The Road to TILMA - Teacher Regulation Branch
Transcription
The Road to TILMA - Teacher Regulation Branch
winter 2007 tm THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE BC COLLEGE OF TEACHERS The Road to TILMA Facing Facebook Sponsor teacher Carol Barson Meet your Council tm winter 2007 contents features THE ROAD TO TILMA How BC and Alberta are reconciling their qualifications for educators 6 FACING FACEBOOK What issues do you need to know about when 12 using Facebook? READERS WEIGH IN ON OFF-DUTY CONDUCT College members offer their views on standards of off-duty conduct 19 MEET YOUR COUNCIL Profiles of the College Council members 25 IN FOCUS: UNDER HER WING in every issue Sponsor teacher Carol Barson excels as a mentor to practicum students Letters to the Editor 4 Letters from the Chair and Registrar 5 Ask the College 10 Discipline case summaries 15 Informal PISC resolutions 17 In Brief 21 28 tm The object It is the object of the College to establish, having regard to the public interest, standards for the education, professional responsibility and competence of certificate holders and applicants for certificates of qualification and, consistent with that object, to encourage the professional interest of certificate holders in those matters. THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE BC COLLEGE OF TEACHERS Keep in touch TC and other communications of the College are the means by which the College informs its certificate holders about professional regulation in BC. Certificate holders are responsible for reading these communications to ensure they are aware of current standards and other professional matters. Certificate holders in households where multiple copies of TC are received may wish to receive TC by email. To subscribe, simply edit your profile in the Certificate Holders Area at www.bcct.ca. Readers’ questions and comments about TC are welcome and may be submitted to [email protected]. TC’s editorial policy The College welcomes article submissions from members. Please send a summary of your proposed article by email to: [email protected]. The editorial board will evaluate it for the best fit with TC’s editorial lineup. We will advise you if there is space available in an upcoming issue and suggest a word count for your article. We reserve the right to edit your submission. The British Columbia College of Teachers does not necessarily endorse any product advertised in TC. The College takes no responsibility for the content of ads, promises made, or the quality/reliability of the products or services offered in the advertising. Please direct all advertising enquiries to: Ronda Barzilay – t 250.707.0720 f 250.707.0716 toll-free 1.888.847.6632 [email protected] www.rondabarzilay.com Return undeliverable Canadian mail to: BC College of Teachers 400 - 2025 West Broadway Vancouver BC V6J 1Z6 t 604.731.8170 toll-free 1.800.555.3684 Ronda Barzilay & Associates under the direction of the BC College of Teachers EDITORS Lynn Sully • Ward Stendahl – Inscript Inc. CREATIVE DIRECTOR Valery Mercer – Mind’s Eye Studio COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Kelly Funk “IN FOCUS” PHOTOGRAPHY Wayne Barson PRINTER Teldon Print Media PRODUCED BY Requests for permission to reprint an article may be directed to: [email protected]. as per agreement Publication No. 40050835 ISSN 1712-0772 Copyright ©2007 BC College of Teachers All rights reserved www.bcct.ca A union for teachers at We’re an independent union that may be the right fit for the professionals at your school. But some teachers don’t get the respect and job security they deserve. That’s why teachers at many independent schools are looking to the Professional Employees Association. Contact us in confidence, or visit our website to learn more. – www.pea.org 1-800-779-7736 3 TC MAGAZINE Teachers at BC’s independent schools bring their professionalism, energy and dedication to the job every day. S U M M E R / FA L L 2 0 0 7 independent schools Letters to the Editor New Teacher Praises BC Education System Your kindness and encouragement helped me to have a chance to work in public schools and as an immigrant to settle well in Canada. I will always remember that. From April up to the end of the school year I was lucky to be a teacher on call in the Delta school district. It gave me a chance to see many different schools, to get to know staff of the schools, styles of teaching and the atmosphere of Canadian schools. That was a great experience. This school year, I have a job again with the Delta school district. I'm very pleased with this district and with North Delta Secondary where I now work. Being a teacher with many years of experience I can see and appreciate that the principal of the school, the whole administration and the heads of departments are great. They watch and take care of their students and teachers so well. You just see how everything is under control and you feel very comfortable to work in such an environment, Readers respond especially remembering that for us new immigrants it is much harder to settle in any working place. Larisa Peresada RICHMOND Preventing Child Sexual Abuse I don't think enough is being done in the educational system regarding the prevention of child sexual abuse. Posters with contact information for helplines should be up in every classroom. An adult can go looking for help. A scared child probably won't. The help needs to be easily accessible. Trained professionals should be coming into the schools at least once a year (maybe for an assembly), if not more. I know teachers do the best they can, but they are not specialists in this area. This is a serious issue needing more attention. It is so much easier to prevent than heal the damage. Cameron Kincaid Editors’ Note: The College is developing a DVD on boundary violations titled Protecting the Boundaries of the Professional Relationship. Information will be available in early 2008 on the College website at www.bcct.ca. Interested in nutrition education? Take action in your classroom! BC Dairy Foundation offers nutrition education programs to all BC teachers. Programs are: • designed to meet curriculum outcomes • based on Canada’s Food Guide • fun and easy to teach! For information about our programs and resources, or to book a workshop call WINTER 2007 1.800.242.6455 TC MAGAZINE – or visit: 4 Do you need help implementing the Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales in BC Schools? Call Dial-A-Dietitian Greater Vancouver 604-732-9191 Toll-free in BC 1-800-667-3438 Monday to Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. www.dialadietitian.org For a list of foods and beverages that meet the BC Guidelines visit www.brandnamefoodlist.ca An initiative of these BC Healthy Living Alliance members Letters from the Chair and Registrar A message from the Chair Professional self-regulation is a great privilege, although it is often not well understood. Not only are the concepts of self-regulation vague in the public mind, many members of self-regulating professions also misunderstand the role of regulating bodies. A profession is granted self-regulation in return for an agreement by the practitioners to protect the 'public interest'. The alternative to self-regulation is no regulation or government regulation. Although no regulation in education is a rare occurrence, when the public/government desires some kind of regulation, there is always tension between those who believe political control is best and those who believe control by the members of a profession is preferable. Educators should be proud of their College. Like any organization, it is not perfect. It will remain as good as the people who are called to serve in it, which is why educators must be involved and select and elect quality candidates for Council. Let's remember that the College is a place where the tensions that arise between differing viewpoints are often seen. This is a good thing, especially when there is a willingness to continually work for what is best for our profession, our students and our community. Respectful dialogue and a willingness to listen will keep the College accountable and responsive to the needs of the profession and the public. As I try to balance the role of Chair of the College with the demands of a grade five classroom, I want to acknowledge the thousands of other dedicated, caring and committed educators throughout the province. I wish every practising educator a fulfilling year as we engage in the critical art of teaching. RICHARD WALKER – CHAIR A message from the Registrar Fall is a busy time for educators as they focus on creating a safe and high quality learning environment for students. It is also a busy time for the College, especially this year as we face significant challenges arising from legislative changes. On July 1, 2007, Orders in Council 437 and 440 brought into effect the provisions of Bill 21, the Teaching Profession (Teacher Registration) Amendment Act, 2007 (TPAA 2007) and Bill 22, the Education Statutes Amendment Act, 2007 (ESAA 2007). The TPAA 2007 requires that the College establish a list – that can be viewed by potential employers – of all its members employed by boards or authorities. The Act further requires that employers provide this employment information to the College prior to October 15 of each year. The ESAA 2007 requires that the College establish an online public registry with information about its members and those on Letters of Permission. Revisions to the College website are enabling employers to upload their employee lists to the Employers’ Area. We are now developing a system that will record employment information by member and school year, accept member employment information from more than one employer in a given school year, store this information for at least 10 years and be accessible to prospective employers by way of a secure site. We hope to have the employers’ list established and ready for employers by August 31, 2008. To comply with the ESAA 2007, we will need to expand the registry to contain information about both members and those holding Letters of Permission, including their name, current certificate status, record of any suspension or cancellation, record of disciplinary action taken by the College Council and reasons for the disciplinary action. The online registry should be publicly accessible by December 31, 2008. – WINTER 2007 – REGISTRAR 5 TC MAGAZINE MARIE CROWTHER FEATURE – The Road to TILMA TC MAGAZINE – WINTER 2007 The Road to TILMA 6 QUALIFICATIONS In 2006, the governments of BC and Alberta entered into an agreement to eliminate trade and service barriers between the two provinces. Among other goals, the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA) will make it easier for tradespeople and professionals – including educators – to work in either province. Under the agreement, educators certified in one jurisdiction will have their qualifications recognized in the other without having to complete additional coursework requirements. In order to eliminate barriers between the two provinces, the BC College of Teachers, the BC Ministry of Education and Alberta Education needed to reconcile their certification requirements. This article focuses primarily on the steps taken by the BC College of Teachers and Alberta Education to reconcile their qualifications.1 Reviewing BC’s certification requirements “The College began the reconciliation process by conducting a complete review of our certification requirements,” says BC College of Teachers Registrar Marie Crowther. “To do this, we consulted with all our education partners. We looked at each requirement and asked our partners if they still endorsed it, if it needed to change and whether it indirectly created any barriers to the movement of educators to and within our province.” This was the first major review of the College’s certification requirements since the College was formed in 1988. Learning more about Alberta’s certification requirements “At the same time we were conducting our review of the College’s certification requirements, we held a series of conference calls with Alberta Education and the BC Ministry of Education,” says Crowther. Here, the goal was to gather information and develop a detailed understanding of each organization’s certification requirements. This is where the differences really emerged. As defined in the Constitution Act, 1867 (originally known as the British North America Act, 1867), education in Canada has always been the responsibility of the individual provinces. The current certification requirements for educators in BC and Alberta are unique to each jurisdiction, 7 TC MAGAZINE – WINTER 2007 reflecting each province’s history, culture and values. Teach in England or Australia Ever thought of teaching in a different country? Protocol Education can place Primary, Secondary and Special Needs Teachers throughout England on a long-term, short-term and casual basis and Australia in short-term and casual posts. From the thriving hub of London or Sydney to quaint villages and bustling provincial towns, we can cater to your teaching needs. We offer high rates of pay, guaranteed work, frequent professional development, ongoing support, monetary incentives and the freedom to work as much or as little as you like! Toll Free: 1 888 898 8950 898 8950 Direct: (905) [email protected] www.protocol-education.com England or Scotland? Only TimePlan gives you the choice TimePlan can give you the opportunity to expand your teaching skills on a global scale. We offer positions throughout the UK tailored to meet your needs and ambitions. As the UK's original teacher recruitment specialist, TimePlan offers generous rates of pay, an extensive network of offices and all the support you'll need to make your transition a smooth one. For further information contact: Call: 011 800 8463 7526 (toll free) Email: [email protected] One of the most obvious differences between the two provinces is who has the authority to issue certificates of qualification. In BC, most certificates are granted by the BC College of Teachers, an independent self-regulatory body, while in Alberta they are granted by Alberta Education, a government ministry. Certification requirements between the two provinces also differ. “In BC, we use an approach to certification that emphasizes both outcomes and academic requirements, whereas Alberta uses only an outcomes-based approach,” explains Council Chair Richard Walker. “For example, both jurisdictions have a standard stating that educators must be knowledgeable about the subject areas they teach. Therefore, the BC College of Teachers requires that all elementary school teachers have three university credits in math, as math is a core subject area of the elementary curriculum. Alberta Education, on the other hand, doesn’t require an elementary teacher to have completed a course in math to qualify for TC MAGAZINE – WINTER 2007 a certificate. However, it may be a requirement for entry to an Alberta teacher www.timeplan.com 8 QUALIFICATIONS education program. The outcomes-based model means the government expects that all graduates of Alberta programs will have demonstrated proficiency in math, irrespective of how an individual university program is structured to meet that outcome.” This is just one example of the many issues under discussion as the parties worked to better understand the other’s certification requirements and began the reconciliation process. Reconciling the certification requirements College staff worked with the TILMA Advisory Committee, a sub-committee of the College Council, to review the feedback from our education partners as well as the information that had been learned about the Alberta certification requirements. Following the review, this Committee made recommendations to the Council, which were approved at the public meeting of Council in June and formed the College’s position for the TILMA discussions. At a meeting in Edmonton a few weeks later, the BC College of Teachers met with its counterparts from Alberta Education and the Office of Independent Schools to hammer out the specifics of reconciling their certification requirements. “The result of this meeting was a set of principles that were used to develop a Memorandum of Agreement for the Teaching Profession between Alberta and BC” says Walker. “This Agreement defines a common set of requirements for teacher certification.” Once the Agreement is signed by the three certifying bodies, the College will need to rewrite its bylaws and policies to certify applicants under the new requirements. How will TILMA affect BC educators? As an educator, you are no doubt wondering how TILMA will affect you professionally. If you are already a member of the BC College of Teachers, it will be easier for you to teach in Alberta. You will no longer need to submit your academic credentials for review, although you will still need to meet Alberta’s standards of being a “fit and proper person.” This also holds true for educators moving to BC from Alberta. “No one will be able to just come here and teach,” says Crowther. “Teachers in Alberta will need to apply to the College, and the College will still retain the ability to deny a certificate if an applicant does not meet our standards for being a fit and proper person or if the applicant does not show evidence of currency or language proficiency as defined by the agreement.” “In practical terms, TILMA really affects very few educators,” adds Walker. “In 2005/2006, fewer than 300 educators left BC to teach in Alberta and about the same number came to our province. However, for those educators planning to move between the two provinces, this agreement recognizes them as professionals 9 TC MAGAZINE – WINTER 2007 who deserve to have their credentials accepted by the other jurisdiction.” Ask the College Ask the College Many of our members have questions about the legislation passed last spring. The following questions represent the recent queries we’ve received about the employers’ list and online registry. What is the employers’ list? Do I need to do anything to College create an online registry. The legislation requires get on the list? the College to establish an online registry that includes The employers’ list is a tool for school boards and independent school authorities to verify a teacher’s employment history. The registry was created by provincial legislation and recently came into force. Boards and authorities are required to submit employment information to the College that can then be accessed by other school boards, authorities, and First Nations schools in the province in a secure password-protected online environment. An individual teacher does not need to submit any information as it is the responsibility of a board or authority, under law, to submit this information. information about the certification status of a member or a person holding a Letter of Permission and any disciplinary action taken against that member or person. The registry only includes discipline imposed by the College and does not include discipline imposed by school boards or authorities. For years, the College has maintained a record of discipline decisions on its website. It also distributes discipline case summaries to our members through TC. These practices are common among regulatory bodies. The new legislation requires that the College’s registry contain the names of all current members and their disciplinary record with reasons for the disciplinary action I’ve been a teacher for nearly 30 years. Will my three taken. Only where the publication of the reasons would decades of employment history be reported by the various cause significant hardship to a victim can the College districts that I’ve worked for? withhold the statement of reasons from the registry. No. The employers’ list is only for employment information from 2007 on. If you are working for a number of districts, What happens to discipline cases currently under inves- which is the case for many members who are teachers on tigation by the College that are in the process of being call, employment information will be submitted by each grieved at the employment level? board or authority that employs you. Prior to the new legislation, the College was required by law to delay proceedings on discipline cases until after Is the information on the employers’ list public? the grievance process between a teacher and his or her No. Under no circumstances will the College release infor- employer had ended. This would sometimes result in College mation contained in the registry to any unauthorized user. investigations proceeding years after they were initially The only people who will have access to information in the reported. The new legislation removed this requirement. registry will be authorized users as defined in the legislation: school boards, independent school authorities and First Nations schools. Do you have a question about the College? WINTER 2007 What is the online registry? TC MAGAZINE – Provincial government legislation also mandated that the 10 Please email us at: [email protected] CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS | Free Teachers’ Resources BRING THE REAL WORLD INTO YOUR CLASSROOM New & Available Now! You’re IN Business is the classroom resource designed to exceed provincial curriculum standards and to bring the big business of insurance into your business studies class. • Learn the core values of insurance as real world examples. • See how insurance faces big business issues —financially, operationally, legally, and ethically. • Developed for introduction to business, marketing, leadership, finance & entrepreneurship • CSC approved The Insurance Institute’s Curriculum Connections program is aimed at helping you and your students build a better understanding of home, auto, and business insurance. To order these FREE teachers’ resources or for more info please visit us online at www.career-connections.info Other Great Resources Available Risk Responsibility Reality Grades 9 to 12 Law, Life Skills, Family Studies CSC approved Know Your Risk Grades 6 to 9 Life Skills, CALM, Health CSC approved Career Connections Kit Grades 7 to 12 Career Studies, CALM CSC approved FEATURE – Facing Facebook Facing Facebook TC MAGAZINE – WINTER 2007 If you teach teenagers, chances are all your students are on Facebook. You may be, too. This social networking site is a useful way to keep in touch with friends and colleagues, but for educators it also raises issues about maintaining boundaries between your personal and professional lives. 12 PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT Facebook 101 A year ago, you may never have even heard of Facebook. This year, it’s everywhere, and students (and teachers) across BC are using it in record numbers. The idea behind Facebook is simple: create a profile page for yourself with as much or as little information as you like – photos, contact information, work history – and then allow people to add you as a friend. You can keep your profile private or you can put it out there for the world to see. In some ways, Facebook is no different than any other personal website. But what makes it different is the “social networking” component of the application. Lauded as part of the new “web 2.0,” social networking sites rely on the participation of others to make them much more than just a collection of static profiles. Wikipedia, blogs, myspace, friendster and flickr are all examples of sites that rely on the participation of others inside the network. In the case of Facebook, users are invited to make comments on photos, leave messages on a bulletin board feature called “the wall” or even identify people in photos. Everything links together, and any comments or changes made to your profile are fed to a newsfeed that goes out to every person on your friend list. If you don’t use the sophisticated privacy settings to control what is sent out over a newsfeed, information on your profile page is distributed over your entire Facebook network. Blurring the boundaries While there is nothing wrong with teachers using Facebook in their personal lives, Facebook does expose both teachers and students to fairly significant risk when it comes to respecting the boundaries between educator and student. The blurring of lines between one’s public and private lives has always been a key concern for professionals who are entrusted by the public to provide a service. An educator’s responsibilities as a professional extend beyond the end of the day when his or her duties as an employee are over. Educators have always keenly understood that their responsibilities to ensure the well-being of children reach far beyond the classroom. Breaking down the walls between a teacher’s personal and professional life can undermine a teacher’s authority and create a significant danger zone for both teacher and student. An educator’s ability to maintain boundaries within the professional relationship ensures a safe connection based on the student’s needs. A safe relationship is threatened when the boundaries become blurred or ambiguous, particularly when dual relationships are created. 13 TC MAGAZINE – WINTER 2007 In these cases, the teacher moves beyond a professional relationship into the personal realm. Facebook makes it much easier for dual relationships to thrive. Teachers that would never take a child to lunch or offer to drive a student home (other types of potential boundary violations) may not even hesitate to add a student as a “friend” on Facebook, exposing the student to personal information that the teacher would never consider sharing in a classroom setting. As an educator, you need to be aware that this is happening with increasing regularity, placing students and educators at risk. Publicizing the personal Because of the nature of the application, personal details about yourself that you may not want revealed (or that should not be revealed) are easily available to anyone on your friends list or on the network. There have been an increasing number of Montessori Elementary Teacher Credential Program* Now accepting applications for the Winter 2008 & Summer 2008 programs. 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. Training consists of 3 components: Summer Sessions, Distance Learning, and Field Study. WINTER 2007 rassing and potentially career-threatening situations based on pictures or comments that appeared on Facebook. As profession- Course Description: This course is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the preschool years (ages 36). It includes lectures and seminars on Montessori educational theory, philosophy, and curriculum. This course is a pre-requisite to VTI’s Montessori Elementary Credential Program unless a Montessori Early Childhood Credential has already been attained. als charged with working primarily with Credit options available. Secondary School Facebook network, which *Accredited by MACTE - www.macte.org *Affiliated with AMS - www.amshq.org www.vti.vsb.bc.ca/montessori/ vancouver training institute – TC MAGAZINE public trust have been placed in embar- Montessori Foundation Course Call 604-713-4500 or email [email protected] for a complete information/application package or visit our website: a division of the Vancouver School Board 14 media stories where professionals held in children, educators should be keenly aware of the potential for this to happen given the current climate. There is obviously some educational value to the software, given how ubiquitous it is amongst BC students. (For example, over 2000 people are members of the Kelowna could include students, teachers, alumni and others.) Students are just as likely to send an email or punch out a text message on a cell phone as they are to telephone friends PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT or family, and learning how to appropriately use software such as Facebook is part of developing sophisticated interpersonal skills that will be needed in the future. Educators should be aware of the occurrence of cyber-bullying on sites such as these, and if needed, monitor the situation. They should also probably avoid making their students “friends” online. Educators would never consider students to be their friends in the real world, and it’s not a good idea to do it in the virtual world either. Discipline casesummaries Of course, Facebook itself isn’t the problem. It is simply one of many web applications that are transforming how we com- Consent Resolution Agreements municate. Larger philosophical debates – about privacy expec- Lee Anthony Weinstein (Certificate Issued 1991.06.03) tations, the line between the personal and the professional, and admitted that he was guilty of professional miscon- the coming generational change that will affect the way we work and interact with each other – need to occur in both the duct and conduct unbecoming a member of the College. Mr. Weinstein, a principal, was found to have participated in and benefited from an ongoing arrangement profession and the society at large. What will never change, of contractual "kickback" payments. He received $11,300 however, is the responsibility of an educator to ensure the safety in payments from contractors with a school district of students is protected – both in the classroom and online. knowing that he had delivered no products or rendered any services beyond his regular duties as an employee of the school board. Mr. Weinstein has since made restitution to the school district in the amount of What do you think? $11,300. On June 7, 2007, the Preliminary Investigation Sub-Committee approved the Consensual Resolution We’re interested in knowing what you think about some of the Agreement and Mr. Weinstein accepted a six-month professional issues that emerge when discussing Facebook. suspension of his certificate of qualification, which ended on June 30, 2007. 8 Do you currently use Facebook? 8 If yes, have you ever had students ask you to be their 'friend'? Did you agree? Why or why not? 8 If you don’t use Facebook, do you know any educators that do use Facebook? 8 What is your opinion of Facebook? Member CR-A06-07 (Certificate Issued 1992.11.17) In December 2004, the College was notified by a school district that the member was issued a reprimand for dividing her classroom into two groups, the "retards" and the "experts." The member acknowledged this, saying that the group that did not complete its homework "retarded" the progress of the class, but said that she intended the 8 What do you believe are the important issues to consider regarding word "retarded" to convey the meaning "delayed." The educators’ use of social networking websites such as Facebook? school district's report to the College also included two prior disciplinary actions taken against the member for approved the Consensual Resolution Agreement and accepted the member's undertaking not to teach until such time as certain conditions are fulfilled. The Preliminary Investigation Sub-Committee agreed to withhold her WINTER 2007 link on the home page. 2007, the Preliminary Investigation Sub-Committee name from publication due to her health status. – www.bcct.ca and clicking on the “Respond to the Facebook Survey” use of inappropriate language with students. On June 20, 15 TC MAGAZINE Please let us know your thoughts by visiting our website at One of the best ways to ensure opportunities in education is by earning a Master’s Degree. But who has time?… You do. Expand on your teaching experience with a M.Ed. in Leadership or School Counselling while continuing to work full time. Our BC programs offer weekend classes taught by respected Canadian educators that make it easy to fit career advancement into your life. With locations from BC to Beijing, CityUniversity of Seattle offers a global perspective that prepares BC educators to meet the changing needs of an increasingly diverse school population. Learn More Today! www.CityU.edu/Canada_MEd or call 1-800-663-7466 x102 IN BRITISH COLUMBIA 1914 City University is a not-for-profit Equal Opportunity institution accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. At Gonzaga University's School of Education, inspiration is everywhere. Educational Leadership & Administration Two-Year Programs Weekend Classes Offered On-Site 24-Month Payment Plan TC MAGAZINE – WINTER 2007 For more information please contact: Dr. Alf McLean – Regional Partnership Coordinator Fax: 250.769.4005 email: [email protected] 16 Case summaries of informal PISC resolutions Case summaries of informal PISC resolutions The College receives reports and complaints from school districts, independent authorities, the public and the Ministry of the Attorney General. All new matters are reviewed by the Preliminary Investigation Sub-Committee (PISC), which is comprised of three Council members, one of whom is a layperson. Many cases are concluded through the College’s informal resolution process, which can be defined as an opportunity to resolve a conduct or competence issue through a confidential process that includes professional reflection, understanding and commitment, while protecting the public interest. In determining whether to proceed informally in a given case, PISC considers the nature of the conduct or competence, any pattern or previous disciplinary record and the member’s response in any other proceeding related to the matter. PISC develops a series of questions for the member’s written response that are relevant to the matters raised and that are meant to elicit and evoke insight and awareness regarding the member’s professional role in the education system. Examples of cases recently considered by PISC and concluded through the informal resolution process are summarized below: Case I The College received a report from an independent authority, in accordance with section 7(1) of the Independent School Act, advising that it had suspended a member for one week without pay for viewing adult pornography on a school computer during class time. The authority confirmed that there were no children present when the member viewed the pornography and that an analysis of the computer showed that there was no access to child pornography. The authority further advised that it had entered into an accountability agreement with the member that included the following terms: 8 The member would attend counselling sessions; 8 Internet access would be removed from the computer in his classroom; 8 Random checks would be conducted on his classroom computer. PISC considered the matter and decided to proceed informally. The member was asked to respond in writing to the following questions: 1. Do you understand that your conduct is not congruent with a teacher’s professional image? 2. What reassurances can you provide the College that this conduct will not be repeated? The member confirmed his understanding that his conduct was not congruent with the College’s Standards for the Education, Competence and Professional Conduct of Educators. He stated that he is viewed as a role model by students, parents and society and his inappropriate behaviour did not reflect positively on his school or profession. He also indicated that he had taken significant steps to ensure that this conduct would not be repeated and assured the College that he would be attending regular meetings with his counsellor as well as his school administrator. PISC reviewed the member’s response and determined to take no further action in the matter. Case 2 The College received a report from a school district, in accordance with section 16(1) of the School Act, advising that a letter of discipline had been issued to a member for grabbing a grade 10 student. The letter from the school district indicated that this member had been previously advised that physical contact with a student was not appropriate. The school district stated that during class, the member told the student to leave the classroom after he and other students WINTER 2007 had been laughing. As the student was walking out of the classroom, the member grabbed him by his shirt and pulled him 17 TC MAGAZINE – out the door. Case summaries of informal resolutions concluded by PISC PISC considered the matter and decided to proceed informally. The member was asked to respond in writing to the following questions: 1. What insights have you gained since this most recent incident concerning the use of physical techniques in managing children’s behaviour? 2. What more appropriate classroom management skills have you developed since the occurrence of this incident? 3. What reassurances can you provide the College that this conduct will not be repeated? In response, the member stated that physical contact between a teacher and a student was not appropriate or tolerated except in extreme circumstances. He understood that he must set a positive example for respectful interactions and it was his responsibility to set the tone in his classroom. He explained that this particular class was very challenging and that he had been new to the classroom when the incident occurred. The student involved was difficult and disruptive and previous interventions, such as moving the student, were unsuccessful. The member regretted that his actions towards this student could be interpreted as threatening and said that coming from a different culture, he was accustomed to different concepts of personal space and physical contact. The member confirmed that he was working to develop more effective teaching strategies to deal with behavioural challenges and would continue to work on establishing good communications with students, parents and administrators to form foundations for mutually respectful relationships. He also said that he was more mindful of students’ need for personal space. The member stated that the incident brought issues relating to classroom management and teaching practices to his attention and gave him an opportunity for reflection and professional growth. He said that he took seriously his duty to protect the emotional and physical well-being of his students and to create a safe and positive learning environment for them. PISC reviewed the member’s response and determined to take no further action in the matter. Advance your career with our online programs. Royal Roads University is the only public university in Canada exclusively devoted to meeting the immediate needs of working professionals. We pioneered the best model of learning by combining on-campus residencies with team-based online learning to enable you to maintain your life and get ahead in your career. TC MAGAZINE – WINTER 2007 LEAD THE WAY. 18 Put us to work, for you, today. Call us at 1-877-778-6227 email us at [email protected] or visit www.royalroads.ca DEGREES AND CERTIFICATES IN: C O M M U N I C A T I O N | E N V I R O N M E N T LEADERSHIP | MANAGEMENT | PEACE, CONFLICT & JUSTICE TECHNOLOGY | TOURISM & HOTEL MANAGEMENT Readers respond to case study on off-duty conduct readers respond to case study on off-duty conduct In the summer issue of TC, we presented a fictionalized case study of an educator who belonged to a naturism club and had agreed to be photographed for a club brochure. In the scenario, a parent complained about the brochure and the educator was suspended with pay. We asked for your opinion on the case, and 49 people offered their input. Three-quarters of those who responded to our survey believed that the teacher in Pro-D for Teachers question did nothing wrong. According to these respondents, the teacher’s conduct should not be classified as conduct unbecoming a member of the teaching profession. As one respondent stated, “the key aspect is that the teacher does not mention it [her membership in the naturism club] in her classroom…. Under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, this teacher has the right to this form of self-expression. Yet she should not bring it into her classroom, which, evidently, she has not.” Many respondents made a clear distinction between the appropriateness of the teacher’s membership in the naturism club and her decision to be photographed for Teaching ESL Langley, BC a brochure. Readers generally supported the teacher’s decision to belong to such a Intro to Teaching ESL promotional brochure. Common sentiments included “participating in the club may January 8 – April 15; Tues: 6:30 – 9:15 pm Call us about TWU’s TESL certificate! be fine, but promoting it through a brochure in the nude seems to be too much” and club, but disagreed with her decision to publicize her involvement through the club’s Educational Leadership Online “when she agreed to be photographed and gave permission for the photo to be used in a brochure she was culpable.” Many felt that the teacher crossed the line “when she agreed to be photographed nude, no matter how tastefully.” Those who believed that the teacher had demonstrated unbecoming conduct were Developing Educational Programs asked for their opinion about what, if any, disciplinary action should be taken by the EDUC 623; Harro Van Brummelen January 2 – March 22 College. The responses ranged from suggesting a simple warning to suspending the School Leadership & Supervision between teaching and membership in the naturism club. EDUC 624; Ray Klapwyk January 2 – March 22 member without pay for a period of one week to forcing the teacher to choose Off-duty conduct is clearly a topic that generates discussion. What does it mean to be a role model? Is it fair that teachers are held to higher standards than others? Legal, Political, & Social Contexts of Education One respondent stated that she thinks the College needs to continue education EDUC 626; Rod Wickstrom March 31 – June 7 (especially younger teachers) that the standards that teachers are judged on are around this issue as she believes “it is not common knowledge amongst teachers higher than for the average member of the public.” We thank everyone who took the time to answer these questions and contribute WINTER 2007 their opinions on this important issue. – Toll-free 1.866.402.1897 [email protected] www.twu.ca/glc Langley, British Columbia 19 TC MAGAZINE To register call toll-free 1.866.402.1897 or download registration form from www.twu.ca/coursesforteachers GROUSE MOUNTAIN’S ADVENTURES IN EDUCATION Take your learning outside the classroom with hands-on, interactive, and engaging Adventures in Education. Wildlife Education Programs: Choose from an array of curriculum sessions and add up to 3 additional activities such as a visit to the Timber Wolf Habitat, a híwus feasthouse presentation and outdoor mountaintop ice skating. Skiing & Snowboarding Lessons: Encourage fitness and recreation with a one or four day skiing and snowboarding program in a fully supervised, safe and playful environment. Your school will receive two flex passes for the season when you book a four day program. híwus First Nations Cultural Program: Enjoy a guided snowshoe tour to an authentic Pacific Northwest longhouse where students will hear First Nations legends and songs, and participate in dances and crafts while learning about the cultural importance of local plants and animals. Mountain Adventures: Discover all Grouse Mountain has to offer including outdoor mountaintop ice skating, guided snowshoe tours, The Peak of Christmas and more. Take advantage of our special School Group General Admission rates and customize your visit. Our Guest Services Representatives would be happy to help you plan your adventure. Call us today at 604.980.9311. Full program details are available online at www.grousemountain.com/education. tm in brief OFFER YOUR INPUT ON THE REVISED STANDARDS The BC College of Teachers is in the process of reviewing and revising its Standards for the Education, Competence and Professional Conduct of Educators in British Columbia. The Council revised the Standards after consulting with partner groups in April 2006. The revised Standards are now being circulated to education partner groups for feedback. You can view the draft Standards on our website, at www.bcct.ca. Please e-mail [email protected] to provide your input on the revised standards. A CONVENIENT TRUTH: CANADIAN TEACHERS GAIN ONLINE ACCESS TO ECO-INSPIRED CURRICULUM The World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF) and Canon Canada have partnered to develop “Schools for a Living Planet,” an online teaching resource with K12 Global, a recognized leader in curriculum-based, socially responsible education programs. Officially launched in September 2007, the program offers educators access to over 30 curriculum-linked, printable in-class activities for grades 3 to 8. Each unit is school board approved and has a unique environmental theme with material carefully designed to meet curriculum expectations in English, Social Studies and Science. Visit www.wwf.ca/teachers for more information about “Schools for a Living Planet”. FRUIT AND VEGGIE PROGRAM EXPANDS TO 164 SCHOOLS ActNow BC, with funding from the Ministries of Agriculture and Lands, Education, and Health, is now providing the fruit and vegetable program to an additional 113 schools across the province, for a total of 164 schools this fall. Participating schools will receive fruit and vegetable snacks on a bi-weekly basis for 18 weeks of each school year. The program sources fresh fruits and vegetables from growers throughout the province and will deliver to nearly 57,000 students with the expansion. An evaluation of the initial program by the University of Victoria shows that it is effective at teaching children about nutrition and locally grown produce, as well as increasing their consumption of fruits and vegetables. The goal is to offer every public school in BC the opportunity to participate in the program by 2010. For more information on the School Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program, 21 TC MAGAZINE – WINTER 2007 visit www.aitc.ca/bc. BRINGING SCIENCE FUN TO YOU! Sophia – Grade 2 Collingwood School West Vancouver Field trips to TELUS World of Science, Science World On the Road provincewide science shows and teacher resources: we’re making science a priority, at no cost to students! Contact us now to book for the 2007/08 school year! Stefan – Grade 2 Collingwood School West Vancouver Call 604 · 443 · 7500 or 1· 800 · 363 ·1611 to find out more. www.scienceworld.ca Robert – Grade 3 Bramblewood Elementary School Coquitlam SCHOOL SHOWCASE PROJECT The BC College of Teachers is proud to celebrate the artistic talents of BC’s elementary and secondary students. Quarterly, 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, students in kindergarten through grade 5 from Collingwood School (West Vancouver) and students in grade 3 from Bramblewood Elementary School (Coquitlam) participated in the program. If your school is interested in being part of WINTER 2007 the School Showcase Project, email [email protected] for more details. The TC MAGAZINE – We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Education for BC PALS. 22 School Showcase Project is free of charge to participating schools. SCHOOL GUIDELINES SUPPORT INITIATIVE With funding from the BC Healthy Living Alliance, the Dietitians of Canada – BC Region has launched the School Guidelines Support Initiative to support schools in implementing the school food and beverage guidelines mandated by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health. Expanded Dial-aDietitian services help you answer your school nutrition questions and link you to appropriate tools and local support (e.g. community nutritionists). In Greater Vancouver call 604.732.9191 NEW FO or toll-free in BC 1.800.667.3438. School nutrition links can be accessed R 2008: FRENCH IMMERS ION DAY AND FA LL DATE S! at www.dialadietitian.org. The Brand Name Food List at www.brandnamefoodlist.ca provides nutrition ratings for packaged and franchised food and beverages. This list will Enrichment Experience May 2008 help you find Choose Most and Choose Sometimes items that meet BC’s nutrition standards for schools. ECOKIDS BRINGS THE ENVIRONMENT Bring history alive for your students through the as-a-Second-Language (ESL) lesson plans, now available online. The lesson plans, formally evaluated by ESL professionals, are learner-centred, designed to increase English proficiency and environmental awareness, and linked to the K-6 curriculum. To access the EcoKids ESL lesson plans, visit: www.ecokids.ca ONLINE DEPRESSION SELF-TESTS FOR YOUTH This online resource uses a checklist to help youth evaluate their relationships with their parents and the strength of their family support systems. The interactive tool encourages at-risk teens to seek support and information from the list of resources provided. Check out the new Family Matters tool at www.mindyourmind.ca. Barkerville School Program Students will talk about this trip until they return with their own children years later. Dress up in your finest 1870’s clothes and join the rush to our School Program. It’s a unique introduction to BC’s history and museums. Check out the activities at www.barkerville.ca. The Whitecap Motor Inn 250-994-3489 www.whitecapinn.com The Bear’s Paw 1-866-994-2345 www.thebearspaw.ca The Hubs Motel 250-994-3313 www.wellsbc.com/hubs Wells School Rentals 250-994-3330 [email protected] Visitor Information 1-877-451-9355 www.wellsbc.com WINTER 2007 educators to check out their EcoKids English- – Earth Day Canada invites elementary school 23 TC MAGAZINE INTO YOUR ESL CLASSROOM KELOWNA MUSEUMS ADD NEW PROGRAMS FOR MIDDLE AND SENIOR STUDENTS The Kelowna Museums Society introduced several new programs for the 2007/2008 school year. The Age of Discovery uses cultural artifacts and visual images to examine how the civilization of the Renaissance is preserved and decoded through the inventions and discoveries made during that period. The Okanagan Military Museum offers a program called the Kit Box. A container similar to a soldier’s travelling trunk holds artifacts, uniforms and memorabilia from the museum’s collections, which have been adapted to the Grade 11 curriculum with materials relating to Canadian military history. This program can be offered at the museum or BOOK YOUR TRIP TODAY! brought into the classroom. The BC Orchard Industry Museum has added The Earth Beneath Our Feet, an up-close look at what lurks within the soil and how it affects growth When you engage your students’ imagination, you encourage their creativity in all subject areas. Open their eyes and minds to new cultures, adventures and possibilities. Coming Soon: Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium - Nov 16 Enchanted - Nov 21 The Golden Compass - Dec 7 National Treasure: Book of Secrets - Dec 21 The Spiderwick Chronicles - Feb 15 Horton Hears a Who - Mar 14 in orchards and gardens. Students will use the Scope-on-a-Rope microscope and discuss composting as a viable ecologically friendly alternative. For more information on these and other middle and senior grade programs, please visit www.KelownaMuseums.ca. 2008 PRIME MINISTER'S AWARDS Industry Canada has announced the launch CREATE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR CLASS DISCUSSION AROUND AN INSPIRING AND FUN ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE. of the 2008 nomination process for the Prime Minister's Awards for Teaching Excellence and Excellence in Early Childhood Education. These awards recognize outstanding teachers for TO BOOK YOUR GROUP CALL 1-800-313-4461 OR EMAIL [email protected] AND QUOTE 1107BC23 their innovativeness, their ability to inspire and support their students and the children in their care, and their commitment to their profession. For more information on the criteria, and to download nomination forms, visit the Prime Minister's Awards website atwww.pma-ppm.ic.gc.ca. The deadline for TC MAGAZINE – WINTER 2007 nominations is December 17, 2007. ® Cineplex Entertainment LP or used under license. IMAX® Is a registered trademark of IMAX Corporation 24 Meet the Members of the College Council Meet the Members of the College Council As with other professional bodies, the College is governed by a Council comprised of elected and appointed members. Of the 20 Council members, 12 are elected from the profession and eight are appointed by government. (The Teaching Profession Act requires that the Minister of Education appoint three of the eight from among the members of the College.) The Council undertakes its work in the public interest and not in the interest of individual members or groups within the profession. Before taking office, Council members must take and sign a prescribed Oath of Office to abide by the Teaching Profession Act and act honestly and without bias in the interests of the College. They must be guided by the public interest and not allow themselves to be put in a position of conflict of interest. Richard Walker – Chair Councillor Walker holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. He is a classroom generalist and music specialist in the Comox Valley school district. Walker has served as president of the Comox District Teachers’ Association and on several district and union task forces/ initiatives. He was a board member of the Courtenay Youth Music Centre and is a musician. [elected/member] Term start date: August 1, 2006. Term end date: July 31, 2009. Sandra Davie – Vice-Chair Councillor Davie has been in the teaching profession for over 30 years and currently works as a teacher in Prince George. She has been active in the profession, serving on a number of Ministry of Education committees as a teacher representative. She also chaired the Prince George English Local Specialist Association for 10 years. [elected/ member] Term start date: August 1, 2006. Term end date: July 31, 2009. Louise Burgart Councillor Burgart is a former superintendent of schools for school district 91 (Nechako Lakes) and past president of the BC School Superintendents’ Association. She has been a member of the College since 1988 and has 35 years of experience as an educator in BC. [appointed/member] Term start date: August 1, 2005. Term end date: July 31, 2008. Public Observatory & Astronomy Centre Observatoire public et centre d'astronomie Astronomically exciting adventures… Aventures astronomiques passionnantes… DeDe DeRose Councillor DeRose is the principal of an elementary school in school district 73 (KamloopsThompson). Previously she was a teacher of English as a Second Language in elementary and secondary schools in school district 27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin). She is the chair of the UBC First Nations Education Council, an advisor to Thompson Rivers University and a member of the College. [appointed/member] Term start date: August 1, 2006. Term end date: July 31, 2009. Timothy Dunford Video Conferencing – conférences vidéo Science Demos – démonstrations scientifiques 5071 West Saanich – 250.363.8262 cu.hia-iha.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca Patrick Dyer Councillor Dyer holds a B.Ed., specializing in history and social sciences, and has taken courses in political science, native studies, dispute resolution, claims investigation and insurance law. He teaches social studies, law, business education and English at New Westminster Secondary School and worked as an ICBC Claims adjustor/investigator. He has served as treasurer for the New Westminster Teachers’ Union and as job steward for the Office and Technical Employees’ Union and CUPE. [elected/member] Term start date: August 1, 2005. Term end date: July 31, 2008. WINTER 2007 Mobile Planetarium Visits – Visites du planétarium mobile – Professional Development – développement professionnel Councillor Dunford is a lawyer and former president of the Saanich District Parent Advisory Council. Dunford is a long-time member of the BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils and is a member of the Law Society of BC, the Canadian Bar Association and the Victoria Bar Association. [appointed/layperson] Term start date: August 1, 2006. Term end date: July 31, 2009. 25 TC MAGAZINE School Programs – Programmes scolaires Wanted! Canadian Teachers AAS is a non-profit, coeducational day school providing a full academic program in English. PreK -Grade 12, including PYP and IB. Must be Certified Minimum of two years experience Two year contract Average class: 12–18 students Chartered by the Canadian, US and UK Embassies Dalip Singh Gill Councillor Gill is the principal at the Dasmesh Punjabi School. Previously, he worked in the state department in education for the government of Punjab, India. Gill is involved with Abbotsford Indo-Canadian Senior Citizens Group and Abbotsford Community Services. Gill has a master’s degree in education from Himachai Pradesh University in India, and he has completed a master’s degree in political science and Punjabi, and bachelor degrees in teaching and arts, all from the Punjab University. [appointed/member] Term start date: August 1, 2006. Term end date: July 31, 2009. Jim Gill Councillor Gill holds a B.A. and is a teacher on call for the Vancouver School Board. Semiretired, he has 35 years’ experience teaching secondary social studies and English. He has served as president of the Vancouver Secondary Teachers’ Association and was a teacher representative on various Vancouver school board committees. [elected/member] Term start date: August 1, 2005. Term end date: July 31, 2008. John Grain Councillor Grain holds a B.A. with a major in English. He has been a public school teacher of Grades 4 to 12 for 28 years. He has served as president of the Central Okanagan Teachers’ Association and was a member of the BCTF Judicial Council and a resource evaluator for the Ministry of Education. [elected/member] Term start date: August 1, 2007. Term end date: July 31, 2010. Peter Grimmett Councillor Grimmett’s profile will be available in an upcoming issue of TC. Sonja Krzus email: [email protected] www.aas.ru Councillor Krzus holds a B.A in political science and criminology from SFU, a PDP in secondary education, as well as two post-baccalaureate diplomas: one in criminology and another in English literature. Before beginning her teaching career, Ms. Krzus worked as a Correctional Officer at a youth detention centre. Since 1992, she has taught in the public school system and currently teaches English and gifted education. [elected/member] Term start date: August 1, 2006. Term end date: July 31, 2009. Andrew Leathwood Councillor Leathwood is the principal of Mount Sentinel Secondary in school district 8 (Kootenay Lake). Previously, he has been a vice-principal, counsellor and a teacher of physical education, math, science and Career and Personal Planning in school district 86. Very involved in athletics, he has served on a number of recreation commissions and continues to coach basketball at Mount Sentinel. He has also served on a wide variety of district, regional and provincial committees and bodies related to curriculum. Mr. Leathwood has a bachelor’s degree in physical education and teaching certification from UBC and completed his master’s degree at Gonzaga University. [appointed/member] Term start date: August 1, 2007. Term end date: July 31, 2010. We are always looking for IB-Trained Teachers CIS is an independent, privately owned day school that provides the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme for Early Childhood Education to grade 12. Candidates must have two years teaching experience and be skilled in ICT. Fax, mail or email your resume/ references attention Gary Pettigrew. Jerelynn MacNeil Councillor MacNeil holds a B.Ed. from the University of New Brunswick and a master’s degree in distance education from Athabasca University. She has worked as a teacher in both Alberta and British Columbia since 1991, and has served as president of the Rocky Mountain Teachers’ Association since 2004. Councillor MacNeil is an avid bagpiper, is involved in local minor hockey and is the co-owner of two small businesses. [elected/member] Term start date: August 1, 2007. Term end date: July 31, 2010. Rena Neufeld Councillor Neufeld holds a B.Ed. (primary) with a minor in English literature and an M.Ed. with a major in teaching and curriculum development. She is an adult education teacher in the Nechako Lakes school district and she has worked as a primary teacher. Neufeld has served as a local representative to the BCTF. [elected/member] Term start date: August 1, 2005. Term end date: July 31, 2008. WINTER 2007 Norman Nichols TC MAGAZINE – 5 Toh Tuck Road, Singapore, 596679 e. [email protected] Fax: 65 6467 1729 www.cis.edu.sg 26 Councillor Nichols holds a B.A. in history from Simon Fraser University and a post baccalaureate diploma in curriculum development. He is a long-time teacher with over 30 years of service to schools in North Vancouver. Councillor Nichols has been actively involved with the BCTF, most recently serving on the BCTF’s Judicial Council. He is married with three children and six grandchildren. [elected/member] Term start date: August 1, 2007. Term end date: July 31, 2010. Dale Townsend Councillor Townsend is a teacher in Salmon Arm. He previously served as a member of the Judicial Council of the BCTF. Townsend is a former president of the district teachers’ association and served on Ministry of Education committees. [elected/ member] Term start date: August 1, 2005. Term end date: July 31, 2008. Mike Trask Councillor Trask holds a B.A., B.Ed. and a diploma in special education. An elementary and secondary school teacher in school district 75, he has also taught in Newfoundland. He has served on the local executive of the Mission Teachers’ Union and he is experienced in bargaining, professional development, personnel matters, grievances and arbitrations. [elected/member] Term start date: August 1, 2007. Term end date: July 31, 2010. February 20, 2008 • 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm Downtown Vancouver Four Seasons Hotel 34 BC School Districts from across the province will be in attendance at this event! For Registration Forms contact www.bcspa.net BC certified teachers needed in the Lower Mainland, Campbell River and the Comox Valley for in-home tutoring. Academic Advantage provides home support for grades 1-12 (all subjects) including Special Education, ESL, French Immersion, Provincial exam prep and University exam prep. We especially need senior math and science teachers. Please forward your resume via email or fax. t. 604.439.1790 Toll-Free 1.877.787.5854 f. 604.439.1795 [email protected] www.schooliseasy.com Already in use in classrooms across Canada – and teachers are talking! 100% of feedback respondents would recommend the resource to others. “A very strong package coupled with excellent online resources and assessment tools.” “Strong curriculum connections make the material easy to integrate.” “Interactive and engaging – my students loved it.” “Perfect for our Canadian classrooms. The Gathering Place is one of the best elementary resources I have seen.” A teaching resource for use in Grades 5-8 Social Science and History Supporting education about ® Canadian culture, identity and symbols ® Government, citizenship and democracy ® Canadian stories, heroes and celebrations ® Canada's connections to the world WINTER 2007 Kelly Shields Councillor Shields has extensive experience in early childhood and special education. She is currently the First Vice President of the Surrey Teachers’ Association and has previously worked as a district integration teacher, a resource room teacher, a tutorial room teacher, and a Grade 1 and 2 teacher, amongst other positions. Ms. Shields has also served as president of the Surrey Teachers’ Association, as a staff representative, and as chair of the BCTF’s Judicial Council. Ms. Shields lives in New Westminster. [elected/member] Term start date: August 1, 2006. Term end date: July 31, 2009. Job Fair sponsored by B.C. School Personnel Association BC Certified Teachers Needed To view the resource, additional activities and assessment materials, go to www.canadascapital.gc.ca/gatheringplace. To get your free copy, email [email protected]. – Linda Reimer Councillor Reimer is a real estate assistant and is the former chair of the school district 43 Parent Advisory Council. Previously, she held various positions with CIBC. She is a member of the Rotary Club of Coquitlam, a director of the Fraser Burrard Community Justice Society, a director of the Westwood Residents Community Association and a director of the City of Coquitlam Task Force on Youth Mental Health and Addiction Services. Ms. Reimer has a B.A. from Simon Fraser University and is a Fellow of the Institute of Canadian Bankers. [appointed/layperson] Term start date: August 1, 2007. Term end date: July 31, 2010 Teaching Opportunities in BC 27 TC MAGAZINE Mary Jo O’Keefe Councillor O’Keefe is the former chair of the Vernon school board and has also served as executive director of the Community Futures Development Corp. in Vernon and managing director of Vernon Tourism for eight years. [appointed/layperson] Term start date: August 1, 2005. Term end date: July 31, 2008. tm in focus a new concept or manage my class.” When new teachers struggle with various aspects of the job, Barson is there to help. “Everyone makes mistakes. But through discussion and reflection, we can change. I always schedule a debriefing session after each lesson to talk about ways to improve. It’s an essential part of the ongoing learning process.” Of course, the learning process itself often works both ways, and Barson says that she learns as much from the student teachers as they learn from her. Under her wing Mentoring dozens of new teachers over the years, sponsor teacher Carol Barson has developed a strong sense of the qualities that make a great educator – a sense of humour, a flexible approach and a genuine concern for children. canoeing trips and is a member of Dragon Runners, a dragon boat team that trains out of Nanaimo. For Barson, some of the most rewarding aspects from her work as a sponsor teacher. She is still in learned in their education classes. And essential to the success of the practicum touch with many of her former student teachers, experience is the sponsor teacher, who guides and mentors new teachers as they continuing the dialogue about successful teaching make the transition from theory to practice. strategies and best practices. “The mentoring process is really quite intense, and you get very close to your student teachers,” she says. “Teaching is a very important profession, and I want to do my part to develop “Many of my students have become good friends, excellence in new teachers,” she says. “I’ve learned a lot from my own colleagues and it’s wonderful to watch the progress of those who over the years, and I really value the opportunity to share this knowledge with have remained in the school district as they blossom those new to the field.” into skilled and compassionate educators.” Barson mentors student teachers from Malaspina University-College. The Malaspina students initially drop by for weekly visits so that they become familiar with the daily classroom environment. They then return for a six-week practicum later in the year, where Barson guides them as they take on increasing levels of responsibility in directing the class. Barson’s role as a mentor requires her to model successful teaching strategies and to support student teachers as they develop and fine-tune their lesson planning, classroom management and assessment skills. WINTER 2007 mind working together.” She enjoys wilderness program. For it’s here that student teachers can begin applying what they’ve Currently teaching grade 2 at Arrowview Elementary School in Qualicum Beach, “Having a student teacher in my class makes me a more reflective educator,” she says. “I’m always conscious of the need to use numerous strategies to teach – When she’s not teaching, Barson enthusiastically pursues outdoor sports that keep her “body and A practicum is one of the most important components of any teacher training has always welcomed student teachers into her classroom. TC MAGAZINE classroom and they have so many new ideas to share.” of her professional and personal life have emerged Carol Barson has been an educator for 26 years, and throughout her career she 28 “They bring so much energy and enthusiasm into the University of not just higher learning, smarter learning Making a difference through Action Research. At our Vancouver Campus, Master of Arts in Education (MAED) students are developing an understanding of how changing social conditions, cultural influences and values can influence the classroom. Armed with that knowledge, they can then use the Action Research component of their degree program to identify problems and propose resolution and implementation strategies. Over the past six years, MAEd students in British Columbia have completed more than 200 Action Research projects exploring critical issues that impact local schools and districts. Join others around the province who already have made a difference in their schools—and left a legacy in their districts. Applications are now being accepted. Choose from: I I Master of Arts in Education /Administration and Supervision Master of Arts in Education /Curriculum and Instruction Sharoyne Gaiptman, MAEd 2006, of Victoria, BC based her Action Research project on improving literacy amongst students experiencing failure in academic courses … What will you base your Action Research on? Learn more today. 604.205.6999 phoenix.edu/vancouver [email protected] Vancouver Campus 4401 Still Creek Drive, Suite 200 Burnaby, BC In British Columbia, the term "university" is used and the Master of Arts in Education program is offered under the written consent of the Minister of Advanced Education, effective December 20, 2006 and January 31, 2007, respectively, having undergone a quality assessment process and been found to meet the criteria established by the minister. Degrees are conferred by University of Phoenix through its Central Administration office, located in Phoenix, Arizona. The University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association (ncahlc.org). The MAEd program at University of Phoenix, Vancouver Campus is TQS-approved. © 2007 University of Phoenix, Inc. All rights reserved. AH7011 Publications Agreement No. 40050835 ISSN 1712-0772 PRINTED IN CANADA One in five children has a vision disorder. But since many eye conditions have no obvious symptoms, would you be able to tell if your child was the one? A thorough eye exam by a B.C. Optometrist is the only way to know for sure. What could be more important than your child’s vision? Please make an appointment with a B.C. Optometrist today. www.absee.ca A program of the British Columbia Association of Optometrists