Geography

Why take this course?

• find out where your food comes from, how it's produced, who makes it, and the issues surrounding its production

Cool things we could do…

• visit an organic farm
• grow our own food through hydroponics
• explore a local farmer's market

What do you need to get in?

• Grade 9 academic or applied Geography of Canada

Why take this course?

• expand your knowledge of travel spots- learn about the issues connected to international travel (e.g. coral reef destruction)

Cool things we could do…

• walking tour of Toronto
• visit to Niagara Falls
• travel to Italy

What do you need to get in?

• grade 9 academic or applied Geography of Canada

Why take this course?

• learn more about earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes and tornadoes
• explore causes & impacts of natural disasters

Cool things we could do…

• rock hunting and caving in the Warsaw Caves near Peterborough, Ontario
• an eco-tour of Costa Rica where we visit active volcanoes, tropical jungles and see cool animals

What do you need to get in?

• grade 9 academic or applied Geography of Canada

Why take this course?

• learn about current issues happening in the world, like conflicts, environmental disasters, and human injustice
• discuss and explore issues like poverty, hunger, overpopulation and globalization

Cool things we could do...

• volunteer at a local charity (food bank, homeless shelter)
• attend Planet in Focus film festival
• explore the Green Living Show
• do humanitarian work in another province/country

What do you need to get in?

• grade 11 U/M English, History, Social Sciences or Geography

Why take this course?

• learn about the impact of human activity on ecosystems and natural processes
• explore topics like species extinction, impact of pollution, and ecological footprint

Cool things we could do...

• go tree planting
• attend Planet in Focus film festival
• explore the Green Living Show
• recreate products in more eco-friendly ways

What do you need to get in?

• grade 11 U/M/C English, History, Social Sciences or Geography

Geography teachers use Google Classroom to post announcements, assignments and other resources for their classes.  

Geography teachers use the Teach Assist online mark recording system.  Students use their login and password to access up-to-date information on their progress.  

• Popplet - Create mind maps online.
• Glogster - Design online, interactive posters
• Wordle - Create colourful word clusters
• Comic Life - Make your own comics
• Timetoast - Create interactive timelines
• Prezi - Had enough of Powerpoint?  Try Prezi!
• Powtoon - Create online videos easily!
• Mindomo ​- Make colourful mind maps, and connect to your google drive.

• Canadian Geographic​ - Canadian based research source.
• Atlas of Canada​ - Online maps of Canada
• GapMinder World - World statistics displayed in interactive graphs
• My Footprint - Calculate your ecological footprint
• UN Millennium Goals - United Nations 8 anti-poverty goals
• UN HDI - United Nations Human Development Index
• EasyBib - Helps format Works Cited and Reference Lists

A Short List of Geography-Related Careers

• Aerial Photo Interpreter
• Air Pollution Specialist
• Airline Cargo Marketing Executive
• Alternative Energy Provider
• Architect
• Avalanche Specialist
• Cartographer
• Climatologist
• Computer Mapping Specialist
• Demographer
• Disaster Relief/Preparedness Coordinator
• Economist
• Energy Analyst
• Engineer
• Environmental Assessment Consultant
• Field Surveyor
• Forester
• GIS Specialist/Analyst
• Geologist
• Global Health Specialist
• Hospitality and Tourism
• Hydrologist
• Immigration Officer
• Insurance Analyst
• International Business
• Land Use (Urban) Planner
• Landscape Architect
• Mapping Software Writer
• Marketing
• Meteorologist
• Mining Engineer
• Parks and Recreation
• Political Analyst
• Pollution Consultant
• Real Estate Planner
• Remote Sensing Specialist
• Resource Economist
• Spatial Data Analyst
• Statistician
• Teacher/Professor
• Television Meteorologist
• Tourism Developer
• Transportation Planner
• Travel Consultant and Planner
• Zoologist​ 

Some Ontario university programs for Geography. Please see your guidance counsellor or teacher for more information about any of these programs.

• University of Toronto
• York University​​
• University of Western Ontario
• Queen's University
• University of Waterloo
• McMaster University
• University of Guelph​
• Toronto Metropolitan University - Urban and Regional Planning
• Toronto Metropolitan University - Geographic Analysis

Some Ontario College Programs for Geography. Please see your guidance counsellor or teacher for more information about any of these programs.

• Humber College - Tourism Management
• Seneca College - Geographic Information Systems
• George Brown College - Geographic Information Systems Certificate
• Algonquin College - Geographic Information Systems
• Fleming College - Geographic Information Systems - Cartographic Specialist
• Fanshawe College - GIS and Urban Planning
• Canadore College - Environmental Management​

Tel: 289-342-0001 x547

Courses Currently Teaching:  Geography of Canada (CGC1D1, 1P6) and Canadian History (CHC2D1)

Kimberly Millward joined the TDSS Geography Department in the school's second year, September 2015. She has a B.A. from Trent University, and a B.Ed. from the University of Toronto. Her additional qualifcations include her Geography Honours Specialist and Special Education Part 1 from the University of Toronto. Kimberly has been teaching with the York Region District School Board since 2011, and before that was an educator for the Toronto Region Conservation Authority at the Kortright Centre and Black Creek Pioneer Village. She advises the Model United Nations team, helping students prepare for a yearly conference at the University of Toronto. She also serves on the school's 1:1 and Assessment and Evaluation committees, helping to support student success through the use of digital technology. She is passionate about geography, and has visited every province in Canada at least once: the territories are next! She lives with her family in Toronto.

Credentials:

• B.Ed. (Intermediate/Senior - History and Geography) - University of Toronto
• B.A. (History Major, Geography Minor) - Trent University

Telephone: 289-342-0001 x511

Courses Currently Teaching:  Geography of Canada (CGC1D1) and Library

Antonio Lo Celso has been part of the TDSS faculty right from the beginning in September 2014.  He earned his B.A. in Geography and History as well as his B.Ed. through the Concurrent program at York University.  His additional qualifications include intermediate mathematics from York University, library from the University of Toronto and Queen’s University as well as science.  Antonio began his teaching career right after university in 2008, supply teaching at many schools and filling in various long-term assignments.  He was hired at Woodbridge College Secondary School in March 2012.  He then moved to Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School in Markham to teach science and math for a year.  At Tommy Douglas S.S. he coaches the junior boys and girls soccer teams and organizes the ski/snowboard club.  Antonio is an avid supporter of soccer and music, a very devoted foodie and always appreciates good humor.  He currently resides in Peel Region with his family.

Credentials:

• B.Ed. (Intermediate/Senior – History and Geography) – York University
• B.A (History Major, Geography Minor) – York University

Telephone: 289-342-0001 x599

Courses currently teaching: Geography of Canada (CGC1P1), Alternative Education (PAES) & Science (SNC2L)

Steph became a Titan in September 2017! She has a Honours Bachelor Degree in Physical & Health Education and a B.Ed. in Phys-Ed and Geography, both from Nipissing University. She also has her Senior division qualifications in Biology. Steph started teaching with the York Region District School Board in 2016, beginning briefly at Huron Heights S.S. and then joining TDSS a year later. In addition to teaching, Steph also helps coach girls basketball, slopitch and badminton. In her spare time, Steph enjoys playing volleyball in the winter and baseball in the summer. She also enjoys watching the Leafs, Raptors and Chicago Bears. 

Credentials:

• B.Ed.(Intermediate/Senior - Health & Physical Education, Geography, Biology – Nipissing University

• BPHE (Physical & Health Education) – Nipissing University

Telephone: 289-342-0001 x658

Courses currently teaching: Geography of Canada (CGC1P1 and CGC1D1)

Ruby Brar joined the TDSS staff in September 2018! She has a B.A. in Geography from York University and a B.Ed. from OISE at the University of Toronto. She also has her additional qualifications in Co-Operative Education and Guidance & Career Education Specialist. In her spare time, Ruby likes to read and her favourite movie is The Matrix.  She also likes basketball and interior decorating.  Ruby lives in Vaughan with her husband and two children.

Credentials:

• B.Ed.(Intermediate/Senior - Geography, History) – OISE, University of Toronto

• B.A. (Geography) – York Universit