Dr. Evra Trought-Pitters and her committee members in the new Graduate Defence Room. L to R, Dr. Festus Moasun, Dr. James Oloo, Trought-Pitters and Dr. Clinton Beckford. (Courtesy of Evra Trought-Pitters/University of Windsor)
Dr. Evra Trought-Pitters sees a future where Indigenous Knowledges are meaningfully included in Ontario elementary and secondary mathematics education.
The Toronto District School Board educator recently defended her University of Windsor doctoral dissertation in education, examining how educational leaders can help teachers incorporate Indigenous Knowledges and perspectives into mathematics instruction respectfully.
“At the heart of the study is the idea that mathematics is often treated as completely separate from culture, history, and ways of knowing,” says Trought-Pitters.
“However, educational policies and commitments to reconciliation call on educators to recognize and include Indigenous perspectives across the curriculum.”
In her research, Trought-Pitters examined how mathematics teaching and professional learning can include Indigenous perspectives, focusing particularly on non-Indigenous mathematics coordinators and elementary and secondary school learning coaches in Ontario.
“I wanted to understand how these leaders approach including Indigenous Knowledges in mathematics professional development and what helps or hinders them from doing this work meaningfully,” she says.
“Ultimately, my research asks how we can better support educational leaders so that Indigenous Knowledges are not treated as an occasional addition to mathematics instruction or as something separate from the curriculum.”
Instead, her research considers how educators can develop the understanding, relationships and professional capacity needed to engage with Indigenous Knowledges in ways that are respectful, reciprocal, meaningful and connected to students’ everyday learning experiences.
Through the lens of Ontario’s publicly funded education system, she connects provincial policy expectations, including the 2007 First Nation, Métis and Inuit Education Policy Framework, with the day-to-day experiences of mathematics leadership and professional development within school boards.
Trought-Pitters’ defence also marked a University first.
She was the first graduate student to defend in the University’s new Graduate Defence Room, a designated space on the third floor of Leddy Library’s west building designed specifically for master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation defences in both in-person and hybrid formats.
“It was comfortable without being casual, professional without being intimidating, and spacious without feeling impersonal,” says Trought-Pitters.
“As I sat there defending research that had taken me years to complete, I felt that the space supported the significance of the moment while also allowing me to remain calm, reflective, and engaged.”
She says she is grateful her doctoral defence took place in such a welcoming, thoughtfully designed environment.
Dr. Evra Trought-Pitters successfully defended her PhD thesis in the new Graduate Defence Room in the Leddy Library. (Courtesy of Trought-Pitters/University of Windsor)
“My doctoral studies became an important part of my academic journey,” she says.
“Completing my PhD at Windsor and defending my dissertation in this room was therefore a particularly significant milestone.”
Dr. Clinton Beckford, Trought-Pitters’ supervisor, says the room offers advantages over more conventional spaces such as classrooms or conference rooms.
“It has exceptional natural lighting with a view so it could be calming and relaxing for students,” says Beckford.
“The room is a great resource for the institution, and I believe it will become a favourite for supervisors and students over time.”
For Trought-Pitters, the atmosphere of a defence space matters more than people may realize.
“After investing years of intellectual, emotional, and personal effort in completing a PhD, the environment in which a candidate defends their research can meaningfully shape how they experience that final milestone,” she says.
“A space that feels welcoming, appropriately sized, and thoughtfully designed can help reduce some of the natural anxiety associated with the occasion.”
The Graduate Defence Room is equipped with large tables and seating, a presentation screen and technology for committee members participating remotely. It can accommodate up to 15 guests and includes a private preparation area and dedicated washroom.
University of Windsor departments and faculties can request the Graduate Defence Room through the online booking form. Use of the space is subject to availability and approval.
Additional information, including room details and booking instructions, is available on the Leddy Library website.