BACHELOR OF EDUCATION STUDENTS GAIN PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IN THE YUKON

(November 1, 2011) -- Second-year students in St. Mary’s University College’s Bachelor of Education program are currently completing student teaching assignments as they prepare for their professional teaching careers.

While most participating schools are in the Calgary area, six students were given the opportunity to complete their eight-week work experience placement with the Whitehorse School District.

The students posed for a photo with Education Director Linda Dudar (top) before their trip north. They are: (back row, l-r) Alexandra Mansbridge, Jessica Winkler, Colleen Wall, (front row l-r) Kevin Legare, Chelsea Makowski and Steve Erick.

We asked Steve Erick (below) a few questions about his placement to find out more about this exciting expansion beyond Alberta’s borders.

Q: How did you feel when you found out that Whitehorse was a possible practicum location? A: I felt that it was a great opportunity for me to diversify my teaching abilities and experience in a relatively unique and exotic place in the world.

Q: What are you looking forward to the most about this unique placement?
A:  I think some of the main things I am looking forward to outside the program are the opportunities to see the Northern Lights, ride on a dog sled, and possibly see the Pacific Ocean from the Alaskan coast. Also, teaching in the Yukon will provide me with knowledge about First Nations/Inuit education, which is something I have a real interest in. The people of the North have a long and rich history and I am very interested in learning some of their approaches to education.

Q: Do you think offering a practicum placement in a place like Whitehorse is beneficial to St. Mary’s BEd program? A: It is beneficial in two ways. First, our program will begin to build a strong reputation nationally for quality Catholic education if students begin to do their practicums outside of Calgary. Second, our students will have the opportunity to diversify their teaching/learning experience which will help St. Mary’s produce well-rounded, knowledgeable educators.