Building Connection: The Impact of a School Display Case

At Maamawi iyaawag Public School in Oshawa, a simple display case has become a powerful space for bringing communities together. 

Month by month, the display quietly tells the stories of cultural celebrations, religious holidays, spiritual practices, holy days, and dates of significance observed by students, staff, and the broader school community. Teacher Courtney Steele leads the initiative, using the space to represent and affirm identities within the school. It serves as an open invitation for anyone wishing to learn more about the school's rich diversity. 

"Students see their peers celebrating certain holidays or occasions, but they don’t always want to ask about it," Courtney explains. "The display case gives everyone an opportunity to share and learn at the same time. What I can do is offer what I know each month for celebrated holidays, observances, or dates of significance for our population here." 

That population is beautifully diverse. "We have a very large Muslim population, but we also have students practicing Hinduism, Christianity, and Judaism," Courtney says. "It’s not just from a religious perspective, but a cultural one too. The students I support are predominantly from Afghanistan, and I want to make sure they are reflected in the landscape of the school. It's an opportunity for me to build relationships and connections with the kids." 

Students and Staff Take Notice 

Students like Abeera B. are noticing—and appreciating—the effort. 

"For me, I really like the display case because we can get to know other religious holidays and what people believe in," Abeera says. "Mrs. Steele does an amazing, wonderful job, and I love how she changes them. My favorites are the Ramadan and Orange Shirt Day displays." 

The impact is felt by staff too. 

Ryan Tindale, a teacher at Maamawi iyaag Public School recounts how very appreciative families in the community are of his colleague’s efforts such as the graduation display last year. 

Ryan notes that frequency and intention are what make the project so successful. When a school display is only updated two or three times a year, students stop looking at it. But at Maamawi iyaawag Public School, the case changes every three weeks. 

"When it's done with intent, students expect a change," Ryan explains. "They consciously pass the case to see if their day of significance is recognized. The display lets others see their identity when they might be too shy to share it themselves. I would encourage all schools to think about how they could make their display cases representative of their student body." 

A Growing Community Responsibility 

Courtney knows the frequent rotation is hitting the mark. Nowadays, she often finds an audience when she is setting up a new exhibit. 

"The kids will just stay there and watch. They're like, 'What are you doing? What's that? Where'd it come from?' It's not just students anymore, either. Educators come up and ask questions, and parents will inquire before and after school during drop-off. They'll say, 'I always love when you do this, I always want to know what's coming next.'" 

While Courtney currently drives the project, her ultimate goal is to pass the torch to the wider community. 

"What I'm hoping is that I can build a group of people who want to continue this," Courtney says. "Yes, it might be fueled by me right now, but it's a shared responsibility. It's not just mine. I just happen to be the one making it into something physical to look at."