discuss the topics. We make connections between the community and the justice system by having justice system personnel attend these workshops. We are presenting two workshops this spring (see below) and are working on two workshops for the fall: Social Media and the Law (Vancouver) and Legal Rights for Youth (Kelowna).
Upcoming Workshops
Law Project Seminars
The Justice Education Society will be hosting and delivering one seminar for teachers in each of the following regions: Kelowna, Prince George, Surrey, Vancouver and Victoria on The Law Project website.
The Law Project is a multimedia rich website that allows students to explore issues relation to social justice and the law. There are seven topic modules on: Human Rights and Social Justice, Youth, Women and Children, First Nations, Residential Schools, Environment and National Security. Each topic includes an animated vignette, video opinions from a range of community members as well as a collection of images, documents and audio recordings.
Students watch the animated films and then they create their own movie which expresses their point of view. The website encourages critical thinking and problem solving in a creative format and makes the legal information on diverse topics more accessible.
There is a Teaching Resources section with learning outcomes, lesson plans, an assessment tool and student help-sheets. The Law Project meets the curriculum content requirements for Social Studies 9-11, Civics 11, Law 12, Social Justice 12 and First Nations 12.
This 3 hour seminar will include training on how to use the website and the teaching resources. Teachers will learn how to create their own assignments and a video. They will need to bring their teacher number to be able to access the website.
- Kelowna - October 19, 2012
- Prince George - November 30, 2012
- Vancouver - January 21, 2013
- Surrey - February 8, 2013
- Victoria - February 15, 2013 (Register via Tapestry)
Youth and Gangs
Fall - Victoria
The Justice Education Society will be presenting a Teachers Professional Development workshop in the Fall. This interactive session on Youth and Gangs will have a guest speaker who will talk about the demographics of youth gangs and what a teacher should be looking for and how help can be provided. We will look at gang statistics and at how gang members recruit new members. Teachers will walk away with ready-to-use lesson plans and teaching materials for Grade 7-11.
Time: TBD
Location: Justice Education Society Classroom - 850 Burdett Avenue, Victoria, BC
For more information, contact Sylvia Sangha by email Sylvia.Sangha(at)JusticeEducation.ca or by fax 250-387-3090 or call 250-387-3303.
Online Training for Teachers
Youth Criminal Justice Act
Explore the YCJA was created to help you explore the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) – which governs crimes committed in Canada by persons 12 to 17 years old. BC teachers can receive professional development credit from the Justice Education Society for achieving a passing score on the final exam. To register for this credit, create an account. Visit www.YCJA.ca.
Explore the YCJA includes 10 chapters and a final exam:
- Principles of the Act
- Legal Rights of Youth
- Extrajudicial Measures
- Conferences
- Victims and Youth Justice
- Sentencing Principles
- Youth Sentencing Options
- Adult Sentences for Youth
- Publication of Identity of Offender
- Youth and Adult Records
- Final Exam
Each chapter includes:
- Objectives – a summary of the key learning points
- In Depth – questions and answers about the YCJA
- Resources – materials that help teach the topic
- Scenario – realistic situations about the YCJA
- Summary – a review of section information
- Assignment – activities for students to explore the YCJA in more detail
- Quiz – an opportunity to test your knowledge
The Society gratefully acknowledges the financial contribution of the Department of Justice Canada - Youth Justice Policy in the creation of this website. If you have any questions on how to use this site, send email to info(@)JusticeEducation.ca.