Teacher candidates joined students from Rosemont Elementary School at Kokanee Creek Provincial Park to learn about the life cycle of the Kokanee Salmon. Candidates were also able to observe local park interpreters work with small groups of elementary students in an outdoor setting. It was a great learning experience for all.
The Director of Innovative Learning Services from SD 8 (Kootenay Lake), Andy Leathwood, led our teacher candidates in a discussion around the current and possible future graduation requirements for the province. Our students had an opportunity to provide feedback on a number of questions that will be returned to the Ministry of Education as part of an on-going dialogue about graduation and other educational issues.
Another round of thanks goes out to Brent Kennedy Elementary and Mt. Sentinel in SD 8 (Kootenay Lake) for hosting our teacher candidates on the first day of the year. It was a great opportunity for them not only to get into schools right away, but also to experience the organization and energy of that first day.
Special thanks to the Arrow Lakes School District for inviting us to join their entire district staff in beautiful Burton, B.C. for some late summer learning. Our teacher candidates were excited to be a part of the day with presenters Judy Halbert and Linda Kaser, leaders of the Networks of Inquiry and Innovations and the Aboriginal Enhancement Schools Network in B.C. They found the day to be engaging and enlightening, providing them with lots to think about as they start their year of teacher education. As one candidate put it, the entire experience was “incredibly inspiring.” Thanks again to the Arrow Lakes School District.
WKTEP is pleased to welcome its new students for the 2012-13 school year. Classes have been running since late August and the teacher candidates have settled in well and are on their way to an exciting and successful year.
The West Kootenay Teacher Education Program provides teacher candidates with the opportunity to develop the professional qualities and effective practices for teaching in today’s complex learning environments, with a strong focus on community, collaboration, and innovation.