Teacher Orientation

Day 2 (of 187) – September 5, 2018

Wow. It’s Day 2 of the Teacher Candidates Orientation at UNBC. It was so great to see again and listen to BC Ministry of Education’s Superintendent of Learning Pat Duncan speak to our Teacher Candidates about BC’s New Curriculum. It’s nice to hear from the person “on the top” talk about what’s being imagined for BC Education and WHY we are doing it. I was shocked about the exponential growth of technology and access to information. It was a nice reminder to listen to Pat with the continued message from the Ministry of Education that change is happening, it needs to happen, and it’s going to be messy. It’s so crazy for our Teacher Candidates to consider especially when we have been educated in a school system that was predictable, efficient, and routine-like.

I also appreciated that after Pat’s 1.5 hour presentation that he field questions from our Teacher Candidates after his spiel, during lunch, and afterwards with our Year 2 Teacher Candidates. Our students asked some really difficult questions and I could not help myself but jump in from time to time about my take on BC’s New Curriculum and where I think we’re heading towards. It was a great dialogue and we also heard from other UNBC instructors… Glen, Deb, and Richard… contributing to the conversation. I am grateful that our students were not shy to ask the tough questions. Ir reminds of me of the “wicked question.” Questions with no clear answers. This can make some people uneasy and frustrated, but also it may make others excited and liberated. For me, I’m the latter.

Thank you to the School of Education Coordinator Deb Koehn and Placement Coordinator Carol Fedyk for making this 2-day learning experience with our Teacher Candidates possible. For me, it was very classic “education” but also it was a great way for our students to transition back into university life and for teacher training via Practicum. Lots of learning ahead and I also felt like this 2-day experience was part of my orientation as Lecturer/Instructor at the university. For this, I am grateful. The day concludes with me doing work in my office and preparing for tomorrow’s class and beyond. I sent my detailed course syllabi to our copy centre with no expectations of getting my copies until next week. NOPE. I got them within an HOUR!!! I was shocked and dismayed. Thank you Barry for your kindness, communication, and quality of work. This made my day!!!