By S. Busse (FSWC Educator)

Every February, the Toronto District School Board proudly recognizes Chinese Heritage Month, a celebration that shines a light on the rich contributions and spirit of Chinese Canadians. In the Chinese zodiac, 2026 will mark the Year of the Horse, a time for bold action, determination and the possibility of change.

The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, starts on February 17 this year and is a 16 - day celebration full of family gatherings, vibrant decorations, and feasts. Across TDSB, students participate in activities that celebrate Chinese culture and heritage including poster contests, one-minute videos reflecting on family and identity and author readings in elementary schools.  

These school-wide initiatives echo the board’s deeper mission: to engage learners in understanding both the triumphs and the trials of Chinese Canadian history and to celebrate the contributions of Chinese Canadians despite these barriers.  We address this history in our Canadian Experience presentation, which looks at the courage of Chinese railroad workers who largely built the Canadian Pacific Railway, despite enduring exploitation, mistreatment and exclusion through the "Chinese Head Tax" and other exclusionary laws of the 19th and 20th centuries.

In the Classroom:

1. Read and Reflect: Introduce your students to Valerie Ann Mah, TDSB’s first Chinese Canadian woman vice-principal, and Jean B. Lumb, a trailblazing activist who helped repeal exclusionary immigration laws.

2. Think, Write, Share: Ask students to explore how these or other Chinese Canadians overcame obstacles and championed change. Then, have students write personal reflections or create illustrations imagining themselves following in their footsteps¬-advocating for inclusion, justice, and equality.