SP9: Social Justice in Catholic Education, 2012 – 2013

Cohort Description

 

SP9, the Social Justice in Catholic Education cohort, is designed for all Teacher Candidates interested in promoting social justice initiatives in Ontario Catholic secondary schools. The special focus of this cohort is to introduce Teacher Candidates to Catholic Social Justice teaching and to equip them to inform their own educational practice with those important national and global issues as addressed by the Canadian Conferences of Catholic Bishops and by other significant stakeholders in the extended Catholic educational community. The foundation courses (Teacher Education Seminar, Psychological Foundations of Learning & Development and School & Society) are held at Regis College, 100 Wellesley St. West (within walking distance of the OISE building).

 

Program/Curriculum

 

In addition to following the TES curriculum based on Educational themes and the Standards of Practice, this cohort will include:

• an emphasis on Catholic Social Justice teaching

• an overview of the history of Catholic education in Ontario

• an introduction to the structure of Catholic education and the organizations that support Catholic teachers

• participation in site visits to community agencies such as the Good Shepherd Refuge for the Homeless and L’Arche Daybreak (Jean Vanier Institute)

• Catholic curriculum planning in all subject areas

• an introduction to the work of local national and global Catholic and secular organizations

• speakers, representing Catholic and secular agencies to address social justice issues in areas such as human rights, peace, globalization, and poverty

• a collaboration with Canadian Jesuits International (CJI)

 

Practicum/Internship

 

SP9 teacher candidates are assigned to do their two student teaching practicums in a selected number of participating secondary schools in Toronto Catholic, York Catholic, and Dufferin/Peel Catholic District School Boards. At the end of their program at OISE, candidates are encouraged to undertake their Internship session (April/May) with a broad array of organizations such as Catholic curricular institutes, school boards, trustee or teacher groups, media agencies, international development and peace agencies, and placements in international schools in Asia and Africa.

 

Additional Field Experience Days

 

Candidates are expected to reserve days during the year for additional field experience to visit our cooperating schools and boards of education for special presentations on student or board generated social justice initiatives. Note: These cohort days are subject to change each year