Lissa Albert
Educator, Montreal, Quebec

Lissa is a student completing her Master of Arts in Educational Technology at Concordia University. Her thesis involves creating a Web-based, interactive program for students to raise awareness about cyberbullying. She has accumulated much knowledge and continues to do research about, and work within the field of cyberbullying and awareness. She is involved in Digital Respect as an Ambassador, assisting with creative ventures and promoting the message of digital respect in schools, to help raise awareness about cyberbullying, its prevention and coping with its impacts. Recently, she put a motion forth to the City of Montreal which will have Montreal formally proclaiming November 14-20th National Bullying Awareness Week (as founded by Bill Belsey). To Lissa, Digital Respect means the practice of remaining considerate of the feelings of others when using technology to communicate. It involves effective communication, from appropriate words and language to the usage of emoticons and "action words" (ex: "*smiles*") to soften words and sentences which might be misconstrued. It also involves respecting the intellectual property of others online, and in cell phone/camera usage (photographs, writings, etc). Digital Respect begins with education and awareness, teaching people about the ramifications of their words (or lack thereof) and actions when using technology.

Chantal Drolet
Educator, Vancouver, British Columbia

Chantal Drolet teaches Digital Film Communication at Crofton House School. The three year program for students in Grades 10-12 combines digital film literacy with media awareness. As part of the program, Chantal teaches students to produce documentaries, music videos and short narratives while encouraging them to study the technical, historical and sociological aspects of these genres. She also includes field trips, film competitions and guests from the media industry as part of this experience. Chantal believes that advanced digital filming and editing techniques, combined with the study of various films, allow students to embrace these essential 21st century skills.

Robin Kelley
Educator, Montreal, Quebec

Robin Kelley is the coordinator of the Digital Literacy Project at the Atwater Library and Computer Centre in Montreal. The Digital Literacy Project encourages youth and community groups to discover new and creative ways to use digital technologies to express themselves, develop skills and build community. The program aims to foster community collaboration and a sense of responsibility in creating and consuming media. In recognition of the theme of the 2010 Media Awareness Week, the Digital Literacy Project is offering special workshops on Gender and the Media to schools and community groups. Since 2006, the Atwater Library’s Digital Literacy Project has engaged 20 partner organizations in over 27 projects. Robin Kelley, who has a Master's Degree in Library and Information Studies, a professional Diploma in Education and a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, has been coordinating the Digital Literacy Project since 2009.

Neelam Khare and Peggy Lam
Students, Vancouver, British Columbia

Neelam and Peggy are the founders of The Undernineteens, so-named because they believe that the time is now for the youth of their generation to stand up and demand change. The focus of their project was to film a documentary on social justice and environmental issues across Canada and capture the voices of marginalized communities. Some people called them idealists, or thought they were too young to know what they were doing, but they felt that “if the change doesn’t come when we are young then when will it ever begin?” Last summer Neelam and Peggy accomplished their dream, and connected with First Nation communities, youth and activists from around the nation. They visited the Tar Sands in Alberta where they witnessed the destruction of the environment, as well as Simcoe County, Ontario, where a massive demonstration was taking place to protect the purest aquifers in the World. They were so captivated by the stories of all these people, that they could never be the same. Currently they are in the editing process and are educating their community on these various issues. The Undernineteens were one of the first youth groups to be presenting at the World Peace Conference, and Neelam and Peggy will be showcasing their documentary in various film festivals, educational institutions and at youth events.

Linda Millar
Education Specialist, Concerned Children’s Advertisers

Linda Millar is a retired educator after 33 years with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. For the past 13 years, Linda has been a consultant for Concerned Children’s Advertisers, creating, writing and delivering educator and parent programs to help Canadian children and their families be “media and life wise.” Most recently, Linda has been part of a team that has focused on healthy active living as part of Concerned Children’s Advertiser’s Long Live Kids program, where media literacy has been a key focus. Linda’s goal has always been to achieve “Forty Years for Kids” and as she is presently approaching her 39th year in this quest, she wonders what will be next on her agenda! For more information and resources visit the Long Live Kids Web site.

Jesse Power
Student, Kenilworth Junior High School, Edmonton, Alberta

Jesse Power is a Grade 8 student in the French Immersion program at Edmonton Public Schools. When Jesse is not at school or engaged extracurricular activities, he is working using media at home and with friends. He and his friend Gordon along with their siblings have produced two films. In addition to teaching their little brothers how to use media to produce films, Gordon and Jesse are developing their own skills and talents. Jesse’s latest project was helping two youth he met at Ability Camp, a summer camp for children with disabilities as a result of brain injury. He used his media skills to help them record a song. Jesse helped his two new friends find their voice and express themselves through music.

Andrew Stickings
Teacher, Grosvenor Wentworth Park School, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Andrew Stickings, a Grade 5 teacher at Grosvenor Wentworth Park School in Halifax, Nova Scotia, creatively incorporates filmmaking into his daily classroom activities to engage his students in meaningful learning opportunities. The projects center around inspiring students to become excited about learning. He believes students learn through getting involved and that learning increases when students are engaged in meaningful activities such filmmaking. Andrew’s students brainstorm, research, write, storyboard and film their own projects. With his guidance and encouragement, his students have created many films on the environment and local history. Andrew’s students received national and international recognition for their films which have taken them to film festivals in Chicago, Toronto, Ottawa and most recently to Japan. Andrew’s “Reel History Project” has been nominated twice for the Governor General’s Award for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History in 2009 and again in 2010. He has received the Democracy 250 Award from his community for his teaching and has recently been selected as an Apple Distinguished Educator for his work in film. The parents of the students he teaches have nothing but high praise for his style for encouraging, motivating and molding these young lives.

Mark Vonesch
Educator, Vancouver, British Columbia

Mark Vonesch is the Founder and Director of Reel Youth, a media empowerment organization that supports young people in producing and distributing films about their visions for a more just and sustainable world. Reel Youth works with organizations looking for meaningful ways to engage youth and their communities in using media for social and environmental change. Mark is a compassionate facilitator and experienced filmmaker, having worked in remote First Nations communities across BC, with street children in India, and child soldiers in Nepal. Reel Youth has produced over 300 films since inception and tours an annual festival of youth made films across Canada, parts of the US, and a growing number of international locations.