News

Nine Education students among 54 Academic All-Canadians

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:10:33

Nine students from the Bachelor of Education program headline a group of 54 St. Francis Xavier University students named as Academic All-Canadians. These students have achieved an average of 80% or better in their courses over the past year while representing the university in their various athletic disciplines. Additionally, St. Francis Xavier athletes have provided over 2000 hours of service to the community.

Our athletes include Sean Donovan and Kurt Jerrett from hockey. Both Sean and Kurt graduated with degrees in secondary education in 2011 and are currently working in Cape Breton and Bedford respectively. Courtnay Malcolm and Megan Pritchard represent the women’s rugby team and are currently in their second year of the Bachelor of Education program. Megan is pursuing a degree in elementary education with a Physical Education specialization while Courtnay is preparing for secondary education with specializations in Family Studies, Science, and English.

Basketball player Camesha McKenzie is in her second year of secondary education preparing to teach Physical Education and Social Studies. She is joined as an Academic All-Canadian by Kwame Osei-Peprah from the football team. Kwame is also studying secondary education with specializations in Physical Education and Social Studies. Two cross-country team members received recognition, Donald Rasmussen and Kelly MacDonald. Donald graduated from secondary education in 2011 and is currently teaching English in Guangdong, China. Kelly is in her second year of the secondary program and will graduate with Physical Education and Science specializations. Volleyball team member Catherine Thornton rounds out the list of Academic All-Canadians. Catherine is in her first year of the Bachelor of Education program studying secondary education with specializations in Gaelic and Social Studies.

Congratulations to all of our students who are combining athletic and academic success in their university careers.

Global Shortage of Teachers Looming

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:14:42

From the London Guardian Datablog in October, 2011:

The world urgently needs to recruit more than 8 million extra teachers, according to UN estimates, warning that a looming shortage of primary school teachers threatens to undermine global efforts to ensure universal access to primary education by 2015.

At least 2m new teaching positions will need to be created by 2015, the UN said in a report published this week. An additional 6.2 million teachers will need to be recruited to maintain current workforces and replace those expected to retire or leave classrooms due to career changes, illnesses, or death.

Please access the full report through the following link:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/datablog/2011/oct/07/un-estimate-teachers-shortage-worldwide?newsfeed=true

Whidden Bridge Inquiry

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:25:17

The second year B Ed (elementary) students started off the term by taking part in an Integrated Inquiry Unit about the Whidden Bridge, right outside Xavier Hall. Inquiry work is one avenue to enable children to develop skills and attitudes that they will require in this 21st century. What better way to learn about the process and outcomes of inquiry work than to experience it? And, how intriguing to make the “ordinary” into something “extraordinary”!

The essential question for the inquiry was “Why is the bridge important?” The first day of class, the students chose spots on, beside, or under the bridge and sat in silence to observe and wonder. Many students were amazed at how serene and quiet it was beside the brook and how much they noticed once they stopped and looked. The second day all the students collected data about the traffic on the bridge. This was another eye-opening experience, bringing us closer to appreciating the importance of the bridge. Finally, groups of students investigated further into areas of interest about the bridge – the history, the brook, the beautification, the trees, the drainage pipes, the bridge construction, and the graffiti.

By the time this brief inquiry unit was over, many students acknowledged that they will never think about the bridge in the same way again. Some declared they would like to help in the clean up of the area around the bridge, or in the construction of a pathway system near the bridge, or in the beautification of the town. In the uncertain future of the 21st century, students will need skills to ask how and why and, most of all, what is my responsibility? Because of their experience with the Bridge project, the B Ed students are more prepared to offer relevant, authentic and engaging inquiry experiences to the students they will teach – helping students develop the skills and attitudes for the unfolding 21st century.

One student wrote these reflections: “At one time, I would drive over the bridge and not think twice. It was something that got me from one place to another. I never took the time to notice the beauty it entails. The flowers, water and trees create a welcoming atmosphere that becomes very appealing when you take the time to notice what is in front of you….”

High Commissioner of Kenya on hand as education students leave for international field practicum

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:32:47

High Commissioner of Kenya on hand as education students leave for international field practicum

As 14 StFX education students and two recent grads readied to leave for Kenya for six weeks of international field experience, no less than the High Commissioner of the Republic of Kenya to Canada was on hand to wish them well in their teaching experience.

His Excellency, Simon Nabukwesi, who is also the Ambassador to Cuba, was on hand at StFX on March 5 to speak with faculty, staff, students and guests, and to present visas to the students going to Kenya with education professor Dr. Bosire Monari Mwebi.

This is the second time Dr. Mwebi has led a delegation of education students to his native Kenya.

“Our Canadian classrooms are becoming more diverse. It’s important for teachers to have a cross-cultural experience, that they can bring that to support their teaching,” he says.

The students agree. Not only is the trip self-funded, the two grads, teachers now, are in fact taking an education leave from their jobs in the local school board to participate.

The group will teach in Grade 9-12 classrooms from March 6-April 19.

“This trip will have a profound impact on my career in teaching,” says education student Kyle Andrew Sarka. “To be in a place like Kenya and to be able to dive into something as special as their education system is something that will change the way I think about teaching in general.”

Mr. Sarka says his sister had a similar experience in Kenya, and he was thrilled to learn he’d have an opportunity from StFX. “Her experience was priceless so when she found out that I had the potential to go I jumped on board.”

As a social studies teacher, Mr. Sarka says the fact that he has had the opportunity to teach in an international setting is something that brings a real experience to discussions and lessons.

“Also, I am sure I will learn lessons both in and out of the classroom there that will help solidify my teaching philosophy. It is a very special experience and I am sure I will draw on it for the rest of my career.”

Sherrill Lindsay, a teacher from Pictou Academy, will be part of the Kenya field experience, and she says the students from Nairobi will be linking with her Canadian classroom. “This cross-cultural connection among not only teachers but students brings a new synergy to education and more specifically sexual health education. I am excited to have my students connect with the Nairobi school through an online Moodle and research and discuss real, useful information from within the classroom but truly of use outside of the classroom. As a teacher this is very gratifying to teach relevant information and have the students produce their own resource.

“The personal experience speaks for itself. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, perhaps. I have wanted to teach in an African school for many years and now my life long dream is coming true. The bonus is the professor, Bo and 14 pre-service teachers and a graduate studies teacher all having the same desire in common. A truly unique experience.”