Vanessa Kirtz
@mrsvkirtz.bsky.social
Contemporary Studies teacher, life-long learner, love of all things history, proponent of experiential learning.
https://definingmomentscanada.ca/veday75/student-soldier-biographies/
https://definingmomentscanada.ca/veday75/student-soldier-biographies/
Really enjoyed the first session of the 2026 Virtual Historical Thinking Institute. Looking forward to the opportunity to continue to connect with other history educators and learn how to best teach our students about history using the historical thinking concepts!
January 15, 2026 at 3:29 AM
Really enjoyed the first session of the 2026 Virtual Historical Thinking Institute. Looking forward to the opportunity to continue to connect with other history educators and learn how to best teach our students about history using the historical thinking concepts!
So, I noticed for some of my posts my links don't work and they may be a little confusing about how to research WW2 Canadian soldiers so here is the ppt I used for the Historical society on how to do reseach. Please comment to let me know if any links do not work. drive.google.com/file/d/1t3XP...
2.0 Instructions for How to Complete the Research Oct 30.pdf
drive.google.com
January 12, 2026 at 2:07 PM
So, I noticed for some of my posts my links don't work and they may be a little confusing about how to research WW2 Canadian soldiers so here is the ppt I used for the Historical society on how to do reseach. Please comment to let me know if any links do not work. drive.google.com/file/d/1t3XP...
I would like to share the organziation that I have been in contact with who are trying to ensure that the sacrifice of Canadians in WW2 are not forgotten.
January 6, 2026 at 3:52 AM
I would like to share the organziation that I have been in contact with who are trying to ensure that the sacrifice of Canadians in WW2 are not forgotten.
After having presented to a historical society on how to research Canadian WW2 soldiers, I realized that it took 6 years to find a treasure trove of websites that aided in our research. I thought I would share these sites in hopes to help others who are trying to do similar work.
January 6, 2026 at 3:09 AM
After having presented to a historical society on how to research Canadian WW2 soldiers, I realized that it took 6 years to find a treasure trove of websites that aided in our research. I thought I would share these sites in hopes to help others who are trying to do similar work.
Reposted by Vanessa Kirtz
Canada's expulsion of thousands of Japanese Canadians 80 years ago offers lessons in a world of sharpening borders, insecurity and talk of who does and does not belong in a national community:
theconversation.com/canadas-exil...
theconversation.com/canadas-exil...
Canada’s exile of Japanese Canadian citizens: A shameful 80-year anniversary few remember
Canada’s expulsion of thousands of Japanese Canadians 80 years ago offers lessons in a world of sharpening borders, insecurity and talk of who does and does not belong in a national community.
theconversation.com
December 17, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Canada's expulsion of thousands of Japanese Canadians 80 years ago offers lessons in a world of sharpening borders, insecurity and talk of who does and does not belong in a national community:
theconversation.com/canadas-exil...
theconversation.com/canadas-exil...
Reposted by Vanessa Kirtz
Not new, but interesting.
An article I wrote about the dreadful history of child labour in Ontario.
Link: www.tvo.org/article/disr...
@tvodocs.bsky.social
An article I wrote about the dreadful history of child labour in Ontario.
Link: www.tvo.org/article/disr...
@tvodocs.bsky.social
December 17, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Not new, but interesting.
An article I wrote about the dreadful history of child labour in Ontario.
Link: www.tvo.org/article/disr...
@tvodocs.bsky.social
An article I wrote about the dreadful history of child labour in Ontario.
Link: www.tvo.org/article/disr...
@tvodocs.bsky.social
Reposted by Vanessa Kirtz
Dear Doug Ford and Paul Calandra,
Make students' spirits bright this holiday season by investing in #OntEd and smaller class sizes.
Sincerely,
- Ontario
Make students' spirits bright this holiday season by investing in #OntEd and smaller class sizes.
Sincerely,
- Ontario
December 16, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Dear Doug Ford and Paul Calandra,
Make students' spirits bright this holiday season by investing in #OntEd and smaller class sizes.
Sincerely,
- Ontario
Make students' spirits bright this holiday season by investing in #OntEd and smaller class sizes.
Sincerely,
- Ontario
I just did a virtual presentation for a Geneology Club on how to do research on Canadian soldiers who fought and died in the Second World War. What is scarier - that I had 99 slides or that I went through it in an hour and a half? No one left so they must have liked it :)☺️
November 13, 2025 at 3:00 AM
I just did a virtual presentation for a Geneology Club on how to do research on Canadian soldiers who fought and died in the Second World War. What is scarier - that I had 99 slides or that I went through it in an hour and a half? No one left so they must have liked it :)☺️
Reposted by Vanessa Kirtz
Media Literacy Tips.
In this AI era, vigilance is key! 🍁
#CanadianLibraryMonth #MediaLiteracy #Libraries #Literacy #FactChecking #ChooseCanada🍁
October 29, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Media Literacy Tips.
In this AI era, vigilance is key! 🍁
#CanadianLibraryMonth #MediaLiteracy #Libraries #Literacy #FactChecking #ChooseCanada🍁
So excited to be at the War Museum for the Oral History and The Veterans Experience Conference. Looking forward to hearing to hearing the presentations and the participating in the workshop on genealogy!
October 3, 2025 at 12:40 PM
So excited to be at the War Museum for the Oral History and The Veterans Experience Conference. Looking forward to hearing to hearing the presentations and the participating in the workshop on genealogy!
Reposted by Vanessa Kirtz
PLEASE REPOST 🥺🙏
The Canadian Letters & Images Project is an online digital archive of Canadians’ experience during wartime at home & in battle. It contains thousands of personal letters & photos that reveal people’s experience through their own words & eyes.
www.canadianletters.ca/content/abou...
The Canadian Letters & Images Project is an online digital archive of Canadians’ experience during wartime at home & in battle. It contains thousands of personal letters & photos that reveal people’s experience through their own words & eyes.
www.canadianletters.ca/content/abou...
August 23, 2025 at 5:02 PM
PLEASE REPOST 🥺🙏
The Canadian Letters & Images Project is an online digital archive of Canadians’ experience during wartime at home & in battle. It contains thousands of personal letters & photos that reveal people’s experience through their own words & eyes.
www.canadianletters.ca/content/abou...
The Canadian Letters & Images Project is an online digital archive of Canadians’ experience during wartime at home & in battle. It contains thousands of personal letters & photos that reveal people’s experience through their own words & eyes.
www.canadianletters.ca/content/abou...
Reposted by Vanessa Kirtz
Thanks for the reminder @janemunday.bsky.social. Every summer, I repost this article DROWNING DOES NOT LOOK LIKE DROWNING. To date, I know of FOUR kids who were saved after someone who'd clicked on the link learnt how to spot actual drowning. Take time to read and pass on.
slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com/technology/2...
Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning
Drowning is not the violent, splashing call for help that most people expect.
slate.com
June 19, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Thanks for the reminder @janemunday.bsky.social. Every summer, I repost this article DROWNING DOES NOT LOOK LIKE DROWNING. To date, I know of FOUR kids who were saved after someone who'd clicked on the link learnt how to spot actual drowning. Take time to read and pass on.
slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Vanessa Kirtz
Today is the International Day for Countering Hate Speech. Hate propaganda can sometimes be disguised as a reasonable argument. But if you learn to spot these signs, you’ll recognize hate messages whether they’re in a post, an article, a video or a meme.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy_8...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy_8...
Spotting hate propaganda | Break the Fake
YouTube video by MediaSmarts | HabiloMédias
www.youtube.com
June 18, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Today is the International Day for Countering Hate Speech. Hate propaganda can sometimes be disguised as a reasonable argument. But if you learn to spot these signs, you’ll recognize hate messages whether they’re in a post, an article, a video or a meme.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy_8...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy_8...
On Sunday, May 4, there was a silent march to Groesbeek cemetery for the ceremony.The ceremony included a speech from the Mayor, wreath laying, music from the RCMP and a singer.It was a very moving experience! Penny Lessard met her soldier James Cadzow's family, who she wrote a life story about.
May 20, 2025 at 5:08 PM
On Sunday, May 4, there was a silent march to Groesbeek cemetery for the ceremony.The ceremony included a speech from the Mayor, wreath laying, music from the RCMP and a singer.It was a very moving experience! Penny Lessard met her soldier James Cadzow's family, who she wrote a life story about.
On May 5th, Jimmy Jimbo and Tjarco Schuurman guided us to the locations that soldiers, my students have researched, fought and were killed. It was incredably powerful to stand where they stood over 80 years ago - especially at the Hochwald Gap. So many lives lost for such a small piece of land.
May 20, 2025 at 4:29 PM
On May 5th, Jimmy Jimbo and Tjarco Schuurman guided us to the locations that soldiers, my students have researched, fought and were killed. It was incredably powerful to stand where they stood over 80 years ago - especially at the Hochwald Gap. So many lives lost for such a small piece of land.
After the ceremony, I then was able to meet Paul Bickerton, the nephew of one of our soldiers Walter Kasurak, Brian Akitt who is the nephew of Lloyd Wilson and Karen Cullen, the great niece of Dan Gooley. Of course, it meant so
much to share this with Kurt Johnson (editor) and Alice van Bekkum.
much to share this with Kurt Johnson (editor) and Alice van Bekkum.
May 20, 2025 at 4:26 PM
After the ceremony, I then was able to meet Paul Bickerton, the nephew of one of our soldiers Walter Kasurak, Brian Akitt who is the nephew of Lloyd Wilson and Karen Cullen, the great niece of Dan Gooley. Of course, it meant so
much to share this with Kurt Johnson (editor) and Alice van Bekkum.
much to share this with Kurt Johnson (editor) and Alice van Bekkum.
After the book launch, I was at Groesbeek for the ceremony. I had learned that morning it was going to be live on CBC - eeks. I honoured to speak on behalf of my students and our soldier's families about what the work of Faces to Graves means to them. It was lovely that 21 Veterans attended.
May 20, 2025 at 4:23 PM
After the book launch, I was at Groesbeek for the ceremony. I had learned that morning it was going to be live on CBC - eeks. I honoured to speak on behalf of my students and our soldier's families about what the work of Faces to Graves means to them. It was lovely that 21 Veterans attended.
Friday, May 2nd started with the book launch of Faces of the Liberation at the Freedom Museum. I met Jaap Verheul and Frank Mehring, the editors and Alice van Bekkum, cofounder of Faces to Graves. I was honoured that they asked me to speak a few words about our work with Faces to Graves.
May 20, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Friday, May 2nd started with the book launch of Faces of the Liberation at the Freedom Museum. I met Jaap Verheul and Frank Mehring, the editors and Alice van Bekkum, cofounder of Faces to Graves. I was honoured that they asked me to speak a few words about our work with Faces to Graves.
Reposted by Vanessa Kirtz
Is your child passionate about aviation, aerospace, or STEM?
The RCAF Foundation Student Scholarship supports Canadian students aged 25 or younger in post-secondary studies in these fields. This scholarship can help turn their dream into reality.
Learn more: rcaffoundation.ca/student-scho...
The RCAF Foundation Student Scholarship supports Canadian students aged 25 or younger in post-secondary studies in these fields. This scholarship can help turn their dream into reality.
Learn more: rcaffoundation.ca/student-scho...
May 14, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Is your child passionate about aviation, aerospace, or STEM?
The RCAF Foundation Student Scholarship supports Canadian students aged 25 or younger in post-secondary studies in these fields. This scholarship can help turn their dream into reality.
Learn more: rcaffoundation.ca/student-scho...
The RCAF Foundation Student Scholarship supports Canadian students aged 25 or younger in post-secondary studies in these fields. This scholarship can help turn their dream into reality.
Learn more: rcaffoundation.ca/student-scho...
To end my day, I went to Groesbeek Canadian war cemetery where I laid cards for the soldiers that my students had written about for Faces to Graves. Current students wrote messages on the back. My wonderful friends took a picture of each headstone which I will share with families.
May 2, 2025 at 5:15 AM
To end my day, I went to Groesbeek Canadian war cemetery where I laid cards for the soldiers that my students had written about for Faces to Graves. Current students wrote messages on the back. My wonderful friends took a picture of each headstone which I will share with families.
I just attended the launch of the Indigenous Liberators exhibit. It was wonderful to hear the Indigenous speakers talk about their family members experiences of the war. It was lovely to see a jingle dance and a throat singing. Amazing!
May 2, 2025 at 5:05 AM
I just attended the launch of the Indigenous Liberators exhibit. It was wonderful to hear the Indigenous speakers talk about their family members experiences of the war. It was lovely to see a jingle dance and a throat singing. Amazing!
I have arrived safely in Amsterdam. We were on the plane with 21 WW2 veterans. They received a very moving message on the plane and applause. when we arrived in Amsterdam, the Dutch gave the plane an escort and gave a water cannon salute. Amazing!
May 1, 2025 at 11:18 AM
I have arrived safely in Amsterdam. We were on the plane with 21 WW2 veterans. They received a very moving message on the plane and applause. when we arrived in Amsterdam, the Dutch gave the plane an escort and gave a water cannon salute. Amazing!
Reposted by Vanessa Kirtz
On this day in 1917 the Canadian Corps advanced together into battle and captured Vimy Ridge. It was easily their most famous (but not most important) victory of the First World War.
A thread on the myths and reality of this celebrated battle:
1/
A thread on the myths and reality of this celebrated battle:
1/
April 9, 2025 at 2:30 PM
On this day in 1917 the Canadian Corps advanced together into battle and captured Vimy Ridge. It was easily their most famous (but not most important) victory of the First World War.
A thread on the myths and reality of this celebrated battle:
1/
A thread on the myths and reality of this celebrated battle:
1/
We has a wonderful field trip Wednesday. Gr. 10 students visited @LibraryArchives and saw the file folders of WW2 soldiers they are researching. In the afternoon, we visited the National Holocaust Monument and then the @CanWarMuseum where students were able to talk to Veterans and see the exhibits.
March 29, 2025 at 2:07 PM
We has a wonderful field trip Wednesday. Gr. 10 students visited @LibraryArchives and saw the file folders of WW2 soldiers they are researching. In the afternoon, we visited the National Holocaust Monument and then the @CanWarMuseum where students were able to talk to Veterans and see the exhibits.