Professional Development
Perfectionnement professionnel
Interpretation Canada hosts a variety of professional development opportunities through the year. These activities aim to inspire and engage members, encouraging them to reflect upon and share their professional practice. Interprétation Canada tient une vaste gamme d’activités de perfectionnement professionnel au fil de l’année. Ces activités ont pour but d’intéresser et d’inspirer les membres et de les encourager à réfléchir et à échanger sur leur pratique professionnelle. |
“Inspiring Montgomery” Exhibit, Green Gables Heritage Place (Parks Canada). Photo: Parks Canada Exposition « Inspiring Montgomery », site patrimonial Green Gables (Parcs Canada). Photo: Parcs Canada |
Current Offerings
Check back, or watch for the next Interpretation Canada members’ newsletter, for future upcoming professional development events.Cross-Disciplinary Interpretation: Art, Science, and School Learning
Cross-Disciplinary Interpretation: Art, Science, and School Learning
April 2, 2026: 2:00 PM EST / 11:00 AM PT
Presenters: Shirin Divanbeigi and Madalina Raduta, Aga Khan Museum; Julie Jones and Martin Fischer, Ontario Science Centre
Join our presenters as they discuss their collaborative school-museum partnership. A Q&A will follow the presentation.
This session introduces collaboration, outlines its learning goals, and examines the value of school–museum partnerships. The presenters will share how they developed and implemented cross-disciplinary interpretive approaches.
The Aga Khan Museum and the Ontario Science Centre collaborated to reinterpret the Aga Khan Museum’s collections for school audiences through both artistic and scientific ways of thinking. Grounded in object-based learning and inquiry-driven pedagogy, this partnership created interdisciplinary pathways for engaging with Islamic art.
Presenter bios:
Shirin Divanbeigi works in interpretation and digital learning at the Aga Khan Museum. She creates interactive programs, media, and educational resources that translate complex artistic and historical ideas into meaningful visitor experiences, making Islamic art accessible and relevant to contemporary audiences. Her work combines educational strategy, creative direction, and cross-department collaboration.
Madalina is the full-time Educator at the Aga Khan Museum. In her role, she develops and teaches award-winning school and community programs. As an Ontario Certified Teacher and a visual artist, Madalina strives to deliver programs through a welcoming and accessible learning environment.
Julie’s formal education is in Forestry, and she has a passion for physics. During her 30+ years at the Science Centre she has developed both exhibits and public programs. For the last 10 years, Julie has led the operation of Science School and developed/delivered curriculum-based programs for students.
Martin loves combining scientific rigor with creativity and curiosity, inspiring both learners and teachers to experience awe and wonder through hands-on exploration and deep questioning. He holds a Master’s degree in Geography from the University of Zurich and has been a science educator for 25 years.
Cost to attend:
IC Members: this event is free, but we invite you to choose to donate between $5 and $20 to help IC cover costs of planning our professional development sessions
Non-members: $60
Cancellation policy:
If you wish to cancel your registration and are a non-member who has paid for a ticket, please note that refunds are only offered if the cancellation is made 72 hours or more in advance of the event. No refund will be issued if you cancel within the 72-hour period. Refunds can only be offered via e-transfer and may take 1-2 weeks to be processed. To request that a refund, please email info@interpretationcanada.ca. Non-attendance at an event does not qualify for a refund.
Activités actuelles
Consultez cette page ou surveillez l’arrivée du prochain bulletin d’Interprétation Canada pour connaître les activités de perfectionnement professionnel à venir.
Les détails sont affichés dans la langue de chaque offre.
Previous Offerings
Breaking Barriers: Inclusive Interpretation in Action
Presenter: Barbara Myers, Aequum Global Access Inc.
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 10:00am PST / 1:00pm EDT
60 minute webinar
Registration information to follow.
Join Barbara Myers for this two-part session on making interpretation inclusive for everyone.
- For Interpreters: Learn how to communicate in ways that reduce barriers, challenge stigma, and foster inclusion.
- For Program Managers: Discover how to invite, register, and accommodate persons with disabilities—both physically and digitally—so everyone can fully participate.
Forty-five years ago, Barbara got her start as an interpreter with the Public Programs Department of the Manitoba Museum. She later worked with the National Museums of Canada, the Museum Assistance Program, The Canadian Museum for Human Rights, the National Museum of Antiquities in Edinburgh Scotland and the Montreal and Winnipeg Children’s Museums among others. Today, she is an Urban Planner focused on accessibility with Aequum Global Access Inc. in Victoria and Toronto. Barbara works with a multidisciplinary team of accessibility experts in teaching, business, digital solutions, occupational therapy and design. Aequum advises, trains, creates policy and provides digital and technology solutions for non-profits, government, universities and business.
Inspiration Knows No Borders: Interpreters Inspiring Each Other Across Landscapes and Lines
A partnership between Interpretation Canada and NAI
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 11:00am PST / 2:00pm EDT
90 minute webinar
Join your fellow interpreters from across Canada and the United States for a free, interactive webinar that celebrates the power of shared inspiration.
Dr. Jacquie Gilson will draw from her doctoral research on inspiration in interpretation to explore what keeps visitors, staff, volunteers, and organizations energized and engaged—especially in times of challenge. Together, we’ll reflect on how we can support one another across borders, share ideas that uplift, and most importantly, discover ways to stay inspired in our own practice.
IC Connects Discusses
How Do We Best Interpret Difficult Stories?
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. EDT
What defines difficult stories and how do we interpret them in meaningful and engaging ways?
You asked for this topic! Now, it’s time to add your voice to the conversation in the first of Interpretation Canada’s 2025 Professional Development sessions. This is not a lecture—this session will be driven by participants, featuring real discussions, shared experiences, and collective learning.
Come prepared to contribute your insights, share your stories, and exchange valuable resources with fellow interpreters from across Canada. If you can, please bring examples of relevant policies and procedures from your institution.
This interactive, conversation-based workshop will not be recorded.
Interpreter Training Exchange: Ideas, Feedback, and Enhancements
August 15, 2024
Summer is coming to a close! Now is a great time to reflect back on training and how it helped you have a successful season. Joining your colleagues in this session you'll have the opportunity to discuss interpreter training, share valuable experiences, and suggest meaningful improvements for future training. Benefit from the insights and expertise of IC board members Jacquie Gilson, a seasoned trainer, and Shaney Nadalin, a recent trainee, who will guide us through a series of thought-provoking questions.