About Critical Friendship
Welcome to the revolutionary world of Critical Friendship! We are Taunya and Courtney, the leading Canadian scholars and authors on Critical Friendship in Canada. Beginning in 2013, our work has been published globally and implemented in the education sector. After a decade of research and scholarship, we published The Critical Friendship Revolution: Leading Ethical Practice Through Authentic Relationships to help more people learn about Critical Friendship beyond our academic audiences. Whether you are looking for support in your schools, leadership spaces, or in a corporate setting, we can help make Critical Friendship work for you!
Authors
Dr. Taunya Wideman-Johnston
Dr. Taunya Wideman-Johnston is a social scientist, speaker, and advocate. She is the author of The Extraordinary Gifts: My Life with a Chronic Illness. Taunya has a philosophy doctorate in educational sustainability. Her graduate research focused on reframing disability with a strength-based perspective. Since 2010, Taunya’s research and teaching expertise includes disability studies, child learning and development, and health and wellness. Alongside her doctoral research, Taunya concurrently began studying critical friendship in academia and has expanded her focus to include educational leadership. Taunya’s research has been published in several academic journals and presented at national and international conferences. Taunya’s commitment to self-advocacy as a person with a disability has been featured on recurring national news segments related to chronic health conditions, disabilities, ostomy awareness, and infertility. Taunya lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and their children.
Dr. Courtney A. Brewer
Dr. Courtney A. Brewer is a teacher and research enthusiast. Courtney has taught Kindergarten, graduate studies, and everything in between. In 2013, she began devoting her research expertise to studying critical friendship in education. Courtney has a philosophy doctorate in critical policy, equity and leadership studies in education. Her doctoral research focused on supporting refugee mothers as they transitioned their children to school. This work received the SSHRC Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship. Courtney’s research has been widely published and includes a co-edited a book entitled Immigrant and Refugee Students in Canada. She has presented her work at national and international conferences, and has developed the YouTube channel “CourtneyAnnePhD” to bridge gaps in research and practice in education. Courtney lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and four children.