OISE’s Environmental Leadership Certificate
This certificate program signals OISE’s support of the Ministry of Education’s policy in environmental education, Acting Today, Shaping Tomorrow, and offers OISE’s Teacher Candidates (TCs) a way to deepen their learning about Environmental and Sustainability Education (ESE). It offers special recognition of TCs’ commitment to and learning in this area while in the B.Ed program, and we hope offers an edge when applying for teaching positions as ESE is an area of focus for many school boards today. We hope to contribute to the development of the next generation of Ecoschool leaders with a broader exposure to ESE, as well as contribute trained educators to work in community-based organizations with an environmental agenda.
Cost: None! This certificate is a voluntary undertaking for OISE TCs; there is no extra cost for it, but there is a commitment above the normal requirements for a B.Ed. The program of learning to support this certificate will be co-ordinated by the ESE Infusion Initiative and the School-University Partnership Office (SUPO).
Timing: You can start the certificate work at any time during the academic year. All paperwork to demonstrate completion of the certificate must be submitted by May 24, 2013.
Coordinator: Dr. Hilary Inwood [hilary.inwood@utoronto.ca]
Environmental Leadership Certificate Components:
Teacher candidates are required to complete all of the three components to achieve OISE’s Environmental Leadership Certificate:
1. Formal Learning Component:
Formal learning is defined as working alongside an experienced environmental educator or environmentally-focused organization to learn from their experiences. It can be course-based, but can also be done through a mentoring relationship. A minimum of 20 hours of formal learning in ESE must be completed through one of the following:
- taking the related studies course EDU 5508: Exploring ESE Related Studies OR
- participating in elemetary (option) or secondary (cohort) TES workshops about ESE OR
- participating in an ESE-focused Internship (done as part of the May internship; to see a list of possible sites, click here) OR
- working in partnership with an experienced teacher who runs a Green Team or EcoClub, OR
- other ESE-focused formal learning components such as taking more co-curricular learning events, lectures or courses off campus (as approved with the coordinator)
2. Co-Curricular Learning Component:
Attend a minimum of three co-curricular learning events focused on ESE while at OISE. These can include workshops, talks, lectures, field trips, the ESE Launch event, the Eco-Fair or other events. Click here for a listing of what is taking place this year.
3. Service Learning Component:
Demonstrate leadership in ESE by volunteering for and participating in an ESE activity, event, research project or initiative at OISE, in your practicum school, or in a community organization. This can include (but is not limited to) working with a school's Green Team/Eco-Club; doing an ESE-related Internship; or teaching ESE lessons during your practicum. Teacher candidates must provide evidence of completion by having a host teacher or host organization sign off on your hours. A minimum of 15 hours of service learning must be completed for the certificate. A list of possible service learning sites is posted here, but you are also welcome to set up your own service learning component.
To begin the certificate: To begin the Environmental Leadership Certificate program, Hilary Inwood [hilary.inwood@utoronto.ca] to signal your intent to participate.
To complete the certificate: Please fill out the form found here to signal your completion of the certificate, and get the necessary signatures to provide evidence of your completion of each component. Send the completed form to Hilary Inwood [hilary.inwood@utoronto.ca]; once approved, your certificate will be issued by SUPO. This form must be submitted by May 24, 2013 to qualify for the certificate.
Questions: Any questions can be sent to Hilary Inwood [hilary.inwood@utoronto.ca]
Note for Graduate Students: As this is the first year of this certificate program, it is currently open only to B.Ed students. We are working on expanding it to include graduate students, but the necessary permissions may not be secured until later in 2013.