Here’s what some of our new BEd instructors had to say about their decision to join the faculty at St. Mary’s University College:

Dr. Bryan Szumlas, Supervisor, Teaching and Learning, Calgary Catholic School District
St. Mary’s University has a strong team of people who are caring and have high standards. I’ve chosen to join the program as a faculty member so that I can share my experiences with students and colleagues in hopes of further improving teacher preparation in Alberta.

Judy Goldsworthy, Teacher, Strathcona Tweedsmuir School (private)
My attraction to the BEd program at St. Mary’s University College was the emphasis on values education.  As social justice is my passion, I look forward to weaving this thread into my course as a faculty member.

Margret Hagon, former Assistant Principal, Calgary Board of Education
 I am very impressed with the quality of the student teachers at StMU and look forward to sharing my expertise and to the wonderful conversation that we will have around curriculum as it relates to teaching and learning.

Dr. Andy Reimer
Educational Consultant
We've really been challenged not just to "teach teaching" but to model to our education students what being a teacher is all about in our classes. I want my students to catch a passion for creative education and a love for their students.

EXPERIENCED EDUCATORS JOIN BEd FACULTY

BEd Faculty & Staff, 2011-2012
(back l-r) Dr. Mark Charlton, Vice-President Academic and Dean; Dr. Andy Reimer; Judy Goldsworthy; Dr. Derrick Mohamed; Sr. Rose Anne Engel; Dr. Bryan Szumlas; Dr. Peter Prinsen, Senior Manager, Professional Standards Branch, Alberta Education; Shirley Gaura; Margret Hagon; Tony Makowski; Tom Brinsmead (front l-r) Brian Briggs; Hanah Pigeau, Education Program Assistant; Christine Louie; Linda Dudar, Director of Education; Bernadette O'Donnell

Newly-recruited instructors bring valuable expertise and extensive classroom teaching and school leadership experience to St. Mary’s Bachelor of Education program this year.

Education Director Linda Dudar said the education faculty now has representation from Calgary-area Catholic, public and private school districts.

“This year, we had a very unique opportunity to recruit a diverse group of instructors for first- and second-year courses,” Dudar said. “We have selected individuals with strengths in various school settings who bring their commitment and passion about education to St. Mary’s.”

Tom Brinsmead, Principal of Father James Whelihan School in South Calgary, said St. Mary’s BEd program is “quickly becoming one of the strongest education programs in the province. The practicum students are outstanding individuals. Riding this wave is an honour!” he said.

Brinsmead will team-teach both first- and second-year students with Tony Makowski, the Principal at Our Lady of Peace School.

Makowski, who brings 31 years of experience as a teacher and administrator to his new role at St. Mary’s, said he has heard “many positives about the program from practicum students and people in the community.”

Shirley Gaura, recently a principal with the Calgary Board of Education, said she was drawn to the “ethic of care” demonstrated by administrators of the Bachelor of Education program.

“Continuing to make a contribution to education in the rigorous academic setting of St. Mary’s University College will be a perfect transition from my rewarding career as a teacher and school administrator,” Gaura said. She will teach Curriculum Basics Level II to first-year students in the upcoming winter term.

Dudar said the experiences and backgrounds of these new instructors will ensure that students are well prepared “for whatever educational setting they choose, Catholic or non-Catholic.”