U of C Student Teachers Return to CEFL - Lorna Malanik

     For the first time in over a decade and a half, the Centre for Excellence in Foundational Learning hosted student-teachers.  In the second practicum of their first year, student-teachers are required to experience alternative, small group delivery and so five excited potential teachers were paired with FlexClass instructors for three weeks.

    
 The instructors in FlexClass feel that our student-teachers were very lucky to have been chosen to do their practicum with Bow Valley College.   We are very proud of what we do in the CEFL and to be able to provide these new teachers with experiences that are unique and leading edge.  The three weeks went very quickly as each student-teacher experienced not only the FlexClass class environment, but also got to sit in on RTOL classes, be shown ATOL, participate in a smudge ceremony  at the Iniikokaan Aboriginal Centre, and be involved in an exam review session. The students also made small group presentations and worked with FlexClass students one-on-one. 

     
Over the three weeks that the student-teachers were with us, they gained a deep appreciation for what ‘diversity in the classroom’ really means.  It was interesting for the student-teachers to meet learners with such unique backgrounds, varied ages, and dissimilar educational experiences returning to school for a multitude of reasons and with a range of goals upon finishing.  The student-teachers commented on the level of commitment required of a student returning to school – often juggling work, children, and other obligations all while fulfilling their study requirements and ultimately bettering their own lives and the lives of their families.  Over the three weeks, the practicum students gained a renewed respect for what it means to be a life-long learner and also solidified the importance of becoming skilled and knowledgeable teachers themselves in order to help young learners gain a solid foundation in their early years. 

     
In the words of the practicum students:

"Being a part of the BVC staff and instructors for the past three weeks has been an eye opening experience for all of us. We have learned much about adult learners and their needs through our partner teachers and we are extremely grateful for this opportunity. Working with such focused and motivated students gave us a deeper insight on the type of environment BVC offers. The level  of devotion and professionalism among the BVC staff has made us work harder and strive to be the best teachers we can be in our near future.  Students at BVC are quite different than the students we see in traditional high schools. These students came to BVC because they wanted to, not because they had to. They are motivated and deserve
all the credit for being successful. Having the confidence to trust yourself to complete a course shows how dedicated the students and their instructors are. We are humbled by this experience  and hope to carry this level of devotion in our future careers as teachers.”

     It was a pleasure to re-experience teaching through fresh eyes and to see the growth our student-teachers experienced in a mere three weeks.  Thank you to all instructors and staff who welcomed the student-teachers to the College as well as your classrooms; your efforts made this an enriching experience for all.  We look forward to welcoming a new set of student-teachers in the near future.