Teacher Teacher - Teacher Regulation Branch

BC College of Teachers
Teacher
shortages
and standards
A case study on academic requirements
In Profile:
Prof ile: Environmental educators
Ruth Foster and Rod MacVicar
Powerlifter Kim Dennis
spring
2006
Publications Agreement No. 40050835
2006-07 Annual
Certificate Fee Notice
CERTIFICATE FEES ARE DUE JUNE 30, 2006
BC College of Teachers
[ Your 2006-07 certificate fee is due June 30, 2006 ]
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holder, you are responsible for ensuring your annual certificate fee is paid. Non-payment results in
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.
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Teacher
shortages
ISSN 1712-0772
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and standards
A case study on academic requirements
In Prof
Profile:
ile: Environmental educators
Ruth Foster and Rod MacVicar
Powerlifter Kim Dennis
spring
2006
Pay your fee online
and you will be
entered to win a trip to
Therapy Vineyards & Guesthouse
™
Submit your BC College of Teachers certification fee online by June 30, 2006 and you'll
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in the heart of naturally beautiful Naramata Bench (just west of Penticton), Therapy™
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2006-07
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For further information, visit www.bcct.ca and click on Fees.
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- or All those who use their BC
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6 ) . % 9! 2 $ 3 ' 5 % 3 4 ( / 5 3 %
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NARAMATA BC
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www.therapyvineyards.com
CHEQUE
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Please include your certificate number on all correspondence.
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FEE NOTICE
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BCCOLLS07
4
24
spring 2006
contents
28
features
CERTIFICATION IN TIMES OF SHORTAGE
Addressing the challenge of finding qualified
in
every
issue
4
educators to fill teaching positions
STANDARDS IN PRACTICE
What do you think about the academic
9
requirements to fill teaching positions?
YOUR RESPONSES TO OUR CASE STUDY
Connected readers offer their thoughts
about standards of conduct
Letters from the Chair
and Registrar
3
Letters to the Editor
*
IN PROFILE: RUTH FOSTER AND ROD MACVICAR
Ask the Registrar
13
Two educators bring together environmental
Legally Connected
14
11
24
stewardship and education
Discipline Case Summaries 16
In Brief
18
AFTER CLASS: POWER PLAY
An Okanagan teacher is setting national
records in her sport
*There are no letters to the editor at this time.
Cover: Ruth Foster and Rod MacVicar – Port Moody
28
Object of the College
Section 4, Teaching Profession Act
It is the object of the College to establish,
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your proposed article by e-mail to:
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ISSN 1712-0772
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LETTERS FROM THE CHAIR AND REGISTRAR
As spring is now finally upon us, attention turns to the upcoming
elections for the Council of the British Columbia College of
Teachers. The Council is the governing body for the College. Of
the twenty members on the Council, twelve are elected.
The College's mandate is the regulation of the education profession in the public interest. It is empowered through legislation
to ensure that licensed educators who work with students in BC
meet standards of both competency and suitability for the role
Marie Kerchum, Registrar
they play in society.
The written statements of standards are the guides for the academic preparation and the entry of persons into the profession.
They are also used as the guides for professional behaviour
The warming weather outside signifies the rebirth of nature
when allegations are made against members of the College. The
after a long winter. For many people, spring is a time of
standards, which are at present being reviewed with advice from
renewed energy and motivation – a chance to make a new
partner groups in BC, are determined by the Council.
start, both in their personal and professional lives.
Councillors routinely deal with substantive and complex
As you plan the remainder of the school year, we encourage
matters, making serious decisions that affect the professional
you to take a few minutes to ensure that you have paid your
lives of the 65,000 certificated professionals in BC. Amongst other
fees for the 2006-07 certificate year. The last day to pay your
duties, Councillors deal with discipline and fitness-to-teach
College fee without a late charge is June 30, 2006. If your fees
hearings. These hearings require Councillors to weigh evidence
have been payroll deducted in the past, you may want to
and make decisions while understanding the legal framework
check with your district human resources department to ver-
within which the College operates. So it is that each Councillor
ify that you continue to be payroll deducted, and to ask when
must take an oath that he or she will act in accordance with the
the deduction will occur. If your fees are not payroll deducted,
law, act in the interests of the College as a whole, and ensure
we encourage you to pay fees online using the Certificate
that he or she is guided by the public interest.
Holders Area of our website at www.bcct.ca. Paying online is
As members of a profession, practitioners play the key role in
an easy and secure way to pay your fees.
determining the future of the licensing body. Members of the
We would also like you to visit the Certificate Holders Area
College who are interested in running for a position on Council
and take a moment to ensure that your contact information
should understand that the College does not operate in a vacu-
is up to date. Accurate information guarantees that the College
um. Many of its decisions are made in an open and transparent
can continue to provide necessary information related to
manner – in public. Councillors expect to hear from the many
your professional certification and that you will receive your
partner groups and members of the public that the College deals
election ballot.
with on a regular basis. Nevertheless, it is an honour and a privilege to serve as an elected member of Council.
For more information on the College or how you might run for
a position on Council, please see the website at www.bcct.ca.
On that note, I am calling for nominations for the position
of College Councillor in four zones: Zone 2 (North Central),
Zone 7 (Lower Fraser Valley), Zone 9 (Lower Mainland South)
and Zone 12 (Vancouver Island). Nominations will close on
April 15, 2006. More information about running for College
Council is available on page 27 of this issue and on our website.
We look forward to your participation and welcome your
inquiries at [email protected].
While on the website, please respond to the Standards in
Practice survey. The Council is reviewing the College Standards
this spring as part of an ongoing professional dialogue. The
Council intends to strengthen and improve the Standards
through the participation of all College members. Your
thoughts regarding the Standards are important and valued
–
SPRING 2006
by the College Council.
3
C O N N E C T E D M AG A Z I N E
Dale Townsend, Chair
FEATURE
–
Certification in Times of Shortage
Ron Webster, Guidance Counsellor – Tamanawis Secondary in Surrey
SPRING 2006
Certification in times of shortage
C O N N E C T E D M AG A Z I N E
–
A teaching position is available, but there are no qualified educators to fill it.
What options does a school district have?
4
FEATURE
–
Certification in Times of Shortage
Ron Webster was looking for a change. It was 1989 and he'd been working as a chef
for close to 20 years. By chance, he saw an ad from the Surrey School District for a chef instructor
position. Webster applied, and found himself teaching cooking techniques to four classes of
students responsible for preparing the food for a secondary school's busy cafeteria. However,
although Webster had his gold-level chef trades papers (and had supervised and taught others
throughout his career as a chef), he had no formal qualifications as a secondary teacher.
The district was able to hire Webster on a Letter of Permission because it had advertised the
position widely and was unable to find an individual with both the required trade experience
and educator qualifications. It's a challenge that districts continue to face – often when seeking
educators for trades or technology classes, but also when looking for educators to teach
other subjects.
Letters of Permission and the Developmental Standard Term Certificate are two ways to
address the teacher shortage in certain areas.
Letters of Permission
"If a school district can't find a qualified teacher, it can apply to the College for a Letter of
Permission," explains Marie Crowther, Director of Certification. "This is a special permit allowing a district to hire someone who doesn't have a teaching certificate. A Letter of Permission is
specific to a person, school and assignment and is valid for only one school year. Districts also
have to have advertised widely and show that they've attempted to recruit a certified teacher
for the position."
Individuals who are hired with a Letter of Permission must meet the same "fitness" qualifications as new applicants to the College. These include an application form to determine if the
applicant is a "fit and proper person to work with children," a criminal records check and two
confidential reference letters.
When the Letter of Permission expires after one year, the district is legally required to
advertise the position again. If the position can't be filled by someone with a teaching certificate,
the school district must reapply to the College for a Letter of Permission.
In the 2004/2005 school year, the College issued 69 Letters of Permission on the recommendation of 23 school districts. Most Letters were issued to individuals in trades and technology
(such as chef instruction, automotives and drafting), First Nation language instruction, French
Immersion and band.
Letters of
Permission and
the Developmental
Standard Term
Certificate are
two ways to
address the
teacher shortage
in certain areas.
Developmental Standard Term Certificates
A DSTC (developmental standard term certificate) is something of a stepping stone between
a Letter of Permission and a standard teaching certificate – balancing the urgent need to get
educators into classrooms with the requirement to ensure that standards of competency are
being met.
The first DSTC program was created in 1995 as a joint agreement between the College, school
districts and UBC to address a shortage of chef instructors. "At the time, we were issuing 30
Letters of Permission a year to chef instructors," says Crowther. "We saw the DSTC as a way to
help individuals gain pedagogical qualifications and encourage them to eventually upgrade to
a standard certificate."
A DSTC is significantly different from a Letter of Permission. It allows an individual with
special qualifications (or skills in high demand) to be certified as an educator after completing only
90 credits instead of the 120 required of standard certificate holders. However, DSTC holders
SPRING 2006
are restricted in the courses they can teach, and their certificate is non-renewable, expiring
after eight years.
5
C O N N E C T E D M AG A Z I N E
–
After teaching cooking under numerous Letters of Permission, Ron Webster was excited about
the opportunity to obtain a DSTC. "I was enjoying my work at the school and I could definitely
FEATURE
–
Certification in Times of Shortage
see the value of a career in education. I also wanted the
security of a more permanent position, so I began pursuing my
DSTC by enrolling in night classes at Douglas College while
working full-time as a chef instructor."
With the success of the DSTC in chef training, the College
began developing certificate programs for other subjects.
Today, for instance, numerous post-secondary institutions
across the province offer the First Nations Language and
Culture Certificate, a DSTC developed specifically for educators
teaching First Nations language and culture in public, independent and band schools.
Ensuring that standards are met
In an ideal world, all educators would be graduates of recognized education programs and have the additional specialty
qualifications to teach their chosen subject. But this isn't
always possible – particularly during periods of teacher shortages or in remote areas of the province where it can be difficult
to attract teachers for specific subjects.
"If there is a shortage of qualified educators in specific
areas, Letters of Permission and DSTCs enable us to certify
individuals to be in the classroom under specific rules," says
Crowther. "The restricted nature of both Letters of Permission
and DSTCs are one way of ensuring that standards are upheld."
Webster received his DSTC in 1995, which relieved him of
the uncertainty he faced each August as to whether he would
have a teaching position that coming year. Not surprisingly,
he decided to continue attending classes to upgrade his DSTC
into a standard certificate. "I finished my Bachelor of Education
in 1999, and then went on to do my Masters, which I completed in May 2003."
Webster hung up his chef's toque last year, and now works
as a guidance counselor at Tamanawis Secondary in Surrey.
"It's been a good process," he says. "My first few years of
teaching with a Letter of Permission allowed me to evaluate
the profession before I decided to invest time and money
obtaining my DSTC and education degrees. Back in 1989, it
would have been too risky for me to jump into a teacher
training program without having had any formal teaching
experience to let me know if this was a career I was talented
at and wanted to pursue."
SPRING 2006
“Professional educators share their professional
knowledge and expertise with the profession and
others in the community."
–
Standard 10.3, Standards for the Education
and Competence of Professional Educators
in British Columbia.
7
C O N N E C T E D M AG A Z I N E
to
standard
C O N N E C T E D M AG A Z I N E
–
SPRING 2006
02%3%.43
8
Standards in practice
surprised to find that they need to take additional academic courses before they can receive
a non-expiring certificate to practise in BC. Read the following fictionalized case study and
let us know what you think about standards of qualification.
After working as an elementary teacher in Thunder Bay for three years, I was thrilled to be offered a
job as a grade four teacher with responsibilities as the music specialist in an elementary school in the
Lower Mainland. It had always been my dream to live on the West Coast and I'd finally taken the bull
in practice
Educators who have successfully taught outside of BC move to the province and are often
Once in BC, I met with an evaluator at the BC College of Teachers who informed me that, based on
my Ontario certification, I would receive an interim certificate allowing me to teach in BC for four years
with a possible extension to eight years. I will be able to make the certificate non-expiring by completing
six academic credits of English, six credits of Canadian studies, three credits of math and three credits
of laboratory science. I was surprised by these requirements as I had not had to meet similar requirements in Ontario. The College informed me that certificate requirements are a provincial matter and
that each province can determine what qualifications are necessary for certification.
I'm enrolling in a first-year math course, but I'm nervous about taking math again. I haven't had
math since grade 10. Wish me luck!
As the body responsible for setting "standards for the education, professional responsibility
and competence of its members," the College has defined certain mandatory academic
requirements that must be met by those seeking certification to practise in BC. As is suggested
by the above case study, many people who complete their education outside of BC may
need to take additional academic courses to receive a non-expiring certificate to practise in
our province.
The following questions explore some of the issues raised when discussing standards of education and qualification:
• Compare the mandatory academic requirements (English, math, science and Canadian studies)
with the Standards for the Education, Competence and Conduct of Educators in British Columbia,
particularly Standards 3 and 5. In your view, do the academic requirements accurately reflect
the intent of the Standards? What other measures could the College use to assess whether an
standards
by the horns and replied to an ad in the Globe and Mail advertising for teachers for BC schools.
applicant is literate in English (or in French if teaching in that language) or has sufficient math
knowledge to teach up to grade seven?
• Many teachers from outside of BC argue that they have taught successfully without having
the mandatory academic requirements. What arguments might you use to convince them that
these mandatory courses are reasonable and beneficial?
• If you could determine the academic subject area requirements for certifying elementary
teachers in BC, what would you require? For instance, the College requires every elementary
certified teacher to have a post-secondary course in math, but it does not require a postsecondary course in fine arts or physical education. Would you require these or others?
Please let us know your thoughts by visiting our website and clicking on the "Respond to the
'Standards in Practice' survey" link on our home page. The following URL will also connect you
SPRING 2006
directly to the survey: www.bcct.ca/surveys/standards_in_practice.aspx. Thank you for taking
9
C O N N E C T E D M AG A Z I N E
–
part in this important province-wide discussion of Standards.
C O N N E C T E D M AG A Z I N E
10
–
SPRING 2006
Your responses to our case study
your responses
to our case study
In the winter issue of Connected, we presented a case study of an applicant to
the College who had falsified her application form and whose criminal records
check revealed that she had a conditional discharge from a shoplifting incident
when she was 18. Many of you responded to the case study by answering
questions on our website, and we've summarized your responses below.
We asked you to think about what standards may have been breached in this particular case.
Standard 12.1 ("Professional educators act ethically and honestly at all times") was identified as
a standard that the applicant had not upheld. Respondents were concerned about issues of
honesty and integrity, and were particularly troubled by the applicant's "pattern of deceit" that
included misrepresentations of her teaching history. The applicant's inability to accept responsibility for her actions when questioned by the College committee was also identified as an issue
that "could make her unsuitable for teaching."
Respondents were divided about whether the applicant should be certified by the College. Some
respondents felt that the "patterns of willful deception" justified denying the applicant's request
for certification.
However, others suggested that if there was considerable evidence from letters of reference or
performance evaluations that the applicant was a competent teacher, she should be given a
certificate. Respondents were also concerned about making assumptions about the applicant
based on a mistake made in her youth. As one person wrote, "In matters other than a sexual nature,
the College must look at cases on an individual basis. A mistake made by an 18-year-old does not
mean that the person could not 'reform' and become a model teacher."
Finally, a few respondents expressed concern over the wording of some of the standards of
conduct. Standard 12.1, for example, was seen as perhaps too restrictive in stating that
"Professional educators act ethically and honestly at all times" [our
emphasis]. As one person wrote, "Educators must be vital, alive and
human – complete with the strengths and weaknesses that we all
have. Instances of incompetent or questionable behavior need be examined to see if they represent a pattern
of unacceptable behavior. Standards 11 through 13 are
essential, but need to be carefully crafted. The professional cadre will reject the standards as a definition of
professional functioning if they are seen as unrealistic, too
11
C O N N E C T E D M AG A Z I N E
–
SPRING 2006
restrictive or overly political."
Experience our History !
BARKERVILLE
SCHOOL PROGRAM
Starting the first week in October you can register
for our 20077 Barkerville School Program and
exp
perience life as it was over 140 years ago.
We offer special "Core Programs" consisting of Early
Justtice, Schoolhouse Program, Mining
Demonstrations, Blacksmith Demonstrations, Wendle
d a tour of our famous
House Program and
"Chinatown". Specials are also offered for the
stagecoach, gold panning and the Theatre Royal.
Merchants in the Barkerville, Wells and Bowron
Lakes area offer a number of greatt deals, from
specially tailored menus and discount
accommodations to organized evening activities,,
canoeing, walking tours and more.
For more information, or to book this fun and
educational school program please
email Barkerville Historic Town at
[email protected] or call
Judy Mooring at 1-250-994-3302 Ext. #29
For area information please visit
www.wellsbc.com or phone 1-877-451-9355
2006 FALL INSTITUTE
October 17-21, 2006
The Legislative Assembly of
British Columbia offers an
exciting professional
development program for British Columbia
teachers in elementary, middle and high
school. Come to your Parliament Buildings
in Victoria and learn about parliamentary
democracy and the political process.
Eighteen teachers will be selected to
participate and experience B.C.’s
parliamentary system first-hand, returning
to their schools and communities with an
enhanced understanding of democracy.
Deadline is June 1, 2006
SPRING 2006
For further information and to apply on-line,
please visit www.leg.bc.ca and click onto
Public Education & Outreach.
C O N N E C T E D M AG A Z I N E
–
Travel subsidies may be available for those
travelling great distances.
12
DOUGLASCOLLEGECA
Ask the Registrar
Ask
The Registrar
Many of our members have questions about standards, membership,
the role of the BC College of Teachers and other professional issues.
The following questions represent the recent queries we've received.
When is my fee due?
The annual certificate fee is due by June 30 each year. Paying
your certificate fee on time is very important. If your fee is not paid
by June 30, your certificate will be suspended for non-payment
on July 1st and you will be ineligible to teach. In order to return
your certificate to valid status, you will need to pay $90 plus a $30
late fee by September 30. If these fees are not paid by October 1,
your teaching certificate will be cancelled.
Individuals who have had their certificates cancelled for nonpayment of fees may apply for reinstatement. Reinstatement will
require fees of $410, a criminal records check and an assessment
of credentials in regards to fitness. If you do not have teaching
experience in the last ten years, you will need to apply for a new
certificate and you will be evaluated according to the current
bylaws and policies of the College.
How can I pay my fee? Does my employer pay for this?
Most employers do not pay your fee on your behalf. However, if
you have authorized a payroll-deduction program with your
employer, your $90 College fee will be deducted from your paycheque in the spring (times vary from one school district to the next).
Check with your payroll department if you are unsure whether you
have authorized a payroll deduction for College fees.
If your College fees are not payroll-deducted, the most convenient and secure method of paying fees is with your credit card
on our secure website, at www.bcct.ca. After April 1, log into the
Certificate Holders Area on the website and follow the prompts.
You may also pay by cheque, writing your certificate number (L or J
I'm a member on long-term disability, and I paid $0 in fees
last year. Do I need to worry about paying my fees this year?
In January 2006, Council changed the fee structure for members
who are employed and on long-term disability (LTD). Previously,
members receiving LTD benefits and employed less than 0.6 FTE
(3 days per week) paid a fee of $0. For the 2006/2007 fee year,
members working less than 0.2 FTE (1 day per week) will pay a
$0 fee.
If you are receiving benefits from Great-West Life and are eligible for the $0 fee, the College will be notified in June and will
update your file to reflect your status. If you have not yet been
approved for LTD benefits (or are unsure whether you qualify for
LTD), we recommend that you pay the $90 fee. If benefits are
subsequently granted, please advise us and we will refund your
fee. For those on LTD, but not receiving benefits from GreatWest Life, please forward recent proof that you are receiving
benefits, along with a completed Long-Term Disability Statement,
available on our website.
I'm interested in becoming a College Councillor. What sort
of time commitment is involved?
Being a member of Council requires a significant time commitment.
In the 2006/2007 year, the College Council will meet five times in
Vancouver for periods of three to four days. Councillors may also
meet outside of regular Council meetings to work on matters
related to the College. For those councillors residing outside the
Lower Mainland, this can mean a great deal of travel. For more
information on being nominated, see page 27.
SPRING 2006
No. The College Council has maintained the fee of $90 for practising members and $45 for non-practising members for the 2006/
2007 year. This is the fourth consecutive year that we have not
increased our fees, which are among the lowest of all professional
organizations in BC.
followed by 6 digits) in the memo area of the cheque. Please do
not send cash or post-dated cheques.
Do you have a question about the College?
Please e-mail us at: [email protected]
–
Is my College fee increasing this year?
13
C O N N E C T E D M AG A Z I N E
Marie Kerchum
Legally Connected
legally
connected
Court decisions deepen our understanding of the rights and responsibilities of professional educators in BC and Canada. The
following case, Kempling v. the BC College of Teachers, supports the administrative and constitutional validity of disciplinary
proceedings against a teacher for discriminatory public statements about homosexuality.
Case: Kempling v. British Columbia College of Teachers (2005) in the BC Court of Appeal
The facts:
"unassailable." Lowry referred to examples of Kempling's
Christopher Kempling is a member of the College and a
published statements, including the following:
teacher and registered counsellor in Quesnel. Between
"We cannot criticize the homosexual community for
1997 and 2000, Kempling wrote an article and letters to
irresponsible behaviour when there is no legal require-
the editor about his views on homosexuality that were
ment for them to behave responsibly."
published in the community paper. His writings were
brought to the attention of the College, which began an
investigation. Following a College hearing into the matter
in 2002, Kempling was found guilty of conduct unbecoming
a member of the College. In 2003, the College suspended
his teaching certificate for one month.
Kempling appealed the College's verdict and penalty to the
BC Supreme Court. In 2004, the Supreme Court dismissed
"I refuse to be a false teacher saying that promiscuity is
acceptable, perversion is normal, and immorality is simply
"cultural diversity"of which we should be proud."
"Sexual orientation can be changed and the success rate
for those who seek help is high. My hope is that students
who are confused over their sexual orientation will come
to see me. It could save their life."
Kempling's appeal and upheld the College's decisions.
The BC Court of Appeal said that Kempling's comments
Kempling then appealed to the BC Court of Appeal, which
"associated homosexuals with immorality, abnormality,
also dismissed his appeal and upheld the decisions of the
perversion and promiscuity."
College. He then asked for leave to appeal this decision to
Lowry rejected the argument that Kempling's statements,
the Supreme Court of Canada. Kempling was not granted
while controversial, were not discriminatory. The Court
leave to appeal and so the decision of the BC Court of
stated that although statements that criticize or denounce
Appeal is final.
an individual's lifestyle are not in themselves discriminatory, they become discriminatory when they are made in
disregard of an individual's inherent dignity.
C O N N E C T E D M AG A Z I N E
–
SPRING 2006
Summary of the BC Court of Appeal decision:
14
The Court also found that there was direct evidence that
Kempling's appeal was dismissed by the BC Court of
Kempling's writings caused harm to the integrity of the
Appeal. Mr. Justice Lowry, writing on behalf of the three-
school system as a whole. Non-discrimination is a "core
member court, said that the BC Supreme Court's conclu-
value of the public education system," wrote Lowry, and
sion that Kempling's writings were discriminatory was
"the integrity of that system is dependent upon teachers
England or Scotland?
Only TimePlan gives you the choice
upholding that value by ensuring the school environment is accepting of all
students. When a teacher makes public statements espousing discriminatory
views, and when such views are linked to his or her professional position as a
teacher, harm to the integrity of the school system is a necessary result."
Kempling had argued that the College's decisions infringed on his Charter right
to freedom of religion. The Court found that Mr. Kempling had not presented
any evidence that this right had been infringed.
However, although the Court agreed that Kempling's Charter right to freedom
of expression had been infringed, the Court stated that this infringement was
demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society. Lowry found that while
there was a political element to Kempling's expression and that parts of his
writings constituted a reasoned discourse, other statements were based on stereotypical notions of homosexuality and that Kempling ignored the inherent dignity
TimePlan can give you the chance to expand your
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of the individual, which is essential to a functioning democracy.
The Court referenced the Supreme Court of Canada's decision in Ross (the case
profiled in the Fall 2005 issue of Connected) and clarified that evidence of a poisoned
school environment was not needed to justify the infringement on Kempling's
Charter right to freedom of expression. Harm of some kind is necessary, but in
this case, Kempling's writings themselves undermined "access to a discrimination-free education environment" and "present an obstacle for homosexual
students in accessing a discrimination-free education environment."
In holding that the College's infringement of Kempling's Charter right was
justified, the Court stated that the positive benefits of this infringement, which
include "restoring the integrity of the school system and removing any obstacles
preventing access for students to a tolerant school environment" outweighed
the negative effects.
The Court stated: "These statements demonstrated that Mr. Kempling is committed to fulfilling his public and professional responsibilities in an intolerant
and discriminatory manner. Proof that he had actually discriminated against a
Teach
in the UK
particular student, or evidence of a poisoned school environment, was not
required to prove that the school system had sustained harm. Mr. Kempling's
statements damaged the integrity of the school system as a whole. They under-
Primary, Secondary
& Special Needs
mined the core value of non-discrimination by denying homosexual students
an education environment accepting of them."
"Professional educators respect the privileged position of authority, trust and
influence that they hold with students." Standard 11.1
"Professional educators understand that they are viewed as role models
by parents and society." Standard 12.2
UK Interviews and
Information Sessions are
held regularly at our
local Canadian offices.
Please call for
further details.
Direct: (905) 898 8950
[email protected]
www.protocol-teachers.com
SPRING 2006
Standards for the Education and Competence
of Professional Educators in British Columbia
–
"Professional educators behave at all times in ways that reflect positively
on the public's confidence and trust in the education system." Standard 12.4
15
C O N N E C T E D M AG A Z I N E
to
standard
Report of the Discipline Committee – January 2006
Discipline
casesummaries
Discipline Hearing Sub-Committee
Conduct Review Sub-Committee
A Respondent A-11-05 admitted to and was
found guilty of conduct unbecoming a member. The
Respondent admitted that he engaged in sexual
relations with an adult female, which led to a conviction for sexual assault that was later overturned
by the Supreme Court of British Columbia. Further,
he was charged with breaching a court ordered
undertaking to not communicate either directly or
indirectly with the adult female. He sent her gifts
and notes and approached her workplace. This
charge was subsequently stayed. The Respondent
agreed to a reprimand by the College.
Bernt Olav Fuglestveit (Certification date: 1994.12.21) admitted to and was found guilty
of professional misconduct. The respondent admitted that while he was a teacher-on-call,
he made inappropriate comments to and/or about female students' physical appearance
and development. He further admitted that his personal interactions with female students
were inappropriate and made them feel uncomfortable. On November 3, 2005, the Conduct
Review Sub-Committee approved the Statement of Agreed Facts and Disposition and
accepted that the appropriate penalty was a one-month suspension.
A Respondent A-12-05 was found not guilty of
conduct unbecoming a member. He pled guilty and
was convicted of reckless driving and admitted that
he was impaired by alcohol at the time. One member
of the hearing panel dissented in the matter of
Verdict, stating that driving while impaired puts the
public at risk.
C O N N E C T E D M AG A Z I N E
–
SPRING 2006
Christopher Stephen Myles Kempling (Certificate
Issued 1980.08.06) was found guilty of conduct
unbecoming a member. He was found to have made
discriminatory and derogatory statements against
homosexuals in a number of published writings. On
April 3, 2003, College Council considered the matter
and determined that the respondent's professional
teaching certificate be suspended for one month.
The respondent appealed the decision to the British
Columbia Supreme Court and then further to the
British Columbia Court of Appeal. The British
Columbia Court of Appeal affirmed the decision of
the College relating to both verdict and penalty. On
January 19, 2006, the Supreme Court of Canada
dismissed Mr. Kempling's application for leave to
appeal the Court of Appeal decision.
16
Consent Resolution Agreements
Member CR-A10-05 admitted that his actions, which included inappropriate discipline and
language towards students, constituted professional misconduct. On October 25, 2005, the
Preliminary Investigation Sub-Committee approved the Consensual Resolution Agreement
and accepted the member's undertaking not to return to teaching or to a position that
requires a College teaching certificate before the date of his retirement, at which time the
member will relinquish his certificate.
Member CR-B10-05 received less than satisfactory teaching reports from the school
district where she was employed until her resignation in January 2004. On October 25,
2005, the Preliminary Investigation Sub-Committee approved the Consensual Resolution
Agreement and accepted the member's undertaking not to apply for or accept a teaching
position in any jurisdiction for which a College certificate of qualification is required until
such time as certain conditions are fulfilled.
Member CR-D10-05 acknowledged that he had inappropriate physical contact with a
student by striking the student in the back with his hand. On October 25, 2005, the Preliminary
Investigation Sub-Committee approved the Consensual Resolution Agreement and accepted
the member's undertaking to fulfill certain conditions.
Member CR-E10-05 admitted that she was incompetent due to a medical condition. The
member engaged in an inappropriate personal and sexual relationship with a student. She
does not presently hold a valid College certificate. On October 25, 2005, the Preliminary
Investigation Sub-Committee approved the Consensual Resolution Agreement and accepted
the member's undertaking not to apply for a College certificate of qualification until such
time as certain conditions are fulfilled.
Member CR-F10-05 admitted to engaging in a series of inappropriate behaviours towards
an individual in the context of a personal relationship. On October 25, 2005, the Preliminary
Investigation Sub-Committee approved the Consensual Resolution Agreement and accepted
his admission that he had engaged in conduct unbecoming a member of the College and that
Parliament of Canada
Teachers!
The Parliament of Canada has several
educational resources available for your use.
The resources are designed to help students understand parliamentary structure
and process, and are tailored for all levels of instruction. Many of the resources
are accessible on-line and include downloadable materials for student use. For
details, visit the education portal of the parliamentary Web site:
www.parl.gc.ca/education
XXX
Educational Programming and Products
the appropriate penalty was a 60-day suspension
of the member's College certificate of qualification.
Member CR-A11-05 was terminated from
employment by a school board due to concerns
regarding his teaching skills. A grievance was
filed and resolved when the termination was
rescinded and substituted with a resignation. On
November 2, 2005, the Preliminary Investigation
Sub-Committee approved the Consensual
Resolution Agreement and accepted the member's undertaking not to apply for or accept a
teaching position in any jurisdiction for which a
College certificate of qualification is required
until such time as certain conditions are fulfilled.
For further information about these educational resources, or to order a Teacher Kit at no charge,
please contact the Parliament of Canada’s Information Service:
[email protected]
X
X
X
1 866 599-4999 toll free in Canada
(613) 992-4793 National Capital Region
(613) 995-2266 TTY
CANADA
T E AC H E R S I N S T I T U T E
O N C A N A D I A N PA R L I A M E N TA RY D E M O C R A C Y
on
Parliament Hill!
O T TAWA , N OV E M B E R 5 T O 10, 2006
GET AN INSIDER’S VIEW of Canada’s
EXPLORE KEY ISSUES in parliamentary
DEVELOP RESOURCES for teaching
democracy
parliamentary system
MEET PARLIAMENTARIANS, and
political, procedural and
pedagogical experts
about Parliament, governance,
democracy and citizenship
Seventy individuals from across Canada will be selected to attend this unique
professional development event. The program is open to teachers of social studies,
civics and related subjects teaching grades 4 to 12 (in Québec, from elementary
cycle 2 up to CÉGEP).
The program covers travel costs, accommodation and most meals. A registration fee of $300 is
payable upon selection. Limited bursaries are available.
(Renseignements disponibles en français)
SPRING 2006
APPLICATION DEADLINE: APRIL 30, 2006
For detailed information and application forms
visit our Web site or call us.
www.parl.gc.ca/education
CANADA
–
George Heinz Kraus (Certificate Issued 1991.
03.05) admitted that his conduct leading to the
criminal conviction and the criminal conviction
itself regarding possession of child pornography constitute conduct unbecoming a member
of the College. On October 25, 2005, the
Preliminary Investigation Sub-Committee
approved the Consensual Resolution Agreement
under which the respondent relinquished his
teaching certificate.
Experience a week
(613) 992-4793 1 (866) 599-4999
17
C O N N E C T E D M AG A Z I N E
Member CR-A01-06 admitted that she was
incompetent due to a medical condition. The
member frequently yelled and raised her voice
in class, behaved in a moody and unpredictable
manner, and frequently absented herself from
the classroom, leaving her students unsupervised.
On January 18, 2006, the Preliminary Investigation
Sub-Committee, noting the member's recent,
satisfactory teaching report and compliance
with an arbitration award, approved a Consensual
Resolution Agreement that provides for no
further action on the matter.
Canada's national census –
Count yourself in!
Did you know that in your local community, planning
for schools, transportation and emergency services
is based on population counts taken during the
national census? The success of the census depends on
the active participation of every man, woman and child living
in Canada. Conducted every five years, the census is our
country's largest national survey. The next enumeration will
take place on May 16, 2006. More than 32 million people in
13.6 million households and 300,000 farms will take part.
The survey paints a statistical portrait of Canadians, and
governments use the numbers to forecast many needs within
communities. It's critical to be counted, and regardless of
your age or whether you live in a large urban centre or a
small village, your information is essential. It's your future –
so make sure you count! For further information, please
contact Sandy Poggemiller:
t.604.666.5589 email: [email protected]
C O N N E C T E D M AG A Z I N E
–
SPRING 2006
in
brief
18
GOVERNOR GENERAL'S AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING
CANADIAN HISTORY
Canada is rich in stories and there are countless ways to tell them. Canada's National
History Society – through the Governor General's Awards for Excellence in Teaching
Canadian History – invites educators from elementary, middle and senior levels to share
how they explore Canadian history with their students. Teachers can present themselves or a group, or be nominated by a student, parent or colleague. Six recipients
will be awarded $2,500, a medal and a trip for two to Ottawa to attend the Awards
ceremony. An additional $1,000 is awarded to the recipients' schools. The application
deadline is April 29, 2006. See www.historysociety.ca/gga.asp for more information.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BRAIN DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING
UBC is hosting a major international conference titled "Brain development and learning:
Making sense of the science" to be held in Vancouver from August 19 to 22, 2006. The
meeting will explore how people who work with children on a daily basis can use the
implications of new discoveries in psychology and neuroscience to enrich and improve
children's lives. Speakers include renowned educators, researchers and experts and
the conference will cover a wide range of topics that include ADHD, dyslexia, brain
plasticity, bridging culture gaps between school and home, learning through the arts,
exercise and the brain, bilingualism, and learning and memory. Continuing education
credits are available for educators, psychologists, physicians, social workers and
lawyers. More information about the conference can be found at:
www.interprofessional.ubc.ca/brain_dev_and_learning.html
We know how to
grab their attention.
SPRING 2006
Our on-site school programs,
stewardship initiatives and traveling
presentations will engage, amaze
and inspire your students. For
information on all the possibilities,
as well as teacher workshops and
resources, visit www.vanaqua.org,
phone 604.659.3552 or
email [email protected].
–
Children who witness domestic violence in their homes will have greater access to help
through their schools. The Ministry of Community Services is providing $198,000 in
funding to the BC/Yukon Society of Transition Houses to help the association expand its
Violence is Preventable project to approximately 25 BC communities over the next six
months. In January, the Province announced $1 million in funding to encourage community
and provincial organizations to develop or expand projects to prevent domestic violence,
and an additional $500,000 was provided to expand a school-based, violence prevention curriculum called Respectful Relationships that was developed by Saltspring
Women Opposed to Violence and Abuse. More information is available online at
www.gov.bc.ca/cserv.
19
Aquarium ConnectEd Ad 0206.indd 1
3/9/06 1:22:10 PM
C O N N E C T E D M AG A Z I N E
FUNDING SUPPORTS STUDENTS EXPOSED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
In Brief
Amy – Grade 12
West Point Grey Academy
Vancouver
Andy – Grade 12
Eric Hamber Secondary School
Vancouver
SPRING 2006
School
Showcase
Project
C O N N E C T E D M AG A Z I N E
–
Sarah – Grade 8
Westside Christian School
Vancouver
20
SCHOOL SHOWCASE PROJECT
The BC College of Teachers is proud to celebrate
the artistic talents of BC's elementary and secondary students. Each month, we showcase the work
of students in our lobby and on our website. The
students' work may often be inspired by work of
other artists or may be original. Most recently,
West Point Grey Academy (Vancouver), Westside
Christian School (Vancouver) and Eric Hamber
Secondary School (Vancouver) participated in the
program. The School Showcase Project is free of
charge to participating schools. If your school is
interested in being part of the School Showcase
Project, email [email protected] for more
details.
THE CENTRE OF THE UNIVERSE –
NEW VIDEOCONFERENCING PROGRAMS
The Centre of the Universe is now presenting
programs by videoconference to share its resources
with students at a distance. The programs include
PowerPoint presentations, question and answer
sessions and demonstrations.
The Centre of the Universe, Public Observatory
and Astronomy Centre, in Victoria, is the National
Research Council of Canada's first public outreach
centre. Its mandate is to stimulate and educate
the public, particularly children and youth, in the
field of astronomy. Programs are available in
both French and English. For information call
250.363.8262 or email: [email protected].
THINK OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM AT
THE IMAX THEATRE CANADA PLACE
®
CANADA'S SPECIES AT RISK ACT
Urbanization, habitat loss and fragmentation,
atmospheric change, pollution and non-indigenous
species are all stresses on species and ecosystems.
The Species at Risk Act (SARA) provides a
framework for actions across Canada and sets
out how to decide what species are a priority for
action and what to do to protect a species. Its
goal is to prevent endangered or threatened
wildlife from becoming extinct or lost from the
wild, and to help in the recovery of these species.
Narrated by
JOHNNY DEPP and KATE WINSLET
Featuring Music by
DANNY ELFMAN
Directed by
HOWARD HALL
Give your students the ultimate movie experience. To book your class,
contact the IMAX Group Sales Department at 604-682-2384 x225
or reserve online at www.imax.com/vancouver
IMAX ® is a registered trademark of IMAX corporation
Invest in your Future
Upgrade your Teaching Certificate
to 5 Plus 15 (PB Plus 15) Status
via Distance Education
• Complete your courses entirely from home
• Acquire up to one extra year of
University Grad Credit
BUZZ into the
World of Bees & Honey
Friendly farm visit, rain or shine!
Engaging, biology-based, guided tours for pre-K
through grade 12. Fun hands-on activities.
Live observation hive and honey processing
demonstration. Tasty honey sampling. A firstclass, kid-approved agricultural experience.
• All courses are fully accredited through
Portland State University
We are looking for
BCCT certified tutors
in the Lower Mainland
We are looking for BC Certified Teachers for
one-to-one, in-home tutoring. Teachers are
required for all subjects and grade levels,
especially high school. To apply, please forward
your current resume, a copy of your BCCT
Teaching Certificate and two reference letters.
Come tour Honeyland with
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T. 604.460.8889 Toll-Free 1.877.460.8889
[email protected]
203 - 1929 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC, V6J 1Z3
www.HoneylandCanada.com
www.tutor.bc.ca
tel.604 730.3410 fax 604 730.3416
Step into history,
explore the world.
Teaching Position
Aberdeen Hall
Preparatory School
Aberdeen Hall Preparatory School is currently inviting
applicants for a full-time Grade Five teaching position.
Candidates must possess or be eligible for a BC
Teaching Certificate by September 1, 2006. Preference
will be given to candidates who have strength
in Physical Education and a willingness to support
extracurricular activities. Applications should be sent
by March 27, 2006.
Birth of a Nation:
Vimy Ridge 90th Anniversary Celebration
Vimy, France
|
April, 2007
Participate in the official
celebration with your students, then take off with
your class and explore the
most popular destinations
in Europe with Explorica
Educational Travel.
SPRING 2006
Don’t miss this historic event.
www.returntovimy.ca
C O N N E C T E D M AG A Z I N E
–
1.888.378.8845
Jim Klein – Acting Head of School
2455 Acland Road, Kelowna, BC
t. 250.491.1270 f. 250.491.1289
22
Teachers travel free!
travel. learn.
Certain themes run through SARA: cooperation among governments, consultation with
people affected by a SARA-related action or decision, stewardship activities, information
and ongoing review. Although SARA provides for prohibitions and other legal sanctions
against actions that would harm species at risk, it also encourages effective stewardship
of ecosystems so that species at risk can recover while human activities continue. Visit
www.sararegistry.gc.ca for more information or call Anne-Marie Sleeman, Communications
Advisor Environment Canada, Pacific and Yukon at 604.713.9514.
NINE RICHMOND TEENS HONOURED BY SCHOOL BOARD
Nine students from H.J. Cambie Secondary School were recently honoured by the
Richmond School Board. The students researched and produced short documentary
films last spring as part of a project called "Local Heroes." The Local Heroes project was
developed by the Historica Foundation, in association with Citytv Vancouver, to encourage
high school students to discover a new relationship to history, their community and
their own lives.
The high school students worked with broadcast journalism students from BCIT, local
museum and archive groups and broadcast professionals. Each documentary tells the
story of a remarkable British Columbian who made an outstanding contribution to his
or her community.
The three Local Heroes that were profiled include Albert "Ginger" Goodwin, whose
struggle for better working conditions for his fellow miners in British Columbia led to
his death, which in turn provoked Canada's first General Strike; Tomekichi Homma, a
Japanese-Canadian who fought tirelessly for the right to vote, but died in an internment
camp four years before his dream was realized; and Kathleen McNeely, who was the
first female principal in Richmond, BC, and who risked her life to care for her students
and their families during the Spanish influenza epidemic.
The documentaries can be viewed on the Historica website in the section devoted to
YouthLinks, a web-based education program that encourages high school students to
publish, discuss and debate history and global issues with their classmates and students
across Canada and abroad: www.youthlinks.org/article.do?articleID=2088
Over
100,000
new
PALS!
In the 2005/06 school year,
Science World is providing more
than 100,000 K – 7 students
throughout British Columbia
a fun, FREE science and
technology experience through
the BC PALS program.
And we’re not
stopping there!
Science World On the Road
province-wide science shows,
field trips to TELUS World of
Science, classroom workshops,
online games and teacher
resources: we’re making
science a priority at
no cost to students.
NEW ONLINE RESOURCE ON BLACK HISTORY IN CANADA
–
SPRING 2006
For more information
call 604-443-7500
or visit www.scienceworld.ca.
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support
of the Province of British Columbia through the
Ministry of Education for BC PALS.
23
CONNECTED MAGAZINE
With the support of TD Bank, Historica has taken the guesswork out of online research
with the new Black History Canada portal. This free, bilingual and fully searchable online
gateway provides researchers and educators with a thematically organized and annotated selection of resources about Canada's Black history that have been vetted for
historical accuracy and relevance. The portal was compiled by editors from The Canadian
Encyclopedia in consultation with Rosemary Sadlier, President of the Ontario Black
History Society.
The portal covers topics from slavery and early settlement to equity and human rights.
It addresses the issues of identity and assimilation and uncovers some of the "missing
pages" of Canada's Black history – those important but often forgotten contributions of
groups such as the Black Loyalists and the Maroons. The achievements of Black artists,
athletes and politicians are also celebrated. Each theme features an introductory essay
written by Rosemary Sadlier, captivating images and annotated links to the best online
resources available. Go to www.histori.ca to explore the available resources.
INPROFILE
Every Sunday, a group of volunteers meet at
the Mossom Creek Hatchery in Port Moody.
They'll spend several hours taking care of
business, maintaining the hatchery and,
depending on the time of year, cleaning water
filters, checking on thousands of newly
hatched salmon eggs, feeding small fry,
releasing year-old salmon into the wild or
collecting returning spawners.
From teenagers to retirees, the volunteers are
connected by their shared interest in environmental stewardship. And more likely than
not, they're connected by their relationship to
two remarkable individuals: Ruth Foster and
Rod MacVicar.
In 1976, Foster and MacVicar were both biology teachers at Centennial Secondary in
Coquitlam. They decided to start an environmental club. "No one really thought of it as
too valuable," says MacVicar. "It was seen as
just a club."
At the time, MacVicar was interested in
streams that had once supported salmon but
that had been fished out. With permission
from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans
(DFO), the environmental club created a small
salmon hatchery at a field site that is a 15minute drive from the school.
"We wanted to do something hands-on that
would offer rich outdoor educational experiences and help our students develop practical
stewardship skills," says Foster.
people
During the first year of the Centennial School
Salmon Club, Foster and MacVicar would drive
students to Kwantlen College every Wednesday
night to take a course on the biology of salmon
Ruth Foster&Rod MacVicar
week at the hatchery – they learned about
SPRING 2006
In 1976, Ruth Foster and Rod MacVicar started a small
school-based environmental club. Thirty years on, it's a
powerful example of the tremendous impact educators
can have – on students, a neighbourhood, a community
and the environment.
–
CONNECTED MAGAZINE
Environmental Educators
24
enhancement. At club meetings – held once a
raising salmon and began building incubation
boxes and access trails. "We really learned as
we went," says MacVicar. "And I think there's
a real lesson there for kids, to see their teachers
learning with them."
There were certainly lessons to be learned.
In their first year, all the salmon eggs that the
students had so carefully collected, fertilized
and incubated were suffocated by silt
immersed in freshly flowing water from
come back to see if "their" fish have
when a developer dumped soil upstream
the creek. After the eggs hatch in early
made the return in the fall. They come
from the project site. However, this gave
spring, the fry are moved to special tanks
back as volunteers, and they bring their
the students a chance to practise their
where they are fed until their release.
children with them."
public speaking skills when they were
Last year, the hatchery released 90,000
later asked to testify in court about the
chum and 7,000 coastal coho salmon.
Every fall hundreds of salmon now
the Burrard Inlet Marine Enhancement
return to Mossom Creek. The creek is
Society, a registered non-profit society
Despite these early challenges, the
supporting near-historic levels of salmon
that was formed in 1991 by club alumni.
project has evolved and grown over the
and the hatchery is able to supply fish to
"The Society has served as a vehicle for
years into a modern hatchery operation
other streams in the area.
graduating students to take on executive
and teaching facility. Over the 30 years
As a keystone species, the returning
positions," says Foster. "It's offered con-
that Foster and MacVicar taught at
salmon have actually enhanced many
crete opportunities for young people to
Centennial School, the two would drive
other species – including bears, seals,
grow and develop important administra-
students to the hatchery at least once a
herons and eagles. And the hatchery-
tive and management skills."
week, and students from the school's
raised fish contribute to ocean food
The hatchery hasn't cost the school
science, biology, photography and wood-
webs and are caught by anglers and
district a penny – students and volun-
working classes were using the hatchery
commercial fishers.
teers dedicate thousands of hours each
But it's not just the salmon that are
year to running the hatchery, and grants
returning to Mossom Creek. "Like the
from the DFO and donations from the
Each fall, students collect eggs from the
salmon, the students come back," says
private sector cover capital and operating
salmon that have returned to spawn,
MacVicar. "They come back as university
expenses. In 1994, the Centennial School
fertilize the eggs and incubate them for
students conducting studies on the
Salmon Club even received donations to
several months in plastic trays that are
stream and surrounding ecosystem. They
purchase and insure its own 32-passenger
ecology and other subjects.
0ALAEO7EEKFOR4EACHERS
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./7"//+).'&/2
SPRING 2006
to gain hands-on experience in aquatic
–
says Foster.
25
CONNECTED MAGAZINE
event – "definitely a teachable moment,"
Today, the hatchery is co-managed by
the Centennial School Salmon Club and
clean-air propane-powered bus. This
made it much easier to bring Centennial
students to the hatchery and serve the
6HFXUHRQOLQHDFFHVVWR\RXUFODLPVDQGEHQHÀW
FRYHUDJHLQIRUPDWLRQIURP3DFLÀF%OXH&URVV
two locally developed courses created by
MacVicar and Foster – Wildlife of BC 11
and Fisheries Ecology 12.
Although both MacVicar and Foster have
now officially retired as teachers, they
‡KRXUVHOIVHUYLFH
are still very involved in the hatchery.
‡(DV\DFFHVVWRHVVHQWLDO
LQIRUPDWLRQDERXW\RXU
H[WHQGHGKHDOWKFDUHDQG
GHQWDOEHQHILWFRYHUDJH
throughout the week, working with vol-
They are both out at the hatchery
unteers, meeting with students and overseeing the fish throughout their lifecycle.
They both admit that the hatchery has
been a tremendous amount of work. "But
‡7UDFNWKHVWDWXVRI
DFXUUHQWFODLP
these are the things that make your
job more than a job," says MacVicar.
"It's what makes it a career and gives
‡9LHZFODLPVKLVWRU\
it meaning."
‡'RZQORDGDGLUHFWGHSRVLW
HQUROPHQWIRUP
Over the past three decades a vibrant
community has developed around the
hatchery – a community of current stu-
)RUPRUHLQIRUPDWLRQYLVLW
dents, Centennial school alumni, parents,
ZZZSDFEOXHFURVVFD
neighbours and others. "It's brought
people together, connected them to each
other and to the environment," says
Foster. "It's shown us all that you can
Montessori Elementary Teacher
Credential Program*
address global problems right in your
Now accepting applications.
enormous pride of the hundreds of stu-
Montessori Elementary Credential
Program (Ages 6-12 yrs.)
This is a
thorough &
comprehensive
program that
offers an
integrated
and holistic
approach to
education. It
is designed
to meet the needs of teachers in both the
public and private sectors. The training
consists of 3 components: Summer
Sessions, Distance Learning, & Field Study.
SPRING 2006
*Accredited by MACTE - www.macte.org
*Affiliated with AMS - www.amshq.org
–
CONNECTED MAGAZINE
Both Foster and MacVicar speak with
dents they've connected with – students
Montessori Foundation Course
who developed newfound confidence
Course Description: This course is designed
to provide a comprehensive overview of the
preschool years (ages 3-6). It includes
lectures and seminars on Montessori
educational theory, philosophy, & curriculum.
This course is a pre-requisite to VTI’s
Montessori Elementary Credential Program
offered in collaboration with Simon Fraser
University (SFU), unless a Montessori Early
Childhood Credential has already been
attained.
once they put on hip waders and started
Attending this course does not certify an
individual to teach in a Montessori classroom.
Make a Donation
or Volunteer
Credit Opportunity:
Simon Fraser University (SFU) offers credit
options for eligible students.
Call 604-713-4500 or email [email protected] for a complete
information/application package or visit our website: www.vti.vsb.bc.ca
vancouver training institute
a division of the Vancouver School Board
26
own neighbourhood."
collecting salmon, students who pursued
careers in science or environmental education, and students who are "kinder to
the environment" as a result of what
they learned looking after Mossom Creek
and its salmon.
For information about making a
donation or volunteering with the
Mossom Creek Hatchery, please e-mail
[email protected].
Notice of Call for Nominations
Notice of
call for nominations
for council members
Zones
Zone 2
NORTH CENTRAL
Nomination forms are available at www.bcct.ca and from the College offices.
Completed nomination forms with original signatures must be received at the
College offices by 4:30 p.m. on April 14, 2006. Forms that are incomplete, inaccurate
or received after this date will not be accepted.
Zone 7
Nominations must:
LOWER
FRASER VALLEY
35. Langley
42. Maple Ridge
Zone 9
LOWER
MAINLAND SOUTH
Zone 12
VANCOUVER
ISLAND
36. Surrey
37. Delta
61. Greater Victoria
62. Sooke
63. Saanich
64. Gulf Islands
68. Nanaimo-Ladysmith
69. Qualicum
70. Alberni
71. Comox Valley
72. Campbell River
79. Cowichan Valley
84. Vancouver Island West
85. Vancouver Island North
SPRING 2006
If you are interested in running for Council, please visit www.bcct.ca and click
on About Us/Council/Elections for more information on serving as a College
Council member.
28. Quesnel
57. Prince George
59. Peace River South
60. Peace River North
81. Fort Nelson
–
1. Be made on the nomination form provided by the BC College of Teachers and be
proposed by ten members in good standing of the College, each of whom holds a
valid certificate and is employed or resides in that zone. 2. Include the candidate's
written consent to the nomination. 3. Be filed with the Registrar by 4:30 p.m. on
April 14, 2006.
Candidates consenting to stand for nomination should also include a brief statement with their written consent. The contents of this statement will be detailed
when a candidate receives a nomination package. The statements will be posted on
the College website following the close of nominations and will be included with
the mailed ballot. Statements of successful candidates will remain on the website
following the election.
Before taking office, a person elected to the Council must take and sign, by oath or
by solemn affirmation, a prescribed Oath of Office in accordance with section 9.1 of the
Teaching Profession Act. Visit www.bcct.ca and click on About Us/Council/Elections
to read the Oath of Office.
School Districts
27
CONNECTED MAGAZINE
Pursuant to Section 9 of the Teaching Profession Act, this is a call for
nominations for a member of the BC College of Teachers to be a representative on the Council. This call for nominations applies to Zones 2, 7, 9, and 12.
The end-of-term date for Council members elected or acclaimed is July 31,
2009. To be eligible for nomination to a position of zone representative, a
person must hold a valid BCCT certificate of qualification.
after
class
coach and referee. And Dennis also serves as the
secretary for her sport's national organization, the
Canadian Powerlifting Union. "It's a small sport,"
she says, "so you need to pitch in wherever you can."
As a nationally ranked athlete, Dennis has inspired others to get involved in powerlifting. She
has coached high school lifters competing in the
PowerPlay
BC Games and athletes participating in the Special
Olympics, and she is currently coaching two junior
lifters who will be competing at the nationals.
In September, Dennis took on a full-time teach-
Westbank teacher Kim Dennis gets a lift out of
her chosen sport.
ing position at Chief Tomat Elementary School in
You've probably not heard of Kim or her sport, even though she's a nationally
well-being to be involved in powerlifting. It helps
ranked champion. That's because grade four teacher Kim Dennis competes
me achieve a more balanced life."
in powerlifting, a relatively modern sport related to weightlifting.
"Most people usually think powerlifting is the same as weightlifting," says
Dennis. "But the two are about as similar as figure skating and hockey!"
Westbank, just outside Kelowna. "Teaching is very
intense, so I find it very important for my overall
Dennis also continues to be involved in gymnastics – not as a competitor, but as a nationally
ranked judge. In fact, if there's a weekend when
How do they differ? In powerlifting, competitors perform three separate
she's not prepping for class or attending a power-
lifts: a squat, a bench press and a deadlift. They select a starting weight for
lifting meet, you'll likely find her judging gymnas-
each and have three attempts to lift it. If a competitor is successful on an
tics competitions.
attempt, they can add weight to their next lift for that event. Scores are cal-
With her new teaching position at Chief Tomat
culated by adding together the heaviest weight successfully lifted for each
and her commitments to powerlifting and gym-
event, and the competitor with the highest overall score is the winner.
nastics, Dennis is having a very busy year. But for
"My strategy is to select a weight I know I can lift for the first attempt," says
now, she has no intention of putting away the
Dennis. "For my second lift I choose a weight I'd be very happy lifting and for my
weights. "I never actually thought I'd be involved
third lift, I choose a weight that represents my ultimate goal for the event."
in powerlifting for this long," she says. "But my
Dennis's interest in powerlifting began ten years ago, during her first year
lifts just keep getting better and better!"
of teaching. "As a child, I was very involved in competitive gymnastics, and
weights were a part of my training. When I began teaching, I took up weight
training once again to stay in shape, and while at the gym I met a group of
people who introduced me to powerlifting."
Success in local competitions soon followed, and Dennis found herself a
rising star. She currently holds eight provincial and two national records,
and has competed at the PanAmerican Games, two World Championships
and the World Games. Her best lifts are an astonishing 165 kilograms (365
pounds) for the squat, 105 kilograms (230 pounds) for the bench press and
150 kilograms (330 pounds) for the deadlift.
SPRING 2006
Competing at such a high level requires a serious commitment to training
and conditioning. So four or five days a week, you can find Dennis at her
C O N N E C T E D M AG A Z I N E
–
local gym, training for up to two hours at a time. Many of her weekends
are taken up with competitions, where she participates as a competitor,
28
What do you do After Class? We’d like to hear
your stories of learning vacations, community
involvement, sabbaticals abroad and passions
or interests.
Please e-mail us at: [email protected]
Publications Agreement No. 40050835