We are very excited to announce the opening and closing keynote speakers for WILU 2011:

Opening Keynote:

Brian Thwaits is known as the “Brain Trainer”. He is a former educator with over 25 years of teaching and training experience in both the public and private sectors, he began his career by winning a national student award at Lakehead University and concluded it by receiving the President’s Award for Excellence from Mohawk College for his work both at the institution and in the community. He has appeared in various media and is the author of The Big Learn: Smart Ways to Use Your Brain. Thousands of people in countless audiences have experienced Brian’s unique and thought-provoking take on how we use our heads. His sessions cleverly combine the latest information from the disciplines of brain research, learning theory and the communication field to suggest innovative and practical approaches to issues we face daily in the workplace, in the classroom, and in our personal lives.

Closing Keynote:

David Bouchard is a Canadian Métis author and literacy advocate and has produced more than fifty books for readers of all ages, including two guides on reading for parents and educators. An erstwhile teacher and school principal, he is particularly concerned with Aboriginal-related issues and is a sought-after speaker for conference keynotes and school presentations and on topics of reading, literacy and aboriginal well-being. In April 2009, Bouchard was named as a Member of the Order of Canada “for his contributions as an author of children’s books and an advocate who has championed the cause of reading and writing, and who has shared his pride as a member of the Métis community through his stories.”