Jonah Canner is an ambassador for the world we have not yet built. He believes in people, community, and the obligation we have to make positive change in the world around us. Jonah’s primary areas of focus include racial equity, restorative justice, experiential education, and working through conflict. Jonah has been on the founding team of a public high school, a summer camp, a national education organization and an international change initiative. He has worked as a classroom teacher, a summer camp director, and a consultant offering mentoring, training, and support for individuals and organizations. Jonah has a Masters in Education from the New School University in New York. In his free time Jonah is writing a collection of essays that explore questions of grief, identity, ancestry, and place.
Work Experience
Institute for Democratic Education in America (2009 - Present) Advisor & Facilitator: Facilitate in person and virtual gatherings including: Learning Tours, Learning Breakthrough Series, IDEA Camps, and Decolonize: A Learning and Solidarity Experience in Puerto Rico. Design and facilitation of IDEA’s antiracism course for white educators. Design and facilitation of the Oregon Racial Justice Institute: An 18 month long fellowship and learning series supporting BIPOC educators across the state of Oregon
Foundation for Jewish Camp (2010 - Present) Cornerstone Advisor: Offers coaching & support to camp counselors, their supervisors, and camp directors that participate in FJC’s Cornerstone Fellowship
Ramapo for Children (2013 - 2019) Restorative Justice Coach: Worked with school leaders, teachers, counselors and students to build the capacity of a school community to shift their culture and structures towards taking on a more restorative approach to teaching, learning and conflict
Avodah (2016 - 2019) NYC Justice Fellowship Director: Co-designed and facilitated an adult learning program focusing on social justice education in the context of Jewish communal leadership development.
Fertile Grounds Project (2006 - 2015) Co-Founder & Educational Director: Designed and implemented educational programs focusing on community building, wilderness education and academic development.Trained, supported and supervised youth and young adult staff in their roles as camp counselors, mentors and educators.
Community School for Social Justice (2002 - 2008) Founding Teacher & Advisor: Founding Teacher & Advisor: Taught history, literacy and performative arts for students at diverse academic levels. Mentored students in an advisory setting. Created school policies and programs to address behavioral and academic needs.